He let a big lead slip away in singles, but Mike Mullen didn’t let that affect him when it came time for doubles. Instead, the Bow junior shrugged off the struggles and teamed with Aditya Shah for an 8-6 win at second doubles that clinched a critical, 5-4 team win against Inter-Lakes on Friday.
“It’s so difficult to pick yourself up after a tough loss,” Bow Coach Drew Groves said. “He was up 6-1 in that singles match, but Mike is a resilient kid. He’s always very upbeat and he’s able to shake it off and say, let’s go.”
The win ends the regular season for the Falcons, pushes their record to 13-1 and gives them the No. 2 seed in the D-III playoffs, behind only undefeated defending-champion Gilford (14-0). The tournament seeds won’t be announced until Monday, but chances are good Bow and Inter-Lakes (9-5) will have a rematch in Tuesday’s quarterfinal.
The Falcons had to fight for that No. 2 seed this week, starting with a 5-4 win against Profile (10-4) on Wednesday. In that match it was Shah who struggled in singles but turned it around in doubles as the second doubles team clinched that win, as well. So that duo had some experience in bouncing back, and Mullen has that naturally upbeat disposition, but Groves still talked to his No. 3 player between singles and doubles.
“We talked about how it was a tough match to lose, and yeah I know you feel bad, but let’s look at where we are right now and what we have going forward,” Groves said. “I told them they did it two days ago and we need it again tonight, and Mike is all about, ‘Yes, absolutely coach, let’s go.’”
The Falcons have also gotten a boost from the lower half of their ladder in the latter half of the season, and Friday was no different. No. 4 Owen Molind (8-3), No. 5 Shah (8-2) and No. 6 Jack Olson (8-2) all won their singles matches, and Molind and Olson completed an undefeated doubles campaign with an 8-2 win at third doubles.
Groves said he was surprised his team put together a 13-1 season. He knew they could be good, he just wasn’t sure they would be this good. Part of the reason for the unexpected win total is the emergence of Molind, a senior who had never played before this season.
Molind started the season, “way outside the top six,” Groves said. But the senior won enough challenge matches in the preseason to move up to No. 6 and has made his way to No. 4 during the season. He suffered his first singles loss of the year against Profile, but he rebounded on Friday.
“I think (Molind) was a little surprised by that loss,” Groves said. “But he really turned things around today and learned from the mistakes he made earlier, so that’s good.”
The Lakers were missing their regular No. 5 and No. 6 players on Friday, so if there is a rematch in the quarterfinals, it could look a little different. But that’s okay with the Falcons. They’ve had different heroes all season long.
“For us it’s really been just going from one match to the next step with different guys picking up wins when you need them,” Groves said. “It’s really been everyone stepping up.”
(Tim O’Sullivan can be reached at 369-3341 or at tosullivan@cmonitor.com or on Twitter @timosullivan20)
From coaches’ reports
Concord 7, Hanover 2
Key players: Concord – Justin Toler (8-2 win at No. 1 singles), Aidan Connor (8-3 win at No. 2), Sebastian Hart-Meyer (9-8, 7-3 win at No. 4), Matt Chorlian (8-6 win at No. 5), Kevin Neary (8-3 win at No. 6)
Highlights/key moments: The Crimson Tide wrapped up its regular season on a nine-match wining streak after taking care of business in Hanover. Toler’s win gave him a 14-0 singles season, while Hart-Meyer rallied from a 7-4 deficit to claim a momentum-swinging win. Toler and Connor (8-0 first doubles) and Adam Bryant and Neary (8-0 third doubles) completed the scoring.
Coach’s quote: “We were able to get past a talented Hanover team on a day when the Marauders were missing their No. 1 player.” – Concord’s Dave Page
Records: Concord 13-1; Hanover 9-4
Kearsarge 9, White Mountains
Key players: Kearsarge – Tyler Valovic (8-4 win at No. 1 singles), Tucker Valovic (8-0 win at No. 2), Jack Van Etten (8-0 win at No. 3), Charlie O’Connor (8-3 win at No.4), Matt Hubley (8-1 win at No. 5), Sam Williamson (8-6 win at No. 6)
Highlights/key moments: After missing out on the playoffs last year, this win puts the Cougars into the postseason as the likely No. 3 seed in D-III. The Valovic brothers won 8-2 at first doubles, Van Etten and O’Brien won 8-1 at second doubles and Williamson (who came back from a 5-1 hole to win his singles match) and Sam Bourcier won 8-5 at third doubles.
Coach’s quote: “I let the regular doubles teams play because I want them ready to face anybody in the playoffs.” – Kearsarge’s Lynn Miller
Records: Kearsarge 11-2; White Mountains 3-10
Concord 6, Pinkerton 3
Key players: Concord – Alex Killinger (8-4 win at No. 2 singles), Colleen Casey (8-1 win at No. 3), Olivia Cattabriga (8-2 win at No. 4), Sabrina Hart-Meyer (8-0 win at No. 5)
Highlights/key moments: Hart-Meyer set the tone with her shutout win and the Tide took a 4-2 lead after singles. The first doubles team of Killinger and Becky Cistulli fell behind early, 3-1, but came back for a match-clinching 8-4 win. Cattabriga and Irene Escobar teamed for a 9-7 win at third doubles. The win puts Concord in a position to have a home match when the playoffs start on Tuesday.
Coach’s quote: “We are very proud of our team’s composure during a very important match.” –Concord’s Rebecca Killinger
Records: Concord 11-3; Pinkerton 9-5
Kennett 8, Pembroke Academy 1
Key players: Pembroke – Nicole Carr (8-6 win at No. 1 singles)
Coach’s quote: “This was Nicole’s last match as a senior and she went out a winner.” – Pembroke’s Dave Goulet
Records: Pembroke 1-12; Kennett 4-10
Bow 7, White Mountains 2
Key players: Bow – Laura Zbehlik (8-4 win at No. 1 singles), Nandita Kasireddy (8-3 win at No. 2), Casey Day (8-1 win at No. 3), Julia Currier (8-0 win at No. 6)
Highlights/key moments: The Falcons completed an undefeated regular season with the win. Bow swept the doubles with Zbehlik and Claire Mulvaney winning 8-0 at first doubles, Day and Currier claiming an 8-5 win at second doubles and Kasireddy and Sarah Zecha teamed for an 8-1 win at third doubles.
Records: Bow 14-0; White Mountains 5-9
Concord 6, Nashua North 1
Key players: Concord – Griffin Gilbert (7 IP, 11 K, 5 hits, 0 earned runs; 2 hits, 2 RBI), Matt LaTourette (two hits), Stephan Moran (RBI), Eric Sullivan (RBI)
Highlights/key moments: The Crimson Tide scored four in the second inning on a two-run single from Gilbert, a squeeze from Moran and an RBI double from LaTourette. The win snapped Concord’s eight-game losing streak.
Coach’s quote: “Griffin was in complete control and threw a gem. We had some great clutch hits and used some small ball to make things happen. Very proud of the way the boys played today.” – Concord’s Scott Owen
Records: Concord 5-11; Nashua North 5-12
Coe-Brown 7, Kennett 0
Key players: Coe-Brown – Dylan Andrews (7 IP, 4 K, 2 BB), Max Judge (2-for-3, triple), Andrew Therrien (2-for-4), Jayson Cleveland (2-for-4, 2 RBI)
Highlights/key moments: The game was scoreless after four innings, but Coe-Brown’s Noah Wojtkowski laid down a bunt single that started a four-run, fifth-inning rally.
Coach’s quote: “Dylan pitched a really good game. Once he got that cushion he really got in a groove.” – Coe-Brown’s Sean Ashley
Records: Coe-Brown 10-5; Kennett (3-11)
Goffstown 4, John Stark 0
Key players: John Stark – Egan Nickerson (7 IP, 3 earned runs, 4 K, 6 hits allowed)
Highlights/key moments: A pitcher’s duel resulted in a scoreless tie through five innings. In the sixth, Goffstown recorded four singles and stole two bases to get three runs across the plate. The Grizzlies added an insurance run in the seventh to finish off the Generals.
Coach’s quote: “We just didn’t hit today. We had been averaging over eight runs over our eight-game winning streak. Today, we only had three singles and struck out 14 times. Goffstown’s pitcher was outstanding. Egan battled hard, and they got to him in the sixth. Great outing for a kid that just ran a 26.2 mile marathon on Sunday. Minor setback, but we are still 10-3 and love our chances going forward.” – John Stark’s Dennis Pelletier
Records: John Stark 10-3; Goffstown 13-3
Hopkinton 10, White Mountains 8
Key players: Hopkinton – Ben McManus (5 IP, 4 K, 0 ER; double, 2 RBI), Josh Angel (3-for-3, RBI), Will Reinhart (double, RBI), Dave Nelson (double), Kyle Slevira (3 hits, 3 RBI)
Highlights/key moments: Nelson started the game on the hill but was tagged for five runs in the early innings. The Hawks rebounded with four runs in the third and tied it in the fourth. After White Mountains took a one-run lead, Hopkinton exploded with five runs in the sixth. With the bases loaded and two strikes, Angel hammered a hit to center to clear the bases and McManus added a two-run double in the inning.
Coach’s quote: “This was a must-win for us to take the next step to making the playoffs. The team never gave up, we had 14 hits and McManus was lights out after coming in for Nelson in the third.” – Hopkinton’s Dave Chase
Records: Hopkinton 6-8; White Mtns. 7-6
Epping 7, Pittsfield 4
Key players: Pittsfield – Kyle Hamel (2 doubles, 2 RBI)
Highlights/key moments: Pittsfield dropped its fourth game in the last five contests, but the day was highlighted by seventh-grader Jesse MacGlashing getting his first varsity hit in a pinch-hit opportunity.
Records: Pittsfield 6-9; Epping 6-7
Winnisquam 11, Inter-Lakes 1
Key players: Winnisquam – Christian Serrano (3-for-4, 3 RBI, 2 runs), Jake Snow (2-for-3, 2 RBI, run), Jack Decormier (triple, 2 RBI), Hunter Tierney (3 IP, 8 K, 5 BB, 2 hits)
Highlights/key moments: Tierney walked the first two batters he faced and then gave up two singles, but he struck out the side from there and got the Lakers in order in the second and third. The Bears scored seven in the second, highlighted by a triple from Decormier and a two-run single from Serrano.
Records: Winnisquam 7-6; Inter-Lakes 5-10
Concord 10, Nashua North 2
Key players: Concord – Delia Barry (5 IP, 3 hits, 1 ER, 4 K, win; 2 hits), Jill Dusseault (3 hits, 2 RBI, 2 runs), Nicole Cacciola (2 hits, 2 runs), Sam Clapp (hit, RBI), Izzy Dunn (hit, RBI, run), Haley Munroe (hit, 2 RBI), Zoe Honigberg (hit, 2 runs), Abby Rochette (2 IP, 5 K, 1 ER, 0 hits)
Highlights/key moments: Barry and Rochette combined to throw a three-hitter and Concord played error-free defense. The Tide went up 5-0 after two innings, setting the tone for its third win in the last four games.
Records: Concord 7-9; Nashua North 3-13
Goffstown 3, John Stark 2
Key players: John Stark – Sara Lyons (2 hits), Kendall Keim (hit, RBI), Kali Kohelmainen (double, RBI)
Highlights/key moments: Trailing 3-0, Stark battled back in the third when Haley Philibotte singled and was driven in by Kohelmainen’s double. Kohelmainen scored on a fielder’s choice, but Stark couldn’t complete the comeback.
Coach’s quote: “Even though we came up on the short end score-wise, we played solid defense and took advantage of some timely hitting.” – John Stark’s Gerry Morin
Records: John Stark 5-8; Goffstown 15-2
Belmont 11, Somersworth 1
Key players: Belmont – Jordan Sargent (2 hits, home run), Nicole Antonucci (2 hits), Shannon Davies (3 hits), Lizzie Fleming (2 hits)
Highlights/key moments: Megan Prescott earned the win, striking out nine hitters on the day. Prescott also recorded her 300th career strikeout.
Coach’s quote: “Somersworth didn’t go down without a fight. Megan has worked hard the last four years to hit the 300 (strikeout) mark.” – Belmont’s Bill Clary
Records: Belmont 11-4; Somersworth 1-10
Franklin 13, Mascoma 1, 5 inn.
Key players: Franklin – Kaylee Marsh (5 IP, 10 K, 1 hit, 1 ER), Rachael Capri (4 hits, double, home run, 3 RBI), Anna Doherty (single, double, home run, 3 RBI), Hanne Nichols (3 hits, RBI), Anna Sylvestre (double, RBI), Breanna Styles (RBI), Hailey Haskins (RBI)
Highlights/key moments: Franklin opened the game with a solo home run and built the lead to 3-0 after the first inning. Franklin scored two more in the second inning and four in the third. With four more runs in the fourth, the Lady Tornadoes finished the day with 15 hits in just five innings.
Coach’s quote: “Another solid pitching performance, along with a couple more long balls, made the trip today well worth it. Each game someone new steps up to leave their mark and it’s exciting to see.” – Franklin’s Skip DuBois
Records: Franklin 12-1; Mascoma 0-13
White Mountains 3, Hopkinton 0
Key players: Hopkinton – Alexis Blanchette (6 IP, 2 ER, 9 K), Sam Brewer (hit), Kasey Smith (hit), Caroline Flood (hit)
Highlights/key moments: White Mountains out-hit the Hawks 5-3, with the turning point being an opposite-field triple. Hopkinton had the tying run at the plate in the seventh, but couldn’t get the key hit. Gabby Lajeunesse and Lily Scammon turned a great double play to highlight the defensive effort.
Coach’s quote: “I was very pleased with our focus and intensity. We just didn’t get the key hit and they did, but we battled one of the strongest teams in our division.” – Hopkinton’s Dan Meserve
Records: Hopkinton 7-6; White Mountains 13-0
Winnisquam 5, Inter-Lakes 3
Key players: Winnisquam – Molly Tinker (7 IP, 0 hits, 3 BB, 2 K, 3 unearned runs), Marissa DeBlasie (2-for-3, home run), Cailey Clogston (2-for-3, RBI), Tea Michaloski (1-for-3, 2 RBI)
Highlights/key moments: Tinker, a junior, struggled some with her control, but she didn’t give up a hit as she helped the Bears snap
Records:Winnisquam 7-6; Inter-Lakes 5-10
Bow 13, Kennett 7
Key players: Bow – Ben Podis (4 goals, 2 assists), Jared Reynolds (5 goals, 1 assist), Colin Buck (2 goals, 1 assist), Justin Mooney (1 goal, 1 assist), Colin Tracy (goal)
Coach’s quote: “This was a good team win and we look forward to ending our regular season at home against John Stark.” – Bow’s Kyle Tracy
Records: Bow 6-7; Kennett 3-9
Derryfield 18, Merrimack Valley 4
Key players: Merrimack Valley – Matt Jarvis (12 saves), Josh Farmer (defense), Ryan Neylon (defense), Nick Koufos (defense)
Coach’s quote: “It might sound strange to say this, but I’m very proud of my team’s effort. That score doesn’t reflect how we played or how much the kids have improved over the course of the season.” – MV’s Sean O’Brien
Records: Derryfield 14-1; Merrimack Valley 6-6
John Stark 9, Kingswood 5
Key players: John Stark – Jake Blanchette (4 goals, assist), Parker McQuarrie (goal, 2 assists), Drew McQuarrie (goal, 2 assists), Matt Bennetter (goal), Nick Aleksonis (goal), Cam Bourque (assist), Guiseppe Brown (12 saves)
Highlights/key moments: Three freshmen had a major impact in the game, Brown making 12 saves, Noah Chapman winning 75 percent of his faceoffs and George Lord on defense, as John Stark won its third game in its last four matches.
Records: John Stark 6-6; Kingswood 3-9
Pembroke 14, Oyster River 13
Key players: Pembroke – Kam Anderson (6 goals, assist), Glenn Dion (goal, 4 assists), Pat Berry (3 goals, 3 assists), Jaydon Anderson (2 goals), Chris Arvanitis (goal, 2 assists), Drew Berry (goal), Peter Carawat (13 saves)
Highlights/key moments: Oyster River lead 8-5 at halftime and scored seven seconds into the third to go up by four. Pembroke battled back, though, and tied the game at 11 entering the fourth. The teams traded goals until Kam Anderson got the eventual game-winner with 3:10 left. Caraway made six saves in the fourth quarter, including three in the final three minutes of action.
Coach’s quote: “Credit to both teams (for) refusing to give in. Lacrosse is a game of streaks and our streaks came at the right moments. This was an important win for our team and something we need to build off of. The team stayed together and kept a positive attitude and we were able to feed off of one another.” – Pembroke’s Tim Vasconcellos
Records: Pembroke 4-7; Oyster River 4-7
Hopkinton 21, Stevens 1
Key players: Hopkinton – Sam Schuster (7 goals, assist), Tim Jones (3 goals, assist), Owen Kanter (3 goals, assist), Joe Cullinan (2 goals, 3 assists), Pete Sintros (2 goals), Bowman Ridinger (goal, assist)
Highlights/key moments: Hopkinton took a 9-0 lead after the first quarter and never looked back, controlling ball possession for most of the game.
Coach’s quote: “We were all over every groundball and were aggressive in picking off passes and chasing shots. This translated into long possession times, which allowed us to create lots of scoring opportunities. We had contributions from a lot of younger players who stepped up in a major way.” – Hopkinton’s Deacon Blue
Records: Hopkinton 8-4; Stevens 1-9
Kearsarge 5, Monadnock 3
Key players: Kearsarge – Justin Norris (2 goals), Leland Eckel (2 goals), Gunnar Nurme (goal)
Highlights/key moments: Behind a great team defensive effort, Kearsarge played to a 2-2 tie at halftime and held a 4-2 lead after three. Each team scored once in the third as the Cougars held on to win their fourth game in a row.
Coach’s quote: “Very proud of the way we played defense tonight. Kids just kept (playing) and found a way to win.” – Kearsarge’s Zach Matthews
Records: Kearsarge 10-2; Monadnock 9-3
Kearsarge 7, Oyster River 6
Key players: Kearsarge – Eleanor Angus (3 goals, 2 assists), Anna Stowell (3 goals), Maicy Hansen (goal), Lily Huntoon (4 ground balls, interception), Anya Nowicki (nine saves)
Highlights/key moments: The Cougars held on at home under the lights to pick up their fifth straight win.
Records: Kearsarge 11-2; Oyster River 7-5