EXETER, N.H. — The Hanover High boys soccer bus exited the highway and lumbered past a large drag-racing track Wednesday afternoon, en route to nearby Exeter High and a matchup with top-seeded Windham in the NHIAA Division I semifinals
Roughly four hours later, the bus rolled back past the track, headed for home after the Bears left the Jaguars in their proverbial dust.
Fifth-seeded Hanover won, 3-0, avenging an embarrassing 5-0 loss during the regular season with its 12th consecutive triumph and a berth in Sunday’s final back in Exeter against second-seeded Nashua South. The Purple Panthers (16-3-0) used penalty kicks to defeat the Bears during last season’s title game.
“It never gets old, because Division I is a struggle every year,” said Hanover’s 17th-year coach, Rob Grabill, whose team received two goals from Ryder Hayes and another from Zach Tracy. “We’re a different team than we were earlier in the season. We didn’t panic, and we had a good self-assessment.”
Tactically, Hanover abandoned a shift to playing with three defenders and reverted to the four-man back line it deployed last season. With only a three-man rearguard, the Bears (15-4-0) felt pressured to always win the ball in the attacking half of the field.
When that didn’t happen, and teams like Windham sent long balls in transition, the defense scrambled backward and the whole team fell into disarray.
Hanover’s goals drew attention Wednesday, but it was the defense that truly earned victory during the Bears’ fifth consecutive shutout. Senior goalkeeper Ty Nolon is big, athletic and a force on crosses and corner kicks, but Windham produced only one dangerous shot during the run of play.
“We got behind the ball, we didn’t dive in, we didn’t commit dumb fouls,” Grabill said. “We limited them to shots that Ty could handle. It’s the perfect time of year to clamp down, and everything grew out of our defense.”
Central defenders Owen Smith and Alex McGrath are savvy and close fast, while Jack McGrath has developed an offensive flair to their right. Sophomore Noah Winchester was inserted into the starting lineup on their left after the Windham loss.
Playing in front of that quartet as a defensive midfielder until Wednesday was stocky veteran Becket McCurdy, also a hockey and tennis competitor. Headed to play at NCAA Division III Claremont-McKenna Collge in Southern California next year, the senior suffered a torn knee ligament in the quarterfinals that ended his high school sports career and will require surgery.
On most teams, the loss of a physical leader in the middle of the pitch would seriously hamstring any title hopes. Not at Hanover, where Grabill and associate coach Sam Farnham plugged Ian Press into the lineup and created a rotation where he, Hayes and Tracy all saw time where McCurdy usually patrols.
“Becket is our best defensive header, so I told the kids in the back that each of them has to head 20% better,” Grabill said. “He’s got the maturity to deal with this and he’s got a long (rehabilatative) haul ahead of him, but he can handle it.”
Hanover’s defensive effort extends a long way forward, to include diminutive, jitterbug wings Will and Carter Guerin. The junior twins initially made a name for themselves with forward speed, agility and ball handling, but they have expanded those skills to bedeviling opponents with the ball.
“They’re really in the team effort now and playing both ways,” Grabill said. “We stand (foes) up and, all of a sudden, Carter rolls in and takes the ball.”
Hayes pounded a low 20-yard shot inside the left post for a 1-0 lead during the eighth minute. The junior isn’t a flashy scorer, but he specializes in decisive attacks when the defense gives him excessive time and space.
“He’s living into his promise and not trying to do too much,” Grabill said of a player much touted upon his varsity arrival as a freshman. “Sometimes, earlier in the season, he would try to be the hero.”
The Bears doubled their lead six minutes before intermission after Will Guerin, playing with a cast on his left forearm, was taken down while sprinting into the penalty area.
The defender’s grab wasn’t egregious, but Guerin used his forward momentum and exquisite timing to fly forward and down. Hayes converted the ensuing penalty kick and Hanover had a stranglehold on the contest.
Tracy closed the scoring with 15 minutes remaining, dipsy-doodle dribbling through the heart of the defense before going in alone on goalkeeper Blake Berton.
“What a crazy little skill run,” Grabill marveled. “They were back on their heels, and he took what they gave him.”
Nashua South features 10 juniors and 10 seniors, including star Jadiel Bomfim, a Brazilian native who grew up playing the game barefoot and now uses his ambidextrous skills as the state’s best forward. Hanover’s defense, as good as it is, will be severely tested.
“I’m always nervous before games, and I’m sure I’ll be nervous before this one,” Hayes said. “But we remember last year, and we’re going to use that to push us forward.”
Tris Wykes can be reached at twykes@vnews.com.