Coming off the high of notching its first win over Manchester Central in more than two years on Tuesday, it was reasonable to expect a letdown performance Wednesday afternoon for the Concord girls’ soccer team on short rest against another quality opponent.
“That was a big win for us,” Concord coach Phil Tuttle said. “I know the girls were up for that last night, but then obviously we were just talking a lot about how disappointing it would be if we won last night and came out and lost today.”
The Tide won’t have to worry about that feeling.
Concord shook off a sluggish first half, found its offensive footing over the final 40 minutes and picked up its second victory in as many nights over a team in the playoff hunt, blanking Goffstown, 3-0, at Memorial Field to help the Tide continue its climb up the standings in Division I.
“We were still trying to find ourselves a little in the first half, but after halftime the girls just came out flying and obviously we scored three goals in the second half to finish off a team like this,” Tuttle said. “Coming into this game, Goffstown basically had the same record as we did. We were sitting right next to each other in the standings. So it was a tough game against a good team and this was great.”
The win allowed Concord (7-4) to leapfrog Goffstown (6-5-1) in the standings, but more importantly, provided a confidence boost to a group that now feels like they can hang with anybody.
“It’s just showing us that we got this,” midfielder Katherine Potter said. “We’re a competitor now. We’re not in the middle of the pack, we’re making our way up the line.”
Goffstown held a slight advantage in play through the first half. The Grizzlies were getting the better of the chances and forcing Concord’s back line to chase balls over the top.
But nothing was developing inside the 18-yard box, especially for the Tide, which entered the break without a shot on goal.
“The big thing at halftime was just possession overall,” Tuttle said. “That’s really a huge part of our game: Keep possession and create a lot of goal-scoring opportunities out of that and in the second half we did that much, much, much better.”
Concord finally broke through in the 39th minute off a corner.
Mary Martinson sent a high-arcing cross just past the near post. Several Goffstown defenders tried to clear it away before it hit the ground, but the ball dropped right inside the box right near the goal line and Ashley Plante got a foot on it to knock it in for the 1-0 lead.
That combination worked again for Concord 16 minutes later as Plante played a through ball to Martinson on a breakaway, and Martinson beat a hard-charging goalie to the spot and kicked into the back of a wide-open net.
“When we can find feet and make passes, our game goes from a one to 100. It’s crazy how much it changes,” Plante said. “We’re making these passes, finding our girls and making the right runs and hitting it in, it’s stuff we lacked a lot at the beginning of the season that we’re now finally finding.”
Concord wasn’t done, either, adding its third goal of the half in the 70th minute. Kelsey Mayer took the ball up the left side and played a perfect cross over to Amelia Hofford, who volleyed it in for her first goal of the season to lock up the victory.
Pleased with the offensive showing, Tuttle was just as happy with the Tide’s defensive performance and the ability for the back line – Lillian Rienstra, Allison Yanski, Jennifer Graham – to adjust to Goffstown’s style of play.
The long passes over the top that Goffstown had used so effectively in the first half were no longer a problem for the Tide, and with a player the caliber of Autumn Nudd in net, the Grizzlies were bottled up.
“There were a lot of times in the first half that (Goffstown) was playing longer balls and we were chasing, chasing, chasing and they were getting some opportunities out of that,” Tuttle said. “In the second half we were really able to shut that down, so a really good adjustment by our girls in the back and with Autumn playing in goal, she just eats up so much for us over the top and played another great game for us.”
Concord has now won five of its last six as the team seems to be peaking at the right time with five games left in the regular season, including a home match against Manchester Memorial next on Friday.
“It just feels really good to finally have control of our game on the field,” Plante said.
(Jay McAree can be reached at 369-3371, jmcaree@cmonitor.com or on Twitter @JayMcAree.)
Pembroke 7, Kingswood 1
Key players: Pembroke – Hannah Picott (2G), Iso Gill (2G), Sam Muise (G), Lauren Simmons (Assist), Maddie Bailey (G), Cierra Hill (G, A), Riley Kennedy (effort in net), Morgan Ranfos Lexi Provencher (defensive play)
Highlights: Gill started the scoring in the fifth minute while Muise and Picott recorded their first goals of the season as the Spartans cruised to the win at home. Pembroke played for the cause and the cure in honor of Making Strides Against Breast Cancer in their annual pink out game.
Coach’s quote: “We have come to hold this pink out game as tradition and it really fueled the girls to victory today. We were already victorious for raising money for this important cause, and that makes this win even more special.” – Pembroke’s Jess Kaufman
Records: Pembroke 10-1; Kingswood 1-11
Kearsarge 3, Sanborn 1
Key players: Kearsarge – Caroline Camp (2G), Kallee Selby (G, A), Lauren Busch (A) Kennedy Geary (excellent defense)
Highlights: Camp set the tone with a goal in the seventh minute, assisted by Selby. A beautiful ball from Bush led to Camp’s second goal and a 2-0 lead for the Cougars.
Coach’s quote: “Our passing and communication was very good in the first half, something we have been working hard on in practice. It is nice to see that hard work lead to the three goals and sustained possession. It was a great team effort for the win with the defense, midfield and offense all connecting well. I am very proud of the girls.” – Kearsarge’s Emily Wagaman
Records: Kearsarge 5-5-1; Sanborn 1-11
Hanover 8, John Stark 0
Key players: Hanover – Charlotte Johnson, Eleanor Van Aalstand, Kira Smith; John Stark – Presley Gaburseck, Sam Veilleux, Makayla Couturier, Brooke Porth, Madison Porth, Arden Ulmer
Coach’s quote: “Hanover was a perfect opportunity to try new formations, new players and new positions and see what happens. While it might not have been successful on the scoreboard we learned a lot today.” – John Stark’s Chris Pike
Records: Hanover 11-0-0; John Stark 6-4-1
Bishop Brady 4, Gilford 1
Key players: Bishop Brady – Sheridan Brummett (3G, A), Adrienne Brummett (G, 2A), Lauren Beitler (A, strong midfield play)
Highlights: Lauren Beitler was able to generate some offense for Brady in the second half and got the ball from the back line forward.
Coach’s quote: “It was good to see the girls play a tough game. It is late in the season and we need to keep getting better as we make a push to the end. Our girls need to step up and keep working hard like they have been.” – Bishop Brady’s Andrew Mattarazzo
Records: Bishop Brady 8-2-0; Gilford 7-4-0
Belmont 6, Monadnock 0
Key players: Belmont – Nate Sottak (3G), Lucas Mathieu (G), Eddie Mann (G, A), Logan Vaughn (first varsity goal), Brice Pethic (A), Lars Major (A), Ben Pare (3 saves, first varsity shutout)
Highlights: Belmont scored three goals in each half and Devin Bricknell anchored the shutout defensive effort.
Coach’s quote: “Good win tonight, with a lot of players seeing time. Continued progress as we move towards the home stretch.” — Michael Foley
Records: Belmont 8-3; Monadnock 1-11
Oyster River 2, Coe-Brown 1
Highlights: Oyster River tied the game 1-1 with under a minute remaining in the second half.
Coach’s quote: “This had all the drama we typically see in this rivalry match. Both teams had chances throughout the game. Coe-Brown scored part way into the second half to go up 1-0. We continued to generate opportunities and were able to hold off Oyster River defensively, but with only one minute to go, an OR forward got around us and tied the game. OR won in 2OT with a long shot from midfield that was put in just the right spot. Our guys have had three consecutive games against top teams that were either ties or losses. We could easily have been on the wining end of things, but that’s not how this game goes sometimes. I have faith these guys will rebound. They know they can go toe-to-toe with anyone. They just have to keep believing in themselves.” – Coe-Brown’s Christian Gompert
Records: Oyster River 8-2-2; Coe-Brown 6-5-1
Pittsfield 2,
Portsmouth Christian Academy 2
Key players: Pittsfield – Ben Stopyro (G), Jesse MacGlashing (G), Joe Cote (midfield play), Caleb Stopyro (midfield play), Dalton Swenson (defensive play)
Highlights: The Panthers took a 1-0 halftime when Ben Stopyro worked through two PCA defenders to score in the 34th minute. PCA responded with two second-half goals, but MacGlashing evened the score in the 71st minute after Stopyro beat his man and played a dangerous ball into the box. Pittsfield goalkeeper Decota Maura-Giddis made a key save in the 93rd minute to keep the match deadlocked 2-2.
Coach’s quote: “We controlled play the last 20 minutes of each half and through the overtime periods, which led to several opportunities to score in OT but we couldn’t capitalize. It is a step in the right direction for us and we’ll continue to push for a complete 80-minute effort. ” – Pittsfield’s Derek Hamilton
Records: Pittsfield 5-4-2; Portsmouth Christian Academy 5-3-2
Hollis Brookline 2, Kearsarge 1
Key players: Hollis Brookline – Bryan White (G), Ryan Coutu (key saves); Kearsarge – Peter Russell (G) Seth Rutlegde-Davis
Highlights: On Tuesday, Hollis went ahead in the first half on an own goal. Kearsarge tied it up early in the second half off a hard working goal from Russell. Hollis got the winning goal on a break away by White.
Coach’s quote: “The team played some good soccer today. We just had a couple bad bounces not go our way. ” – Kearsarge’s Matt Burch
Records: Hollis-Brookline 6-5-1; Kearsarge 6-4-2
Concord 1, Pinkerton 0
Key players: Concord – Emma Beaujouan (G), Erin Doherty (A)
Highlights: Concord played first-place Pinkerton in a tightly contested matchup and dealt the Astros their first loss of the season thanks to a complete team effort. The ball was contested in the midfield for the entire game, but a late first half breakaway goal by Emma Beaujouan put the Tide ahead. Pinkerton pressed for a goal in the second half, but Concord managed to keep the Astros off the board.
Records: Concord 9-3-0; Pinkerton 10-1-0
Hopkinton 1, Stevens 0
Key players: Hopkinton – Katie Meserve (G), Julia Baer (A); Stevens – Jenna March (goalie)
Highlights: Hopkinton’s Fiona Beane, Kate Bouchard and Emma Hall led the shutout defensive effort for the Hawks, who won their fourth straight game.
Coach’s quote: “We played hard to get the win tonight and we are focusing on our next game on Friday.” – Hopkinton’s Kate Hohenberger
Records: Hopkinton 11-1; Stevens 6-5
Bishop Brady 4, Laconia 1
Key players: Bishop Brady – Ashlyn Toupin (G), Becca Murphy (G), Riley Marsh (G, A), Margaret Sheehan (G), Libbey Hicks (A), Julie Blais (3 saves); Laconia– Lydia Tucker (G), Sierra Keets (13 saves)
Highlights: Toupin and Murphy scored the first goals of the game as the Giants built a 2-0 lead by halftime. March and Sheehan scored less than a minute apart to give Brady a 4-0 lead midway through the second half.
Coach’s quote: “The journey continues for this team together. Contributions were made by everyone today. Very proud of them all.” – Bishop Brady’s Kelly Owen
Records: Bishop Brady10-2-0; Laconia 2-7-1
Franklin 3, Hillsboro-Deering 0
Key players: Franklin – Lauryl May (13 service points), Olivia Wattendorf (4 kills), Breanna Goodsell. (5 kills)
Records: Franklin 4-6; Hillsboro-Deering 1-11
Winnisquam 3, Campbell 0
Key players: Winnisquam – Gabby Isabelle (12 kills, 12 digs), Emma Richardson (12 kills, 12 digs), Chloe Colarusso (30 assists, 5 digs, 3 kills, 3 aces), Hanna Honeman (3 kills, 2 blocks, 7 digs), Emily O’Neil (3 kills, 5 digs), Leigh Brown (8 digs)
Highlights: On Tuesday, Winnisquam swept the match with scores of 25-16, 25-20, 25-23. Campbell built a 15-11 lead in the first game, but Colarusso went on an 11-point run at the service line (including three aces) to help the Bears turn it around and set the tone for the match. After winning six straight to open the season, Campbell has now lost four in a row.
Coach’s quote: “A nice team win after a tough loss last Friday (against rival Inter-Lakes, the only team to beat Winnisquam this season). We have a nice break to rest some players nursing some minor injuries before the last push entering the tournament.” – Winnisquam’s Mike Livernois
Records: Winnisquam 9-2; Campbell 6-4