JV2 Bears Beat Kearsarge in Opener, 4-1


The Hanover JV2 Bears opened their season with a strong team showing against the visiting Kearsarge.

Thursday's heat proved only a slight obstacle for the JV2 Bears boasting a 24+ player roster. With quick rotations, all match long, each player on the team was able to make a meaningful impact.

Hanover started play quickly with positive wing-play from seniors Aidan Bradley and Jack Wilkinson. Aaron Nyhan played as the link between the lines, and the spine of our team was held together by a rotation of Davey, Liam Foston, Blake Bouchard, Luke, Guillem, Alex Cheney, and Gabe Clkerin in defense and central midfield.

Hanover scored the first after our wing-play won us a corner. Patrick Donegan thundered in a header from 10 yards out. We kept the pressure immediately after kickoff and after a few more minutes of battle in Kearsarge's half, Jack Wilkinson found himself alone on the left side of the box, the Senior Captain slid the ball under the goalkeeper and inside the near-post to double Hanover's lead.

Onto the second half and Kearsarge came out reenergized. A few dangerous through balls pushed the Bears deeper into their own half before finally a through-ball fell just between our defense and goalkeeper, where Kearsarge was able to slip in and finish the ball into an empty net. An unfortunate play, but nothing to sweat. Mistakes happen, it is about how we respond.

Delightfully, for coach Bucket, the bears responded quickly. Iver Skogerboe, finally realizing his full potential as a field-player, used his quick feet to win a free-kick from 25 yards out. Liam Foston stepped up to strike the ball, but just before his shot, the Bears recognized a hole in Kearsarge's defensive line. Almost Wout Weghorst-esque, Foston slid the ball behind the wall, into the run of Iver who finished first time with his left into the far corner. 3-1.

Our fourth and final goal came off the counter as Kearsarge looked to re-enter the match. Aidan Bradley used his blistering (and I mean blistering) pace to beat two defenders on the right flank before firing an early cross to Connor Reed, who shouldered the ball into the far post and sealed the match for Hanover. 4-1. 

Game!

A great start with lots of individual efforts. The Bears will need to focus on their defensive shape and transitions this week before going into their next match against the Concord JV on Tuesday. Our goal is not to be our best now, but to continue to grow as individuals and as a team each time we are together. This is a good start to that process.

Up the Bears!

Coach Bucket. 

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