Mar. 1—One of the first opportunities for fans to get a glimpse of the new University of New Hampshire men's soccer team this spring will be at Hanover High School.
The Wildcats, led by new coach Rich Weinrabe, will play a charity friendly against America East Conference rival Vermont at Hanover High School on Saturday, April 6th at 2 p.m.
There is no admission fee. Instead, fans are encouraged to donate good canned goods or non-perishable food at the trade show. This will benefit the Hanover Community Food Pantry.
Hanover is located halfway between UNH and UVM, approximately 150 miles from Durham, Vermont and 156 miles from Burlington.
“These are two very strong programs,” Hanover High School 19th grade boys soccer coach Rob Grabill said. “So (they) could make the argument that they're the two best in New England…and it's going to be a true friendly.”
UNH, led by former coach Mark Hubbard, finished ninth, and Vermont, led by head coach Rob Dow, finished 14th in the final United Soccer Coaches poll last season.
Both teams advanced to the Round of 16 in the NCAA Division I Tournament last fall.
The inspiration for the exhibition came when Dow contacted Grabill and pitched him the idea.
Grabill is an associate pastor at Dartmouth College Church of Christ, which operates the Hanover Community Food Pantry.
Grabill said the food pantry feeds about 80 to 90 people in the Upper Valley each week.
Youth players from the Hannover-based Lightning Soccer Club will go on an international strike with the team. Players from New Hampshire's Lightning Soccer Club will leave with UNH, and players from Vermont will leave with the Catamounts.
Lightning Soccer Club players will also have a 6-on-6 scrimmage at halftime.
Mr. Grabill encouraged participation in all youth programs on both sides of the border. Boys from Hanover High School in Grabill will be working on the event, and coaches said they hope it becomes an annual tradition each spring.
UNH has five spring exhibition games scheduled. The Wildcats opened Friday with a friendly at the University of Massachusetts. The next spring game will be against Division II SNHU on Friday, March 29th at 7pm at Wildcat Stadium.
ahall@unionleader.com