PEMBROKE – It was only the third game of the season, but it still felt big.
First, it was a pair of 2-0 teams from neighboring towns. For the Bow boys’ soccer team, it was a third straight game against a Division II semifinalist from last year. For Pembroke Academy, it was a chance to beat the team that had already taken down defending champion Goffstown and 2016 runner-up Lebanon.
The match lived up to expectations in terms of quality, and it was Pembroke that grabbed the chance to make an early-season statement with a 1-0 win.
“I like that it was a 2-0 team that we beat,” PA goalie Tyler Smith said. “I like that we broke up their momentum.”
There was also plenty to like from the Bow side, despite the final result.
“They did some good things and I thought we did, too,” Bow Coach George Pinkham said. “To come in here and play a one-goal game against a team like that, I’m happy with it. That’s the kind of game you see in the tournament.”
The Spartans needed just 10 minutes to find the game’s first goal. Damon Smith, Pembroke’s offensive catalyst and a First Team D-II pick last year along with Tyler Smith (no relation), was fouled 35 yards from goal and took the free kick himself. He delivered a perfect ball into the box and Justin Smith (Tyler’s twin) timed his run and header just right, leaving Bow goalie Joe Rychwalski (five saves) no chance.
“That’s pretty much the way we practice it,” Justin Smith said. “I was looking to go back post and cut in front of the goalie and Damon put it in the right place. That’s how we try to do it every time.”
“It was a great goal, a well-executed goal, but we have to defend that better,” Pinkham said.
The Falcons responded well to the goal, slowly gaining the edge in possession and territory. Bow defenders Ben Guertin, Brian Bushnell and Graham Weisberg made sure the Spartans didn’t increase their lead, while midfielders Chris Gallier, Chris Besho and Matt Ferland pushed the attack. Those efforts gave Bow a 4-1 edge in first-half corners and created several good chances, but they didn’t lead to a goal against the Smith twins and outside backs Jake Mavity and Andrew Nedeau.
After halftime, the Spartans tilted the match in their favor. Some of that was the wind (it was at Bow’s back in the first half), but most of it was PA.
“I thought we were a little crisper in the second half,” Pembroke Coach Pete Bisson said. “They were pushing forward a little bit, so that helped open it up for us, too. They were getting antsy for that goal.”
The Falcons may have been antsy, but it was the Spartans who were sniffing the net. Connor Manteau, Josh Dion and Matt Ferguson all had quality chances in the first 10 minutes, including a chip shot from Ferguson that hit off the corner of the crossbar and post.
Dion, who was a blur of offensive danger for most of the game, had to leave with a knock in the middle of the second half, but the Spartans didn’t skip a beat as Cameron Rivard came on to create his own brand of physical pressure. By the end, Pembroke outshot Bow 10-0 in the second half.
The Falcons will get another crack at the Spartans when they visit Bow on Oct. 6. That match is already marked on some calendars.
“It’s good to get that win against a team that we’ll see again,” Bisson said. “That’s a team you want to play well against.”
(Tim O’Sullivan can be reached at 369-3341, tosullivan@cmonitor.com or on Twitter @timosullivan20)
FOOTBALL
Lebanon 32, Merrimack Valley 14
Key players: Merrimack Valley – Braeden Miller (57-yard TD pass, 43-yard run, 15 tackles/assists), Matt Burke (15 tackles/assists, forced fumble, fumble recovery, 4-yard TD called back), Cam Tillman (57-yard TD reception)
Highlights/key moments: Lebanon jumped out to an early 13-0 lead and led 26-6 in the second quarter, but the Pride scored before halftime to cut it to 26-14 and Merrimack Valley remained competitive in the second half.
Coach’s quote: “I’m proud of the way the boys hung in there. … The defense really buttoned up and played them tight in the second half.” – MV’s Jim Coll
Records: Lebanon 1-0; Merrimack Valley 0-1
Laconia 10, Newport 1
Key players: Laconia – Kaleb Shumway (3 goals), Thomas Turpin (goal, 4 assists), Colby Reid (2 goals, 2 assists), Tanner Shore (goal, assist)
Highlights/key moments: The Sachems offense came to life, scoring four goals in the first half thanks to some savvy playmaking from Shumway and Turpin. Newport’s lone goal came on a penalty kick late in the first half.
Coach’s quote: “It’s always great to have an offensive performance like today, especially after being shutout in the opener.” – Laconia’s Joey DiTommaso
Records: Laconia 1-1; Newport 0-3
St. Thomas 3, Coe-Brown 2, 2OT
Key players: Coe-Brown – Jose Victor de Souza Barreira (goal), Tyler Troy (goal)
Highlights/key moments: The Bears used a pair of penalty kicks in each half to account for their goals but were stung by the Saints in double overtime. St. Thomas received a free kick halfway into the second extra period and buried it for the game-winner.
Records: Coe-Brown 2-1; St. Thomas
Belmont 1, Berlin 0, OT
Key players: Belmont – Zach Ennis (goal), Griffin Embree (assist), Jake Deware (3 saves)
Highlights/key moments: Despite their 19-3 advantage in shots on goal, the Raiders found themselves in a tight match and needed overtime to pull it out. Belmont finally found some relief just a minute into the extra period when a shot was deflected up in the air and Ennis finished it off by flicking it over a pair of Berlin defenders.
Coach’s quote: “We’re playing really nice soccer right now and we put a tremendous amount of pressure on Berlin. … Their keeper was just amazing and clearly kept them in this game.” – Belmont’s Michael Foley
Records: Belmont 3-0; Berlin 1-2
Pembroke 3, Sanborn 1
Key players: Pembroke – Hannah Serafin (defense, assist), Kayla Paquin (goal, assist), Hannah Brown (goal), Danielle Parent (goal)
Highlights/key moments: The Spartans locked this one up early, scoring three goals in a 15-minute span in the first half to grab the victory on the road.
Coach’s quote: “The girls dusted themselves off after Tuesday’s loss and got back to business as usual.” – Pembroke’s Jess Croft
Records: Pembroke 2-1; Sanborn 1-1
Kearsarge 1, John Stark 0
Key players: Stark – Olivia Fatcheric (7 shots on goal), Olivia Desainde (3 shots), Melina Jackson (goalie)
Highlights/key moments: While the Cougars were the ones to jump out to an early first-half lead, it was the Generals who dominated play in the second half. Despite the pressure, though, Stark couldn’t manufacture a goal.
Coach’s quote: “We played our hearts out today and carried the majority of the play in the second half. We just couldn’t capitalize on any of our numerous scoring chances.” – Stark’s Dennis Pelletier
Records: Kearsarge 1-1; Stark 0-2
Laconia 3, Fall Mountain 0
Key players: Laconia – Avy Bartlett (9 kills, 3 aces); Maddy Todd (8 kills, 7 digs, ace)
Highlights/key moments: The Sachems wasted no time getting back into the groove of things, picking up the win with a sweep in the opener.
Coach’s quote: “After a long offseason we were really excited to start playing volleyball again and it showed with the intensity of our girls tonight.” – Laconia’s Jeff Twombly
Records: Laconia 1-0; Fall Mountain 0-1
St. Thomas 3, John Stark 0
Key players: Stark – Nicole Yelle (15 assists, 7 aces), Hannah Chartier (8 kills, 7 digs), Sydney Story (6 blocks)
Highlights/key moments: The Generals actually controlled most of the first set, but couldn’t halt a strong run from St. Thomas in falling, 25-23. The Saints would take the final two sets, 25-13, 25-16.
Coach’s quote: “It’s the first match and we will learn from our mistakes.” – Stark’s Jeff McClellan
Records: St. Thomas 1-0; Stark 0-1
Portsmouth Christian 3,
Hillsboro-Deering 0
Key players: H-D – Maddee O’Brien (2 aces, defense)
Highlights/key moments: Going up against a tough PCA team, the Hillcats lost the opening set, 25-18, and the Eagles took control from there with 25-11 and 25-10 victories in the final two games.
Records: H-D 0-1; Portsmouth Christian 1-0
Winnisquam 3, Mascenic 0
Key players: Winnisquam – Shannon Goodwin (15 kills, 11 digs), Gabby Isabelle (12 kills, 12 digs), Talia DeBlasie (27 assists, 5 kills, 9 digs), Madisyn Skeats (5 digs, 4 kills, perfect service-receive), Aubrey St. Onge (8 digs, 2 assists)
Highlights/key moments: The Bears dominated throughout, cruising to victories of 25-12, 25-16 and 25-14 to sweep the season-opening match.
Records: Winnisquam 1-0; Mascenic 0-1