If there was a match that loomed as the one to end the winning streak, this was it.
The Bow golf team hosted undefeated Derryfield and one-loss Lebanon on Monday at Canterbury Woods, putting its 22-0 record and 114-match winning streak on the line.
“They were a little nervous,” Bow Coach Mike Seraikas said.
But they were also very good. The four-time defending Division III champion Falcons posted a 154 on their home course to turn away the threats from Derryfield (165), Lebanon (170) and Belmont (200).
Bow’s Ronan Lucey claimed medallist honors with a 1-over 37. It was the second time this year Lucey has taken the medallist spot.
“(Lucey) was nervous at the start, maybe more than anybody else, but he obviously came out of it,” Seraikas said. “He’s learned how to manage his game and his emotions out on the course. He’s really doing well.”
Lucey was followed by Doug Champagne (38), who has been hoarding medallist honors during his four years at Bow, Colin Plumb (39) and Jack Olson (40).
“It was a little bit of a struggle for Colin Plumb early in the season,” Seraikas said, “but he’s started to really snap out of it, which is great.”
Corey McGinley led the way for Derryfield with a 39. The Cougars are now 18-1 and Seraikas expects a challenge from them at the D-III championships on Oct. 6 at Waukewan Golf Club in Center Harbor.
“For people who don’t know Canterbury, the first time you see it it’s a little intimidating, and I think some of the Derryfield kids started okay but a couple of them faded,” Seraikas said. “But here’s the deal, next Thursday we’ll all show up at the same course and it’s a one day thing, so it’s nice to win today, but it really comes down to next Thursday and Derryfield is going to be a competitive team out there. It’s a neutral course, and that course is a little bit shorter, something may suit their game a little bit better. There’s nothing given in this, but my kids want to finish what they started.”
Belmont (7-15) was led by Nicole Antonucci (44) and Trevor Hunt (49).
The Falcons and 19-other D-III and D-IV teams will get a chance to play a warm-up round at Waukewan on Monday at the Inter-Lakes Invitational.
(Tim O’Sullivan can be reached at 369-3341, tosullivan@cmonitor.com or on Twitter @timosullivan20.)
Nashua South 206, Concord 219, Timberlane 232
Highlights/key moments: Sean McDonough and Thomas Burns each took 42 strokes to lead the Tide. Ryan Merchan (44) and Quentin Barry (45) rounded out the top four players for Concord.
Coach’s quote: “The goal at the beginning of the season was to make the tournament, and it looks like we made it.” – Concord’s Ed Deshaies
Records: Concord 10-8, Nashua South 10-8, Timberlane 3-15
Hopkinton 201, Woodsville 224, Profile 265
Highlights/key moments: Nick Fairneny shot a 38 and freshman Colby Malcolm shot a career-low 55 to help Hopkinton clinch a spot in the playoffs.
Records: Hopkinton 12-9; Woodsville 4-12; Profile 0-13
Plymouth 5, Coe-Brown 4
Key players: Chelsea McCallion (2 goals), Kate Clinch (goal, assist), Samantha Troy (goal)
Highlights/key moments: Coe-Brown held a 3-1 lead at halftime, but Plymouth surged in the second half to force overtime and win on a free kick from just outside the box.
Coach’s quote: “We have to learn how to finish out games and not allow opponents to stick around. Plymouth played hard and forced us into mistakes.” – Coe-Brown’s Josh Hils
Records: Coe-Brown 3-7; Plymouth 3-6
Stevens 5, John Stark 0
Key players: Miranda Palmisano (aggressive in the second half), Mackenzie Pelkey (8 second-half saves)
Highlights/key moments: Stevens stormed out to an early lead and had a 5-0 advantage at halftime. The Stark defense regrouped on defense in the second half, but couldn’t find the net on offense.
Coach’s quote: “I was very happy with how we didn’t quit. To hold a talented Stevens team scoreless for an entire half is something we will definitely build on.” – Stark’s Dennis Pelletier
Records: Stevens 7-1; John Stark 1-8
Winnisquam 3, Campbell 1
Key players: Campbell – Shannon Goodwin (9 kills, 3 aces), Meghan Harmon (7 kills, 6 aces, 7 digs, block), Talia DeBlasie (27 assists, 8 kills, 2 aces, 4 digs), Kerry Boyle (12 digs), Aubrey St. Onge (14 digs, 2 assists), Maddy Skeats (9 digs), Nicole Matcheski (6 aces, 2 kills, 6 digs)
Highlights/key moments: Winnisquam posted 11 aces and took the first set 25-18. The Bears gave up the second set, 25-21, but came back to seal the match in the third and fourth sets, 25-21 and 25-8 respectively.
Coach’s quote:“(The second set) was the first time all year where we lost some confidence … Campbell threw some things at us that disrupted us for a while.” – Winnisquam’s Mike Livernois
Records: Winnisquam 7-0; Campbell 2-5