Bears Win 8th In A Row, Feasting on Exeter 7-1

 The third game of Hanover's extended road trip brought them to the sun-baked turf of Bill Ball stadium in Exeter, and the Bears took advantage of a depleted and exhausted Blue Hawk squad to roll to a one-sided 7-1 victory.  It was Hanover's 8th win in a row and boosted their record to 10-1, keeping them half a game front-running Pinkerton.  The Bears scored in bursts, taking control of the match with three goals in a six-minute stretch midway through the first half before they buried their hosts with four more in 15 minutes, midway through the second.

As they have done in every game this season save one, the Bears took immediate territorial control off the match, pinning the Hawks in their end.  Even with several starters missing, Exeter had a strong defensive performance for the first 20 minutes, conceding space but not allowing time and space for finishing.  Once the first wave of subs came in for the Bears, the sparks started flying.  In the 25th minute, Carter Guerin squared a ball to Gavin Munson, whose subsequent shot caromed off both posts before settling into the back of the net for a 1-0 led.  It was just the start for both the Bears and Gavin in particular.  Five minutes later, Sean Smith made a great penetrating run into the middle, and once he reached the edge of the box he slid the ball to Zach Tracy, whose first-time shot grazed the inside of the left post and doubled the lead.  Less than a minute later, Smith was back to work taking a nice feed from Guerin and blasting a shot from the top of the penalty area to put Hanover ahead 3-0.  It was Smith's third goal of the year and Guerin's team-leading 10th assist.

Taking a 3-0 into the half would have been nice, but the Hanover defense relaxed on a one-man counter by Exeter's Billy Hellisonn, who found enough time and space to hit a well-placed and well-timed shot on the run that beat Wyatt Seeling and allowed the sagging Exeter squad  a small bit of consolation.

The Bears went back to work in the second half, and it was Ryder Hayes who got the ball rolling at 53:29. Carter Guerin initiated the sequence with a free kick that slammed off the crossbar.  The ball popped into a scrumming the box, and Veer Patel got control along enough to slide the ball to Hayes, who barely beat the goalie to the ball and slid it into the goal for his 7th goal of the year. Five minutes later. Zach Tracy collected the ball 40 yards from the goal, and those who know how Zach operates saw enough room in the middle of the defense for him to do some serious damage.  Sure enough, he would his way through the flailing defenders and cracked a hard shot that dented the old onion bag for his 13th goal of the campaign. That's more goals that any Hanover player has scored since Charlie Adams was leading Hanover to the 2019 title.

By now, Exeter was really showing the effects of playing three games in four days, and all of the action was in their defensive third.  Roan Palm and Gavin Munson took full advantage, with Munson completing his hat trick with two similar goals the next 10 minutes.  Palm puled the string each time, sliding the ball to Munson, who rolled in off the right wing and found space for two left-footed rips that brought the final Hanover advantage to 7-1.

Hanover wasn't hard-pressed defensively, but several Bear defenders played some of their best soccer of the season. Schuyler Clapp was error-free and efficient, and his timing was outstanding, knowing just when to step up and challenge.  He also showed superb technique.  Freshman Nate McFetridge looked very much at home at center back, with mature positioning and timing.  He also was in the right place at the right time to scrape a ball off the goal line to deny Exeter a goal.  Honorable mention to Joseph class, who was crisp and decisive, and Alejandro Esparza Soto, who owned midfield.

The Bears will be eager to return home after three games on the road, and a significant challenge awaits.  They host Londonderry on Friday at 4:00, and will need to be at their best.  Londonderry is 9-2, with several impressive wins, including owning the only dent in 11-1 Pinkerton's otherwise perfect record. They are athletic, hard-working, and have one of the best athletes in the state running up front.  The Bears have enjoyed a lot of success against lesser teams, and now it will be tie for them too step up against one of the top sides in the state. It's the perfect challenge at the perfect time.