The Marauders won a pair of satisfying preseason victories on Thursday evening, beating well-prepared Lebanon teams. The Junior Varsity conceded two early goals and then roared back for a 4-3 victory. The Varsity dominated possession and played superb defense and scored a breakaway goal by Christo Dragnev with ten minutes to play to beat a very strong Lebanon team 1-0.
Down 2-0, the JV stayed composed and scored three times before the end of the first half to take a lead they never relinquished. Will Ermarth's ball into the box created an own goal before Jack Maynes tied the game on a rebound from a shot by Zane Schiffman, who promised to repeat his good-luck routine of running multiple sprints to warm up earlier in the day. David Sotffel was the man of the match, scoring the game winner with two minutes to play in the half, with Tucker Monson earning the assist. Stoffel then iced the game in the 68th minute, heading in a ball from Pierce Hamlin, who set himself up with some nifty footwork. Judd Alexander was the man of the match on defense, and like Stoffel will be joining the Varsity group tomorrow in Keene. Even though his team lost, Lebanon JV Coach Earl Barrowes has done a wonderful job organizing the Lebanon JVs. We with Earl and his team the best of luck this season!
The Varsity game had a playoff feel to it. New Lebanon Head Coach Ben Pearson (who also attended Hanover High as a freshman) had his team firing on all cylinders. The Marauders controlled the play, however, and did a nice job owning the center of the field, thanks to center backs Dillon Bradley and Kyle Doucette, and sitting center midfielder Matty Gardner. Liam Collins did a wonderful job orchestrating the attack, especially with Charlie Adams taking this night off, and with 10 minutes to play he his a through ball to a streaking Christo Dragnev, and the jet-lagged striker buried a sweet left footer as he cruised into the box, giving Hanover the only goal they would need.
The Marauders utilized 25 players, and showed depth and composure, with many player logging their first varsity minutes on Merriman-Branch Field.
There will be no rest for the weary. The same group, with a few shuffles between the squads, heads to Keene Friday for a pair of games with the Owls and the Con-Val Cougars, hoping to get the games completed before the rains come. They should plan for rain nevertheless. The busses will leave at 8:30 sharp. Players should wear all white, preferably the white practice tops that most had for the Alumni game. Players need to bring their own water and snacks. The games are at 11:15 (Con-Val) and 12:30 (Keene). All games are at the high school. Varsity and JV will play at the same time.
JV players who did not turn in their gray practice jerseys used in the Lebanon game should being them to the bus tomorrow.
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