HANOVER — In a rematch of an epic 2021 NHIAA Division I state championship game, the Hanover High boys soccer team could not have asked for a better start, taking the lead less than three minutes in. But the Bears were held scoreless thereafter, and visiting Nashua South fought back for a 2-1 victory — extending the Panthers’ unbeaten streak to 24 straight games.
In the third minute, senior midfielder Jack McGrath got the ball to another senior Jack, forward Jack Gardner, who centered it for sophomore midfielder Andrew McGuire. McGuire one-timed it in for his first goal of the season.
Hanover kept the pressure on throughout the first half, but Nashua South equalized on a breakaway goal from Panthers star Jadiel Bomfim, and the score was even at the break — after which the visitors became the more aggressive side.
Nashua South took the lead in the 55th minute when Rory Olsen played a cross to Santiago Somorrostro, who finished in the corner of the net.
“We were talking at halftime that we might have to weather a storm,” Bears coach Rob Grabill said. “We got back into playing the way we wanted to play. They were dangerous. It was a counterattack, and they executed.”
Hanover had plenty of chances in the final sequence to force overtime but could not quite find the look it wanted. The Bears, who have faced a daunting early-season schedule, fell to 3-3-0 and will be at Windham on Saturday.
“This was our third game in a row against an undefeated team,” Grabill said. “We’ve played a lot of very strong teams at this point in the season, so I’m not really worried about our record. We need to improve our finishing, we need to improve our execution in the final third, but at the end, we will be a team that no one will want to play.”
LEBANON — The Raiders bounced back from their first loss of the year to rout the Pythons.
Junior Nick Brill recorded a hat trick, sophomore Domenico Pentella scored twice and junior Andrew Belk and sophomore Dominic Calandrella rounded out the scoring. Brill, Pentella, sophomore Otto Bourne and junior Riley Sullivan all had assists.
Pentella’s two goals came 14 seconds apart, part of a five-minute stretch to start the second half in which Lebanon scored three times to break open a 2-0 halftime lead.
Senior Easton Wykes and junior Zach Aldrich split the game in goal, with Wykes making one save and Aldrich two.
Lebanon (5-1-0) hosts Bow on Friday.
BRADFORD — The Olympians got into the win column for the first time on the strength of a goal by freshman Jayden Huntoon, on an assist by Reece Ilsley, with just under 20 minutes left. Ilsley pushed down to the right corner and laced a cross, and Huntoon gathered it in for a quick putaway.
Oxbow coach Andrew Fisher had high praise for junior Matthew Corti on defense, and sophomore Oden Schlager had a shutout in goal.
“We started slowly and never really looked together today. Somehow, we found a way to win despite not playing our best,” Fisher said. “Our guys pushed through and showed a lot of heart. Hopefully, we can build on this. Great job by Jayden, being in perfect position for that cross. We have practiced that specifically, so it was rewarding to see it pay off.”
The O’s (1-3-0) host Craftsbury on Monday.
SHARON — After getting shut out in their first two games, the Phoenix have now scored 14 goals over their last two without conceding.
Sophomore Avry Loftus, coming off a six-goal performance against Twin Valley, scored twice, and Sharon also got goals from sophomore Maddy Mintz and senior Charity Mather. Seniors Freya Abbey, Maeve Miller and Phoebe Quackenbos each had an assist.
“I am so pleased to get back-to-back wins and back-to-back clean sheets,” Phoenix coach Andy Ruddell said. “We are finally scoring goals, which makes the work of our defenders that much easier.”
Sharon (2-2-0) is at Rivendell next Tuesday.
ORFORD — Freshman Harper Traendly scored a second-half goal to pull the Raptors even, assisted by sophomore Shaylee Carter, but Abby Towle’s second of the game in the 73rd minute ended up winning it for the Rebels.
Rivendell (2-2-0) is at Windsor on Friday.
PELHAM, N.H. — The Raiders (3-2-0) were shut out by the Pythons. Lebanon heads to Bow on Friday.
WELLS RIVER, Vt. — The Olympians (0-2-1) fell to the Bucks and will be at Missisquoi Valley on Saturday.
THETFORD — The Panthers fell to 0-4-0 with the loss and will host Lake Region on Saturday.
RUTLAND — The Wasps recorded their third straight shutout to start the season and have outscored their opposition, 14-0.
Junior Hannah Gubbins and senior Norah Harper each scored twice, and senior Lily Gubbins had a goal and two assists. Senior Natalie Parent also had an assist and senior Audrey Emery made four saves.
Woodstock (3-0-0) is at Springfield on Friday.
WHITEFIELD, N.H. — Sophomore Ann Buffington scored twice in the first half for the Royals, and junior Kara Miller had a fourth-quarter goal. Freshman Makenna Houston had two assists and senior Carmen Zani one.
Mascoma (2-2-1) hosts Gilford on Friday.
NEWPORT — The Tigers (5-1-0) continued their impressive start to the season with a blowout of the Huskies. Newport is at Kearsarge on Friday.
JAFFREY, N.H. — The Royals (1-1) picked up their first win of the season, with coach Eric Ramage offering praise for freshman Sara McKinney, junior Patience Maville and senior Maya Eaton. Mascoma is at Hillsboro-Deering on Monday.