Hanover's streak of Saturday successes continued into October, as the Marauders used a second half spurt to put away pesky Hollis-Brookline 2-1. Eric Jayne's 42d career goal gave the Marauders the wining edge, and tied him for the all-time HHS goal scoring title.
Just as significantly, the Marauder defense ruled the day, stifling the Cavalier and conceding only a late-game penalty kick that was as inconsequential as it was ludicrous. Stefan Dyroff was a dominating presence in goal, and the back 4.5 continued to play very well.
The first half was even in every sense of the word. Hollis-Brookline, which has been good enough this season to tie unbeaten Souhegan twice, matched the Marauders shot for shot and held a 3-0 edge in corner kicks. Center midfielder Geaton Ciot buzzed all over, forcing Dyroff to make a sweet save on his header from a corner kick,and narrowly missing a short-side shot that dented the side netting. Cavalier forward hit a long shot from outside the 18 that glanced off the crossbar on its way over. Hollis was hungry.
Hanover was not without its opportunities. Ben Harris had a couple looks from the edge of the box, and Eric Jayne his one strong shot from the right side that was saved by Hollis keeper Nick Ullrich. Hayden Pressey-Murray hit a long-range bomb that beat Ullrich but just eased over the bar. With five minutes to play in a tight first half,
Connor Bentivoglio hit an excellent driven cross from deep on the right side. Striker Daniel Hazlett and a Hollis defender both just missed connecting with the ball in front, and it sped to onrushing midfielder Trey Rebman, who hit a textbook volley and blasted it over Ullrich's outstretched arms for his second goal of the season and a 1-0 lead.
Given the back and forth nature of the first half, the slim lead seemed precarious. Within minutes after the resumption of play, it was clear that the Marauders had turned the volume to 11. Hanover pinned Hollis in their own half and battered them with a succession of shots. Joe Carey and Ben Harris orchestrated the attack from the center of the park, and wingers Rebman and Forrest Pratt sent a number of dangerous balls into the mixer for Jayne and Isaiah Fariel, celebrating his return to the starting lineup. Jayne and Matt Barth nearly connected on headers, and Ullrich made several good stops before Jayne connected for his 9th goal of the season at the 58 minute mark. Forrest Pratt hit one of his several superlative corners, and Hayden Pressey-Murray met it for an unerring header. Ullrich was in position to stop the shot, but it popped off his hands just long enough for Jayne to ghost in and head the ball home with alacrity.
Hanover kept pounding, and created several more good opportunities. Roland Gerrmann-Stanzel nearly snuck a shot in on the near side on a corner kick from Keegan Gantrish.
Evan Greenwald had a decent long-rage take, and unveiled his longer-range throw-in. Unfortunately, in his excitement the rookie defender wasn't able to find Jayne in traffic, despite his coach's explicit instructions. Luckily, Ben Harris was in position to flick the errant throw into danger in front of the net.
The game was well in hand as the clock ran down, and even another one of those "Huh?"
penalties with three minutes left couldn't dampen the shine of Hanover's effort. Stefan Dyroff's foray off the line to corral the ball at the edge of the box was misinterpreted by the field hockey official who had shown up at the wrong field to be a free hit or a penalty corner or whatever they call it. Dyroff recovered his equanimity long enough to miss administering cheater's proof by a fingertip. No mater. The ball stayed in the Hollis end of the park for most of the remaining time, betting over midfield only when Joe Carey got a 15-yard penalty for holding, or perhaps roughing the passer.
Hanover was happy to celebrate its 9th straight victory, and stay tied at the top of the table with Merrimack Valley in NHIAA Division Dos. The Marauders return to action on Tuesday with a road trip to Bishop Brady. The game kicks off at 4:30 at the NH Voc-Tech field in Concord. Be there for #43.
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