Both teams had their chances, but Cady Loos made the most of hers, scoring in overtime to lift the John Stark Generals (9-4-2) to a 1-0 victory over the Pembroke Spartans (7-8) on Monday.
The Spartans had more chances in the first half with seniors Danielle Parent and Delanie St. Laurent creating most of Pembroke’s opportunities.
But Cara Easter and Sara Nikias locked down the middle of the field and allowed the Generals to take more chances of their own, especially in the second half.
“Easter and Nikias closed the center down and took away any movement and momentum Pembroke tried to build,” John Stark Head Coach Chris Pike said. “The girls remembered their practices and drills and positioned themselves perfectly, which stopped the corner kicks goals we knew Pembroke are good at.”
Closing down the middle of the field allowed the Generals to get more shots on goal and senior Abby Brandt and sophomore Chelsea Woodsum both made “beautiful runs,” according to Pike. Woodsum put some long balls on target, drawing out Pembroke’s defense.
The Spartans senior goalkeeper Vickey Mudgett faced a barrage of shots in the second half, but some incredible saves from Mudgett and strong defense from senior Courtney Jacques kept John Stark off the board.
John Stark outshot Pembroke, 22-18, in the match.
Pembroke garnered more opportunities in extra time, but Loos fired a high strike over Mudgett’s head into the far corner for the game-winner.
“The girls played their hearts out for our seniors, and even though it doesn’t show on the scoreboard today, it showed on the field,” Pembroke Head Coach Jess Croft said. “I’m very impressed with this gutsy group.”
There is one week left in the regular season and both teams were assured of spots in the 16-team Division II tournament when they walked off the pitch at Pembroke Acadmey, but the match was meaningful for both teams for a variety of reasons.
For the Generals, the win ended their two-game losing streak (including a 6-0 loss to Bow in their previous match) and puts them in ninth-place in D-II. The win also keeps them in contention for hosting a playoff game, provided John Stark beats Trinity (2-11-1) in their final game on Friday.
For Pembroke, the effort put forward against the defending D-II champions shows the Spartans have the ability to play even with the best teams in the division.
The Spartans have lost three out of their last four matches, but those loses have been against Bow (14-1), Merrimack Valley (10-4) and John Stark, with their win coming against Pelham (10-4-1).
Pembroke’s tough schedule continues when it closes the season on Saturday against second-place Souhegan (11-1-2).
Pembroke is currently in 14th in the D-II standings, but a win could move the Spartans into a more favorable draw for the tournament.
“We always hope to peak at the right time (in October), and it is looking that way for us,” Croft said.
GIRLS’ SOCCER
Bow 9, Kennett 0
Key players: Bow – Amanda Marshall (2 goals), Lea Crompton (goal), Miah Munro (goal), Brianna Boone (goal), Anna Lafreniere (goal), Emma Gagne (goal), Sarah Martin (goal, assist), Meredith Osburn (2 assists), Gwen Molind (assist), Bridgette Ehrenberg and Emma Wilke (combined shutout in goal).
Highlights/key moments: Crompton scored her first varsity goal and the Falcons utilized a balanced attack in a rout of the Eagles.
Coach’s quote: “It took awhile to get the first goal, but once we did, it opened things up and let the girls relax on senior night. There were a number of very pretty goals. It was great to see all the senior field players Lea, Gwen, Sarah and Meredith get either a goal or an assist today and Bridgette combine in goal for a shutout.” – Bow’s Jay Vogt
Records: Bow (14-1-0); Kennett (2-10-1)
Bishop Brady 9, Monadnock 0
Key players: Bishop Brady – Danni DesRuisseaux (4 goals), Lauren Beitler (goal), Emily Senko (goal, assist), Emlee Sanuth (goal), Dana Fahey (goal, assist), Sarah Doherty (goal), Ashley Gearing (2 assists), Olivia Crainich (2 assists)
Highlights/key moments: The Giants offense scorched the Huskies, netting nine goals including a particularly nice goal from DesRuisseau. Crainich played a tremendous through ball to the foot of DesRuisseaux who touched it around the goalie and tapped it into the side of the net.
Coach’s quote: “It was fun recognizing the 14 seniors on the team this year. Everybody was positive and energetic which led a solid team win.” – Bishop Brady’s Andrew Mattarazzo
Records: Brady 12-2-1; Monadnock 0-15-0
Merrimack Valley 5, Plymouth 3
Key players: MV – Dillon Arrant (3 goals), Logan Cassin (goal), Coby Mercier (goal)
Highlights/key moments: The Pride went up, 5-0, but had a couple mistakes in the back that allowed the Bobcats to get two quick goals before halftime. The entire MV backline locked down in the second half and held on for the win.
Coach’s quote: “We came out ready to go today. For us to go up 5-0 was a huge confidence booster for us and allowed us to play our game. Every single player on this team came together for this win today and it showed in the end. It’s great to move above .500. These guys have worked hard and I am glad to see it pay off tonight.” – MV’s Ken Fuller
Records: MV 8-7-0; Plymouth 9-6
Belmont 7, Franklin 0
Key players: Belmont – Caleb Burke (goal), Zach Duclos (goal), Devin Bricknell (goal), Evan Cochran (goal), Dylan Greer (goal), Lucas Mathieu (goal), Nate Sottak (goal); Franklin – Christian Shepard (defense), Hanna Hicks (defense)
Highlights/key moments: Burke, Duclos, Bricknell, Cochran and Greer all scored their first career varsity goals and the Raiders built a 6-0 halftime lead to snap their two-game losing streak.
Coach’s quote: “We were able to move the ball really well and give guys opportunities to have good looks at the goal. We’re trying to build and get ready for the playoffs.” – Belmont’s Mike Foley
Records: Belmont 9-4-1; Franklin 0-14-0
John Stark 3, Hanover 2
Key players: John Stark – Hannah Chartier (12 kills, 8 aces, 11 digs), Sydney Story (12 kills), Sarah Wagner (10 kills), Nicole Yelle (40 assists, 4 aces, 3 kills)
Highlights/key moments: The Generals had a slow start, losing the first set, 25-22, but came back to win the second and third sets, 25-16, 25-15. Hanover won a tightly contested fourth set, 25-21, but John Stark took control early in the fifth set and hung on to win, 15-10.
Coach’s quote: “We played good enough to win tonight, but not our best volleyball. We need to find our stride and play our best volleyball if we want to finish the regular season strong.” – John Stark’s Jeff McClellan
Records: John Stark 10-4; Hanover 5-9
Farmington 3, Franklin 0
Key players: Franklin – Lexy Lynch (3 blocks, 2 digs, ace, kill), Sydney Ericson (2 digs), Sarah Sorette (2 digs), Fayth Kaspszak (2 digs, ace, tip)
Highlights/key moments: The Tornadoes dropped a match in straight sets against the Tigers.
Records: Farmington 12-2; Franklin 1-13
Inter-Lakes 3, Nute 0
Key players: I-L – Emma Wheeler (8 kills, 8 service points, 4 blocks), Jessalyn Brown (17 assists, 10 service points, 3 aces), Hailey Hart (14 service points, 4 aces, 3 kills), Sarah Seeley (8 service points, 4 digs)
Highlights/key moments: The Lakers remained undefeated with a win against the Rams in straight sets.
Coach’s quote: “This was a solid road win for the Lakers.” – I-L’s Randy Mattson
Records: I-L 14-0; Nute 7-7
Epping 3, Pittsfield 2
Key players: Pittsfield – Emma Smith (20 digs, 17 kills), Emily Dunagin (11 digs, 17 assists), Arianna Cyr (16 digs, 14 kills, 2 service points)
Highlights/key moments: The Panthers started out strong, winning the first set, 25-20, but the Blue Devils tied it by winning the second set, 25-20. The Panthers regained the lead with a 25-22 win in the third set, but Epping won the fourth and fifth sets, 25-15, 15-11 to close out the match. The fifth was tied, 9-9, before the Blue Devils won some key points to secure the victory.
Coach’s quote: “The Lady Panthers played very well throughout the match. We did have some troubles again with service errors, but other than that the girls played as a team and are showing they are much improved over previous years.” – Pittsfield’s Paul Strickhart
Records: Epping 9-6; Pittsfield 7-6