The Marauders took a giant step towards postseason success with a critical 1-0 victory over archrival Pinkerton on Friday, combining strong team defense with a sensational goal by Charlie Adams, his 18th goal of the season. The win gave Hanover sole possession of third place in the NHIAA Division One standings with an 11-3 record, and moved then closer to a coveted second round home game.
The Marauders had last seen Pinkerton in their final playoff game last season, and the sting from that penalty kick defeat was lessened significantly by Friday's victory, which took place in a playoff-like atmosphere. The match was hard fought and full of close calls and big plays, and in the end Hanover's composure and brink-of-disaster defense made the difference.
The Marauders looked ready for prime time right from the outset, as Christo Dragnev took a dangerous shot in the first minute. His bid was wide to the left, but it was a calling card that the home side was ready to start the match on their front foot. Dragnev was back at it moments later, taking a feed and penetrating deep into the box before his slightly delayed shot was blocked by a Pinkerton defender.
The Astros took only two shots in the first half, thanks to a strong Marauder possession game, but their first one was a dangerous header by Trevor Demers off of a corner kick (given away unnecessarily) that was saved by Hans Williams.
Blake Palmer was dangerous on the left flank in the early going, launching a good shot on goal after cutting into the box on his right foot. Dillon Bradley got open for a far post header on a Liam Collins corner kick, but his bid was saved easily by Astro goalkeeper Max Fairbanks. The best bid in the early going came after Amane Matsuoka penetrated on the right side and slid a pass to Eli Stack for a left footer that was headed to the corner before Fairbanks made a great dive to his left to deny the goal. The Marauders had another great look when a series of short passes between Collins and Adams brought Collins right to the doorstep before his shot was blocked.
Adams had taken a few speculative shots from outside the penalty area earlier in the half, and as time was winding down, he got another opportunity after a good tackle in the Hanover end brought the ball back into Pinkerton territory. Blake Palmer crossed the ball into the center, and after Pinkerton got the next touch the ball came to Adams 25 yards out. With typically efficient preparation, Adams found room to rip a shot that zipped into the lower right corner with 15 ticks left in the half. It was a dagger to Pinkerton's heart.
Each side knew that the next goal scored would be the decisive one, and each team worked particularly hard, increasing the tension with each passing minute. Hanover refused to sit back, and continued to possess the ball patiently and look to double the lead. Pinkerton was equally resolute, though, and created some dangerous chances. Ten minutes after the interval, several Astro passes in the zone gave Will D'Amico a good look on the left side of the box, but Dylan Kotlowitz made a great block to deny the shot. Minutes later, Hans Williams showed great command of his box on a free kick played into traffic, coming out strongly to grab the ball at its apex.
The Marauders came close several times midway through the half. Amane Matsuoka, who gave Pinkerton problems all afternoon, got loose on the right side and rolled into the middle like Messi, blazing a shot over the crossbar. Adams hit a rocket from his sweet spot outside of the box, but it took off and cleared the bar by several feet. Collins and Dragnev each came close with their bids.
Pinkerton was hardly finished. Midfielder Henry Andrews hit an absolute screamer from 20 yards that only cleared the crossbar by a foot or two. Yikes. Minutes later, Kyle Doucette, a rock all afternoon at center back, made a crucial block on a shot attempt by Demers with five minutes remaining. Play moved to the other end, and once again Matsuoka was a threat, beating his defender to the baseline and hitting a hard shot fro a bad angle that was swallowed by Fairbank.
Pinkerton had been raining balls into the box all afternoon, and with time winding down they had one more chance to tie the game, with a free kick 30 yards from the goal. Pinkerton piled everyone onto the box, including goalkeeper Fairbank, hoping to emulate the famous play by Manchester United keeper Peter Schmeichel. The Marauders got a head on the ball and then a timely clear by Matsuoka, who poked the ball ahead to Adams, who took possession at midfield as Fairbank frantically raced back to the goal. Adams' bid at a hockey-style empty netter was blocked by a defender, but the play killed the clock, and Hanover happily celebrated a signature victory over a top-ranked opponent, claiming third place at the expense of the Astros, who could very well pop up back in Hanover for the Quarterfinals in two weeks. Now that would erase the bitter taste from last year once and for all.
First things first. The Marauders will return to action almost immediately, traveling to Nashua and Stellos Stadium for a Monday night matchup with Nashua North. The Titans have been hanging around the top of the standings all season, and they will be a tough out, especially if the rain forecast for Monday evening falls with any force. Having taken an affirmative step forward, however, the Marauders are ready to confirm their status as a team prepping for a deep run in postseason.
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