PENACOOK – Kayla Paquin didn’t have the strongest shooting performance in her team’s season-opening win over Plymouth on Friday.
The Pembroke Academy sophomore did find the back of the net once during the season-opener, a three-goal win for the Pembroke girls’ soccer team, but a handful of off-target shots had seventh-year coach Jess Croft wondering what could have been.
In Tuesday’s showdown with Division II foe Merrimack Valley, however, Paquin left little doubt as to her potential. The forward posted an impressive hat trick in the Spartan’s 4-2 victory – with two goals coming in a span of just 24 seconds – helping her team to a second-straight win to begin the season.
Merrimack Valley, which outscored PA 2-0 in the second half to keep things interesting, fell to 0-2.
“To be honest, the first game, her shooting was a little bit off,” Croft said of Paquin. “We were happy to see that her shots were more on frame today. She’s going to be a huge part of what we do offensively this season.”
Pembroke wasted little time establishing its dominance, notching the game’s first goal in less than two minutes on its first shot of the contest.
Senior captain Emilee Harlow began the scoring chance when she broke free from the Pride defense, and sent a soft cross toward a charging Paquin. The sophomore collected the pass in stride and fired off a low, lining one-timer just under the fingertips of a diving Maddie Glazier (five saves) to give the visitors a 1-0 lead.
Harlow found the back of the net herself less than a minute later, converting a lofting shot from well outside the box to up the Spartan’s lead to 2-0.
“That’s always been kind of our thing,” Croft said of her team’s quick start. “We like to get on top and establish our possession game and our shooting game early. Not so we can sit back, but so that we can kind of set the tone. And Emilee and Kayla really help us to do that.”
That duo struck again near the midway point of the first half when Harlow assisted on Paquin’s second goal after another breakaway from the MV defense. Then, 24 seconds later, the underclassmen struck again with her third goal – and her team’s final score – during a scrum in front of the net.
The Pride refused to throw in the towel despite the four-goal deficit, though, and tallied a pair of scores over the game’s final 40 minutes much to the delight of the home crowd.
Sophomore Emily Knouse netted her team’s first goal after a nifty move in the box left only Spartans keeper Katelyn Young (six saves) to beat, before Asia Grace Hanson’s score on a rebound with 6:44 remaining rounded out the game’s scoring.
“I like coming back in the second half, I just don’t like coming back from such a big deficit,” said Merrimack Valley coach Jeff Richard, who’s team will host Goffstown (1-1) on Thursday. “We’ve got to keep it close, and limit the mistakes – stop the bleeding. And that’s what we’re working on getting the girls to do.”
For Croft, Pembroke’s lackluster second half gave her plenty of material to work on ahead of her team’s bout with Sanborn (1-0) on Friday.
“I think we need to do a better job defensively all around the field,” Croft said. “I’ve got a wonderful group of athletic and talented defenders, I just think we need to communicate a little better. But hats off to MV because they wanted it the whole time and were kind of keeping us on our heels.”
Junior goaltender Vickey Mudgett held the Pride scoreless during the first half, turning aside each of the three shots she faced before giving way to Young – a sophomore – in the second.
“We’re looking forward to keep moving in the right direction,” Croft said.
GIRLS’ SOCCER
Concord 1, Bishop Guertin 0
Key players:Ashley Kelley (goal), Jillian Dusseault (assist), Steph Oberg (5 saves), Gillian Bennett and Ellie Pope.
Coach’s quote: “After taking a lead in the first half Concord showed great determination and put forth a strong team effort against a tough opponent in order to secure the win.” – Concord’s Jeremy Duclos.
Records: Concord 1-1; Bishop Guertin 1-1
Portsmouth 1, Coe-Brown 0
Key players:Portsmouth– Gracie Gettmen. Coe Brown– Makenzie Daly (12 saves).
Highlights/key moments: Coe-Bown and Portsmouth played 60 minutes of scoreless soccer until Portsmouth found the back of the net it the 63rd minute. Coe-Brown had opportunities early but the defense of the Clippers were up to the task.
Coach’s quote: “To play with a program like Portsmouth like we did is a good litmus test for us especially for how young we are. Portsmouth was a finalist last season and they are a D-II powerhouse. So to go over 60 minutes of scoreless soccer with them, I can’t say I’m disappointed in the result. We played hard and we played well.” – Coe Brown’s Josh Hils
Records:Portsmouth 1-1; Coe Brown 1-1
John Stark 6, Lebanon 0
Key players: John Stark – Abby Brandt (2 goals), Morgan Hawkes (2 goals), Brooke Shatney (goal), Olivia Sohl (goal)
Highlights/key moments: Meg Blanchette, Jocelyn Dimond, Mackenzie Nase and Abby Brandt secured the defense, setting the Generals play and initiating the offensive attack. Cara Easter and Shatney were also play makers for John Stark.
Coach’s quote: “The Generals are a young squad that continues to gain confidence each game that they play.” – John Stark’s Heather Doucette
Records: John Stark 2-0; Lebanon 0-2
H-D 4, Hopkinton 1
Key players: H-D – Bridgette Winters (2 goals), Izabella Warren (goal), Emily Wightman (goal), Madeline Parisi (assist), Taveya Ortiz (assist), Mara Grady (assist), Melissa Veitch (3 saves) Sarah Ingalls, Madeline Parisi and Kiersten Clough.
Highlights/key moments: After a lackluster first half, Winters scored unassisted less than a minute into the second. H-D’s Warren scored at 18 minutes in the second after receiving a pass from Parisi at midfield and dribbling into the penalty area. Winters scored again from a throw into the box and Wightman rounded out the scoring from about 30 yards out on an assist from Ortiz.
Coach’s quote: “I am proud of the way the girls pulled it together and played in the second half.” – H-D’s Susan Else
Records: H-D 1-1; Hopkinton 1-1
Pittsfield 5,
Portsmouth Christian 1
Key players: Pittsfield – Katie Rollins (2 goals, assist), Lindsey Massey (goal, 2 assists), Kira Wood (goal), Destinee Ellis (goal)
Highlights/key moments: Freshman Becca Smith made three huge saves in the first half to keep the game tied 0-0 at halftime. Rollins found the back of the net a few minutes into the second half to open the scoring. Alyssa Sullivan and Kylee Morel played well defensively.
Coach’s quote: “Both teams had their chances in the first half, we made an adjustment at halftime to counter what they were doing and we were able to capitalize off of it.” – Pittsfield’s Jayme Kennedy
Records: Pittsfield 2-0; Portsmouth Christian 0-1
Concord 2, Bishop Guertin 1
Key players: Ngongo Mungeta (goal), Josh Adams (goal), Ethan Dupre (assist), Noah Wachter (defense), Gopal Timsina (strong midfield play)
Highlights/key moments: The Crimson Tide took a 1-0 lead in the 11th minute on a pretty side-volley strike from Mungeta off a cross from Dupre. Adams made it 2-0 nine minutes later when he fired a bullet of a shot off a knock-down after a corner kick.
Concord an 11-0 advantage in corner kicks and a 25-6 advantage in shots. Liam Devanny (one save) and Brian DeFranzo (two saves) split time in goal for the Tide
Coach’s quote: “I’m happy with the first two games of the season, but we still have a way to go.” – Concord’s Scott Dunlop
Records: Concord (2-0); Bishop Guertin (1-1)
Goffstown 5, Bow 2
Coach’s quote:We just have to get better if we are to compete at the D-II level . . . There are no key players in a 5-2 loss” – Bow’s George Pinkham
Records:Goffstown 2-0; Bow 0-2
Coe-Brown 2, Portsmouth 1, OT
Key players:Coe-Brown – Mike Mulligan 2 goals), Noah Wojtkowski (assist), Don MacCallum (assist), Zack Pine (three saves)
Highlights/key moments: Mulligan scored on a free kick from Wojtkowski five minutes into the contest, and broke a 1-1 tie early in the second when he deposited a pass from MacCallum into the back of the net.
Coach’s quote: “Mike’s such a hard worker so when he scores, we all get pretty pumped knowing what he puts into it. We’re happy to be heading home 2-0.” – Coe-Brown’s Christian Gompert
Records: Coe-Brown 2-0; Portsmouth 0-2
John Stark 1, Lebanon 0
Key players: John Stark – Lawson Murphy (goal), Isaiah Lovering (assist), Jake Reynolds, Tyler Restuccia, Tim Currier and Kayden Easter.
Highlights/key moments: John Stark’s lone goal came when Reynolds sent in a corner that deflected to Lovering who passed it to Lawson for a one-time finish off the post. Lovering earned the corner when his headed shot was saved by a dive from Lebanon keeper Cole Davis.
Coach’s quote: “Unlike the Con-Val game where we hit the post twice and the ball went wide, we hit the post and it went in. It was a great shot. There is a reason Lebanon is everyone’s pick to be at the top this year. They are a very good team. You have to play disciplined soccer and not make any mistakes. I was very happy with our effort today.” – John Stark’s Jeff Vogt.
Records: John Stark (1-1); Lebanon (1-1)
Pembroke 3, Merrimack Valley 1
Key players:Pembroke – Max Putnam (goal, assist), Glenn Dion (goal), AJ Gagnon (goal), Kolbe Valdes (assist), Hunter Boyce (assist); Merrimack Valley – Jared Sylvester (goal), Caleb Willett (assist), Chase Mercier (played well defensively)
Highlights/key moments: The pride applied more pressure on the Merrimack Valley defense in the second half, but was unable to complete the comeback.
Coach’s quote: “We came out flat to start the game and Pembroke took advantage of that. They moved the ball around well and created a bunch of opportunities in the first half.” – Merrimack Valley’s Ken Fuller.
Records: Pembroke 2-0; Merrimack Valley 1-1
Bishop Brady 4, Mascenic 1
Key players: Bishop Brady – Wes McIntosh (3 goals), Tony Wright (goal, assist) Bryce Johnson (assist, 10 saves).
Highlights/key moments: Bishop Brady scored in the first three minutes only to have Mascenic tie it quickly. Brady controlled play, however, and was up 3-1 by halftime. Johnson and the defense held Mascenic scoreless in the second half.
Coach’s quote: “This was a complete team effort from the standpoint of every position spanning from the front line through the midfield and then anchored by our defense and goalkeeper.” – Bishop Brady’s Mike Ling
Records: Bishop Brady 1-0; Mascenic 0-1
Inter-Lakes 5, Franklin 1
Key players: Franklin – Giovanni Lemon (goal), David Girtman (played well in net)
Highlights/key moments: Lemon opened the game with a quick goal in the first few minutes. Inter-Lakes answered with a goal on a penalty kick in the sixth minute of the game.
Coach’s quote:“We started off strong with an early goal but failed to capitalize on our advantage. We then struggled to maintain possession of the ball in the first half. Inter-Lakes played well and we will use this loss as a learning tool.” – Franklin’s Kevin VanGorden
Records:Inter-Lakes (1-1); Franklin (0-1)
Concord Christian 2, Moultonborough 0
Key players: Nolan Ritchie (goal), Tim Stevens (goal), Rusty Risteen (assist)
Highlights/key moments: The Kingsmen’s first goal came as the result of a corner kick, before Stevens’s tally with seven minutes remaining all but shut the door on Moultonborough.
Coach’s quote: “It was a great first game for us as a team. The boys fought until the end and came out on top. (I was) really proud of them today.” – Concord Christian’s Phillip Tuttle said.
Records: Concord Christian 1-0; Moultonborough 0-1
Lebanon 1, Merrimack Valley 0
Key players:Merrimack Valley – Kylee Warren (7 saves), Colleen Easler (great defense), Grace Montgomery (great hustle to the ball), Madyn Kenney (strong midfield play).
Coach’s quote:“We had a lot of opportunities, especially in the first half, but kept missing the net. The team is improving each time we step on the field and I was happy with my team’s effort against Lebanon.” – Merrimack Valley’s Kim Kenney
Records: Lebanon (1-0); Merrimack Valley (0-1)
Hopkinton 9, John Stark 0
Key players:Hopkinton – Lyndon Flanagan (5 goals), Amelia Thomas (2 goals, 1 assist), Lilly Hoffman (goal, 2 assists), Avery Barret (goal) Chloe Wood (assist), Carley Kanter (outstanding all-around game); John Stark – Melinda Jackson (28 saves).
Coach’s quote: “Strong game tonight. The girls communicated well and made good passes and cut to the ball.” – Hopkinton’s Kate Hohenberger.
Records: Hopkinton 1-0; John Stark 0-1
Stevens 5, Kearsarge 0
Key players: Kearsarge – Kirstin Westerberg and Jordan Pollard (strong stick skills), Marissa Pickman (9 saves on 11 shots)
Coach’s quote: “We are down nine players from last year but still have some very strong talent.
“We just made too many errors today and couldn’t move the ball well. We’ll work hard to regroup and move forward.” – Kearsarge’s Dianne Chadwick
Records:Stevens 1-0; Kearsarge 0-1
John Stark third
Key players: John Stark – Ryan Rothdiener (44); Souhegan – Ryan Stankewicz (medalist, 36)
Highlights/key moments: Rothdiener’s 44 was the low round for the Generals (246 points) in their three-team match with Souhegan (215) and St. Thomas (224).
Record: John Stark 1-4