BY CHRIS QUARTARONE

It wasn’t the way the Bow boys varsity soccer team wanted to end the season, but according to head coach George Pinkham, his players should be proud of their effort.

“When you get to this game, all the kids are going to give it their all, and they did,” said Pinkham following the team’s 1-0 loss to unbeaten Hanover in the Class I tournament finale on Sunday, Nov. 4, at Bill Ball Stadium.

The lone goal was scored with 5:08 left in the first half by Hanover midfielder Eric Barthold during a series of headers near Bow’s goal.

Keeper Al Grip punched the ball away from net, which was headed right back in by Barthold.

The Marauders’ coach, Rob Grabill, knew his team needed to expect a counterattack once the second half began.

“I told our guys, ‘You’ll have to weather the storm,’” said Grabill.

Bow aggressively attacked, creating multiple chances early in the second half.

Bow midfielder Kyle Geddes’ shot forced a diving save from Hanover’s keeper, leading to a Bow corner kick.

That kick sliced into the goalie box, giving midfielder Ian Verderame a  chance for the tying goal, but the ball sailed just over the crossbar.

Forward Ryan Obolewicz put another ball in front of the net. Verderame’s second opportunity, once again, just cleared the crossbar.

“Those were our best chances,” said Pinkham. “It could have gone either way.”

Grabill said he was impressed with the Bow team and knew Bow’s push could have tied the game.

“They scared us like no other team has all season,” he said.

It was the third championship in a row for Hanover, and Grabill was both ecstatic and relieved after the contest.

“We never got caught up in being the best team,” he said. “Both teams played great tonight, and we were able to come out on top.”