Hanover
The Marauders (2-1) took a big step in forming their identity with the season still in its infancy.
“We’ve kind of been still a newish team, so we’re getting to feel out how we all play on the field,” senior Izzy Sangha, who scored the game’s first two goals, said. “I feel like we really clicked this game with passing, getting the balls off quickly, getting through and moving the ball really well.”
Sangha scored her first goal 6 minutes into the contest by pouncing on a rebound off of Lebanon goalie Hope Brown on a 40-yard blast by Hanover’s Lois Schwarz.
Sangha struck again with 10:36 remaining in the first half by converting a ball that Jasmine Lou put into play on one of the Marauders’ four penalty corners. Schwarz and her sister, Diana Schwarz, were both in on the goal.
Lebanon earned six penalty corners, most of which led to passes from Leah Mayes to Emily Hunnewell at the top of the arc. Hunnewell was a strong force on the field but was shut down by outstanding defense on the part of Lou and company.
Hanover coach Jean Essex instructed her players to ramp it up rather then let up after building a 2-0 lead prior to intermission. The hosts responded by dominating the time of possession and adding three insurance goals.
The Marauders’ 16th-year coach seemed impressed by her squad’s extra effort against the Raiders.
“They’ve been working hard to play as a team, to pass and execute together,” Essex said. “They did a lot of nice stuff out there, so I’m very pleased.”
The speedy Hannah Curtis set up Hanover’s third goal less than five minutes after the break. Curtis fired a left-side missile that was deflected by Brown then put away by Natalie Smith. Brown set up another goal later by beating multiple defenders then lobbing a ball in front that was knocked down by Brown and ultimately converted by Miranda Galbraith.
Although Hanover’s teamwork and cohesion were impressive, it was an individual play late in the contest that made for the greatest highlight. It came together when Diana Schwarz carried the ball 70 yards downfield on a counterattack.
“Somebody hit it to me, and I had a breakaway with two defenders,” Schwarz said. “I did a couple dodges and went around them. When I got down (to the other end) I was like, ‘Oh no, I’m going to miss because there are people there, and then I was like, ‘Why don’t I just hit it?’”
The goal was the Hanover forward’s third of the season.
Lebanon (1-2) will look to regroup under coach Amanda Valliere, who expressed some concern following the outcome.
“A 1-0 game is one thing,” Valliere said. “But 5-0, there are some significant issues. … Hanover’s very fast and they’re good, and their sticks are always down. Even when they’re running to get back or running to get away from a hit, their sticks are always down. So we hit it and (Hanover’s) got good stick positioning, good angle, and they get they ball.”
Valliere went on to add context to her team’s first defeat of the young season.
“Any loss is tough,” she said. “But I feel like against Hanover, it’s crosstown rivals. That’s a really hard one.”
Valliere will no doubt look forward to the rematch, slated for Sept. 18 at Lebanon.
“At least we don’t have to wait too long, hopefully to redeem ourselves,” Valliere said.
Essex also offered her two cents on the upcoming game:
“I expect we’ll see a completely different game the next time we see them because that’s always the way it is.”