FRANKLIN – The Franklin High field hockey team had the most opportunities, but the Laconia Sachems made the most of theirs.
In the season opener for these Division III programs, Laconia came away with the only goal Wednesday afternoon for a 1-0 win over host Franklin despite putting just four shots on net.
At the other end, the Golden Tornadoes threw nine shots at Laconia goalie Sierra Keets but the sophomore turned away every single one to earn the shutout.
“Sierra was fantastic,” third-year Laconia Coach Marcy Kelley said. “She’s been a great surprise for us this season and did a great job today.”
Laconia senior Olivia Conley potted the game’s lone goal with two minutes left in the first half. The ball bounced left to right in a scrum in front of the net before Conley put her stick on it.
Some on the Laconia (1-0) sideline jumped up when the ball rolled in and banged off the board, but most threw their heads back in relief. Franklin (0-1) was tight and composed on defense, and the Laconia players knew at this point that their chances at the net were going to be limited.
“We were really focused on trying to get the ball down, but it was really hard with Franklin playing great defense on us,” Conley said. “It came off of the corner so we all worked as a team and luckily got it. That got our heads in the game and got us focused on trying to score another one.”
Corners were crucial for both sides as Laconia stopped Franklin on all 13 of the Golden Tornadoes’ chances. Laconia made good on one of its eight.
Franklin dominated possession through most of the 60 minutes and created several opportunities on the doorstep of the goal. The Tornadoes had five chances on corners in the first 15 minutes, but Sachems’ steady defense kept them at bay.
Franklin was within inches of tying the game with 13 minutes left when Brooke Perry carried the ball with a clear path to the left side of the net, but Keets was quick on her feet and booted the ball away.
It may have been frustrating for Franklin, but first-year Coach Nancy Hicks assured that the loss won’t shake the team too much. It’s only the first game of the fall, after all.
“We controlled 90 percent of that game but just couldn’t finish it in the goal,” Hicks said. “I’m not sure what happened. I was very happy with how they were passing the ball and they were talking, but it just didn’t connect for us today.”
Franklin returns seven seniors to this year’s squad with five starters from last season. It’s the first high school varsity coaching job for Hicks, a Franklin High School parent and alumnus who played midfield for the Golden Tornadoes.
The team was without a coach after learning that Deb Georgevits would not return for a fifth season. As the fall season approached, Hicks stepped in after hearing the team was without a leader.
“This is where I went to high school and when I learned that there wasn’t a coach, I just couldn’t watch them go without one,” Hicks said. “But through that, this team has come together incredibly. You can’t teach heart, you can’t coach heart, but this team has heart. The rest of it will come with skills and drills.”
Franklin hosts Mascenic on Thursday at 4 p.m. and then plays its next five games on the road. Laconia travels to Littleton on Friday and then hosts its next three opponents at home.
(Nick Stoico can be reached at 369-3339, nstoico@cmonitor.com or on Twitter @NickStoico.)
Gilford 7, Bishop Brady 0
Key players: Gilford – Kellie Ryan (2 goals, assist), Nicole Berube (goal, assist), Natalie Fraser (defense), Randi Byars (defense)
Highlights/key moments: Gilford took off for a 5-0 lead at the half and slowed down with two goals in the second to put the Giants away.
Coach’s quote: “Six different players scored, which was unexpected.” – Gilford’s David Rogacki
“I have always believed that competing against strong programs helps to show inexperienced teams what it takes to come together. Today was a learning experience for us and it will only make us stronger.” – Brady’s Kelly Owen
Records: Gilford 1-0; Brady 0-1
Monadnock 2, Pembroke 1
Key players: Pembroke – Kelly Wagner (goal), Cierra Clark (defense)
Highlights/key moments: After two quick goals form Monadnock, Pembroke settled into its game and picked up momentum scoring one goal but couldn’t find the equalizer.
Records: Monadnock 1-0; Pembroke 0-1
Newfound 3, Mascoma 0
Key players: Newfound – Julianne Marchand (goal), Caroline Marchand (2 goals), Kylee MacDonald (assist), Hayleigh LeTourneau (defense), Jasmine Peterson (midfield)
Highlights/key moments: Marchand scored the Bear’s third goal thanks to a hustle play by MacDonald to keep the ball in bounds and Katy Drapeau connecting the pass to Marchand. Mascoma had one final attempt from the corner, but Hayleigh LeTourneau was able to deflect the ball above the cage to secure the shutout.
Coach’s quote: “We are working on the little things that we can change in order to work to being the strongest team at the end. It was a great back-and-forth game and we were able to site some things we need to work on.” – Newfound’s Karri Peterson
Records: Newfound 1-0; Mascoma 0-1
Mascenic 3, Bishop Brady 1
Key players: Brady – Colin Plante, Angelo Besho, Adam Senko, Bryce Johnson
Highlights/key moments: Brady took a 1-0 lead into halftime but could not hold on as Mascenic netted two goals early in the second half added a third on a penalty kick.
Coach’s quote: “I felt both teams were quite evenly matched, but Mascenic outplayed us during the second half and clearly deserved the win.” – Brady’s Mike Ling
Records: Mascenic 1-1; Brady 0-1
Portsmouth 3, Coe-Brown 0
Key players: Coe-Brown – Amelia Bracket, Megan Wimsatt, Jaden Boulanger
Highlights/key moments: Portsmouth scored twice in the first half on Tuesday and Coe-Brown couldn’t cut into the deficit.
Coach’s quote: “We allowed two soft goals in the first half and you can’t spot a team as strong as Portsmouth a lead if you want to compete. We made some strides in the second half and showed some character.” – Coe-Brown’s Josh Hils
Records: Portsmouth 1-1; Coe-Brown 1-1
GIRLS’ CROSS COUNTRY
Coe-Brown first, John Stark third
Key players: Coe-Brown – Ella Malone (2nd), Autumn Graham (3rd), Sarah Dupuis (4th), Raven Barnes (6th), Addison Cox (7th); John Stark – Madison McDonald (14th), Laura Martin (15th), Hailey Erskine (17th), Katelyn Brennan (19th), Haleigh Bilodeau (20th)
Highlights/key moments: The Bears, led freshman Malone (22:31), won a five-team meet on their home course to open the season. Coe-Brown (22) topped Mascenic (57), John Stark (68), Goffstown (113) and Sanborn (119). Mascenic’s Samantha Bilodeau (22:04) was the individual winner.
Coe-Brown second, John Stark fourth
Key players: Coe-Brown – Dawson Dubois (4th), Cody Tanguay (12th), Evan Tanguay (13th), Jacob Spainhower (14th), Shane Cameron (15th); John Stark – Brandon Langdon (2nd), Jack Hagan (25th), Erik Hilyard (31st)
Highlights/key moments: The Bears finished second in their season-opening meet on their home course. Mascenic’s Dakota Somero (17:53) won the race ahead of Stark’s Langdon (17:58) and led the Vikings (27 points) to the win over Coe-Brown (58), Sanborn (70), John Stark (100) and Goffstown (119).