BELMONT – The Belmont girls’ soccer team is tough. That was apparent when freshman Katie Gagnon referred to her nagging leg injury as, “just a pulled quad, but that’s it,” after a 3-0 win over White Mountains on Tuesday.
And she knew that even if her leg was bothering her, which happened just before halftime, she had to play through the pain.
“We don’t have subs,” Coach Cevat Vural said after the game. “We are just trying to keep the team together. (Our subs) are my JV girls. I just brought them up.”
The Raiders (8-3-2) have lost four starters since the season opener, one being Makenzie Donovan, who suffered a season-ending facial injury in a 5-2 loss to Raymond on Sept. 21.
“It’s scary. Because (other teams) are coming up with a minimum of 18 players and they’re all experienced,” said Vural, a native of Turkey in his first year as coach of the Raiders.
How’s that for a little adversity?
“Some of our best players are out so it’s affected us a lot,” Gagnon said. “But we’ve figured it out and found a way to make it work.”
Tuesday was no different for Belmont, even though Gagnon was quick to admit that it was not the team’s best effort.
“Today was definitely an off game for us. We were not communicating,” she said. “But in the second half, we definitely pulled it together and passed it around a lot better.”
Sarah Chase’s strike with two minutes left in the first half gave the Raiders a lead they wouldn’t relinquish and a little bit of momentum. A crossing pass just outside the box from Hannah Shirley landed right at Chase’s feet and she was able to maneuver around diving White Mountains goalie Liz Beaulieu and softly tap a shot into the back of the net. Gagnon made it 2-0 with a goal in the 50th minute.
Belmont had plenty more scoring chances and controlled possession for most of the game. Chase nearly scored her second goal with 21:20 to play but her shot ricocheted off the crossbar and no Raiders were there to corral the rebound. A handful of offsides calls also negated solid scoring opportunities.
White Mountains GK Liz Beaulieu makes a leaping save on Belmont’s Jasmine Syed in an #NHIAAsoccer game today. Belmont won, 3-0. pic.twitter.com/MnMcyV2mSn
— Michelle Berthiaume (@MonitorMichelle) October 11, 2016
Kelsey Scott capped the scoring for Belmont with a shot from about 25 yards out that barely got over Beaulieu’s outstretched fingers to make it 3-0 with 17:45 to play.
Even with the injuries, Vural said an effort to instill a family like mindset has helped the Raiders get through these tough times.
“I’m trying to create a family. One for all, all for one. And everyone should be responsible for their positions and for the whole team,” Vural said.
But he’s concerned about the implications of all these injuries may have going forward.
“I trust all my girls, that’s no problem. Those girls, they run 80 minutes or 100 minutes, they do that and they don’t complain. But what’s going to happen, even though we try so hard, if I don’t have the subs, what’s going to happen?” Vural said. “We haven’t played (unbeaten) Fall Mountain, we haven’t played some other good teams that will have 18 or 22 players and they’re going to be all fresh, fresh, fresh, fresh. And soccer is a running sport.”
Most importantly, no one on the Belmont sideline has lost any faith. In fact, it seems that Gagnon’s only been gaining confidence in her squad.
“We are only going to get better,” she said.
Where has all this confidence come from?
“My defense is an excellent defense,” Vural said.
The Raiders shutout of the Spartans (5-9-1) was their eighth this season and fourth in a row.
Belmont tries to keep that streak going on Friday when the Raiders visit Prospect Mountain (7-6).
“I’m hoping for some magic but we’ll see. Only time is going to show,” Vural said.
(Michelle Berthiaume can be reached at 369-3338, mberthiaume@cmonitor.com or on Twitter @MonitorMichelle.)
GIRLS’ SOCCER
Concord 4, Manchester Memorial 0
Key players: Concord – Jessica Nelson (2 goals), Emma Pope (goal, assist), Ellie Pope (2 assists), Gillian Bennett (goal), Stephanie Oberg (goalie), Nicole Cacciola (goalie)
Highlights/key moments: The Crimson Tide won on the road for its third straight victory.
Records: Concord 9-4; Manchester Memorial 1-12
Hopkinton 2, Derryfield 0
Key players: Hopkinton – Brianna Curley (goal), Aaliyah Curley (goal), Ellie Morrall (assist), Amelia Fitzgerald (assist), Belle Sullivan (defense), Cathen Hall (defense)
Coach’s quote: “We played well with possession and controlled the pace.” – Hopkinton’s Lauri Izzi
Records: Hopkinton 10-3; Derryfield 5-8
Bow 2, Hanover 1
Key players: Bow – Maggie Vogt (goal), Lauren Goyette (goal), Abbey Horner (assist), Gianna Celenza (assist), Isabella Urbina (midfield), Taylor Darrell (midfield), Emma Gagne (defense), Crista Alfano (defense), Elin Warwick (defense), Danni DesRuisseaux (forward)
Highlights/key moments: Vogt gave the Falcons a 1-0 lead in the sixth minute with a pretty free kick that snuck under the cross bar. Bow made it 2-0 in the 50th minute when Horner played a smart wide ball to Celenza, who crossed it into Goyette for the finish.
Coach’s quote: “The girls came out flying and played the best soccer they have played all year. This was a great team win against an excellent team.” – Bow’s Jay Vogt
Records: Bow 11-3; Hanover 10-3
John Stark 1, Kearsarge 0, OT
Key players: John Stark – Cara Easter, Sarah Nikias, Aria Ulmer, Abby Brant, Morgan Hawkes, Brooke Shatney
Highlights/key moments: Shatney scored the game winner with six minutes left in the first overtime. Easter and Nikias dominated the midfield for the Generals, who outshot Kearsarge, 22-3, and got great work in the back from Eryn Bennetter, Meg Blanchette and Olivia Sohl.
Records: John Stark 11-2; Kearsarge 7-5-1
H-D 7, Monadnock 0
Key players: Hillsboro-Deering – Bridgette Winters (4 goals, 2 assists), Izabella Warren (2 goals, assist), Mara Grady (goal, assist), Emily Wightman (assist), Kiersten Clough (assist), Halie Hurd (forward), Emily Gibson (midfield)
Highlights/key moments: It was the third straight win, and third shutout of the season, for the Hillcats.
Records: Hillsboro-Deering 11-2; Monadnock 3-10
Somersworth 4, Laconia 3
Key players: Laconia – Nicole Turpin (2 goals), Cheyenne Keets (goal), Brittany Petell (assist), Victoria Dean (assist), Alyson Von George (10 saves)
Coach’s quote: “Despite some crucial players being absent, the girls played very hard and made it an exciting game.” – Laconia’s Ray Sleeper
Records: Laconia 0-13; Somersworth 2-11
Fall Mountain 8, Bishop Brady 0
Coach’s quote: “Fall Mountain is a very good soccer team. I was very proud of the way our girls played and the effort that they showed throughout the game. We have three very winnable games at the end of the season and the girls have worked hard all year to put us in a great position for a playoff opportunity.” – Bishop Brady’s Andrew Mattarazzo
Records: Bishop Brady 5-8; Fall Mountain 13-0
Newmarket 3, Pittsfield 0
Key players: Pittsfield – Kylee Morel (14 saves), Savannah Godin (defense), Bryanna Morris (defense), Jolene Wood
Highlights/key moments: Pittsfield created a couple of great opportunities late in the first half, but still went into the half down a goal.
Coach’s quote: “The girls played really well tonight and never gave up against a very good Newmarket squad.” – Pittsfield’s Jayme Kennedy
Records: Pittsfield 5-7-1; Newmarket 12-1
Kearsarge 2, John Stark 1
Key players: Kearsarge – Leland Heckel (goal), Ben Corbin (goal), Levi Wilson (2 key saves), Craig Berube (assist), Bo Underhill (assist); John Stark – Griffin Caswell (goal), Evan Caswell (assist), Tim Currier (defense), Ryan Nelson
Highlights/key moments: Kearsarge’s Corbin struck early, scoring in the third minute off a cross from Berube. Stark’s Caswell combination tied it up in the 60th minute, but Heckel struck in the 70th minute off a set piece assist from Underhill. It was Kearsarge’s first win in more than two weeks.
Coach’s quote: “It was nice to find the net early, something we have not been able to do this season. The team is playing good soccer right now and deserved the win today.” – Kearsarge’s Matt Burch
“Today was a game about opportunities. Kearsarge took advantage of a couple of opportunities where we missed a bunch of ours. Kearsarge played hard and did what they needed to win.” – John Stark’s Jeff Vogt
Records: Kearsarge 2-8-3; John Stark 9-4
Lebanon 4, Coe-Brown 0
Highlights/key moments: The game was closer than the score suggests. The Bears created chances and took shots, but none of them could beat the Lebanon keeper.
Coach’s quote: “Lebanon is a very good team. They’re well organized and pass well. We had some nice moments of passing, too, we were just lacking in the final third. If we can get that squared away, we’ll be ready for the playoffs.” – Coe-Brown’s Christian Gompert
Records: Coe-Brown 7-6-1; Lebanon 12-1
Bow 4, MV 2
Key players: Bow – Wilbur Russo (2 goals, assist), Chris Gallier (goal, 2 assists), Chase Chamberlin
Highlights/key moments: The Falcons built a 3-0 lead after 25 minutes and then held off a valiant second-half comeback attempt from the Pride.
Coach’s quote: “I like the four on the scoreboard but not the two. Merrimack Valley kept fighting the whole game. I never felt comfortable.” – Bow’s George Pinkham
Records: Bow 8-5; Merrimack Valley 1-11-2
Bishop Brady 2, Mascoma 0
Highlights/key moments: Mateo Ticli, Jack Rapparini, Wes McIntosh, Kyle Kowalski, Tony Wright, Colin Plante led the Brady attack while Jacob Yanski, Kaleb Hibbard, Matt Quirk, Tyler Aubin and keeper Bryce Johnson secured the shutout.
Coach’s quote: “Despite having a few starters with injuries, these young men were able to fight off a very tenacious and persistent Mascoma team.” – Brady’s Mike Ling
Records: Bishop Brady 12-1; Mascoma 7-5-1
Franklin 4, Winnisquam 2
Key players: Franklin – Gio Lemon (2 goals, assist), RJ Smith (goal, assist), Jacob Weaver (goal), Zach Dunham (assist), Logan Hannigan (midfield), Christian Shepard (midfield)
Highlights/key moments: Lemon scored five minutes in to give Franklin an early lead, but the Bears responded with two goals. Weaver found the equalizer when he headed home a free kick from Dunham. Smith fed Lemon for the game winner late in the first half and the Golden Tornadoes shut out Winnisquam in the second half to claim their first win of the season.
Coach’s quote: “We have worked hard all season in practices, striving to make improvements in all aspects of the game. Today that hard work paid off. Our passing was on target and we moved well on and off the ball.” – Franklin’s Kevin VanGorden
Records: Franklin 1-12; Winnisquam 1-12
Laconia 4, White Mountains 3
Key players: Laconia – Kaleb Shumway (2 goals), Ryan Paiva (goal), Colby Reid (goal)
Highlights/key moments: The Sachems beat White Mountains by one goal for the second time in two weeks, this time at home.
Records: Laconia 4-9; White Mountains 3-8-3
Concord 2, Pinkerton 1
Key players: Lauren Mullen (goal), Becca Proulx (goal), Julia Ek (defense), Bailey Jackson (defense), Emily Otto (defense)
Highlights/key moments: Proulx found the game-winner off a corner to give the Tide its sixth straight win and end Pinkerton’s four-game winning streak. And not only did Ek, Bailey and Otto play solid defense, they also sparked Concord’s transition attack.
Records: Concord 10-3; Pinkerton 8-5
MV 1, Hanover 0
Key players: Kylee Warren (7 saves), Grace Montgomery (goal), Chloe Rattee (assist)
Highlights/key moments: With 11 minutes on the clock, Montgomery tapped in a hit from Rattee for the win.
Coach’s quote: “We have had many close games this season, but the difference today was we were able to put the ball in the cage and get the win. We lost earlier in the season to Hanover, 5-0, so this was a good turn around for us, it made senior night special. All the players on the field contributed to this win.” – MV’s Kim Kenney
Records: Merrimack Valley 4-8-1; Hanover 5-8
Bishop Brady 8, Conant 0
Key players: Brady – Paige Blake (3 goals), Abby Tremblay (2 goals), Ciara Labbe (goal), Ivy Storey (goal), Emily Maguire (goal), Lauren Roy (2 assists), Maddy Rines (assist), Brigette Doherty (assist), Emma Windsor (3 saves); Conant – Jessica Ward (20 saves)
Highlights/key moments: The Green Giants led 3-0 at halftime and claimed their fourth win in six games.
Records: Bishop Brady 5-8; Conant 0-11
Kearsarge 3, Newport 1
Key players: Kearsarge – Devi Kraushaar (2 goals), Vica Henskens (goal), Audrey Kenyon (2 assists), Annie Tilley (defense), Morganne Flinkstrom (defense)
Coach’s quote: “We broke through a mental barrier to get back in and score and really showed a team effort on the field. It was great to see them show what they are made of and have fun doing it.” – Kearsarge’s Dianne Chadwick
Records: Kearsarge 3-10; Newport 1-12
Concord 3, Manchester Memorial 0
Key players: Concord – Caitlyn Shea (29 assists), Lauren Hatch (17 kills, 3 blocks), Brenna Vandersea (11 digs)
Highlights/key moments: Concord stayed atop the Division I standings with a 25-10, 25-13, 25-16 win at home.
Coach’s quote: “Memorial had an impressive team, the best I have seen from their program in over a decade.” –Concord’s Jonathan Flower
Records: Concord 13-1; Memorial 3-11
Inter-Lakes 3; Prospect Mountain 0
Key players: Inter-Lakes – Jessalyn Brown (17 assists, 7 digs, 17 service points), Amanda Kurowski (5 kills, 5 blocks, 7 service points), Maegan Bunnell (4 kills, 5 digs), Hailey Hart (10 service points, 3 kills)
Highlights/key moments: Inter-Lakes libero Rebecca Otis reached the 500 dig milestone early in the set of the Lakers 25-13, 25-10, 25-16 win.
Records: Inter-Lakes 10-2; Prospect Mountain 5-8
Winnisquam 3, Mascoma Valley 0
Key players: Winnisquam – Nicole Matcheski (14 aces, 3 digs), Shannon Goodwin (14 kills), Talia DeBlasie (21 assists, 3 aces), Maddy Skeats (4 kills), Aubrey St. Onge (3 digs, 4 assists), Gabby Isabele (4 aces)
Highlights/key moments: The Bears, who are riding a three-game win streak, held the Royals to single digits in two of the three matches Tuesday, winning 25-1, 25-13 and 25-3.
Coach’s quote: “We played a balanced game. We played well.” – Winnisquam’s Mike Livernois
Records: Winnisquam 12-1; Mascoma Valley 2-11
Pembroke second
Key players: Pembroke – Jason Schoeller (5th, 19:21), Ben Prescott (6th, 20:21), Ryan Burns (7th, 20:21), Steven Schoeller (12th, 20:50), Erik Rasmussen (26th, 23:21)
Highlights/key moments: Goffstown swept the top three spots and finished with 22 team points to win the three-team meet in Pembroke. The Spartans finished with 42 points and Sanborn had 68.
Coach’s quote: “It’s a really nice group of kids. Coaching is so much more enjoyable when you have great kids that are coachable. They’ll be ready for the division meet.” – Pembroke’s Mike Slavin
Bow first
Key players: Bow – Robbie Ciotti (2nd, 18:19), Henry Tanner (3rd, 18:48, 3rd place), Sam Neff (7th, 19:03), Sam Berube (8th, 19:12), Calvin Carey (9th, 19:18)
Highlights/key moments: Bow finished with 29 points to take first in this four-team meet. Berlin (46) was second, followed by Winnisquam (106) and host Bishop Brady (106).
Coach’s quote: “There were seven (personal best times) among our 23 runners today, indicating that the team’s hard work is paying off and that it is coming into the final weeks of the season very strong.” – Bow’s Katie McDonald
Pembroke second
Key players: Pembroke – Avery Gamache (3rd, 23:15), Taylor Beaudoin (7th, 26:01), Stephanie Berube (9th, 26:26), Julia Valotto (12th, 28:00), Oceane Mounier (15th, 29:22)
Highlights/key moments: Led by Gamache’s strong race, the Spartans finished with 39 points, just three shy of first-place Goffstown (36). Sanborn was third with 48.
Coach’s quote: “They ran well and they fought hard, but Goffstown was just in front of our kids.” – Pembroke’s Mike Slavin