WEARE – Bow boys soccer defeated John Stark 6-0 Friday night in the season-opening game.
The Falcons were led by freshman Kody McCranie, who in his high school debut, scored two goals in the opening half. One of his goals was off a played ball from the far end of the field that ended up right outside of the goal area. McCranie played the ball perfectly with a dicey-header that sent the ball just past the goalie’s hands and through the back of the net.
Five of Bow’s six goals were scored in the first half and along with McCranie’s two, senior forward John Salerno, freshman midfielder Luke Hartshorn and sophomore midfielder Elias Berrigan also scored in the season opener.
John Stark started the season without two of its key players in senior midfielder Nathan Innerfield and senior defender Jason Crean. The senior duo are the flagship leaders of the team and make up two-thirds of the captainship for the Generals. Innerfield was out for an undisclosed reason and Crean was sidelined with an injury as a precautionary measure.
The loss of Crean was evident, however, as Generals’ goalkeeper Miles Lanier made diving save after diving save. The junior throughout the game was directing his team with confidence and poise, despite a lopsided scoreboard.
Bow (1-0) takes the pitch on Tuesday for its home-opener against ConVal. John Stark will hit the road for the first time in 2021 on Tuesday when it heads to Hollis-Brookline. First touches are at 4 and 7 p.m., respectively.
Boys’ Soccer
Hanover 5, Concord 1
Key players: Concord – Jimmy Rutikanga (goal), Jacque Tunguru (assist), Nicholas DiBuono (defense), Matthew Desrochers (defense), Max Leahy (14 saves)
Coach’s quote: “We came out flat and that set the tone for the game. Struggled to find any form as a team.” – Concord’s Scott Dunlop
Plymouth 3, Coe-Brown 2
Highlights: Both teams exchanged goals in the final 90 seconds of the match, but Plymouth goalkeeper Bayden Stratton made several incredible saves.
Coach’s quote: “We generated plenty of chances that we didn’t finish (credit to their goalkeeper) and we made a few mistakes that Plymouth capitalized on. That’s soccer for you! It’s all part of the learning process. SWe are still confident in our capabilities and it was great to see the boys pick each other up rather than point fingers. The effort and passion from our guys was great. We got a number of solid performances and imagine they will respond to this with even more eagerness.” – Coe-Brown’s Christian Gompert
Milford 6, Merrimack Valley 0
Highlights: The Pride dropped a tough match to the Spartans on the road to open the season.
Hopkinton 6, Derryfield 0
Key players: Hopkinton – Quinn Whitehead (3 goals, assist), Avery Condon (2 goals), Owen O’Brien (goal), Josh Duval (assist), Bryce Charron (assist), Aidan Burns (2 saves)
Highlights: The Hawks used its size advantage and kept up the pressure from the opening whistle. Condon and O’Brien scored their first varsity goals, while Peyton Marshall played well at center back and Duval put in a lot of hard work as a defensive midfielder to help preserve the shutout.
Fall Mountain 2, Kearsarge 1
Highlights: The Cougars had a hard time getting anything past Fall Mountain goalkeeper Brayden Ring in their season opener.
Coach’s quote: “The team played a great game overall. I was very happy with there performance. Unfortunately some days the ball just doesn’t find the back of the net.” – Kearsarge’s Matt Burch
Concord 3, Hanover 1
Key players: Concord – Sarah Potter (2 goals), Avery Fitcher (goal), Caley Nault and Chloe Morgan (strong defense), Mary Mattinson and Abby Dickson (strong midfield play)
Highlights: The Tide gave up a goal in the first half on a corner kick, but tied the game before halftime and bounced back in the second half.
Coach’s quote: “Our girls played well from start to finish. We moved the ball very well and created more chances in the second half once we started to press a little more. Very proud of the effort from our girls on a hot day and look forward to the next.” – Concord’s Andrew Mattarazzo
Bow 4, John Stark 0
Key players: Bow – Lyndsey LaPerle (4 goals), Bella LaPerle (2 assists), Sara Gagne (assist), Elena Jay (assist), Kelly Harris (defense), Steph Gosselin (defense), Sydney Roberge (midfield), Cailyn Benson (shutout)
Highlights: Lyndsey LaPerle received a great through ball from Gagne and calmly dribbled around the keeper and knocked in her first goal eight minutes into the game, and added a second tally just two minutes later. LaPerle scored another off a cross from sister Bella LaPerle via a through ball by Jay, and wrapped up the scoring 16 minutes into the second half.
Coaches’ quotes: “This was a very good team effort from us against a solid John Stark team. The girls have been working hard and it showed in their game today.” – Bow’s Jay Vogt
“Today was a good learning experience. Playing Bow first, who is so technical and fast, highlighted what we need to work on. Eespite the score it gave us something to work with and move forward.” – John Stark’s Chris Pike
Coe-Brown 5, Plymouth 1
Key players: Coe-Brown – Mary Joy (goal, assist), Kennis Barry (goal), Jennifer Noni (goal), Alyviah Blad (goal), Somer Loto (goal), Maggie Escabi (assist)
Highlights: The Bears had five different goal scorers and played well on the road in their season opener.
Coach’s quote: “It’s nice to get a win under our belt and start the season off right. We will have to play better and be ready for an experienced and skilled Pembroke team on Wednesday.” – Coe-Brown’s Josh Hils
Merrimack Valley 3, Milford 3
Key players: MV – Rylee Boucher (goal), Ariana Moody (goal), Juliana Palhof (goal), Colby Magoon (assist), Calli Gray (defense), Mackenzie McDonald (23 saves)
Highlights: Milford tied the game, 2-2, before half time and each team scored a goal off a penalty kick in the second half.
Coach’s quote: “I’m extremely proud of my team’s efforts and hard work this game. We showed that we can play under pressure and make strong combinations to get the ball up the field. There is some room for improvement as we look ahead to our next game.” – MV’s Kylee Yam
Hopkinton 10, Bishop Brady 0
Key players: Hopkinton – Loren Charron (3 goals, assist), Elizabeth Holmes (2 goals), Ashlee Brehio (goal, assist), Emily Fleegle (shutout, scored on penalty kic), Paige Martin (goal), Annie Higginbotham (goal), Madison Carmichael (goal), Jessie Carney (2 assists), Juliana Pardo (2 assists), Elise Miner (2 assists), Katie Brown (assist), Kally Murdough (defense); Bishop Brady – Lydia Tremblay (midfield)
Highlights: Carmichael scored on a shot from 25 yards out within the first two minutes of the season, and Fleegle scored her first career goal on a penalty kick in the 11th minute while also earning the shutout.
Coach’s quote: “These are the types of games I struggle with, because in one sense I want my players to be competing at their highest, while at the same time adhering to sportsmanship. I give it to coach Vural and his team. They did not give up all game. They worked hard to win (the ball) back. Brady has a young team, but lots of potential for the future. I am sure they will be a different team when we meet them again in October.” – Hopkinton’s Mike Zahn
Hillsboro-Deering 4, Fall Mountain 1
Key players: H-D – Lexi Ledvina (14 saves), Madi Ledvina (defense), Emily Howell (goal, assist), Hannah Edwards (3 assists)
Highlights: The Hillcats only had two subs, but Ledvina had a spectacular game with 14 saves and Edwards did a great job setting up her teammates with scoring opportunities.
Kearsarge 4, Campbell 3
Key players: Kearsarge – Ellie Scharpf (goal), Maddie Thorpe (goal), Val Soule (goal), Caroline Camp (goal)
Coach’s quote: “Great hard-fought team victory. Girls played great team soccer and gave 100% effort from whistle to whistle.” – Kearsarge’s Dave Smith