Lebanon
Lebanon (1-3) did, staying close and stretching the Marauders to overtime before sustaining a 2-1 loss.
“I think the (grass) surface had something to do with it,” Valliere said. “But Lebanon came out to play today. … What I saw today is what they’re capable of doing, and that’s awesome.”
Diana Schwarz netted the game-winner for Hanover (4-1) a little more than two minutes into the extra session, putting back a rebound off of Lebanon goaltender Hope Brown for her fifth goal of the season. It was the fourth straight win for the Marauders and the second on a natural surface.
“We had a long time to think about (the 5-0 win on Sept. 9), too, but it’s different when you come out of it with a win. It’s a different mindset,” said Hanover head coach Jean Essex. “This is their home field, and it’s their home. … You can’t change your mindset. The girls have to overcome all sorts of obstacles, particularly playing good, well-coached teams on their home field.”
Schwarz has scored in each of Hanover’s last four games and leads the team with nine points (five goals, four assists). Hanover, which was derailed by injuries last year, appears to be a force to be reckoned in NHIAA Division II thanks to a skilled, speedy lineup that is finding creative ways to score.
“The other advantage that we had today was the team that was out there played together,” Essex said. “ … They all know each other because they’ve all been on the team together for three years. Three of them didn’t get to play last year because of injuries. Now, they’re back. So I think we’re a little bit hungry. Having them all back playing, for them, very exciting.”
Lebanon opened the scoring in the second half but had plenty of chances in the first, coming up empty on six shots and seven corners. Leah Mayes finally broke through after halftime, finding a loose ball at the side of the net for her fourth goal of the year. Emily Hunnewell and Lena Nowell earned assists.
Hanover’s Natalie Smith tied the game 4 minutes, 48 seconds later, redirecting a long shot from Schwarz. Smith, second on the team with five goals and an assist this season, had been feeling sick for days; Essex used her from the bench. But when the Marauders needed a goal, Essex trusted Smith to deliver.
“I asked (Smith), ‘Can you go in?’ She said, ‘Yep,’ ” Essex said. “The advantage of having someone on the sidelines for a while is that they see what needs to be done. She had the vision and was in the right place. She has a beautiful touch.”
The Raiders were relentless in front of Hanover’s net for much of the game, finishing regulation time with 12 shots and 12 corners. Hanover entered extra time with six shots and only four corners but controlled the seven-on-seven overtime period.
“I’m happy with the W. I think we have a lot of work to do with our fundamentals on grass,” Essex said. “We have a fast team and we have a relatively skilled team on turf, which is the game that they like to play. But we’re making the adjustments.”
Nine days, Valliere admitted, made for a long time to dwell on a lopsided loss. The long stretch changed the coach’s approach at practice.
“I actually think (the loss) was a fire that fueled us all practice,” she said. “Yeah, we have another day of practice, but just remember how it felt to lose, 5-0. Yeah, we’re doing the same concepts again, but just remember how it felt to lose, 5-0. You just have that in the back of your mind. You want to go out and prove to everybody (wrong).
“That was embarrassing to the Upper Valley. So (we wanted) to come out and say, ‘That’s not us. This is us. This is what we’re capable of.’ ”
Josh Weinreb can be reached at jweinreb@vnews.com or 603-727-3306.