Coming off a surprising opening-day loss, the players on the Hopkinton boys’ soccer team were hungry to show why they are the defending Division III runner-ups and a force to be reckoned with again.
Senior forward Paul Molnar scored two goals in the 11th minute, just seconds apart, and completed his hat trick with a strike in the 14th minute as the Hawks (1-1) shut out the Mascenic Vikings, 5-0, in New Ipswich on Tuesday.
“I don’t know what happened the first game,” said Hopkinton head coach Scott Zipke, referring to Friday’s 5-3 loss to White Mountains. “We played much more inspired soccer tonight. … They were fired up today to show what they could do. It was a good day for us to rebound.”
Molnar used some fancy footwork to beat a big, hard-working Mascenic (0-1) defense and slotted home a shot in the 11th minute. Just moments later, Molnar won possession of the ball on the ensuing kick and delivered home a second strike for a quick 2-0 lead.
In the 14th minute Shea Dickson drove a screaming shot to the net that Molnar deflected with the slightest of touch.
Molnar’s goal in the 14th minute was his fourth goal of the season. He also scored a goal in the loss to White Mountains (junior defender Derek West scored the other two goals), a good sign for the Hawks, which lost the program’s all-time leading scorer, Gerry Donahue, to graduation.
“I can’t complain about him not picking up the goals that Gerry is leaving behind,” Zipke said. “There are certainly holes to fill, but guys are stepping up and figuring it out.”
The Hawks also lost one the division’s best central midfielders, Max Rossignol, to graduation, but Dickson, only a sophomore, settled nicely into the attacking midfield role in Tuesday’s match, helping Hopkinton control the pace of play.
“We played good soccer the whole game,” Zipke said. “The timing of the goals happened in flurries, but we had other chances (including a penalty kick saved by the Mascenic keeper).”
Sophomore forward Logan Rockwood took advantage of an errant clearance from the Vikings’ defense to net his first career varsity goal in the 56th minute and senior midfielder Corey Breault stole the ball and attacked the net to round out Hopkinton’s scoring in the 58th minute.
West “played a stellar game on the backline,” according to Zipke, while senior Pete Sintros also played well in the back. Junior Sam Crawford needed just three saves to earn the clean sheet between the pipes.
Hopkinton’s squad is starting to settle in, and not a moment too soon. The Hawks play the defending champions, Derryfield, in a rematch of last year’s D-III final on Thursday in Hopkinton. Derryfield won the last meeting, 2-1.
Bow 2, Lebanon 1, OT
Key players: Bow – Max Elsasser (G, A), Aidan Westenberg (G), Ryan Leonard (A), Sean Miclette (defense), Graham Weisberg (defense), Joseph Rychwalski (goalie)
Highlights/key moments: For the second time in as many games, the Falcons gave up a lead and allowed their opponents to force overtime, but Westenberg scored his first varsity goal off a great service from Elsasser in overtime, lifting the Falcons to a thrilling win over the Raiders. Lebanon tied the match, 1-1, 20 minutes into the second half, but Bow stemmed the Raiders’ momentum and created several quality chances late in the game.
Coach’s quote: “A great team win under trying weather conditions. I don’t think the soccer gods had temperatures in the 90s and humidity you could cut with a knife in mind when they created the game. We toughed it out to win. The team stepped it up from last Friday’s debacle.” – Bow’s George Pinkham
Records: Bow 1-1; Lebanon 1-1
Coe-Brown 2, John Stark 0
Key players: Coe-Brown – Hogan Cain (6 saves), Ryan Whitcher (G), Ben Healey (G), Cayden Donoghue (A), Mason Winiarski (A); John Stark – Jaimason Lacasse (7 saves)
Highlights/key moments: The Bears’ defense was solid against dangerous John Stark set pieces in Coe-Brown’s end and Cain batted several balls out of the 6-yard box to hold on to a victory in Northwood.
Coach’s quote: “Despite the heat, our guys put in a worthy effort. That’s something we haven’t lacked from day one. These guys are committed, especially in working to make steady improvements game-in and game-out. It’s a good foundation for being a strong team throughout this season.” – Coe-Brown’s Christian Gompert
“We have a lot of respect for Coe-Brown’s program as they played us very well in the playoffs last year and did not graduate many seniors. They played a solid match overall. We didn’t play with the urgency needed to be successful against a top club. We hope that will change for future matches.” – John Stark’s Eddie Marceau
Records: Coe-Brown 2-0; John Stark 1-1
John Stark 3, Plymouth 1
Key players: John Stark – Lexi Knapton (G), Chloe Astholtz (G), Alex Pike (G), Makayla Couturier (A)
Highlights/key moments: Astholtz, returning from a knee injury, scored off a set piece from far outside the 18-yard box and the defensive unit of Hannah Marquis, Olivia Sohl, Autumn Nelson and Meg Cole played a pivotal role in shutting down Plymouth’s attack to help the Generals secure their second win of the season.
Coach’s quote: “The team has excellent leadership with captains Hannah Marquis, Sara Nikias and great group of seniors who have stepped up to bring the team together on and off the field.” – John Stark’s Chris Pike
Records: John Stark 2-0; Plymouth 0-2
Kearsarge 2, Stevens 0
Key players: Kearsarge – Payten Hebert (13 saves), Caroline Camp (G), Emilie Webster (G), Jordan Busch (A), Emily Folcik (A), Hailey Lacombe (defense)
Highlights/key moments: Stevens was strong in the midfield and quick on the counterattack, but Hebert made some fantastic saves and Lacombe made some key stops on defense to preserve the shutout for the Cougars in their first match of the season.
Coach’s quote: “Hard fought match. Our keeper had some fantastic saves to seal the shutout.” – Kearsarge’s Emily Wagaman
Records: Kearsarge 1-0; Stevens 1-1
Belmont 6, Berlin 0
Key players: Belmont – Katie Gagnon (2 G), Rebecca Fleming (2 G), Julianna Estremera (2 G), Morgan Rule (A), Deanna Bourque (A)
Highlights/key moments: The Raiders earned a shutout on their home field thanks to the play of the back four of Sana Syed, Lizzie Fleming, Kaitlyn Delisle and Morgan Hall. The back four anchored the defense in front of Madison Lima and Emma Cochran, who split time in goal to earn the shutout.
Records: Belmont 1-0-1; Berlin 0-2
Bow 3, Milford 0
Key players: Bow – Charlotte Clement (G), Elizabeth Guertin (G), Brenna Novakoski (G), Falon Labrecque (A), Emma Hilton (defense)
Highlights/key moments: The Falcons started their return to D-II on a high note, shutting out the Spartans in the opener for both teams.
Coach’s quote: “It was very hot today so I made frequent substitutions which could have been chaotic, but the girls made seamless transitions. They were quick to the ball and made smart passes. It feels great to start the season with a win.” – Bow’s Rebecca Cleary
Records: Bow 1-0; Milford 0-1
Hanover 6, John Stark 0
Key players: John Stark – Sydnee Pelletier (15 saves), Kasey Arnold (midfield), Elizabeth Aubin (midfield), Olivia Desainde (sweeper)
Highlights/key moments: The Generals had a tough test in their inaugural D-II matchup against the title-contending Marauders.
Coach’s quote: “Hanover is an excellent team and you can clearly see why they are the favorites in D-II this season. I am proud of our effort tonight on a hot, muggy evening.” – John Stark’s Dennis Pelletier
Records: Hanover 1-0; John Stark 0-1
Plymouth 6, Pembroke 1
Key players: Pembroke – Maddie Bennett (G), Ali Corriveau (A), Kelsey Larson (A), Alex Bonacorsi (defense)
Highlights/key moments: The Spartans played well in the second half, but couldn’t overcome a halftime deficit against the Bobcats in their first game of the season.
Coach’s quote: “After a tough first half, Pembroke came out making major adjustments and dominated a lot of the second half. I’m proud of them for finishing the game strong and for putting one in the net.” – Pembroke’s Aimee Monterio
Records: Plymouth 1-0; Pembroke 0-1
White Mountains 4, Franklin 0
Key players: Franklin – Jasmyn Long (25 saves)
Highlights/key moments: Long faced a barrage of shots in net and the Spartans broke onto the scoreboard 10 minutes into the game.
Coach’s quote: “The girls put up a good fight against a great opponent, but today definitely showed us what our weak points are as team. Now we know what to work on and build up from there for the rest of the season.” – Franklin’s Shelby Joyce
Records: White Mtns. 1-0; Franklin 0-1
Hopkinton 6, Mascenic 1
Key players: Hopkinton – Katie Meserve (2 G), Fiona Beane (2 G), Emma Tworek (G), Chloe Wood (G), Avery Barrett (3 A), Amelia Thomas (defense)
Highlights/key moments: Beane and Meserve each netted a pair of goals to lead the Hawks to a season-opening victory over the Vikings.
Coach’s quote: “It feels great to start the season with a win. The girls looked good and they played well together.” – Hopkinton assistant Kate Hohenberger
Records: Hopkinton 1-0; Mascenic 0-1