Marauders Beat Fall Mountain 7-0 on a Day of Firsts

Division One Hanover visited Division 3 Fall Mountain on Tuesday, and the result was pretty much what was expected, as the Marauders scored three timse in the first ten minutes, cleared the bench for the rest of the game, and won 7-0, outshooting the Wildcats 38-0. Yet, thanks to the coaching and discipline of Fall Mountain, the game was closwe than it might have been and constructive for both sides. Blowouts can be ugly, but this one had a decent feel for several reasons: Hanover's goals were all well-taken, and with one exception not the result of FM errors. The hosts played good defense and had a very strong goalkeeper, and Hanover actually missed a lot of sitters. Taken all together, the experience produced mutual respect on both sides. That said, the return match on Saturday at 1:00 at Merriman-Branch Field wil be given to the Marauder JV1 team in hopes of creating a more competitive game. The match was scoreless for 41 seconds. That's how long it took to work the ball to Dylan Kotlowitz on the right flank. The Senior Captain got loose on the baseline and fed the ball in front for a tap-in by Henry Aspinwall, making his first start of the season. Four minutes later, Pierce Hamlin found room in almost the same spot as Kotlowitz, and dropped a ball to Eric Ringer at the top corner of the penalty area. The Junior sharpshooter put the ball awy for his second goal of the season. Due to the application of the Spaulding rule (score and leave), both Ringer and Aspinwall exited the match, never to return. Oscar took Asponwall's spot up top, and he didn't last very long, scoring his first varsity goal, converting the rebound of Jacob Kubik-Pauw's hard shot, giving K-P his first assist. It was a night of assists. The bench-clearing process began in earnest at the 20-minute mark, and five minutes later Carter Guerin slid a pass to brother Will, who converted a nice shot just inside the 18. It's likely variations of that scoring combination will occure regularly from these two freshmen, who play hard, with superb technique and unusual accumen. Junior Jack Ross closed out the first-half scoring ten minutes later, making it 5-0 by tapping a low, driven corner kick from Connor Hamlin. First career goal, first career assist. The second half started with an all-Senior back line, featuring debutantes Matias Lee and Tom Lyons, backing up Becket McCurdy in his first stint as holding center midfield. This half, it took 1:40 for the first score. Zane Schiffman hit a low, driven cross from the right flank that connected with Kubik-Pauw at the first post. First and first. The Hanover offense continued to hum, creating a ton of chances and a like number of near misses. Pierce Hamlin volleyed a great cross from Tucker Monson, but his drive went right in the the breadbasket of FM keeper Brayden Ring. Jackson Lake was active, with five shots. Ryder Hayes had four attempts, and Zane Schiffman had three. With less than 15 minutes to play, Connor Hamlin picked off a pass in the Wildcat end, and when in alone on goal, collecting his first goal of his career, making the final score 7-0. Senior goalkeeper CJ Wheelan made one save on a deflection from his own defender, but that allowed him to claim his firstr career clean sheet. As noted, the return match will be given to the JVF1 squad on Saturday. Following that match, the Varsity will play an intersquad match. Potebntial lineups the the Reversible Classic might pit Seniors and Freshmen against Junions and Sophomores. Stay tuned for details. It's worth noting that all of the necessary COVID-19 protocols were followed to a tee, and proved to be no hassle. Both teams did a great job qwith masks and distancing, as did the spectators. Fall Mountain was a safe and effective host.