The Londonderry High boys’ soccer squad rolled into this, the final week of the 2017 regular season, with a three-game winning streak going and a great, 10-2-2 record upon which to build.
The Lancers snagged their third win in four matches and their second success in a row with an extremely pleasing 4-1 trouncing of the visiting Dover High Green Wave at LHS last Tuesday, Oct. 10.
Coach Todd Ellis’ charges moved their season record up to an excellent 9-2-2 – while making Dover 3-9 – in a victory in which they grabbed a 1-0 lead in the first half and added to it during half number two.
Owen Creed handed his side the 1-0 lead at the 12-minute mark of the contest on a set-up by Josh Ryan. And that was where the score stood at halftime.
Josh Rutina gave the hosts a 2-0 lead 11 minutes into the second half – with Ryan getting that assist too – but the visitors sliced their deficit in half to 2-1 some five minutes later.
Luca Amarena then scored twice during a six-minute span to push the Lancers’ advantage up to 4-1. He scored the first of those in minute number 65 after being set up by Nick Dawe, and James Cranmer slipped the pass to Amarena on the final goal in minute 71 of the contest.
Londonderry goalie Alex Hufford made six saves his contribution to the local squad’s big success. And coach Ellis was a pretty happy guy in the wake of the win.
“When we win the first and second ball and tackle well, we are fun to watch,” said Ellis.
And saying the Lancers had themselves plenty of fun in an 8-1 throttling of the visiting Keene High Blackbirds at LHS on Friday the 13th might just be a colossal understatement.
Zack Deleo, Ryan, and Tyler VanAvery each netted two goals and Rutina and Cranmer each scored one as the hosts simply overwhelmed their now 5-8-1 opponent.
Amarena set up two of the LHS tallies and Rutina and Creed each registered one assist as the locals drove out to a 4-0 advantage by halftime and never had to look back over their shoulders. Goalie Hufford made four stops his contribution to the lopsided win.
“Great effort, emotion, and decision-making thoughout the game today,” said coach Ellis. “It was great to be able to have everyone take part in the match.”
The squad’s final regular season matches this week lined up as a short trip up Mammoth Road to the Queen City to play the Manchester Memorial Crusaders on their home pitch this past Tuesday the 17th – after Londonderry Times press time – followed by a finale at home against Nashua North on Friday, Oct. 20.