The last game was one to forget for the Laconia field hockey team.
“We kind of got beat up by Gilford, and that’s never fun,” Laconia Coach Marcy Kelley said.
So the Sachems planned on having more fun when they traveled to Bishop Brady on Friday. That joyful attitude, plus an increased work rate, 15 saves from Sierra Keats and two goals from Olivia Connelly, led the Sachems (2-3) to a 2-1 win.
“Our focus has been on effort and second effort,” Kelley said. “Everybody gets beat, but who will come back with that second effort? We wanted them to do that, and to just enjoy playing field hockey.”
Brady was the first team to find some fun. The Giants (0-4) opened the scoring at 10:48 of the first half on an unassisted goal from Lauren Roy. Laconia answered two minutes later when Connelly scored the first of her two goals.
The game stayed tied until halftime, but Connelly struck again early in the second half to give the Sachems a 2-1 lead.
The Giants pressed hard for the tying goal, and they created some good chances for themselves, but they couldn’t find that final touch.
“A lot of offensive possession for the girls this afternoon, just a tough time finishing in front of the net,” Brady Coach Kelly Owen said. “But we’re getting better every game.”
Keats deserves plenty of credit for Brady’s finishing difficulties.
“Sierra was phenomenal,” Kelley said. “They had a handful of good chances, a ball would get hit into the circle and then redirected, but Sierra responded quickly every time. She had great stick saves, great glove saves. She was all over the place.”
It’s the first win for the Sachems since their season-opener, and the girls took the time to enjoy it.
“They were all pumped,” Kelley said. “The entire team really played well.”
Newfound 5, Pembroke 0
Key players: Newfound – Jasmine Peterson (2 goals, assist), Tiffany Doan (goal), Julianne Marchand (2 goals, assist), Kylee MacDonald (assist), Caroline Marchand (assist); Pembroke – Josie Stotlar (goalie), Maddie Gaskell (goalie)
Highlights/key moments: Newfound remained undefeated in convincing fashion, holding major advantages in both shots (22-2) and corners (11-2).
Coach’s quote: “It was a great opportunity for the bench to step in today and contribute in the game.” – Newfound’s Karri Peterson
“Pembroke came out flat in the first half and Newfound scored three goals. We played a much better second half. They were a good team and we needed to play our best the whole game.” – Pembroke’s Aimee Monterio
Records: Newfound 6-0; Pembroke 1-5
John Stark 2, Conant 0
Key players: Stark – Elizabeth Aubin (goal), Lauren Zervos (goal), Olivia Fatcheric (assist), Tyler Descoteau (assist), Melina Jackson (shutout)
Highlights/key moments: Zervos smacked home a rebound off a Fatcheric shot to give the Generals a 1-0 lead in the second half. Aubin added an insurance goal as Stark earned its first win of the season.
Coach’s quote: “Very happy for all our girls today. They’ve been getting better every game and practice and today we broke through. We knew it was just a matter of time.” – Stark’s Dennis Pelletier
Records: John Stark 1-4; Conant 0-5
Hopkinton 6, Kearsarge 0
Key players: Hopkinton – Katie Meserve (3 goals), Tora Thornley (goal), Amelia Thomas (goal), Fiona Bean (goal), Chloe Wood (2 assists), Avery Barrett (2 assists); Kearsarge – Marissa Pickman (10 saves)
Highlights/key moments: It was the second hat trick of the season for Meserve, and the second shutout of the season for Hopkinton goalie Maddie McCluskey (one save).
Coach’s quote: “Glad to get back on the winning side. The Hawks are playing together and really starting to play as a team.” – Hopkinton’s Patricia Connolly
Records: Hopkinton 3-2; Kearsarge 1-3
Pelham 4, Bow 1
Key players: Bow – Erin Boldwin (goal), Shannon Ford (assist), Jennie Ess and Elizabeth Guertin (solid midfield), Bri Mullen and Emma Hilton (strong defense).
Coach’s quote: “The Falcons played great field hockey today. While they controlled much of the game they were frustrated by being held to just one goal. We have identified areas for improvement and will continue to grow as a team.” – Bow’s Rebecca Cleary
Records: Bow 3-2; Pelham 6-0
Concord 1, Nashua South 0
Key players: Concord – Grace Devanny (goal), Autumm Nudd (shutout), Caitlyn Kelly (defense)
Highlights/key moments: Devanny scored the game’s lone goal with 15 minutes left on the clock when she broke through the South defense and slotted the ball into the far corner.
Coach’s quote: “It was a great road win for our team. We were in control of the game for most of it, but couldn’t find the back of the net. Going into this game we knew Nashua South was one of the teams to beat this year, but the girls responded well to come away with another solid win.” – Concord’s Phil Tuttle
Records: Concord 5-1; Nashua South 4-2
Bow 4, Oyster River 2
Key players: Bow – Madi Paul (2 goals), Lindsay Burnham (assist), Emma Gagne (PK goal), Kayleigh Marshall (goal), Kimberly Gosselin (midfield), Gwen Molind (defense), Amanda Marshall (midfield), Taylor Burnham (defense), Bridget Ehrenberg (goalie)
Highlights/key moments: Paul scored Bow’s first two goals and both of them belonged on a highlight reel. Things were all tied up deep into the game, but the Falcons found a pair of late goals to hand Oyster River its first loss of the season.
Coach’s quote: “This was an excellent, high intensity game where both teams gave everything they had.” – Bow’s Jay Vogt
Records: Bow 6-1; Oyster River 3-1
Hopkinton 2, Raymond 0
Key players: Hopkinton – Grace Clark (2 goals), Taylor Signor (2 assists), Amelia Basset (8 saves), Ellie Owen, Lillie Presti, Caitlin Ball
Highlights/key moments: After a scoreless first half, the Clark-Signor combo gave the Hawks a 1-0 lead in the 51st minute and then made it 2-0 in the 73rd minute. It was the first loss of the season for Raymond.
Records: Hopkinton 4-1-2; Raymond 5-1
John Stark 3, Pelham 0
Key players: Stark – Sydney Story (6 kills), Sarah Wagner (5 kills), Hannah Chartier (5 kills, 5 aces), Nicole Yelle (17 assists, 7 aces)
Highlights/key moments: The Generals rebounded from Wednesday’s 3-0 loss to Milford with a convincing 25-10, 25-12, 25-17 win at home.
Coach’s quote: “This was the first complete match we’ve played this season. We’re a good team when we play with passion and determination.” – Stark’s Jeff McClellan
Records: John Stark 3-2; Pelham 1-4
Winnisquam 3, Newfound 0
Key players: Winnisquam – Madison Skeats (14 digs, 4 kills), Shannon Goodwin (17 kills, 4 digs), Gabby Isabelle (11 digs, 7 kills), Talia DeBlasie (28 assists, 4 kills, 3 digs), Olivia Dill (12 digs), Aubrey St. Onge (6 digs, 2 kills)
Highlights/key moments: Winnisquam won its fifth straight with the 25-12, 25-19, 25-15 decision at home.
Coach’s quote: “This was probably the best match we’ve played so far and Newfound is the strongest team we’ve faced … We’ve been working a lot on service return and that was strong for us tonight.” – Winnisquam’s Mike Livernois
Records: Winnisquam 5-0; Newfound 3-2
Farmington 3, Hillsboro-Deering 0
Key players: H-D – Kaelyn Snair (2 digs, block kill), Lydia Powell (kill), Meg Wheeler (2 digs, kill), Eva Evans (assist), Mackenzie Murdough (assist)
Highlights/key moments:
Coach’s quote: “The Hillcats played great tonight against a really strong Farmington team. They showed improvement in their serve receive and coverage. Although they didn’t win, they played hard for all three sets and left it all out on the court.” – H-D’s Shannon Synan
Records: H-D 1-4; Farmington 4-0
Inter-Lakes 3, Moultonborough 0
Key players: Inter-Lakes – Jessalyn Brown (16 assists, 12 service points, 8 digs), Emma Wheeler (6 kills, 3 blocks, 9 digs, 10 service points), Morgan White (7 service points, 5 kills, 5 digs), Delaney Smith (5 kills)
Coach’s quote: “Great atmosphere for the annual Pink Game between these two long-time rivals. Big crowd in support of the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer 2017 Campaign … I’m very pleased with my team’s ability to stay focused and determined as they faced the defending D-III champions.” – Inter-Lakes’ Randy Mattson
Records: Inter-Lakes 3-0; Moultonborough 2-2
Mascoma 3, Franklin 2
Key players: Franklin – Peyton Farnsworth (2 aces), Lexy Lynch (4 tips)
Coach’s quote: “This was an emotional night for the girls as we are grieving the loss of a staff member. Additionally, we had an injury tonight that shook up the girls. They played really well and fought hard … we just came up short.” – Franklin’s Stephanie Shepard
Records: Franklin 0-5; Mascoma 2-2