They had 10 minutes to save their season. With every swing of the stick forcing the ball back into the attacking zone, seconds ticked off the clock. Before the Concord High School field hockey team knew it, minutes had passed and the Crimson Tide was still frantically searching for that one goal.
“I think we were all just thinking this is it,” Concord’s Bailey Jackson said. “We all kind of had the same thing going on in our heads that this is it. If we don’t push through now and score, it’s over completely.”
That score never came, and despite a pressure-packed final few minutes that saw Concord fight its way into the offensive end several times, the third-seeded Crimson Tide could not avoid the first upset of the Division I tournament, falling to No. 6 Timberlane, 1-0, in the quarterfinals at Rollins Park on Friday afternoon.
“I don’t know what to say, we left it all on the field,” Concord Coach Bonnie Proulx said moments after the stunning defeat. “We were the better team and we just lost.”
It was the second straight season the Crimson Tide exited in the quarterfinals after being dealt a 3-0 loss to eventual champion Winnacunnett last year. This season had a much different vibe to it, though. Concord was 11-3 during the regular season, had not lost since Sept. 16 and even knocked off Timberlane, 2-0, when the two sides met for the regular-season finale.
So when the final horn sounded, it took Proulx a few moments to gather herself and come up with the words to describe the heart-breaking loss.
“We played fantastic. This is the best team that Concord’s had in 10 years,” Proulx said. “We just couldn’t put the ball in the net.”
Timberlane is no stranger to the feeling of a season cut short. The Owls, as the No. 2 seed last season, failed to score in the quarterfinals and watched No. 7 Londonderry celebrate on their home field with a 1-0 win in double overtime. This time around, the ball bounced their way.
“We’ve been on the flip side of that and some of these kids remember that from last year. We lost on our home field on one shot so they knew what it was like,” Timberlane Coach Mim Ryan said. “I’m real proud of them. It was a great effort and we had to beat a great team.”
While the Owls were the ones who pulled out the victory, it was the Tide that controlled the game from the outset. Concord held a 5-1 edge in penalty corners in the first half and kicked off the contest with a flurry of shots at Timberlane goalie Juliana Mancinelli to no avail. Minutes later, the Tide unleashed another series of shots into the circle, this time forcing Mancinelli (6 saves) to run out from the crease and kick the ball back away to keep the game scoreless.
With little success moving the ball up the field through the first 17 minutes, Timberlane finally got its chance and didn’t miss. Sarah Padellaro took a leading pass through the midfield and found herself one-on-one with Concord goalie Megan Martel (2 saves). The first attempt was kicked out by Martel, but Padellaro stayed with it and rattled home the rebound.
“I felt it was important for us to get on the board early,” Ryan said. “When we played them a week ago, it was 0-0 and we had an opportunity in the first two minutes and 10 seconds with the ball going across the front of the goal and we missed it … I felt today we had to make the most of whatever opportunities we had and I figured they would be limited because (Concord) is a very skilled team and well coached.”
Ryan was right. Timberlane didn’t see much action in its offensive end for the rest of the first and much of the second half, presenting Concord with a chance for the equalizer.
With the deficit stuck at one entering the final 10 minutes, the Tide began to increase its intensity. Concord generated a corner chance with 8:30 remaining, but Rebecca Proulx’s lob attempt into the circle was too high. Later, with under two minutes to play, Rebecca Proulx took another shot off a corner, labeling one for the back of the cage before Timberlane’s Mia Livingston stepped up for the save.
The pressure was mounting and the Concord players could feel it.
“It definitely adds a ton of pressure knowing that if we don’t get that goal, it’s over,” Concord’s Lauren Mullen said.
“I think the intensity of the game picked up as the game went on and the last 10 minutes was definitely the most intense part of the game,” Jackson added. “If it had been like that the whole game, I think the outcome would have been different, but I’m still proud of how we played.”
Scrambling in the final seconds for one last shot, a single clear from Timberlane was all it took to end the Tide’s season.
“The last win was so great and we were all so happy about it so we were all super pumped about today,” Jackson said. “But we didn’t get the outcome that we wanted and that we should of.”
Timberlane advances to play No. 2 Manchester Central in the semifinals on Tuesday.
(Jay McAree can be reached at 369-3340, jmcaree@cmonitor.com or on Twitter @JayMcAree.)
MV 32, Gilford-Belmont 16
Key players: MV – Evan Martin (174 passing yards, 3 passing touchdowns, 201 rushing yards, rushing touchdown), Ryan Neylon (5 receptions for 134 yards, 2 receiving touchdowns, 5 rushes for 51 yards, rushing touchdown), Cam Tillman (43-yard touchdown catch), Jacob Johnston (13 tackles, sack), Matt Jarvis (12 tackles, sack), Mike Smith (11 tackles, sack), Braedon Miller (interception)
Highlights/key moments: Down 16-13 at the half, the Pride battled back and shutout Gilford-Belmont in the second half to earn the victory.
Coach’s quote: “We made some adjustments to our coverage scheme and stopped them (at 16 points)” – Merrimack Valley’s Jim Coll
Records: MV 2-6; Gilford-Belmont 1-7
Pembroke 1, Souhegan 0
Key players: Pembroke – Damon Smith (goal), Hunter Boyce (assist)
Highlights/key moments: Pembroke’s center midfielders dominated the field allowing the Spartans to have many opportunities to score. Smith and Boyce connected in the 72nd minute for the game-winning goal. Pembroke will be a top three seed for the tournament.
Coach’s quote: “A hard fought game that showed how determination can lead to victory.” – Pembroke assistant Paul Cunningham
Records: Pembroke 15-1-0; Souhegan 6-6-2
Coe-Brown 2, Oyster River 1
Key players: Coe-Brown – Max Fontaine (goal, assist), Alex Gray (goal)
Highlights/key moments: Oyster River controlled the run of play early on, but a strike by Gray found the back of the net 10 minutes into the match. The Bobcats tied the game 10 minutes before halftime, but Fontaine scored off a set piece late in the match to give the Bears the win and secure home-field advantage in the opening round of the tournament.
Coach’s quote: “We knew if we wanted to have home-field advantage we’d have to win. The last couple of games we’ve really gotten on the right track.” – Coe-Brown’s Christian Gompert
Records: Coe-Brown 9-6-1; Oyster River 11-3-0
Belmont 3, Raymond 0
Key players: Belmont – River Mathieu (goal), Doug Price (goal), Eli Allman (goal), Tyler Fleming (assist), Logan Wilder (assist)
Highlights/key moments: The Red Raiders took a 1-0 lead into the half thanks to Mathieu’s goal and Fleming on the assist. Belmont extended their lead by two in the second while shutting out the Raymond attack with strong defense and four saves by netminder Jonny Leclair. Lightning cut the regular season’s final game short with 11 minutes to play.
Records: Belmont 12-3-1; Ryamond 3-11-2
John Stark 3, Trinity 1
Key players: John Stark – Jocelyn Dimond (defense), Olivia Sohl (defense), Meg Blanchette (defense), Aria Ulmer (goal), Lexi Knapton (offense), Cady Loos (assist)
Highlights/key moments: Ulmer scored 22 seconds into the game (Morgan Hawkes assisted) and Brooke Shatney scored a pair of second half goals. The Generals will be a top three seed in the postseason tournament.
Coach’s quote: “The Lady Generals dominated play against Trinity having over 20 shots on net to Trinity’s two. John Stark controlled the style of play. Congratulations to all the seniors for all that they have given to the program.” – John Stark’s Heather Doucette
Records: John Stark 13-3; Trinity 6-10
Kearsarge 4, Man. West 1
Key players: Kearsarge – Maicy Hansen (2 goals), Emilie Webster (goal), Alexis McConnell (goal)
Highlights/key moments: The Cougars led 1-0 at halftime, but Hansen scored her 49th and 50th career goals in the second half to lift Kearsarge to a win a shortened regular season finale due to lightning.
Coach’s quote: “This was a big game for Hansen. (50 career goals) is a big deal.” – Kearsarge’s Travis Dezotell
Records: Kearsarge 8-7-1; West 1-15-0
Coe-Brown 3, Milford 0
Key players: Coe-Brown – Amay Newport (10 kills, 2 aces, 3 blocks), Kerry Riley (8 kills, 10 digs), Shannon Riley (32 assists, 4 aces, 14 digs), Abby Jerome (6 kills)
Highlights/key moments: The Bears were down 24-23 in the first game and took a timeout to reset. Coe-Brown went on to win the set, 28-26, and took the next two, 25-20 and 25-18, to seal its final match of the regular season.
Coach’s quote: “(Milford) surprised us with their scrappy defense.” – Coe-Brown’s Rick Veno
Records: Coe-Brown 10-6; Milford 11-5
Concord 3, Winnacunnet 0
Key players: Concord – Caitlyn Shea (31 assists), Lauren Hatch (20 digs), Sierra Pepper (10 digs)
Highlights/key moments: The Tide wrapped up the regular season with a 25-13, 25-1, 25-15 win over the Warriors. The Tide will likely have the No. 2 seed heading into the tournament.
Coach’s quote: “It was special to celebrate our seniors –Savannah Donahue, Sierra Pepper, Bekah Jauhola-Straight, Lauren Hatch and Caitlyn Shea. Thanks for all you have meant to our program.” – Concord’s Jonathan Flower
Records: Concord 16-2; Winnacunnet 1-17
Inter-Lakes 3, Sunapee 0
Key players: I-L – Jessalyn Brown (19 assists, 11 service points, 10 digs), Amanda Kurowski (6 kills, 7 blocks, 5 service points), Rebecca Otis (17 digs), Hailey Hart (5 kills, 6 digs, 9 service points), Emma Wheeler (9 service points, 3 kills), Sarah Seeley (9 digs)
Highlights/key moments: Inter-Lakes swept Sunapee in straight sets to wrap up a top six seed heading into the tournament.
Coach’s quote: “Great road win for the Lakers to wrap up the regular season.” – I-L’s Randy Mattson
Records: I-L 12-4; Sunapee 11-5
Moultonborough 3, H-D 0
Key players: H-D – Kristina Stevens (2 aces, 2 digs, led the team offensively), Amy Albert (2 digs, kill)
Highlights/key moments: The Hillcats lost their finale match of the season, 25-8, 25-5, 25-14, to the Huskies.
Coach’s quote: “Moultonborough (is) a great team and our team worked hard to set up plays and play their best defensively. We are proud of their efforts tonight and throughout the season and feel really grateful to have such a positive, hardworking group of girls representing our school and Hillcat athletics.” – H-D’s Nicole LaRoche
Records: H-D 3-13; Moultonborough 12-4