Varsity Beats Nashua South 3-1, Breaking Four-year Streak

The Bears overturned a frustrating four-year losing streak against Nashua South, rallying from an early deficit to beat the Purple Panthers 3-1 in a rematch of the past to Division One title games. Now 5-1 on the season, Hanover has won three road games in a row.  Stellos Stadium is their new home away from home.

Nashua South star Santi Somorrostro, last fall's NH Gartorade Player of the Year, staked his team to an early lead, sprinting past the Bear defense on the left flank and sliding a pass to Steve Long for an easy put-away and a 1-0 lead after only two minutes.  Hanover tightened things up immediately, and set about the task of finding their way back into the game.  Ryder Hayes just missed a nice flick header on an Andrew McGuire free kick, but South kept threatening.  Wyatt Seeling made a spectacular save on Long from point blank range to keep his team in the game, and the Bear back line did an excellent stepping together to catch Somorrostro offsides repeatedly.

Hanover was slowly gaining control at midfield, and by the middle of the half they were generating some good looks.  Sean Smith, in on the right flank, played a great through ball to McGuire that just missed connecting. Zach Tracy missed a sitter at the near post.  Ryder Hayes hit the Nashua South defensive wall with a free kick, and his hard rebound shot was saved.  With 10 minutes to play in the half, the Bears finally broke through when Charlie Forbush hit a great low cross from the right side and Carter Guerin met the ball at the far post to tie the game.

Nashua South responded furiously, and have several close calls in the closing five minutes of the half. Somorrostro broke free in the middle and was denied by Seelig's great save, and out the rebound over the crossbar.  Two minutes later, Seelig made another big save on Somorrostro, and then closed the half by deflecting a shot by Long off the crossbar.

Despite the Purple Panther flurry at the end of the first half, the Bears were confident moving into the second half, and it didn't take long for them to take the lead. Less than three minutes had elapsed when Carter Guerin beat his defender on the right side, turned the corner on the baseline, and fed a great cross to Tracy, who finished expertly to make the score 2-1.  The Bears were feeling it, and six minutes later Tracy made a spectacular run through the Nashua South defense and slotted home for a 3-1 advantage. 

The game was far from over, and it took more good defense from the Bears to keep South from climbing back into the game.  Seelig handled several dangerous balls with sure hands, and the one time he was beaten, Same Ames came out of nowhere to clear the ball off the line, with an assist form the goalpost. Same Calderwood, who made a number of decisive plays getting the ball out of pressure and back to Seelig, also had a big block in the late going on a Somorrostro shot.

Hanover's territorial edge put them in a position for several more good shots.  Joseph Rudd nearly set up Road Palm for a far-post finish, but his volley was over the top.  Sean Smith teed up a hard shot from the top of the box, but South goalkeeper Ethan Long made a nice save on the play. The Bears saw the match off in fine fashion.  Their edge in fitness kept the exhausted Panthers from mounting many counters, and the final whistle was a welcome sound.  It was the first time in four years that Hanover had beaten Nashua South, a total of five losses in regular season and tournament competition.

The schedule gets even tougher for the Bears, who host Windham on Saturday at Noon.  The Jags have an identical 5-1 record, having also lost to Bedford.  The two teams met twice last year.  Windham crushed Hanover in their regular-season match, but the Bears got revenge in the Division One semifinals, beating the Jags 3-0. Saturdays match is a welcome challenge at just the right time for Hanover to show the consistency that is the true mark of a contender.