A deadlock with Salem and a tough, one-goal loss to Bedford last week left the Londonderry High boys’ soccer squad contemplating their 5-2-2 record as they entered this week.
The Lancers had to be happy with a 2-2 tie on the road against the Salem High Blue Devils Tuesday, Sept. 29. That deadlock left the LHS crew with a 5-1-2 record, while Salem slipped to 5-3-1.
The hosts bagged a 1-0 lead five minutes into the match, but Londonderry responded with goals from Griffin Cowles (assist to Elijah Ellis) in minute six and Nick Anderson (from Ellis) 23 minutes later to carry a 2-1 advantage to halftime.
The Blue Devils knotted the score – frustratingly for the Lancers – in the final minute of regulation time to bag the 2-2 tie.
Londonderry goalie Cam Wheeler was credited with nine saves in the match.
“Salem came to play and challenged us throughout the match,” said coach Todd Ellis. “I felt it was a bit of a letdown emotionally for us following our Mack Plaque competition.”
The Lancer booters hit the road again last Friday, Oct. 2, to play the tough Bedford High Bulldogs on their home pitch. And after putting forth an intense effort, the locals found themselves having dropped a 1-0 decision.
The Bulldogs pushed their 2015 record up to an exceptional 8-1-1 by potting the lone goal at the 25:49 mark of period number one.
“I thought we played better as the game went on, and as we got used to the pace of the game and the surface,” said Ellis. “Winning the 50/50 battles and decreasing our turnovers as the game went on helped as well.”
Londonderry keeper Tim McEachern made six saves in keeping his squad in the match, looking for that elusive tying tally.
But the Lancer guys got back on the winning track this past Monday afternoon by handing the 5-5 Alvirne High Broncos a 3-0 blanking on that opponent’s home pitch in Hudson.
Nate Gaw gave the 6-2-2 locals the only goal they’d end up needing to win this match 10 minutes into the first half on an assist from Tarik Dallahi.
Second-half markers were collected by Jayden West (assist to Gaw) and then Gaw himself again (assist to Nick Vanini), with goalie Tim McEachern contributing a total of three saves to the successful effort out on the road.
“I felt that as the game went on we did a better job of possessing the ball and our midfielders did a great job of dictating play,” said Ellis. “Our defenders did a great job keeping most of the shots outside.”