Marauders Rally to Tie Lebanon 2-2 in a Wild Finish

 The final game of the regular season for the Marauders was a hotly-contested match with playoff intensity that resulted in a 2-2 draw with archrival Lebanon. Hanover rallied twice to tie the game, and got the second equalizer with less than two minutes to play.  Nathan Subrahmanian's goal capped a wild finish that saw the Marauder storm the goal on multiple occasions, be denied a clear penalty, and muster to composure to create a classic goal that closed an undefeated regular season.

Hanover and Lebanon have played three times in this crazy Covid season, and each one has been well-played and hard fought.  The third in the series, and first one on Lebanon's lush grass pitch, gave both teams plenty to chew on as they prepare for the upcoming playoffs.  Hanover entertains longtime D1 power Concord on Wednesday at 3:00

Friday's match on a cloudy October afternoon, under ideal conditions, started poorly for the Marauders. Lebanon outshot Hanover, took more corner kicks, and grabbed a one goal lead in the 10th minute when Griffin Auch got way too much time on the left flank to hit a cross into the Marauder box.  Lebanon midfielder Simon Amero got loose easily and volleyed the ball into the net to give the Raiders the lead.

Hanover had few legitimate chances in the half.  One of these came on a free kick outside of the box.  Eric Ringer put a hard shot on goal that produced a juicy rebound from Lebanon goalkeeper Colbie Delisle, but no one was there to cash in.  Ten minutes later Ringer put another free kick into orbit over the Raider goal. At the other end, Lebanon threatened to increase the lead with a flurry of three corner kicks in rapid succession, one of them punched clear by CJ Wheelan that may have been on target for the back post.

Hanover did a better job at the start of the second half, displaying more urgency and establishing an edge in play that was exacerbated when the first wave of substitutes came into the match after the 50 minute mark.  Seven minutes later, two of those subs collaborated to tied the score. Right back Conner Hamlin, counseled to pinch forward, had a clearing kick land at his feet.  He volleyed a cross into the Lebanon box that sailed over Jack Gardner's head but found Will Guerin, who eluded his marker and nodded the ball into the net for his second goal against Lebanon in eight days.

Hanover looked to be in great position to take the lead, but they were shocked less than three minutes later when a free kick against the run of play gave Lebanon the opening they needed to break the tie instead. Alex Felix lofted the ball into the Hanover box, clearing the head of the first defender and skipping into traffic where Daniel Mladek deflected it past Wheelan for a 2-1 lead.

With 20 minutes to play, Hanover found the intensity which had been necessary but missing earlier.  They had already had several good shots, including a drive by Jacob Kubik-Pauw that was deflected away by a defender, but now the field tilted for sure.  There several scrambles following corner kicks or long throws into the box.  Ringer was particularly active on the right wing, although he shot over the bar several times, and was just a beat late at the far post on a cross from the left side.  With seven minutes to play, Dylan Kotlowitz, who had been dynamic on the right side, took possession and made a run into the box.  Lebanon midfielder Simon Amero tracked him from behind,  caught up with him in the box, and clearly shoved him down from behind.  We've watched the film repeatedly.  It was clear penalty.  Textbook.  Not called. Yet the Marauders quickly flushed their angst and got back to work.  As the clock froze at 2:00 (actually 1:53, abysmal clock work which would never be tolerated by Mike Lake), Ringer made a deep run to the baseline and beat defender Alex Felix, hitting a cross on the ground (finally) that was dummied by Jack Gardner and met by Nathan Subrahmanian, who guided it home with his left foot for the best goal of his career.  Hanover wasn't finished .  They kept pushing, and earned a corner at the death of the match. One more crack.  On the Marauder bench,  Coach Sam Pych rubbed his hands in anticipatory glee. Then Mr. No Penalty blew the final whistle. Sheesh.  Pych was triggered into a PTSD moment, recalling the final game of his senior season, and another corner that wasn't.

By mutual agreement prior to the match, there was no overtime, but the two teams did continue with non-binding penalty kicks.  Another chance to learn lessons on a day full of them. Now, though, it's time to turn toward the playoffs on Wednesday.  No need to look past Concord, a three-time  D1 Champion, most recently in 2017.  The Tide have been to the Final Four 11 times in the last 16 years.  They are led by top striker Alasdair Ferrier, and have just played top dog Central twice, drawing 0-0 and then blowing a 2-0 lead in a 4-2 loss.  They will be a formidable opponent. Eager to pay their first D1 game of the year, the Marauders will be ready.