The Hopkinton boys’ lacrosse team has been in some kind of groove to start the season. And with all eyes on the Hawks on Wednesday for their battle of the unbeatens against Kearsarge, they remained in top form.
Joe Cullinan netted eight goals off nine shots with four assists, goalie Derek Amoth notched 15 saves and Hopkinton took over sole possession of first place in Division III with a 14-6 victory over the Cougars at Houston Field.
Cullinan played a hand in all but two goals for the Hawks, and along with senior teammates Liam Flanagan (four goals) and Sam Schuster (two goals), helped Hopkinton move to 7-0 on the season while outscoring its opponents 117-30.
“We’ve got a big senior class for one thing and the guys have really been jelling this year,” Hopkinton Coach Deacon Blue said. “They’re just playing like a team and buying into the system. It’s my third year as head coach and I think our plays and our whole system is really coming together this year.”
When asked if the contest between two of D-III’s best served as somewhat of a measuring stick for the Hawks to this point in the year, Blue didn’t hesitate.
“Definitely. This is our biggest test so far,” Blue said. “Kearsarge was holding down the No. 1 spot and we just went in excited and ready to have some fun. We had a good game plan going in and they just really executed it very well.”
The two sides fired in three goals apiece in the first quarter before Hopkinton took a 7-4 lead at halftime and outscored Kearsarge (5-1), 7-2, in the final two quarters. The defense of Gerry Donahue (seven forced turnovers) was a major reason for the second-half surge as the junior defenseman held Justin Norris – the Cougars top playmaker – in check with just two goals.
“That kid is an All-State player as well, so he’s no slouch and that kid did a heck of a job,” Kearsarge Coach Zach Matthews said of Donahue. “But it’s nothing new for us as far as people knowing that (Norris) is our best player. That’s been the scenario for two years.”
Trailing by three at the half was uncharted territory for the Cougars, who’ve led in every minute of every game prior to Wednesday.
“I think we just started to press a little bit,” Matthews said. “Instead of running our offense the way we do, we tried to force some shots, tried to make things happen instead of moving the ball and involving our teammates. … Hopkinton played great defense, but I don’t really think we did a nice job with our possessions in the second half.”
The two programs won’t have to wait long for a rematch as Hopkinton heads over to Kearsarge on May 12.
(Jay McAree can be reached at 369-3371, jmcaree@cmonitor.com or on Twitter @JayMcAree.)
Merrimack Valley 13, Goffstown 11
Key players: MV – Dillon Arrant (5 goals, assist), Mac Lacy (4 goals, assist), Caleb Willet (3 goals, assist), Josh Farmer (goal, 5 groundballs), Matt Jarvis (10 saves)
Highlights/key moments: The Pride found its groove in the second and fourth quarters, scoring a combined eight goals. After Goffstown pulled ahead, 9-7, at the start of the third, MV answered back with five goals of its own in the final quarter.
Coach’s quote: “I was impressed with the team’s ability to handle adversity. … The kids hung tough and kept believing in each other and the team.” – MV’s Sean O’Brien
Records: MV 3-2; Goffstown 1-6
Bow 21, Manchester West 2
Key players: Bow – Mason Grasso (3 goals, 3 assists), John Colquitt (3 goals, assist), Ryan Tobeler (3 goals, 2 assists), Alex Killion (2 goals, 2 assists), Matt Gagne (2 goals, assist), Jack Wixson (2 goals, assist)
Highlights/key moments: In their first game in more than two weeks, the Falcons opened an early 10-0 lead and never looked back.
Coach’s quote: “It was good to get back out on the field and play a game after a long lay-off. Now we have a quick turn-around against a tough Oyster River team (Friday) in our home opener. I’m excited to see how the kids respond.” – Bow’s Chris Gaudreau
Records: Bow 3-1; West 0-4
Bow 12, Pelham 6
Key players: Bow – Taylor Darrell (4 goals, 2 assists), Olivia Krause (3 goals), Zoe Jukoski (2 goals)
Highlights/key moments: The Falcons used strong team defense and received one goal apiece from Maggie Vogt, Sofia Darrell and Charlotte Ulrich to double up the Pythons.
Records: Bow 4-1; Pelham 4-1
St. Thomas 14, Bishop Brady 3
Key players: Brady – Emma Windsor (24 saves), Alex Saco (goal), Abby Tremblay (goal), Abby Sharpf (goal)
Highlights/key moments: Brady received goals from three different players in dropping to .500.
Records: Brady 2-3; St. Thomas 2-2
Laconia 10, ConVal 7
Key players: Becca Howe (4 goals), Skyler Tautkus (goal, 4 assists), Abby Crowell (2 goals, assist), Teegan Stevens (goal, assist), Caitlin Beattie (goal), Sydney Stevens (goal) Lyndsey Paronto (9 saves)
Highlights/key moments: The Sachems have won back-to-back games heading into a matchup with Division II Hanover on Thursday.
Records: Laconia 5-1; ConVal 2-3
Kearsarge 10, Hopkinton 8
Key players: Kearsarge – Anya Nowicki (12 saves), Leslie Angus (4 goals), Jackie DeAngelis (2 goals), Maicy Hansen (2 goals); Hopkinton – Lynden Flanagan (4 goals), Mia Bassett (2 goals)
Highlights/key moments: The Cougars did just enough to win their fifth straight after opening the season with a loss.
Records: Kearsarge 5-1; Hopkinton 3-2
Concord 9, Bishop Guertin 0
Key players: Concord – Aidan Connor (8-1 win at No. 1 singles), Adam Bryant (8-2 win at No. 2), Sebastian Hart-Meyer (8-0 win at No. 3), Matt Chorlian (8-3 win at No. 4), Kevin Neary (8-1 win at No. 5), Thomas Burns (8-5 win at No. 6)
Highlights/key moments: The Tide kept the momentum from the single matches to sweep all three doubles. Connor and Bryant won, 8-2, at No. 1, Hart-Meyer and Chorlian won at No. 2 and Neary and Burns picked up an 8-0 victory at No. 3.
Records: Concord 6-2; Bishop Guertin 3-5
Kearsarge 5, Conant 0 (MATCH 1)
Kearsarge 5, Conant 0 (MATCH 2)
Key players: Kearsarge – Tyler Valovic (8-5, 8-4 wins at No. 1 singles), Tucker Valovic (8-1, 8-3 wins at No. 2 ), Charlie O’Conner (8-0, 8-2 wins at No. 3), Jake Long (8-0, 8-5 wins at No. 4), Sam Shields (8-0 win)
Highlights/key moments: The Cougars swept both matches of a doubleheader for their third straight win.
Records: Kearsarge 7-1; Conant 2-5
Inter-Lakes 7, Moultonborough 2
Key players: I-L – Noah Sullivan (8-0 win at No. 1), Gable Busby (8-0 win), Nate Sullivan (8-0 win), Sam Noe (8-2 win), Simon Bird (8-2 win)
Highlights/key moments: The Lakers took five of the six singles matches to pick up the win.
Coach’s quote: “Tough day to play tennis with the wind and cold.” –Inter-Lakes’ Bill West
Records: Inter-Lakes 6-2; Moultonborough 2-4
Portsmouth Christian 5, Bow 4
Key players: Bow – Brayden Binder (8-6 win at No. 1 singles), Caleb Olson (8-5 win at No. 4)
Highlights/key moments: Getting just two wins at singles hurt the Falcons, who received wins at both No. 2 and No. 3 doubles.
Records: PCA 8-1; Bow 5-2
Gilford 9, Prospect Mountain 0
Key players: Grant Workman (win), Christian Workman (win), Tyler Hanf (win), Connor Craigie (win), Kyle Davies (win)
Highlights/key moments: Donny Searle and Adam Donnelly won at No. 1 doubles and Mikey Eisenmann and Colton Workman won the No. 2 doubles match.
Records: Gilford 8-0; Prospect Mt. 0-7
Bishop Guertin 6, Concord 3
Key players: Concord – Abby Pope (8-1 win at No. 3), Bailey Jackson (fought hard but lost 9-8, 7-5 at No. 6)
Highlights/key moments: Pope and Alex Killinger provided an 8-5 win at No. 1 doubles for the Tide, while Sabrina Hart-Meyer and Lidia Yen won 8-6 in the No. 2 spot.
Coach’s quote: “Down a player due to sickness, the girls fought hard against an aggressive BG lineup.” – Concord’s PJ Cistulli
Records: Concord 5-3; Bishop Guertin 5-5
Nashua South 6, Bishop Brady 3
Key players: Brady – Sydney Herrington (8-0 win at No. 1), Rachel Achong (9-7 win at No. 3)
Highlights/key moments: Achong, a freshman, withstood a spirited comeback from South’s Pallavia Ravada in the No. 3 singles match. Herrington and Ravalika Damerla won the No. 1 doubles match, 8-4.
Records: Brady 0-5; Nashua South 5-3
Coe-Brown 9, Pembroke 0
Key players: Pembroke – Kaithlyn Thompson (played strong at No. 1 singles but lost 8-2)
Highlights/key moments: Coe-Brown picked up its seventh straight win after opening the season with back-to-back losses.
Records: Coe-Brown 7-2; Pembroke 0-5
Conant 8, Kearsarge 1
Key players: Kearsarge – Annie Carr (8-6 win at No. 5 singles)
Highlights/key moments: Carr was the lone player on the ladder to notch a win.
Coach’s quote: “Both our No. 5 and No. 6 singles players had extemely hard-fought, tight matches.” – Kearsarge’s Laura Joslin-King
Records: Kearsarge 1-6; Conant 2-4
Concord 6, Timberlane 1
Key players: Concord – Girffin Gilbert (5 IP, 1 R, 10 K), Ryan Tessier (2 hits, 2 runs), Zach Miles (3 hits), Eric Sullivan (2 hits, RBI)
Highlights/key moments: The Tide didn’t wait long to start swinging, scoring four runs in the first two frames. Concord had 11 hits on the day and received strong pitching from Gilbert and Jacob Knowles.
Coach’s quote: “We came out swinging the bats and played errorless defense to back the pitching of Gilbert and Knowles.” – Concord’s Scott Owen
Records: Concord 6-4; Timberlane 3-7
Kingswood 12, John Stark 6
Key players: Stark – Derek Goldrick (2-for-2, HR, 2 RBI), Noah Greene (2 hits), Brandon Langdon (hit, 2 RBI)
Highlights/key moments: Leading 4-2 entering the third inning, the wheels came off for the Generals. Kingswood scored 10 runs in the frame – nine unearned – and coasted to the victory.
Coach’s quote: “Very ugly loss for us today. You can’t give up that many free bases and have a chance to win.” – Stark’s Dennis Pelletier
Records: Stark 4-2; Kingswood 4-3
Portsmouth 14, Merrimack Valley 3
Key players: MV – Brian Nylen (2-for-3, RBI), Spencer Pettingill (1-for-2, run)
Highlights/key moments: Coming off two straight wins, the Pride wasn’t able to contain the bats of undefeated Portsmouth.
Records: MV 2-5; Portsmouth 5-0
Stevens 12, Hillsboro-Deering 5
Key players: H-D – Gunnar Hagstrom (triple, RBI, 2-for-4), Sean Morin (1-for-3, RBI), Thomas Ferguson (1-for-3, RBI), Jack Ferguson (1-for-2, double), Charles Veitch (1-for-2, RBI)
Highlights/key moments: Hagstrom’s triple in the first inning scored Sawyer Jones from first base and gave the Hillcats an early spark but Stevens pulled away in the fourth inning.
Coach’s quote: “We are making progress but still have to work on our errors.” – H-D’s Erik Hagstrom
Records: H-D 0-5; Stevens 7-1
Sunapee 15, Pittsfield 4
Key players: Pittsfield – Cam Darrah (1-for-2, 2 runs), Kyle Stockman (1-for-2, 2 RBI)
Highlights/key moments: The Panthers dug themselves a deep hole and trailing 6-0 before scoring three runs in the bottom of the third. The wheels fell off in the fifth inning, though.
Coach’s quote: “Very disappointed in our defense and pitching tonight but have to give credit to Sunapee. They put the ball in play and forced us to make plays which we didn’t.” – Pittsfield’s Rob Stockman
Records: Pittsfield 7-3; Sunapee 6-0
Milford 7, Laconia 1
Key players: Laconia – Tyler Richter (2-for-3)
Highlights/key moments: The Sachems couldn’t figure out Milford starter Tyler Gendron, who went the distance and added three hits for the Spartans.
Records: Laconia 1-5; Milford 2-2
Newfound 4, Kearsarge 2
Key players: Kearsarge – Brendan Akpan (RBI), Tyler Crawford (RBI), Cy Courser (6 IP, 5 K, 4 ER); Newfound – Logan Rouille (win, 7 IP, 2 ER, 2 K), Nate Desrochers (two hits), Jarrod Fairbank (2 hits), Mike Doan (2 hits)
Highlights/key moments: Newfound piled up 10 hits and rode the arm of Rouille to its second straight victory.
Coach’s quote: “We could never get the big hit with guys on base that we needed today.” – Kearsarge’s Travis Pelletier
Records: Kearsarge 2-7; Newfound 4-1
Winnisquam 13, Prospect Mtn. 6 (GAME 1)
Prospect Mtn. 4, Winnisquam 3 (GAME 2)
Key players: Devan Glover (2 earned runs, 6 innings in Game 1), Michael Allard (2-for-2, 2 RBI in Game 1), Josh Dhevlin (3 runs in Game 1), Brendon Vaughn (strong defense in centerfield in Game 1), Mike Lowery (3-for-3, 3 stolen bases, one earned run in Game 2).
Highlights/key moments: The Bears scored seven runs in the bottom of the second inning to open things up in Game 1. In Game 2, Prospect Mountain benefited from three unearned runs in the fourth inning.
Records: Winnisquam 2-6; Prospect Mountain 4-3
Franklin 5, Bishop Brady 0
Key players: Franklin – Harrison Clark (complete game shutout), Taryn Laramie (2 hits, run); Brady – Mario Fusco (complete game, 2 ER, 5 K), Max Lamora (2 hits)
Highlights/key moments: The Golden Tornadoes plated two runs in the first off a Brady miscue and Clark did the rest with a gem on the mound.
Coach’s quote: “Give Franklin credit, they played a cleaner game than we did and Clark kept us off-balance all day.” – Brady’s Skip Foy
“Harrison threw a great game for us today and the defense didn’t let him down.” – Franklin’s David Joyce
Records: Brady 4-4; Franklin 3-4
Wilton-Lyndeborough 4, Hopkinton 3
Key players: Hopkinton – Ben McManus (2 hits, double), Sam Crawford (6 IP, 9 K, 6 H, 0 BB, 1 ER; 2 hits), Dustin Rose (RBI)
Highlights/key moments: Despite collecting nine hits, holding a 2-0 lead in the second, and getting a great start from Crawford, the Hawks surrendered three unearned runs in the fifth for the loss. Wilton erased a leadoff single for Hopkinton in the seventh by turning a double play.
Coach’s quote: “I thought today, even though we lost, we got better.” – Hopkinton’s Dave Chase
Records: Hopkinton 6-2; Wilton 6-2
Concord 8, Timberlane 2
Key players: Concord – Abby Rochette (4-for-5, 2 triples, 3 RBI), Izzy Dunn (2-for-3, HR, 2 RBI), Nicole Cacciola (2 hits, RBI), Caitlyn Shea (6 IP, 1 ER, 3 H, 6 K)
Highlights/key moments: Dunn’s home run to lead off the third sparked a four-run inning for the Tide. In total, the Tide collected 13 hits, with five going for extra bases.
Coach’s quote: “We made a couple of errors, which we need to clean up, but our bats made up for it. Overall, another solid win.” – Concord Assistant Coach Sandy Smith
Records: Concord 5-3; Timberlane 2-6
Belmont 15, Laconia 5
Key players: Belmont – Lizzie Fleming (complete game win, 5 R, 8 H, 5 K), Julianna Estremera (3 runs), Chantell Martin (4-for-4, 3 runs); Laconia – Taylor Morrill (grand slam)
Highlights/key moments: The Raiders had a number of strong performances, including Paige Irving’s first varsity hit and RBI and have now scored 40 runs in their last two games.
Coach’s quote: “Great game in the cold. The defense played strong, turning a 6-4-3 double play and just missed on a second.” – Belmont’s Bill Clary
Records: Belmont 5-1; Laconia 1-6
Berlin 11, Gilford 0
Key players: Gilford – Brook Beaudet (hit)
Highlights/key moments: Beaudet’s hit was the only of the game for Gilford and it came in the fifth inning. Gilford’s two-game win streak was snapped.
Records: Gilford 4-4; Berlin 2-5
Kearsarge 6, Newfound 5
Key players: Kearsarge – Maddie Folcik (3-for-3, 3 runs), Emily Folcik (2-for-4, double, run), Katlyn Kleckner (1-for-3, run), Rachel Breault (7 IP, no walks, 12 H, 5 ER; 1-for-4, home run); Newfound – Kylee MacDonald (2-for-4, run), Hayleigh Letourneau (3-for-4, triple, run, RBI), Amanda Johnston (2-for-4, double, run), Kasey Basford (2-for-3, run), Ashley Dukette (2-for-4, double)
Highlights/key moments: Maddie Folcik scored the winning run on an error in the seventh inning after Breault’s three-run home run in the fifth inning tied the game 5-5. Newfound took an early 4-0 lead but the Golden Eagles bounced back. Kearsarge has won back-to-back games on the heels of a six-game losing skid.
Coach’s quote: “We kept our composure throughout the game. Our girls are coming together and it was a great win for us.” – Kearsarge’s David Yazzie
“Although we outhit Kearsarge 14-7, we didn’t manage to get the job done. With a tough four-game stretch next week, it was unfortunate to lose this one when it was within our grasp.” – Newfound’s Corey Johnston
Records: Kearsarge 2-6; Prospect Mountain 4-2
Winnisquam 5, Prospect Mtn. 1 (GAME 1)
Winnisquam 6, Prospect Mtn. 4 (GAME 2)
Key players: Molly Tinker (4 strikeouts, 3 walks, 4 hits, 1 unearned run in Game 1; 4 strikeouts, 3 walks, 5 hits, 1 earned run in Game 2), Carly Catty (2-for-3, 3-run home run in Game 1; 3-run homer in Game 2), Lauren Bolstridge (RBI double in Game 1; 3-run home run in Game 2).
Highlights/key moments: The Bears benefited greatly from the long ball in its doubleheader with Prospect Mountain, as three total homers helped Coach Kevin Dame’s team clinch a third straight win.
Records: Winnisquam 6-2; Prospect Mountain 4-3
Bishop Brady 5, Franklin 4
Key players: Franklin – Hailey Haskins (HR, 2 runs), Mariah Haney (defense); Brady – Emily Santis (triple, 2 RBI), Abby Santis (double, RBI), Lily Rivera (7 IP, 4 H, 3 K, 2 ER)
Highlights/key moments: The Green Giants scored all five of their runs in the second inning and held off the Golden Tornadoes by stranding runners in the sixth and seventh innings to stay undefeated.
Coach’s quote: “After that painful second inning, we were able to fight our way back and make a game of it.” – Franklin’s Skip DuBois
“Rivera threw everything she had in the tank to get the win. Good to see our bottom half of the order light it up for one inning but give credit to Haskins for settling down and keeping Franklin within reach.” – Brady’s Freddy Rivera
Records: Franklin 3-4; Brady 7-0
Merrimack Valley 13, Portsmouth 7
Key players: MV – Ann Bascom (3-for-5, 2 RBI), Miranda Crane (3 hits, 3 RBI), Sam Hodkison (2 RBI), Alani Ramas (2 RBI)
Highlights/key moments: The Pride plated eight runs in the fourth inning to take a commanding 13-3 lead and held on for the win.
Coach’s quote: “Good to get back in the win column.” – MV’s Sam York
Records: MV 6-1; Portsmouth 4-4
John Stark 16, Kingswood 2
Key players: Stark – Kali Kolehmainen (4-for-5, 4 runs), Sarah Ferguson (3 hits, 2 runs), Anna Stenger (2 hits)
Highlights/key moments: The Generals batted around in the fifth inning and scored five runs.
Coach’s quote: This was an all-around win for the entire team as everyone contributed and our defense was spot on the entire game.” – Stark’s Gerry Morin
Records: Stark 2-4; Kingswood 2-5
Hillsboro-Deering 4, Stevens 2
Key players: H-D – Nicole Mooney (4-for-4), Gina Costello (3-for-4), Madee O’Brien (2 hits, go-ahead RBI), Maggie Atkins (complete game, 12 K, 2 BB; 2-for-4)
Highlights/key moments: O’Brien knocked home the go-ahead RBI in the fourth inning and the Hillcats added another in the seventh.
Records: H-D 4-2; Stevens 3-2
Wilton-Lyndeborough 8, Hopkinton 4
Key players: Hopkinton – Grace Gauthier (2-for-3, 2 RBI), Alexis Blanchette (2-for-4, 2 runs)
Highlights/key moments: The Hawks scored three runs in the first for the early lead but couldn’t muster anything else. Walks and errors plagued Hopkinton all afternoon.
Coach’s quote: “Long trip and we didn’t have the spark today.” – Hopkinton’s Dan Meserve
Records: Hopkinton 5-2; Wilton 3-3