The Merrimack Valley boys’ lacrosse used a strong first-half effort to build an early lead and beat Kearsarge, 8-4, on Tuesday. Midfielder Chase Mercier scored three goals and added an assist to go along with a strong day at the faceoff X and freshman attack Dylan Arrant scored a hat trick. Matt Jarvis, who made his first ever start in net, made 10 saves on the day for the Pride.
“Jarvis is the most fearless kid on the team,” Coach Sean O’Brien said.
The first goal came with 4:27 left in the first, when Mercier scored an unassisted tally. Thirty-two seconds later, Chris Carmichael dodged from the top of the box and found space, putting the ball past the goalie for his only tally of the game.
Two more goals at the end of the first and another Mercier goal brought the score to 5-0, where it stood until halftime.
“Kearsarge came out hungry and fired up (after the half,” O’Brien said. “Their coach forced me to make some adjustments in the second half.”
Kearsarge was able to trim the lead a bit, playing at its best and scoring two goals in the third and holding MV to one. It wasn’t enough for the Cougars, however, as they entered the fourth with a 6-2 deficit.
“MV took control of the game early and never looked back,” Kearsarge Coach Zach Matthews said. “Our energy and execution were much better in the second half. You just can’t spot a good team a five-goal lead. No doubt we will try and use this as a learning experience.”
With the teams only getting called for two penalties apiece, the game was very clean for the first game of the season.
“We cleared effectively and weren’t called for many penalties,” O’Brien said. “We played solid defensively, forcing Kearsarge into taking some tough shots which really helped Jarvis.”
Along with Arrant, MV’s other starting freshman, Nick Koufous, played well on defense. Noah Newton also added a goal late for MV. Despite being up 8-2 late, MV allowed two goals in the final 1:13 of the game to bring the game to its final. Zander Hauck finished the day with two goals and an assist and Justin Norris scored two for Kearsarge.
“Faceoff wins were huge for us today,” O’Brien said. “We won five of seven in the first half and three of four in the third quarter. That really helped us get extra possessions and gave us more time with the ball.”
MV looks ahead to a road match against Derryfield on Friday and Kearsarge will be on the road at Plymouth the same day.
BOYS’ LACROSSE
Hopkinton 9, John Stark 7
Key players: Hopkinton – Sam Schuster (4 goals, 6 ground balls), Joe Cullinan (3 goals, assist), Owen Kanter (goal, 3 assists, 5 ground balls), Gerry Donahue (8 ground balls), Prince Mansah (goal, faceoffs), Derek Amoth (11 saves); John Stark – Ryan Gordon (3 goals, assist), Steven Medvetz (2 goals), Guiseppe Brown (play in net).
Highlights/key moments: The Hawks fell behind early and trailed 4-2 at halftime, but found their offensive rhythm in the second half and toppled the Division II Generals.
Coach’s quote: “We had a really strong second half. We got really fired up and talked about (how) we have to get on every ground ball and value every possession. They definitely responded.” – Hopkinton’s Deacon Blue
Records: Hopkinton 1-0; John Stark 0-1
John Stark 13, Hopkinton 3
Key players: John Stark – Lizzie Brandt (5 goals, assist), Jill Douzanis (2 goals, 2 assists, 6 ground balls), Liz Neal (2 goals), Katie Waligura (goal, 3 assists), Olivia Sohl (first varsity goal), Sam Porter (5 saves, first win); Hopkinton – Lyndon Flanagan (2 goals), Amelia Bassett (goal)
Highlights/key moments: The Generals started slowly in the season opener before heating up to take a 6-1 halftime lead, then built on the margin in the second half.
Coach’s quote: “It’s a good first win. We got the jitters out. It’s always stressful at the start of the season.” – Stark’s John Warner
Records: John Stark 1-0; Hopkinton 0-1
Bow 18, Belmont 1
Key players: Bow – Taylor Darrell (3 goals, 2 assists), Amanda Murray (2 goals, assist), Maggie Vogt (2 goals, 6 draw controls), Zoe Jukoski (goal), Sofia Darrell (goal), Julia Landcastle (goal), Emma Gagne (goal), Charlotte Ulrich (goal), Athina Fanaras (goal)
Highlights/key moments: Bow cruised offensively, with Jukoski, Sofia Darrell, Landcastle, Ulrich, Gagne and Fanaras all recording their first career varsity goals.
Records: Bow 1-0; Belmont 0-1
Boys’ Track & Field
Concord 78, Londonderry 50
Key players: Concord – Angel Feliz (1st 100 in 10.99; 1st 200 in 22.74; 1st long jump at 20-0), Jamie Wilkes (1st 800 in 2:06.0; 1st 1600 in 4:37), Liam Bennett (1st high jump at 5-5), Alex Rhoads (1st 300 hurdles in 44.43), 4×100 relay (1st with Brendan Cacciola, Clinton Mungeta, Patrick Hall and Feliz)
Highlights/key moments: Feliz captured three individual victories (100, 200 and long jump), while Wilkes added two and two others notched wins. The 4×100 relay team was also victorious.
Coach’s quote: “For the boys, it was Feliz and Wilkes that really shined today. Both scored a ton of points for our team. Overall, I was very happy with the day and our effort on the track. This year’s teams have a great work ethic and one thing I learned today about these teams is they want to win.” – Concord’s Hayden Daly.
Records: Concord 1-0; Londonderry 0-1
Coe-Brown first
Key players: Coe-Brown – Nick Burleigh (1st 300 hurdles), Jacob Snow (1st high jump), Shawn Spenard (1st triple jump), Orion Clachar (1st javelin), Isiah Allen (2nd javelin), Connor Edgerly (2nd 300 hurdles), Tanner Richards (2nd 1,600, 3rd javelin), Will White (2nd shot put, 3rd discus), Ian Hayden (2nd discus), Evan Tanguay (3rd 1,600), Jared Nelson (3rd 800), Zach Flanagan (3rd 3,200), Fergus Leclere (3rd pole vault), Kyshaun Rowell (3rd triple jump), Quinn Grady (3rd shot put)
Highlights/key moments: The Bears rode four individual victories and a plethora of top-threes to 73 points and a victory over Windham (70), Kennett (59), St. Thomas (16).
Kearsarge first
Key players: Kearsarge – Troy Davis (1st high jump, 1st long jump, 1st triple jump), Zach Astle (1st shot put, 1st discus), Alex Kalpakgain (1st 200), Tim Cunningham (1st 1,600), Mason Benedict (1st 3,200), Ian Bready (1st 300 hurdles); Hopkinton – Nick Fleury (1st 100), Aaron Dobe (1st 400), Dom Repucci (1st 800),
Highlights/key moments: Davis won three events to pace the Cougars, whose 162 points topped a field that included Hopkinton (second, 82) and Hillsboro-Deering (seventh, 17).
Londonderry 60, Concord 57
Key players: Concord – Grace Devanny (1st 100 in 13.4; 1st 400 in 61.0), Marian Emmons (1st 110 hurdles in 19.93), Michaella Conery (1st 1,600 in 5:18.1; 1st 800 in 2:26.0), Kate Andy (1st 3,200 in 13:31.0), Abagail Hemeon (1st shot put at 27-11), Paulette Niwewase (1st 300 hurdles in 1:03), 4×400 relay (1st with Amanda Merrifield, Gillian Bennett, Conery and Devanny)
Highlights/key moments: Devanny had a great day for the Tide, winning in the 100- and 400-meters.
Coach’s quote: “It was a tough loss for the girls, but I know how hard they have been working and they will bounce back just fine. We had a ton of great performances and Michaella Conery and Grace Devanny had spectacular days.” – Concord’s Hayden Daly
Records: Concord 0-1; Londonderry 1-0
Coe-Brown first
Key players: Coe-Brown – Brooke Laskowsky (1st 400, 1st 800), Christen Gallant (1st pole vault, 1st javelin), Elisabeth Danis (1st 1,600, 2nd 800), Sarah Dupuis (1st 3,200), Molly Swansburg (1st shot put, 1st discus, 3rd javelin), Summer Barnes (2nd 400, 2nd high jump), Alli Pratt (2nd 1,600), Megan Spainhower (2nd 3,200), Marissa Gast (2nd 300 hurdles), Rebecca Bailey (3rd 100), Meg Scannell (3rd 1,600), Abby Dupuis (3rd shot put, 3rd discus)
Highlights/key moments: Dual winners Laskowsky and Gallant led the dominant Bears to 92 points, making for an easy win over Kennett (67), Windham (38) and St. Thomas (17).
Kearsarge fourth
Key players: Kearsarge – Maddie Nelson (1st 200), Patricia Jewell (1st 3,200), Maggie Lee (2nd 800), Avril prak (4th 200); Hopkinton – Sarah Nadeau (1st 800, 1st 1,600), Megan Ellsworth (2nd 100), Claire Reidy (3rd discus), Addy Bourgelais (3rd javelin)
Highlights/key moments: Kearsarge (fourth, 40.5 points) and Hopkinton (fifth, 33) were the top local teams at a meet won easily by White Mountains (125).