In telling the story of the Bow soccer team’s first victory of the season, a 4-0 final over Merrimack Valley, Coach George Pinkham turned his focus to the Falcons’ previous game against Pembroke.
One was a win. The other sure felt like one.
“We played well that game. It was a game that could have been won by us or them,” Pinkham said about the 2-1 loss to the Spartans. “I told the guys ‘Hey, we’re right there.’ ”
By Tuesday, the lesson from the moral victory had sunk in enough for the Falcons to finally nab the real thing. Bow (1-3) was terrific against the Pride (1-3) in seizing its first Division II victory, taking command of a close game with goals from four different players – including one from Chris Gallier, who added three assists.
It was Bow’s second straight strong showing after two disappointing losses to Lebanon and Goffstown in which Pinkham said the Falcons were “manhandled.”
“That was kind of a measuring stick to see if they got the message from me,” he said about the Pembroke game. “And they did. That’s the first game as a coach that I felt comfortable.”
He felt even better Tuesday, and Gallier had a lot to do with it. The junior fed Jake Andrews with a centering pass for his first varsity goal 29 minutes in, then headed in a perfect cross from Brian Bushnell 15 minutes into the second half to make it 2-0.
Gallier set up the final two goals as well, tallies from Max Elsasser and Bryce Northrup in the 75th and 77th minutes, respectively.
“Gallier really stepped up big time,” Pinkham said. “He’s playing very well this year.”
The Falcons also had to overcome the absences of captains Chase Chamberlain, who broke his nose against Pembroke, and J.P. Merchan. They found a way, leaving them with some newfound confidence in a new division and their coach with a feeling that the rough patch could be behind them.
“It feels great to win a game,” Pinkham said. “We’re headed in the right direction.”
Exeter 1, Concord 0, OT
Key players: Concord – Liam Devanny (12 saves), Cole Gorham (defense), Ethan Dupre (defense), Taylor Silverstein (midfield), Ngongo Mungeta (midfield)
Highlights/key moments: The Blue Devils scored in the 90th minute to hand the Tide its first loss despite great defense and goalkeeping from Devanny. Exeter outshot Concord, 21-17.
Coach’s quote: “Both teams had a number of chances to score in regulation and in overtime. We had some great efforts today.” – Concord’s Scott Dunlop
Records: Concord 3-1; Exeter 3-1
Coe-Brown 4, Kennett 2
Key players: Coe-Brown – Corbin LeBlanc (2 goals), Alex Gray (goal), Mike Mulligan (goal), Ben Watson (assist), Ben Heyliger (assist), Don MacCallum (assist)
Highlights/key moments: The Bears trailed, 2-0, 25 minutes into the match, trailed, 2-1, at halftime and were held scoreless for the first 20 minutes of the second half, but they scored three late goals to remain undefeated.
Coach’s quote: “We had the ball in their end most of the first half, we just couldn’t put the ball in the net … in the second half we were patient and not frustrated and sure enough the goals came.” – Coe-Brown’s Christian Gompert
Records: Coe-Brown 4-0; Kennett 0-4
John Stark 2, Kearsarge 0
Key players:John Stark – Ryan Nelson (goal, assist), Evan Caswell (assist), Lawson Murphy (goal), Isaiah Lovering (strong overall game), Chase Patterson (goalkeeper); Kearsarge – Levi Wilson (7 saves)
Highlights/key moments: The Cougars hit the post and the Generals got a quick counterattack with Caswell playing a splitting ball through the defense and Nelson hitting a great shot that went in the far corner about 2:30 into the second half. Murphy doubled the lead off a nice feed from Nelson with 12 minutes left in the game.
Coaches’ quotes: “Kearsarge puts a lot of pressure on you and causes problems if your touch is off or you get lazy. Our defense held tough to get our second shutout in three games and we got some nice play out of our attack.” – John Stark’s Jeff Vogt
“The boys were in good spirits after the game knowing they left it all on the field.” – Kearsarge’s Matt Burch
Records: John Stark 2-1; Kearsarge 0-4
Pembroke 2, Goffstown 1
Key players: Pembroke – Glenn Dion (goal), Justin Smith (goal), Damon Smith (2 assists)
Highlights/key moments: The Spartans came back from a 1-0 deficit to win the battle of unbeaten teams in D-II.
Records: Pembroke 4-0; Goffstown 3-1
Bishop Brady 2, Hopkinton 1
Key players:Brady – Wes McIntosh (2 goals), Kyle Kowalski (assist), Tony Wright (assist), Bryce Johnson (7 saves); Hopkinton – Tim Meserve (9 saves), Gerry Donahue (goal), Will Rhynhart (assist), Tucker Windhurst (central defense)
Highlights/key moments: In a physical game between two strong teams, McIntosh scored goals in the 41st and 44th minutes to give the Giants a 2-0 lead. The Hawks cut the deficit in half in the 61st minute and hit the crossbar with four minutes remaining. Matt Quirk, Jacob Yanski, Kaleb Hibbard, Manish Giri, Kowalski, Tyler Aubin and Johnson led the Brady defense.
Coaches’ quotes: “Both of our teams are very evenly matched and (the match) could have gone either way.” – Bishop Brady’s Mike Ling
“There was a lot of intelligent possession from both sides and numerous chances missed or saved at either end. The player of the game for us was goalkeeper Tim Meserve.” – Hopkinton’s Scott Zipke
Records: Brady 3-0; Hopkinton 2-1
Derryfield 5, H-D 0
Highlights/key moments: The Hillcats lost, 5-0, for the second straight match.
Coach’s quote: “The school of hard knocks is still in session as the lads continue to learn the speed of play required at the varsity level and how mistakes can cost them.” – H-D’s Joe Donnelly
Records: Hillsboro-Deering 1-3; Derryfield 3-1
Belmont 10, Franklin 0
Key players: Belmont – Logan Wilder (goal, 6 assists), Corey Derosier (2 goals), Griffin Embree (2 goals, assist), Tyler Fleming (goal, assist); Franklin – Hannah Hicks, Bryan Sweet (solid defense)
Highlights/key moments: With Wilder setting up his teammates all game long, the Red Raiders rolled to their fourth straight win.
Records: Belmont 4-0; Franklin 0-3
Exeter 1, Concord 0
Highlights/key moments: The Blue Devils scored 11 minutes into the half and hung on for the win.
Coach’s quote: “Concord played a great team defense against a strong offensive team.” – Concord’s Jeremy Duclos
Records: Exeter 3-0; Concord 2-2
Bow 2, MV 0
Key players: Bow – Abbey Horner (goal), Gianna Celenza (goal), Danni DesRuisseaux (assist), Bridget Ehrenberg (shutout in net); MV – Brooke Palmer (solid in goal), Asia Grace Hanson, Sara Osborne (defense)
Highlights/key moments: Bow controlled the game throughout, but MV kept the score tied and missed a penalty kick that could have altered the flow of the game.
Coach’s quote:
“We struggled out of the gate and Bow capitalized on poor team defense. We need to bring intensity that matches our opponent’s and play smarter.” – MV’s Jeff Richard
Records: Bow 3-1; MV 0-4
Pembroke 5, Goffstown 0
Key players: Pembroke – Emilee Harlow (4 goals), Kayla Paquin (goal), Vicky Mudgett (shutout), Meredith Bingham (midfield)
Highlights/key moments: The Spartans earned their first shutout of the season. Harlow scored her first goal 38 seconds into the match and the back line and midfield withstood strong pressure from Goffstown’s attack. Pembroke led 3-0 at halftime.
Coach’s quote: “This team surpassed expectations today and I could not be happier. This is our strongest start yet as a program and I look forward to what more we can do together.” – Pembroke’s Jess Croft
Records: Pembroke 4-0; Goffstown 2-2
Kearsarge 3, Sanborn 2
Key players: Kearsarge – Maicy Hansen (goal, assist), Mia Bailey (goal, assist), Kaylyn Storozuk (goal), Tess Witmer (9 saves)
Highlights/key moments: Sanborn held a 1-0 halftime lead, but the Cougars tied the game early in the second and eventually took a 3-1 lead. Sanborn had two penalty kicks late in the match and converted the first, but missed the second with three minutes remaining.
Records: Kearsarge 4-0; Sanborn 1-2
H-D 3, Derryfield 2
Key players: Hillsboro-Deering – Bridgette Winters (3 goals), Izabella Warren (2 assists), Melissa Veitch (8 saves)
Highlights/key moments: Winters scored three minutes into the game, 8:30 into the second half and converted a penalty kick six minutes later.
Coach’s quote: “This was a great game on both sides and it was a complete team effort for H-D. I am very pleased with the level of intensity and soccer intelligence these girls are displaying on the field.” – H-D’s Susan Else
Records: H-D 3-1; Derryfield 1-2
Concord 2, Exeter 0
Key players: Concord – Izzy Dunn (goal), Jessie Reed (goal), Becca Proulx (assist), Hayley Munroe (assist)
Highlights/key moments: After a scoreless first half, Dunn and Reed scored two quick goals to open the second half.
Records: Concord 1-2-0; Exeter 1-1-1
MV 2, Plymouth 1
Key players: MV – Meg Dougherty (wing), Grace Blecharczyk (goal), Grace Montgomery (goal), Kylee Warren (goalie)
Highlights/key moments: The Pride picked up its second straight win.
Coach’s quote: “I don’t think we played our best, but we came away with a win and I am happy with that.” – MV’s Kim Kenney
Records: MV 2-1; Plymouth 0-3
Stevens 2, Pembroke 0
Key players: Pembroke – Michaela Dupuis – (2 defensive saves) Cierra Clark (defensive save)
Highlights/key moments: The Spartans fell at home to the Cardinals despite great defense.
Coach’s quote: “I am proud of what this young team has accomplished so far this season … We are just missing that spark to score.” – Pembroke’s Aimee Monterio
Records: Pembroke 0-2-1; Stevens 3-0-0
Bow first
Key players: Bow – Doug Champagne (medalist, 37), Ronan Lucey (39), Jack Olson (41), Jake Mielcarz (44)
Highlights/key moments: A medalist for the second straight match, Champagne led the Falcons (161) to an easy win over Stevens (200), Campbell (210) and Monadnock (215) at par-36 Canterbury Woods.
Records: Bow 6-0; Stevens 3-2; Campbell 2-3; Monadnock 0-5
Coe-Brown second
Key players:Coe-Brown – Joel Boulanger (2-under 33, medalist), Dylan Andrews (40), Derek Elwell (47), Max Begin (49), Shane Fillion (51) ; Pembroke – Justin Legere (42), Sean Moore (45), Jon Smith (47), Steven Cavanaugh (48), David Hammond (51); John Stark – Justin Bowen (42), Ryan Rothdiener (46), Moses Greene (49), Will Shattuck (49), Tyler Hazzard (50).
Highlights/key moments: Coe-Brown (220) finished second on its home course at Nippo Lake, falling to Portsmouth (196), but defeating Pembroke (233) and John Stark (236).
Records: Portsmouth 9-2; Coe-Brown 6-3-1; Pembroke 4-5; John Stark 1-9
Kearsarge first
Key players:Kearsarge – Tim Cunningham (4th, 16:42), Andrew Shepherd (7th), Carl Betz (8th), Mason Benedict (12th), Hunter Burns (13th), Aiden Brooks (14th); Pembroke – Jason Schoeller (40th), Josh Crandall (55th); H-D – Zachary Camp (66th), Bryson Blanchard (76th)
Highlights/key moments: All of Kearsarge’s top six runners finished in the top 14 to decisively win the Jamie Martin Invitational over 14 other D-II and D-III opponents. The Cougars (44), Mascenic (111) and Kingswood were the top three. Pembroke (13th) and Hillsboro-Deering (14th) were also in the 15-team field.
Coe-Brown first, MV third
Key players:Coe-Brown – Zach Richards (1st, 17:21), Evan Tanguay (3rd), Davio Deluca (4th), Tanner Richards (5th), Gabe Deeley (7th); MV – David Reynolds (2nd, 17:22), Dylan Guinard (14th), Matt Reynolds (15th), Raging River Lynch (31st), Taylor Burke (36th)
Highlights/key moments: Coe-Brown took five of the top seven spots to win a three-team meet at MV with a low-score of 20. Lebanon (59) and MV (67) rounded out the team scores.
Coach’s quote: “It was a solid day for us, highlighted by David Reynolds’ second-place (finish). His goal was to get the MV sophomore course record and he did by an amazing 20 seconds.” – MV’s Dave Irving
John Stark third
Key players:John Stark – Brandon Langdon (4th), Erik Hilyard (13th), Jack Hagan (14th), Owen Payeur (15th), Zachary Lanctot (22nd); Milford – Blake Audibert (1st, 18:18)
Highlights/key moments: Milford finished 1-2 on its home course, but Trinity (30) narrowly defeated Milford (32) and John Stark (61). Langdon challenged the leaders and Hilyard, Hagan and Payeur were in a pack behind the main group of Trinity and Milford runners.
Kearsarge fourth
Key players:Kearsarge – Maggie Lee (12th, 21:40), Mya Dubie (21st), Jenna Bears (30th), Maddie Cook (37th), Annie Carr (51st); H-D – Elizabeth LaBier (83rd), Ruthie Robinson (89th); Pembroke – Avery Gamache (32nd), Amanda Montminy (54th)
Highlights/key moments: Kearsarge (142) placed fourth in the 14-team Jamie Martin Invitational behind ConVal (50), Campbell and Hollis-Brookline. H-D finished 14th and Pembroke did not have enough runners to score.
Coe-Brown first, MV second
Key players:Coe-Brown – Alli Pratt (1st, 21:18), Eleanor McDonough (2nd), Sarah Dupuis (3rd), Hannah Daly (5th), Abigail O’Connor (11th); MV – Kristie Schoffield (6th), Lauren Rouse (7th), Kaitlyn Covell (8th), Emma York (9th), Noelle Colarusso (10th)
Highlights/key moments: Coe-Brown (22) won a meet hosted by MV (40). Lebanon (69) rounded out the team scores.
Coach’s quote: “Kaitlyn, Emma, and Noelle each ran personal bests for the third meet in a row.” – MV’s Dave Irving
John Stark second
Key players:John Stark – Hailey Erskine (4th), Alison Wright (7th), Haileigh Bilodeau (8th), Katelyn Brennan (13th), Anna Salisbury (18th)
Highlights/key moments: Milford (28) finished 1-2 on its home course, defeating John Stark (46) and Trinity (61).
Concord 3, Alvirne 1
Key players: Concord – Caitlyn Shea (38 assists), Lauren Hatch (15 kills, 12 digs), Maria Wimpey (12 kills)
Highlights/key moments: After dropping the opening set, 25-22, the Tide won three straight, 25-12, 25-8, 25-18. The match turned around once Concord started to control the ball and get accurate passes to setter Shea and get into an offensive rhythm.
The Tide also benefited from a strategic service game.
Records: Concord 2-0; Alvirne 0-1
Portsmouth Christian 3, Pittsfield 1
Key players: Pittsfield – Emma Smith (6 aces, 2 kills), Arianna Cyr (5 kills), Lily Dunagin (6 digs, 2 kills)
Highlights/key moments: The Panthers kept it close early, losing just 25-20 and 25-17 in the first two sets before winning the third, 25-23, but the Eagles closed the match with a 25-9 fourth set victory.
Records: Portsmouth Christian 1-0; Pittsfield 0-1