LEBANON — A coronavirus-shortened schedule means the Hanover High girls soccer team won’t match last year’s tally of 16 shutouts in 19 games. But they’re off to an appropriate start.
The Marauders manufactured a first-half goal and made it stick on Saturday, taking a season-opening 1-0 win from Lebanon at Lebanon High School. Hanover (1-0) marked its debut in NHIAA Division I with the kind of defensive showing that it rode to its second straight D-II championship last fall.
The game’s only score came off a corner kick in the 24th minute. Senior forward Charlotte Johnson, Hanover’s leading scorer last season, notched it, unassisted.
Despite what he termed the “interesting goal,” Lebanon coach Breck Taber said the Raiders handled their rivals well. Lebanon’s back three of Khaleh Punni, Kiera Hines and Maddie Jewell was particularly strong, he said.
“They had the better scoring chances and hit a post in the first half,” Taber said of the Marauders. “They had a couple of balls across the front that we didn’t clear as well as we could have, but we had some chances, too. We didn’t capitalize on their inexperience in front of the goal.”
Hanover coach Doug Kennedy said Johnson created constant pressure up front, getting midfield help from Casey McGuire. Center back Elsa Bolinger cut off Lebanon’s scoring opportunities.
“A typical first game of the season,” Kennedy said. “Some nerves, inconsistent play, plenty to work on in practice.”
Lebanon hits the road on Thursday night, visiting Stevens. The Marauders play their first D-I foe, Goffstown, on Tuesday at Merriman-Branch Field.
WEST CANAAN — The Cardinals (1-0) spread the scoring around five different players to spoil the Royals’ program debut.
Zahna Rice, Stella Lavertue, Molly Derosier, Mackenzie Murray and Annika Ratcliffe struck the back of the net for Stevens.
The Royals (0-1) visit Newport on Tuesday. Stevens is home against Lebanon on Thursday at Monadnock Park.
NEWPORT — Kate Blaisdell scored two goals, set up a third and helped the Marauders break a 2-2 second-half tie to outlast the Tigers in their season opener at Bill Bates Field.
Eliza Bates put Newport (0-1) on the board first, finishing an Eden Rotondo pass four minutes into the second period. Blaisdell tied the game six minutes into the third quarter, feeding teammate Jessica Lichtenstein a minute later for a 2-1 Hanover lead.
Maddie Miller returned Newport into a tie late in the third before Blaisdell’s second of the afternoon eight minutes into the final period put Hanover ahead to stay. The Marauders’ Olivia Trummel and the Tigers’ Miller traded goals to close out the scoring, with Bates setting up Miller’s second of the day.
“Great intensity,” Newport coach Steve Christensen said. “I love that we never quit. Great start to a demanding schedule.”
Hanover (1-0) will meet again on Monday evening on Merriman-Branch Field.
CLAREMONT — Bri Frisbee scored the game’s only goal out of a post-corner scramble, and the Cardinals (1-0) opened their season by blanking the Royals (0-1) at Monadnock Park.
Alex Perez and Summer Barrette combined on the shutout for Stevens. Perez made the Cards’ only save in the first half, and Barrette completed the clean sheet through the second half and extra time.
The Royals host Lebanon on Monday, with the Raiders then traveling to Stevens on Wednesday.