Local Roundup: Scoreboard stayed empty, but field hockey contest between Hanover and Lebanon was anything but
Published: 10-09-2023 10:22 AM |
LEBANON — The Lebanon High and Hanover High field hockey teams staged a fabulous battle Friday, never mind that neither side scored in a 0-0 draw.
For 70 minutes, the neighboring rivals threw everything they had at the other. The visiting Bears spent far more time in their offensive end, but the Raiders, led by stalwart defender Abigail Gallagher, withstood the frequent incursions despite Hanover taking 10 of the NHIAA Division II contest’s 12 penalty corners.
There were no posts hit by shots, no desperate saves, just the equivilent of a 15-round boxing brawl declared to be a draw at its conclusion. Lebanon is 4-7-1 and Hanover 6-5-3.
”This rivalry gets the girls going and it brings a lot of energy, so I look forward to it every year,” said first-year Hanover coach Mallory MacKenzie, who previously coached Lebanon’s junior varsity. “My players are sad with the outcome because the score doesn’t reflect how we dominated play.”
Lebanon’s pep band and a strong fan turnout leant the contest flair, with cheering for both sides and the ESPN “Sportscenter” theme song wafting through the unseasonably warm air. Senior Eva Bell stood out as the midfielder through which the Bears’ attack flowed.
“She’s our strongest player and controls the field and sees spaces really well,” MacKenzie said. “She did a great job switching our attack from side to side with passes.”
Lebanon coach Amanda Valliere was ecstatic to see her team play far better than its record indicates. The reality, however, is that the Raiders, 12th in the 20-team division and can’t fall lower than 14th to make the playoffs. Lebanon hosts Derryfield (2-6-2) and visits Plymouth (1-8-2) next week to conclude the regular season.
”Our goaltender, Meg (Cheevers), anchors our defense and she’s very vocal, which is important,” Valliere said. “The older players trust her, and they’re marking better after some ball-watching.”
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Valliere complimented Gallagher, the Raiders’ last line of defense for “being tenacious, having a great, low stick and a good aerial (outlet pass). Her jabs are really good, and she understands the concept of possessing the ball and then moving it, not just swinging at it wildly.”
Hanover closes the regular season with a visit to ConVal (1-11-0) and by hosting Merrimack Valley (6-4-2).
— Tris Wykes
WHITE RIVER JUNCTION — Madison Barwood scored her 21st goal of the season and Madison Willey and Charlotte Jasmin also scored to down the Ravens (3-7-0). Kamryn Brower and Paige Trombley had assists. Hartford (8-2-0), which maintains the top spot in the VPA Division II standings, will host U32 (7-1-1) Monday.
NORTH SUTTON, N.H. — The Tigers got goals from Jasmyne McNamara, Jasmyne Lee, and Peyton Blackington to defeat the Cougars (7-6-0).
Newport (12-1-0) is tied with Gilford for the top spot in NHIAA Division III and will conclude the regular season Tuesday at Stevens.
CLAREMONT — With two regular-season games remaining, Stevens (9-2-1) is third in NHIAA Division III after beating Mascenic (3-7-1). The Cardinals are home against Newport (12-1-0) on Tuesday.
THETFORD — Zurael Star scored in each half, but the Panthers fell to 2-8-0 while the Lancers improved to 4-6-0. The visitors led 2-1 at intermission and went up 3-1 during the second half.
“We really deserved to win the game,” said first-year head coach Patrick Perry. “We dominated time of possession and shots on goal. But as a young inexperienced team can do, we found a way to lose. My girls are resilient, and they are still competing and getting better.”
Thetford hosts U-32 (9-0-0) on Wednesday.
LEBANON — The Raiders twice battled back from one-goal deficits and won on Brooke Walker’s penalty kick.
After Keene (0-11-1) scored first, Sydney DeShane tied it for Lebanon during the 51st minute with an assist from Walker. The Blackbirds went up, 2-1, in the 62nd minute but Sophie Longacre scored the equalizer six minutes later with a DeShane assist. Maezie Angles had two saves for Lebanon (6-5-1), which travels to Conval (4-4-3) on Monday.
Mascoma 3, Winnisquam 1
WEST CANAAN — Brayden Pierce and Tanner Moulton each produced a goal and assist and James Thomas scored unassisted for Mascoma (9-3-0).
Mascoma led 1-0 before Winnisquam (3-7-0) got the equalizer to make it 1-1 at halftime. Mascoma answered with two scores after the break. Matt Favreau had five saves.
Mascoma hosts Manchester West (3-8-0) Wednesday.
HANOVER — Zach Tracy had two goals and an assist to lead Hanover to its ninth consecutive victory. The Bears are 11-1-0 and the Lancers 9-3-0. Andrew McGuire and Henry Werner also scored for Hanover, which leads NHIAA Divsion I and hosts Manchester Central (7-4-0) on Thursday.
ORFORD — The undefeated Wildcats (9-0-0) scored in the 76th minute. The Raptors (5-4-1) visit Bellows Falls (0-8) on Monday.
BRADFORD, Vt. — The Bullets (5-4) scored on a penalty kick with fewer than 10 minutes remaining. Oxbow (4-7-0) travels to Paine Mountain on Tuesday.
HANOVER — Interceptions by Hanover’s Jeffrey Vidou and Ryan O’Hern contributed to a scoreless first half in the NHIAA Division II game. The Bears pulled within 34-22 midway through the fourth quarter but fell to 3-1 while the Sabrers improved to 4-0.
Jaysen Oriol led the Bears with 165 yards rushing, including touchdowns of 40 and 70 yards.
Normally a lineman, Oriol stepped in for Vidou, who was moved out of his normal running back role by injury.
Roger Lucas completed six of eight passes for 69 yards and a 9-yard touchdown toss to Teddy Sumner and also chucked a 2-point conversion to his brother, Roy Lucas.
The Bears finished with 251 yards rushing and next visit Manchester West (0-5), which has been shut out four times.
MIDDLEBURY, Vt. — The Hurricanes (6-0) pulled away with 14 points during the third quarter and host Mount Anthony (0-6) next week.
WOODSTOCK — The Wasps (4-1) had little trouble against Poultney (2-3) and visit Oxbow next.
CLAREMONT — The Wildcats scored early and led, 14-0, after one quarter. Stevens closed the gap to 14-8 at halftime but Fall Mountain (5-1) pulled away with two more touchdowns. “We did not come up with the energy needed to win the game,” Stevens coach Josh Duford said. “They truly wanted this game more than we did.”
WEST CANAAN — Prospect Mountain (8-5) won the first two sets, (22-25, 22-25), Mascoma the third (25-14) and the visitors the last (17-25).
Anna Sullivan had five kills for the hosts. Mascoma coach Eric Ramage noted the defensive work of Sara McKinney and Abigail Waugh and the serving of Patience Maville, Sullivan, Waugh and Haley Maxham. Mascoma (3-6) hosts Fall Mountain (3-9) on Tuesday.