BOW – Like most good teams, the Bow girls’ lacrosse squad is fueled by its losses.
Losing is not something the Falcons have done very often over the last two years, but they certainly remember the times they have fallen short.
In fact, according to senior Taylor Darrell, the most recent blemish on Bow’s record – a two-goal loss at Hopkinton on April 18 – is directly responsible for the ensuing four-game win streak that continued Tuesday with a 15-5 victory over Coe-Brown at home.
“I think it fuels our fire a little bit. We’re mad. We should not have lost that game,” Darrell said following a dominant five-goal, one-assist effort Tuesday. “It counts against us in the standings, but honestly, I think it makes us better. It teaches you that not every game is guaranteed, no matter how good you think your team is. No matter what, you have to go out and give 100 percent.”
Most losses can be categorized into a good column and a bad column. In Bow Coach Christiane Raabe’s mind, the early-season loss to Hopkinton was exactly what her team needed.
“It was perfect timing, really. I hate to lose but it was a good time to lose,” Raabe said. “There were a lot of factors but the biggest factor was that they outplayed us.”
Bow hasn’t gotten outplayed since, having outscored its last four opponents by a score of 58-23.
The Falcons put on an offensive clinic Tuesday that first-year Coe-Brown Coach Mike Hyer couldn’t help but marvel at.
“They connected really well. Their passes connected well. They did a good job of taking advantage of our defensive slides. They got a lot of goals out of that transition situation,” Hyer said.
But even following a 10-goal loss that extended a three-game losing streak for the Bears (1-6), it was hard for Hyer to find fault in the effort his team gave.
“There’s definitely some things to take away from this game. We’ve had a tendency to just say ‘Oh, they’re a better team, so we’re just going to hold back and let them go.’ But I was pretty proud of how we fought today,” he said.
After Elysia Woody and Sofia Darrell scored about 50 seconds apart to give the Falcons an early 2-0 lead, Coe-Brown stormed right back, displaying confidence you wouldn’t think a 1-6 team could possess.
Annie Peacock scored at the 17:37 mark from just inside the 8-meter arc to cut Bow’s lead in half. When the Falcons scored three more goals two minutes apart, the Bears answered again, this time on a goal from Kendall Nester that cut the deficit to 5-2.
But that’s when Bow really turned up the pressure, ending the first half on a 7-0 run capped by Bridget Ehrenberg’s goal with 1:05 left in the half.
As they usually do, the Falcons used their speed to put the game away.
“We’re wicked quick. That is our game. Being fast, speed,” Raabe said.
While Taylor Darrell and Maggie Vogt account for a handful of that speed in the midfield, Raabe said she has at least 10 players who are lightning quick.
Darrell uses that speed to ditch the double-teams that frequently flank her.
“I’m honestly pretty comfortable with my stick and cradling since I’ve been playing since I was in fourth grade,” said Darrell, who will continue her lacrosse career at Division I University of Delaware next season. “So I just try to keep calm, look for my teammates because I believe that all of them have my back and are working to get open. I know someone is going to be there for me.”
Nester scored two more goals to open the second half, cutting Bow’s lead to 12-4 with 17:31 left to play and Sammi Roche added another goal eight minutes later to make it 13-5, but that’s as close as it would get.
Elizabeth Guertin and Brenna Gardner each scored their first varsity goal for Bow, while Sofia Darrell and Woody finished with two goals and one assist apiece. Pinky Fleury made six saves in net.
Heading into the second half of the season, there’s another loss the Falcons are hoping to avenge, and they aren’t shy about admitting that.
“The Derryfield loss stings a little bit. But I think the feeling of losing by a goal in the last however many minutes it was is going to help us,” Raabe said, thinking back on last year’s 15-14 loss to the Cougars in the opening round of the D-III tournament.
In fitting fashion, the Falcons will close out the regular season with a visit to Derryfield on May 25.
“We’re really coming for revenge. We want that win,” Darrell said.
As much as she knows her team is looking forward to that game, Raabe knows there’s six games between now and then and one of them is against defending champion Laconia.
“We have them, we have Laconia,” Raabe said of Bow’s remaining opponents. “Those are going to be two big games. I’m sure in the middle there will be somebody who steps up but yeah, those are big games.”
The Falcons don’t mind using their past losses as fuel, but they hope there aren’t too many more losses to learn from in the future.
(Michelle Berthiaume can be reached at 369-3338, mberthiaume@cmonitor.com or on Twitter @MonitorMichelle.)
Concord 14, Dover 12
Key players: Concord – Becca Proulx (7 goals), Delana Erickson (3 goals), Nicole Toler (goal), Brenna Vandersea (goal), Jess Nelson (goal)
Highlights/key moments: Despite it being the second game in two days, the Tide played well with crisp transitions that allowed for several scoring opportunities.
Coach’s quote: “We are playing really well as a team during a great point in the season. We have eight more games in the regular season and we are heading in the right direction.” – Concord’s Steph Johnson
Records: Concord 5-3; Dover 0-7
Merrimack Valley 10, John Stark 5
Key players: MV – Matt Jarvis (13 saves on 19 shots), Max Lacy (3 goals, assist), Dillon Arrant (goal, 2 assists), Chase Mercier (2 goals, assist), Coby Mercier (goal, assist), Josh Farmer (defense), Ben Davis (defense); John Stark – Drew McQuarrie (2 goals), Parker McQuarrie (2 goals, assist), Kayden Easter (2 goals, assist)
Highlights/key moments: Merrimack Valley was charged with seven penalties in the game, but the Pride weathered the adversity and secured its fifth consecutive win. Stark trailed by one goal before taking a two minute locked-in penalty and MV capitalized with three goals.
Coach’s quote: “John Stark had some good shooters, but the kids hung tough.” – Merrimack Valley’s Sean O’Brien
Records: MV 5-2; John Stark 3-5
Goffstown 12, Pembroke 6
Key players: Pembroke – Glenn Dion (3 goals, assist), Jaydon Anderson (2 goals), David Hammond (13 saves on 19 shots)
Highlights/key moments: The Spartans trailed 7-6 heading into the fourth quarter, but Goffstown pulled away with six goals to close the game.
Coach’s quote: “(Goffstown) Coach Lewis has coached enough big games to know how to close strong and they did. Proud of the fight after getting down early, but didn’t get the extra possessions we needed late. Goalkeeper David Hammond commanded the game well and put us in a good spot through three quarters.” – Pembroke’s Tim Vasconcellos
Records: Goffstown 2-6; Pembroke 4-4
Souhegan 19, John Stark 2
Highlights/key moments: The Sabers collected 25 hits and 10 of those came in the first inning to put the Generals in a 9-0 hole early.
Records: Stark 3-5; Souhegan 7-1
Berlin 6, Newfound 2
Key players: Newfound – Amanda Johnston (4⅓ IP, 2 ER; HR), Kasey Basford (RBI), Mackenzie Ryan (run)
Highlights/key moments: Basford drove in Ryan in the fifth inning for the Bears’ lone run. Berlin scored three runs in the first inning and two in the second before settling down.
Coach’s quote: “We only gave up five hits, but the six walks in the first two innings were just to much to come back from. The Berlin pitcher kept our bats quiet allowing only three hits.” – Newfound’s Corey Johnston
Records: Berlin 5-5; Newfound 5-3
Nute 10, Pittsfield 6
Key players: Pittsfield – Mackenzie Dumond (3-for-3, double, 2 runs), Peyton Shaw (2-for-4, run)
Highlights/key moments: Kayla Clough was the thorn in the side of Pittsfield. Clough went 3-for-3 at the plate for Nute with two homers and the Panthers couldn’t bridge the gap.
Records: Nute 7-3; Pittsfield 2-7
Hollis-Brookline 5, John Stark 4
Key players: John Stark – Brett Patnode (2 hits), Rian Queen (2 hits), Jeremy Aubin (5 IP, 2 ER, 11 K; 2-for-2)
Highlights/key moments: The Generals and Cavaliers battled through a close game, but the Cavaliers came out on top scoring the winning run on a call at the plate after a passed ball for the walkoff win.
Coach’s quote: “Really tough way to lose a ball game but we should have never been in that spot. We made a slew of mental mistakes today that we will correct and bounce back Thursday.” – John Stark’s Dennis Pelletier
Records: Hollis-Brookline 4-5; John Stark 5-3
Inter-Lakes 5, Hillsboro-Deering 1
Key players: H-D – Thomas Ferguson, Sawyer Jones, Jordan Berrocales
Highlights/key moments: Fergus went 1-for-3 and drove in H-D’s only run of the day on Monday. Jones went 2-for-4 at the plate and Berrocales went 1-for-2. H-D was able to turn three double plays to highlight its day despite the loss.
Coach’s quote: “We have a long week ahead of us with another four games this week, but these kids continue to dig in and persevere.” – H-D’s Erik Hagstrom
Records: Inter-Lakes 3-3; H-D 0-6
Franklin 4, Gilford 1
Key players: Franklin – Taryn Laramie (complete game, 6 K; 1-for-4, 2 RBI), Trevor Gallagher (1-for-3, run); Gilford – Adrian Siravo (complete game, 2 ER, 6 K)
Highlights/key moments: Max Joyce and Laramie reached base in the first inning on misplayed balls by Gilford. Joyce stole second third and scored on a passed ball. Laramie then scored on a well executed squeeze. Gilford’s Alex Mauthersbaugh stroked a deep shot to center field for a double in the second, but was stranded on third base. Franklin added two insurance runs in the sixth when Gallagher led off with a single. Bryan Sweet singled him around to third, and Laramie hit for a triple and two RBI.
Coach’s quote: “Taryn threw really well for us again today. He did a nice job keeping Gilford off the bases. Our defense was solid making all the plays we needed and not giving them extra outs. Gilford is a good team and Siravo did a great job keeping us to only a couple of earned runs. It’s nice getting a win against a quality opponent that we’re battling with for a playoff spot.” – Franklin’s David Joyce
Records: Franklin 4-4; Gilford 5-4
Milford 6, Laconia 0
Key players: Laconia – Dominick Vaillancourt (2-for-3, two singles)
Highlights/key moments: The Sachems dropped their second straight game and face Oyster River on Wednesday.
Records: Milford 5-3; Laconia 1-6
Pittsfield 15, Nute 4
Key players: Pittsfield – Kyle Stockman (5 IP, 8 K, 2 ER, 6 walks), Jesse MacGlashing (2-for-4, double, 2 runs), Eli Johnson (2-for-3, 3 runs), Garrett Hadley (1-for-1, 2 walks, run)
Highlights/key moments: Pittsfield has won four of its last five games and will face Epping on Thursday.
Records: Pittsfield 9-3; Nute 1-9
Bishop Brady 5, Alvirne 4
Key players: Bishop Brady – Sydney Herrington, Ravalika Damerla, Rachel Achong, Manu Komma
Highlights/key moments: Komma played her best match of the season when it mattered the most with a decisive 8-2 win at No. 6 singles, which gave Brady a commanding 4-2 lead heading into doubles. Herrington and Damerla won the top doubles match, 8-1, to seal the win for Brady.
Coach’s quote: “Our younger players, like Manu today, are improving and making a major contribution to our match results.” – Bishop Brady’s Lee Herrington
Records: Bishop Brady 2-6; Alvirne 1-9
Littleton 5, Inter-Lakes 4
Key players: Inter-Lakes – Noah Sullivan, Sam Noe, Jack Borsh, Simon Bird, Stephen Bean
Highlights/key moments: The Lakers needed to win all three doubles matches for a chance to win the overall match on Monday, but only came away with two. Gable Busby lost a tight set, 9-7, to Littleton’s Sam Martin in No. 2 singles.
Coach’s quote: “Littleton played well taking four of the six singles matches.” – Inter-Lakes’ Bill West
Records: Inter-Lakes 7-3; Littleton 6-2
Gilford 6, White Mountains 0
Gilford 9, White Mountains 0
Highlights/key moments: The Golden Eagles extended their perfect season with a pair of wins at home.
Records: Gilford 11-0; White Mountains 1-8
Concord 77.5, Pinkerton 63.5
Key players: Concord – Grace Devanny (1st 200, 1st 400), Allison Silverstein (1st 800), Jennika Mannesto (1st 3,200), Rebeca Bosa (1st 300 hurdles), Ennosen Yen (1st triple jump), Maria Wimpey (1st shot put), Yelena Beausoleil (1st discus), Stephanie Oberg (1st javelin), 4×100 (1st), 4×400 (1st),
Highlights/key moments: The Tide knocked off one of the top teams in Division I.
Coach’s quote: “This was the best meet the girls have had all year. Maria Wimpey had a huge personal record in the shot. Grace continued her brilliant season. The high light of the meet was Stephanie Oberg’s javelin throw. She broke Aimee Szumiesz’s record from 2006. The old record was 110 feet. She has been working so hard this year and it payed off today.” – Concord’s Hayden Daly
Merrimack Valley third
Key players: MV – Noelle Colarusso (1st triple jump, 2nd 300 hurdles, 3rd long jump), Theresa Irving (2nd triple jump), Madison Palmer (2nd long jump), Elizabeth Williams (2nd javelin, 3rd shot put)
Highlights/key moments: The Pride (65.5) competed in a four-team meet at Hollis/Brookline. The host Cavaliers (131.5) defeated ConVal (73) and Trinity (52).
Coe-Brown first
Key players: Coe-Brown – Kathleen Collins (1st shot put, 1st discus), Mabel Mackey (1st 100), Abby O’Connor (1st 800), Alli Pratt (1st 1,600), Elly McDonough (2nd 800, 2nd 1,600), Hannah Daly (2nd 3,200), Sammi Schroeder (2nd high jump), Chelsea McCallion (2nd javelin), 4×100 (1st), 4×400 (1st)
Highlights/key moments: The Bears narrowly beat Portsmouth, 81-80, to win a meet on their home track. Souhegan (55) also competed.
John Stark second
Key players: Stark – Jalen Beliveau (1st 400, 1st high jump, 3rd javelin), Erin Scott (1st 100 hurdles, 2nd 300 hurdles), Mia Paveglio (1st triple jump), Ashley Audet (2nd javelin), Alison Wright (2nd 100 hurdles), Nicole Horion (2nd 400)
Highlights/key moments: The Generals (59) split a meet on their home track, falling to Milford (91), but defeating Manchester West (12).
Kearsarge sixth
Key players: Kearsarge – Mya Dube (3rd 1,600, 5th 800), Maddie Neilsen (4th 200, 5th 100), Avril Prak (5th 400), Jenna Bears (5th 3,200), Cerys Wheatley (5th 100 hurdles)
Highlights/key moments: The Cougars finished sixth at the CVC North qualifier in Hanover.
Belmont first, Laconia third
Hillsboro-Deering fourth
Key players: Belmont – Jasmine Syed (1st 800), Alice Riley (1st 1,600), Sana Syed (1st 300 hurdles), Kaitlyn Delisle (1st triple jump, 3rd 100), Rachael Violette (1st javelin, 3rd shot put), 4×100 (1st), 4×400 (1st); Laconia – Morgan Gamans (1st 100, 1st 200, 1st shot put), Rylie Treat (1st discus, 3rd javelin); H-D – Shannon Thomes (2nd 100 hurdles, 3rd triple jump, 4th 300 hurdles), Emily Gibson (1st long jump, 3rd 200)
Highlights/key moments: Belmont (108) won seven of 16 events to win a five-team meet on its home track over Derryfield (82), Laconia (58), H-D (28) and Mount Royal (18).
Gilford first, Hopkinton fourth, Bishop Brady eighth
Key players: Gilford – Marina Baer (1st shot put, 1st javelin, 2nd high jump), Lauren Dean (1st 400, 2nd long jump), Olivia Morea (2nd 300 hurdles, 3rd 100 hurdles), Natalie Fraser (2nd 200, 3rd 100), Brianna Fraser (2nd 100), Elizabeth Relf (2nd 1,600), Julie Auld (2nd discus), 4×100 (1st), 4×400 (1st); Hopkinton – Lily Sabol (1st triple jump, 3rd 800), Lillie Presti (2nd triple jump, 3rd long jump), Emma Rothe (2nd 3,200); Bishop Brady – Christa Clery (6th 100 hurdles), Wen MuQing (6th 3,200)
Highlights/key moments: Gilford (177) won an eight-team meet, defeating Conant (125), hosts Campbell (112), Hopkinton (99), Wilton-Lyndeborough (32), Mascenic (31), Milford (10) and Bishop Brady (6).
Concord 73, Pinkerton 71
Key players: Concord – Dalton Mutz (1st 200), Jamie Wilkes (1st 800), Aidan O’Hern (1st 1,600), Antonio Tomas (1st 3,200), Manny Feliz (1st 110 hurdles, 1st long jump), Kevin Suarez (1st shot put), 4×400 (1st)
Highlights/key moments: In a dual meet between last year’s top two teams in D-I, the Tide once again narrowly defeated the Astros.
Coach’s quote: “This was a big win for the boys. It has been a while since we have beaten Pinkerton in a dual meet. We didn’t win a ton of events, but this proved our depth. Jamie Wilkes was back and he looked ready to go. Aiden O’Hern really followed up his impressive performance from Saturday with another personal record in the 1600.” – Concord’s Hayden Daly
Merrimack Valley fourth
Key players: MV – Alex Kusnarowis (3rd discus, 4th shot put), Dade Perron (5th shot put)
Highlights/key moments: The Pride sent a few athletes to a four-team meet at Hollis/Brookline. ConVal (111), Trinity (87), Hollis/Brookline (78) and MV (11) rounded out the team scores.
Coe-Brown first
Key players: Coe-Brown – Isaiah Allen (1st shot put, 1st discus), Zach Richards (1st 800), Gavyn Auclair (1st 3,200), Orion Clachar (1st 110 hurdles, 2nd long jump, 2nd javelin), Shawn Spenard (1st triple jump, 3rd long jump), Colin Cain (1st 300 hurdles), Tanner Richards (1st pole vault, 3rd 800), Kyshaun Rowell (2nd triple jump, 2nd 300 hurdles, 3rd 100), 4×100 (1st), 4×400 (1st)
Highlights/key moments: The Bears won 10 of 17 events to win a three-team meet on their home track. Coe-Brown (115) topped Portsmouth (72) and Souhegan (31).
John Stark second
Key players: Stark – Manuel Biskaduros (1st 100, 2nd 200), Erik Hilyard (1st 3,200, 2nd 1,600), Tyler Restuccia (1st 200), Patrick Kalob (2nd 300 hurdles, 3rd triple jump), Warren Quinlan (2nd 110 hurdles, 3rd high jump), Zachariah Lanctot (2nd 3,200), Vedin Fowler (2nd triple jump), Aram Fowler (2nd javelin), 4×100 (1st)
Highlights/key moments: The Generals (53) split a tri-meet on their home track, topping Manchester West (44.5), but falling to Milford (69.5).
Kearsarge second
Key players: Kearsarge – Grant Croft (1st pole vault, 3rd 400, 3rd 110 hurdles, 3rd triple jump), Carl Betz (1st 800), John Cunningham (2nd pole vault), Andrew Shepherd (3rd 3,200), David Wallace (4th 110 hurdles, 5th 300 hurdles), Hunter Burns (6th 1,600)
Highlights/key moments: The Cougars finished second at the Connecticut Valley Conference North qualifier meet at Hanover. The top athletes will compete in the CVC Championship on Saturday. Betz won the 800 in 2:07 and Croft won the pole vault at 12-0.
Belmont first, Laconia second
Hillsboro-Deering third
Key players: Belmont – Marc Forgione Jr. (1st 100, 2nd 200), Hunter Dupuis (1st 200), Isaiah Knowlton (1st 3,200), Aidan Rupp (1st 110 hurdles), Ian Remenar (1st 300 hurdles), Caleb Burke (1st high jump, 2nd triple jump), Adam Sojka (1st triple jump, 2nd long jump), 4×100 (1st), 4×400 (1st); Laconia – Logan Brough (1st 1,600, 2nd 400), Ben Beliveau (1st shot put, 2nd javelin, 3rd discus), Nate Allen (1st discus); H-D – Brandon Rodier (1st long jump), Parker Noyes (1st javelin, 2nd shot put, 2nd discus), Logan Putnam (2nd 110 hurdles, 4th triple jump)
Highlights/key moments: Belmont (143 points) won nine of 17 events to win a four-team meet on its home track over Laconia (70), H-D (53) and Derryfield (50).
Gilford third, Bishop Brady fifth, Hopkinton seventh
Key players: Gilford – Connor Leggett (1st 300 hurdles), Michael Wernig (2nd discus), Korey Weston (2nd long jump), Finn Baldwin (2nd javelin), Sandor Gamache (2nd 300 hurdles, 3rd triple jump), 4×400 (3rd); Bishop Brady – Sean Sullivan (1st discus, 2nd shot put), Chase Draus (3rd shot put), 4×100 (2nd); Hopkinton – Kevin McGrath (1st high jump), Brandon Ehrmanntraut (1st 110 hurdles, 3rd 300 hurdles)
Highlights/key moments: Campbell (185) defended its home track, defeating Mascenic (113), Gilford (97), Wilton-Lyndeborough (52), Bishop Brady (49), Conant (49) and Hopkinton (44).