HANOVER, N.H. - Hanover field hockey is headed to the semifinals. The third-seeded Bears beat sixth-seeded Lebanon 5-0 at home Friday afternoon in the quarterfinals of the playoffs, completing a season sweep of their Upper Valley neighbors.
It was the second time this fall Hanover kept Lebanon off the scoreboard. The Bears won the first meeting 8-0 on Sept. 1, when Sophia Mancini scored three times and Anya Nyhan, Grace Healey, Joia Collins, Anna Farrell and Chloe Dalle each added a goal. Across the two games, Hanover outscored the Raiders 13-0.
Lebanon came in with momentum after a 1-0 win over Merrimack Valley in Tuesday’s opening round, decided by a goal with a minute left in regulation. Hanover, which had a first-round bye, never let the Raiders find that kind of moment on Friday.
The Bears improve to 13-2-1. Friday was their 11th shutout of the season and their fourth in a row, and they have won eight straight since a 1-3 loss at Pinkerton on Sept. 19. Hanover has scored 87 goals in 16 games and allowed just 11.
Next up is a rematch with one of the two teams that has beaten Hanover. Second-seeded Bow (15-1) edged the Bears 5-4 on Sept. 3, and Bow rolled past Oyster River 5-0 in its own quarterfinal Friday.
Hanover lost in the quarterfinals last season, and coach Mallory MacKenzie made this group’s goal clear before the season. “We only graduated one senior (goalkeeper) last year, so we’re essentially the same core group, just working on fine-tuning this year. Hoping for a big playoff run this year,” MacKenzie said.
Top-seeded and unbeaten Souhegan, which Hanover tied 1-1 on Sept. 10, meets fourth-seeded St. Thomas in the other semifinal.
Hanover field hockey is next against Bow in the semifinals on Tuesday, October 27, at 5 p.m. at Bill Ball Stadium in Exeter.
Other relevant play on Friday, October 23:
Kingswood (9-8-1) 2 at Souhegan (15-0-2) 3 Top-seeded Souhegan stayed unbeaten with a one-goal win over Kingswood, which Hanover beat 7-1.
Plymouth (8-7-1) 1 at St. Thomas (10-5) 2 Fourth-seeded St. Thomas edged Plymouth, which Hanover beat 3-1, to reach the semifinals.
Oyster River (8-8-1) 0 at Bow (15-1) 5 Bow, Hanover’s semifinal opponent, cruised past Oyster River, which the Bears beat 6-0.
FOOTBALL
Hanover vs. Hollis Brookline | Friday, October 23
Hanover football’s offense picked a good night to break out. The Bears rolled past Hollis Brookline 42-8 on senior night at home, their highest point total of the season.
Points had been the question coming in. Hanover scored 20 at John Stark and nine against Kingswood in its previous two wins, leaning on its defense. The Bears’ previous season high was 34 in a win at ConVal.
The defense held up its end again. Hanover has allowed 17 points combined over its last three games, and no opponent has scored more than 22 against the Bears all season.
Hanover has won three straight and five of six after an 0-2 start, moving to 5-3. Hollis Brookline drops to 1-7. Up next is a road trip to Manchester West, which is 5-2.
Hanover football is next at Manchester West on Friday, October 30, at 7 p.m.
Other relevant play on Friday, October 23:
Pelham (5-3) 7 at Souhegan (8-0) 21 Souhegan, which beat Hanover 18-13, stayed unbeaten.
ConVal (3-5) 36 at Milford (4-4) 35 ConVal, which Hanover beat 34-22, won by a point at Milford, which shut out the Bears 7-0.
St. Thomas (2-6) 20 at Kingswood (4-4) 34 Kingswood, which Hanover edged 9-6 last week, won at home.
GIRLS VOLLEYBALL
Hanover vs. Merrimack Valley | Friday, October 23
Hanover girls volleyball closed its regular season the way it spent most of the fall, with a win. The Bears beat Merrimack Valley 3-1 at home Friday night.
Hanover finishes the regular season 14-2, two more wins than last year’s 12-5 team that fell in the quarterfinals. The Bears have won four straight since a 0-3 loss to Oyster River on Oct. 9, and their only other loss came against Somersworth on Sept. 28. Merrimack Valley drops to 3-13.
Coach Avery Kretschmar expected a defense-first team before the season. “With the matriculation of seasoned front-row players last season, we will have to be a heavy defense-focused team. Focusing on being scrappy, aggressive serves and strategic plays will be key for our success. We are focusing on making the smart play, not the most flashy one, to earn points and win matches,” Kretschmar said.
The Bears now wait for their tournament seeding.
Other relevant play on Friday, October 23:
Hollis Brookline (8-8) 1 at Somersworth (16-1) 3 Somersworth, one of only two teams to beat Hanover, won again at home.
Coe-Brown (8-8) 3 at Oyster River (14-2) 2 Oyster River, which handed Hanover its other loss, fell at home to Coe-Brown.
That wraps up the day for Hanover High School sports. We’ll see you next time!