The start of Tuesday’s game was just about perfect for the Hopkinton girls’ lacrosse team – the Hawks scored nine unanswered goals on their home turf against Merrimack Valley. The Pride could have packed it in from there, but MV came back to cut the deficit down to just three goals by halftime.
“The girls knew they couldn’t allow Merrimack Valley to keep that momentum and get back in the game, and in the second half they did just that,” Hopkinton coach Mike Zahn said.
Anastasia Miller finished with nine saves for the Hawks and Rose Finlayson had a game-high six goals and two assists as Hopkinton (6-1) held off the Pride for a 21-11 win.
“I’m proud of the mental toughness of our players to not give up and scoring seven quick goals when they were really needed,” MV coach Katherine Stearns said.
Hopkinton’s Annie Higginbotham had five goals and an assist and Hannah Hoyt finished with three goals. Sarah Chodosh (two goals, assist), Katie Brown (two goals, assist), Meg Haley (goal, assist), Amelia Lynch (goal) and Stella Doolan (goal) also contributed to the Hawks’ offensive output. Francie Trafton and Bridget Lynch led Hopkinton’s defensive effort and played well despite Tuesday’s heat.
“It was hot today, and the girls need to learn how to play even smarter in the warmer weather,” Zahn said.
Caitlyn Fortier was all over the field for Merrimack Valley (5-3), scoring two goals, causing turnovers and picking up ground balls off the draw control. Kaylee Magoon also had an excellent game, finishing with a team-high five goals and factoring on ground balls and turnovers. Lilly Furtkamp played another solid defensive game for the Pride, leading that group and causing five turnovers, and Kileigh Davis also played well in the defensive end. Colby Magoon (two goals), Emily Koufos (goal) and Anya Dinger (goal) all contributed to the MV offense.
“Our 2021 record with five wins is the most wins in 10 years for the MV girls’ lacrosse program, and we hope to keep the momentum going in the next week or so,” Stearns said.
The Pride finished its regular-season schedule next week with a home-and-home series against Pembroke Academy (6-4), which has won six straight games. Hopkinton also finishes its regular-season schedule next week with two games against Bishop Brady.
Concord 13, Salem 6
Key players: Concord — Mary Martinson (7 goals), Maria Armaganian (3 goals, assist), Kaitlyn McKinnon (2 goals)
Records: Concord 4-6; Salem 2-11
Lebanon 11, Kearsarge 10
Key players: Kearsarge — Caroline Camp (5 goals, 3 assists), Libby Angus (3 goals), Megan Norris (2 goals), Paige Hoegler (21 saves), Adi Whitty (3 caused turnovers)
Records: Lebanon 4-3; Kearsarge 3-4
Concord 13, Salem 6
Key players: Concord — Sam Nichol (5 goals), Brody McGonigle (2 goals, 3 assists), Colin Nelson (2 goals, assist), Danny O’Brien (goal, 2 assists), Nate Doherty (goal, 2 assists), Eaton Tarbell (goal, assist), Joey Tarbell (goal)
Highlights: O’Brien had a goal and two assists in the first quarter as the Crimson Tide took a 4-1 lead after one. Salem’s defense allowed just one goal in the second, but Concord came out firing after halftime and upped its lead to 11-4 going into the fourth quarter.
Records: Concord 4-9; Salem 1-10
Hopkinton 17, Merrimack Valley 9
Key players: Hopkinton — Sam Brown (5 goals, 4 assists), Ryan Brown (2 goals, 3 assists), Ethan Molnar (2 goals, 2 assists, 9/16 faceoffs), Hayden Lynch (3 goals), Aidan Burns (goal, 2 assists), Steven Reddy (great defense, 5 GB, 6 caused turnovers), Steven Newton-Delgado (great defense, 5 GB, 5 CT); Vince Waddell (great defense, 9 GB, 2 CT), Danny Lee (6 saves)
Highlights: Hopkinton started fast, building a 5-0 lead after the first quarter in Penacook. The Pride played better after the first, scoring four in the second quarter, but the Hawks still had a 10-6 lead at halftime. MV created more scoring chances in the second half, but the Hawks won the groundball battle to maintain control.
Coach’s quote: “We have really hit our stride and are playing the way we’ve been aiming to. We had a tough week last week (two losses to four-time defending Division II champ Derryfield), however we used it as a learning experience and have been working to tighten up areas of our game that needed work while emphasizing what we are good at.” — Hopkinton’s Deacon Blue
Records: Hopkinton 5-4; Merrimack Valley 3-6
Pembroke Academy 10, Hillsboro-Deering 4
Key players: Pembroke Academy — Jack Schaefer (4 goals, 4 assists), Jake Dion (3 goals), D’Andre Mitchell (goal), Caden Mix (goal, assist), Gavin O’Brien (goal, assist), Nate Jordan (assist); Hillsboro-Deering – Dylan Barrett (2 goals, assist), Colby Macy (goal), Jacob Davies (goal, faceoffs)
Highlights: Pembroke built an early lead and the Spartans needed after the Hillcats produced their highest goal output yet, despite having just 10 players available all game.
Coach’s quote: “I have to tip my hat to the Hillsboro-Deering players. They are playing with very small numbers but give 100% up and down the field for the entire 48 minutes. It’s a new program, but they have a strong and knowledgeable coaching staff, so I have no doubt they’ll be competitive in the years to come.” — Pembroke’s Matt Dion
“We played our best game yet, today. Davies was huge for facing off. We are definitely improving and gutting it out every game. I’m very proud of the effort and this group of players.” – H-D’s Howie Roever
Records: Pembroke Academy 8-1; Hillsborough-Deering 0-8
Payton Yearout had four hits and caught a great game as the Concord Reserve baseball team beat Pinkerton Academy, 8-6. Matt Jenness and Ben Masur each had two hits for the Crimson Tide while Noah Casino, Joey Mangone and DAvid Wicks each had one. Jenness pitched 4.2 innings and had five strikeouts, Josh Turant went 1.2 innings with one strikeout and Masur closed the game with two strikeouts.
Rath, Young and Pignatelli beat Tilton-Northfield Rotary in Concord Little League Majors action. Milo Weed pitched five strong innings. Carter Geaumont led the Rath offense with an inside the park homerun and a double, while Nolan Boucher and Cole Pollard also contributed big hits.
In Concord Northeast Majors baseball action, Rowley defeated Banks, 8-7, in extra innings. For Banks, Issac Black had two hits and Alex Turant had two hits and two RBI. For Rowley, Liam Ryan and Jamey Skafidas pitched well, and Skafidas also had a walk-off, two-run double to end the game.