LONDONDERRY, NH — Heading into the State Division I Boys Soccer Tournament, there wasn’t a hotter than Manchester Memorial.
The Crusaders entered the tournament as the No. 10 seed, with a 7-4-5 record. But they went 4-0-1 over the final five games of the regular season, including a 4-2 win over No. 1 ranked and previously unbeaten Nashua South.
Unfortunately for Memorial, it was unable to carry that momentum into the post-season. The Crusaders saw their season end, Wednesday night, with a 3-1 opening round loss to No. 7 Londonderry.
Ironically, it was the Lancers who had handed the Crusaders their last loss, back on Oct. 7.
“Yeah, they had beaten us 2-0 (on Oct. 7) and they got us again tonight. Just a couple of small mistakes but that’s how soccer is,” said Memorial Head Coach Jerold White. “But I’m so proud of these guys. They played hard.”
Senior forward Leo Sochanek had a pair of goals to lead Londonderry(11-4-2), which advances to the D-I quarterfinals, Saturday at No. 2 Bedford.
Memorial found itself in an early hole, when senior Khoi Totten scored on a penalty kick, giving Londonderry a 1-0 lead, just 6:20 into the game.
The Lancers carried the play for much of the half but were thwarted time and again by the play of the Memorial back line. Dylan Jolicouer, Alexis Pacheco Amill and Kimari Miller were stellar in front of keeper Brayden Yianakopolos (7 saves).
For a time, it appeared Memorial might get to halftime down just a goal. But Londonderry scuttled those hopes when Sochanek scored in the 37th minute, beating Yianakopoulos to the far side, just inside the post.
Trailing 2-0 and with nothing to lose, Memorial came out of intermission with renewed energy and purpose. The Crusaders attacked with passion, generating the types of scoring chances they hadn’t been able to manufacture in the first half.
The pressure paid off in the 48th minute, when senior midfielder Kolby Duscharme beat Londonderry keeper Collin Philkrantz, cutting the deficit to 2-1.
The goal was set up by a sensational play from Frank Tessier. The junior forward made a terrific rush along the end line, then chipped a perfect cross to Duscharme, who finished with authority.
Memorial (7-5-5) seized the momentum and pressed the attack. Suddenly, Londonderry was back on its heels, scrambling to clear the ball from in front of its net.
Just when it appeared Memorial was ready to get the equalizer, a momentary defensive lapse proved costly.
Chasing down a long lead pass, Sochanek was allowed to split the defense, unchecked. Yianakopolos bolted from his crease and tried to beat Sochanek to the ball. But the speedy Lancer was the foot race by half a step and managed to chip the ball over Yianakopolos, who could only watch, as it rolled into the net, to make it 3-1.