After having its 2018 season-opener postponed by three days due to truly sizzling weather last Tuesday, Aug. 28, the Londonderry High boys’ soccer squad got down to business on its home field last Friday, Aug. 31. But the final result was not precisely what coach Todd Ellis and his Lancers likely hoped for on day one of the new season despite the fact that they busted a scoreless tie in the second half by notching a 2-0 lead which later evaporated against the visiting Manchester Memorial Crusaders.
The locals ended up dropping a 3-2 decision to that Memorial crew despite seeming to have control of the game for much of the first half.
After rolling to halftime knotted up in the 0-0 deadlock, the host Lancers received goals from Alex Peters (assist from Brady Hanley) and then Jack Brown (from Hanley) when the second half got going. But the Crusaders then potted two goals in a span of less than six minutes to knot the score and wound up winning by a goal.
Alex Hufford and Colby DiMaggio combined to handle the goaltending duties for LHS.
“At times we played well enough to win this game, and perhaps we should have,” said coach Ellis. “The season is young, and we can learn from this disappointing loss. Our effort and focus need to be more consistent throughout the duration of the match.”
That outcome left coach Ellis and his charges looking to bag their first success of the 2018 campaign in Hudson at Alvirne High this past Tuesday, Sept. 4 – after Londonderry Times press time – or failing that back at home at LHS against the visiting Timberlane Regional Owls from Plaistow this coming Friday Aug. 7.