Hanover Boys Soccer 2022

Hanover’s marvelous 2022 season came to a close with a 2-0 loss Sunday to Nashua South in the NHIAA Division One Finals.  It was an exciting, well-played game, worthy of the occasion. Played in front of a full house at Exeter’s Bill Ball Stadium, the match featured a high level of skill and energy from both sides, who swapped high-quality offensive opportunities throughout the match.  Although it was disappointing for the Bears to lose for the first time in 13 games, the match gave them another opportunity to play at the top of their game, and they lived up the responsibility.  Hanover finishes with a record of 15-5. It was their third trip to the finals in four years, and fifth consecutive season gaining the final four.  Hanover was led by seven seniors who provided top leadership all season. In addition to Captains Ty Nolon and Becket McCurdy, the Bears were led by Jack Gardner, Jack McGrath, Ethan Munson, Ian Smith, and Owen Smith.   Hanov...

    Hanover played its best game of the season at the most crucial time, thoroughly dominating Windham 3-0 in the NHIAA D1 Semifinals and earning a trip to Sunday’s championship game.  It’s Hanover’s second straight title game, and it will be a rematch with Nashua South, which outlasted Hanover a year ago in penalty kicks.  The Bears’ semifinal victory over the Jaguars was their 12 th  straight win, and it avenged their most recent loss, a 5-0 debacle in Windham a month ago. Since that low water mark, Hanover has slowly and patiently improved, waiting for opportunities that have put them within reach of their third D1 title.   The Bears dominated the Windham match at both ends of the field, taking an early lead on the first of two goals by Ryder Hayes, and closing the Jaguars down en route to their fifth straight shutout, and tenth of the season. All of Hanover’s defenders closed ranks, knowing that if each of them stepped up a bit, they would be ...