Bears Bounce Back, Beating Salem 9-1

 Hanover's response to a disappointing loss to Manchester Central on Thursday was emphatic, as the Bears scored early and often and defeated an undermanned Salem team 9-1.  It was Hanover's 12th win of the season and improved their record to 12-2, keeping them in control of their own destiny and a shot at the number one overall seed in Division One with two games remaining.

The Bears set up shop in the Salem end in the early going, and immediately started generating quality chances.  Ryder Hayes just missed over the bar on a well-crafted shot that just curled over the bar.  Charlie Forbush broke into the box on the right side and forced a good save with a left-footed drive.  Andrew McGuire's short-range shot was denied after a quickly-taken short corner kick. With 6:36 elapsed, Zach Tracy started the scoring parade, taking a pass from Ian Press and discovering all sorts of time and space to bury the ball. Four minutes later, Carter Guerin took advantage of a collision between Salem goalkeeper Brady Gaudet and one of his defenders, and pounced on a loose ball to make the score 2-0. Three minutes later, Tracy received a square pass from Forbush and worked loose for an all-too-easy goal.  The tally was his 17th of the season.

Hanover was collecting a lot of corner kicks, and showed significant improvement in their execution, which has been a point of emphasis in training the day before. Schuyler Clapp, Sam Ames and Ian Press all got their head on the ball in the box, with Ames in particular just missing the target.

Salem was rarely able to break out of their own end, but the one time they did, literally the only time in the entire game, the scored.  A lost ball in the attacking third, and a slow response by the defense created a break that ended in a 50-50 ball that Blue Devil striker Matt Crocker reached first, poking the ball past late-arriving Henry Cotter.  That was the last shot that Salem would take in the entire contest. Hanover replied with two goals in the final four minutes of the half.  Zach Tracy started the first scoring sequence, hitting a hard shot off the inside of the right post.  The ball caromed to Will Guerin, whose shot back across the face of the goal was redirected by Andrew McGuire. It was his 10th goal of the season, marking the second time that he had reached that milestone.  Will Guerin scored a nice goal a minute later, taking a nice crossing ball from brother Carter and ringing his shot off of the inside of the poor, beleaguered right goalpost. 

The 5-1 halftime lead occasioned significant substitutions. This could have made the match less than appealing, but it turned out that the 40 minutes of garbage time produced a lot of attractive soccer.  The first goal after the interval set the tone for the rest of the afternoon.  Sean Smith reviewed a ball on the right flank and penetrated inside, sliding a pass to Henry Werner.  Werner's hard shot was saved, but Veer Patel was perfectly postponed to drive the rebound into the back of the net for a score in honor of his birthday. It was a sweet score, perhaps even tastier than the postgame cupcakes.

Alejandro Esparza Soto was a force at midfield, helping the Bears maintain possession, and he positioned himself for a number of good shots at goal, the best of these forcing a spectacular diving save by goalie Brady Gaudet. Roan Palm was also effective at midfield, although the lackluster Blue Devil defense tempted him to make a number of runs that might not have been as effective against, say, Central.  Nevertheless, one of these twisting runs bore fruit, giving Palm the occasion to lift a cheeky little shot into the goal from close range to make the score 7-1.

With 14 minutes left in the match, hardworking Joseph Glass, who did an admirable job on defense in the previous game against Central,  took full advantage of an opening at the top of the box and drove a hard shot into the back of the net for his first varsity goal.  It occasioned a celebration that was both enthusiastic and painful. The final goal of the afternoon belonged to Henry Werner, who marked his return from a broken collarbone with scorching shot from the top of the penalty area. The overall quality of Hanover's offensive play, crisp and unselfish, redeemed what could have been a dreary exercise.

The Bears will not turn their attention to a Tuesday road trip to Nashua for a 6:00 p.m. matchup at Stellos Stadium against Bishop Guertin.  Scouting report:  they tied Salem earlier this season. Following that, Hanover will host a strong Pinkerton team on Thursday at 4:00, followed by Senior Night ceremonies. It will be an eventful week.