Lebanon
But time heals most wounds, and the Raiders haven’t lost since.
Lebanon head coach Rob Johnstone insisted that his team not think about Tuesday’s rematch against John Stark, a dominant 2-0 victory at home, as revenge. His team, 10-1 in NHIAA Division II, has grown in those 35 days; its offensive cohesiveness has been solidified, outscoring opponents 39-7 this season.
But for some Raiders, including senior midfielder Julian Stott, succeeding in its second crack at John Stark gives Lebanon the confidence it needs headed into the season’s final stretch.
“We came into this one with a good mindset,” Stott said. “We didn’t come into it for revenge. This was just another game. There was that mindset of we wanted this one, but to just stay within the limit and stay composed while doing it.”
Stott assisted on both Lebanon tallies on Tuesday, scored by sophomore midfielder Patrick Mason in the 27th minute and junior forward Luke Sandmann in the 43rd minute. Junior midfielder Owen Johnstone also had two helpers.
“The last thing we talked about after practice yesterday was we couldn’t win that first game,” Johnstone said. “We can’t come out so emotionally fired up. … That game’s over. What we needed to do was be ruthlessly efficient in this game. … Like, ‘Are we better than them in that (first) game?’ ”
The Raiders used their nifty, possession-style offense to keep the pressure on John Stark early and often in Tuesday’s rematch. In the first half alone, Lebanon out-shot the Generals, 4-1, with little pressure on the Raiders’ defensive line or Lebanon goalkeeper Cole Davis.
Mason found some space midway through the first half, finishing off a crossing play from Johnstone that found a wide-open Stott in the middle of the field. Stott crossed to a streaking Mason down the left sideline, who hit an against-the-grain shot into the top right corner of the net.
“They’re a really tough team to pry open,” Johnstone said. “I think we had some beautiful moments of possession. But they make you earn it. The final pass has to be really dead-on.”
Sandmann added the insurance goal just after halftime, cleaning up a jump ball off the outside of his right foot to sneak the ball past John Stark goalkeeper Chase Patterson. Johnstone was visibly pumped up after Sandmann’s goal, turning to his bench and letting out a loud scream-and-fist pump combination.
“We like to spread it out,” Stott said. “Connect passes, stay compact defensively and just work together. Our chemistry is very good. We’re good at getting out in space.”
Most of the second half turned into a game of keep-away, as Lebanon’s strong midfield possession kept the Generals on their heels. John Stark had its best chance in the 65th minute, a cross into the box that found the head of midfielder Isaiah Lovering wide open on the far right side. The shot, however, went high and wide. Johnstone let out a sigh of relief.
The victory marks somewhat of a comeback for Lebanon’s defense, which surrendered a season-high five goals in two games last week to Goffstown and Trinity. The Raiders now have seven shutouts this season. John Stark, on the other hand, lost its second game over its last three.
“We gave up five goals all of last season,” Johnstone said with a laugh. “We had to change a few things as far as defending goes, as far as lines of engagement. I think we got stretched out and exposed, a little bit.
“I think what we did very well throughout the game is we played simple and quick,” he added. “We forced John Stark to chase the game. … It’s tiring.”
What encourages Stott more than anything about this season is that the Raiders seem like they have all the right pieces working together.
“I think we just have a bunch of good guys that are good friends on and off the field,” Stott said. “We all like each other. We love to play soccer. When we get out here, all we want to do is win.”
Johnstone just hopes his team can capitalize on the opportunity.
“The thing I like about this team is that they beat us, that’s soccer,” Johnstone said. “They had a great game plan and they scored a nice goal. … John Stark is going to be a very high seed. That’s the game, right? You’re hoping within the 80 minutes you can get three or four quality chances and when you do, what do you do with it?”
Lebanon travels to Kearsarge (1-7-3) on Friday.
Josh Weinreb can be reached at jweinreb@vnews.com or 603-727-3306.