Ramping up our midterm series, the Monitor turns to field hockey and how area teams have performed so far. Will the Generals of John Stark maintain the success they’ve experienced so far? Who from Division III will make it farthest in the playoffs?
An update on area teams, by division:
■ Record: 7-3-0.
■ Key wins: Winnacunnet, Man. Memorial
■ Outlook: The Crimson Tide are off to one of their best starts in program history and, so far, haven’t shown signs of slowing down. Their five-game win streak was snapped by Bedford on Sept. 23 in a 2-1 final, but the Tide got back to their winning ways over Winnacunnet on Monday. Concord goes through the gauntlet of its schedule in a few weeks with games against Exeter and Windham.
Record: 4-4-0.
Key wins: Kingswood.
Outlook: Bow’s record isn’t necessarily the greatest indication of the success it has had this season. Its four losses were all by a difference of one goal. Those games include bouts against undefeated Hanover and undefeated Lebanon. The Falcons have already improved upon their 2020 season – an 0-8-0 year – and have key matchups down the stretch, with games against Plymouth and John Stark.
Record: 7-1-0.
Key wins: Hollis-Brookline, Plymouth.
Outlook: John Stark’s seven wins already give it improved success from a year ago after an exit at 6-3-0 in the state quarterfinals. The Generals’ lone loss, 2-0 to Lebanon, came early this season and, since then, they’ve rattled off four straight wins. In the unofficial standings, John Stark is in a three-way tie for second place with Portsmouth and Souhegan.
Record: 1-7-0.
Key wins: ConVal.
Outlook: The Pride have taken a bit of a tumble to start 2021. After losing in last year’s quarterfinals and six seniors to graduation, young but talented players have tried figuring out the ebbs and flows of a varsity season. MV’s 3-1 win over ConVal can serve as a highlight for a tough first half.
■ Record: 0-8-0.
Key games: Bow.
Outlook: With each game no matter the outcome, it only benefits the Spartans. Experience is critical for any team and any player in sports, and that’s exactly what Pembroke gets after having a large senior class graduate in the spring. Pembroke has its best matches on the schedule when it plays against Merrimack Valley, Pelham and Milford.
Record: 6-1-0.
Key wins: Conant, Mascenic.
Outlook: The defending state champions were tested early in the season, winning the first two games by two goals each. Minus the one-goal loss to Gilford, the Giants have outscored their opponents, 29-6. Two games against Hopkinton highlight the back half of the schedule.
Record: 0-7-0.
Key games: Winnisquam.
Outlook: Franklin is one of three teams that has yet to find victory this season. The Tornadoes faced off against one-win Littleton on Tuesday. Never count a team out in finding ways to win.
Record: 8-0-0.
Key wins: Gilford, Kearsarge.
Outlook: Hopkinton is in serious contention to make a deep run in the state playoffs this season. Its eight consecutive wins – four of which are shutouts – had Hopkinton at the top of the Division III standings as of Monday. The Hawks have key games against Newfound and Bishop Brady to close the season.
Record: 4-1-1.
Key wins: Winnisquam (tie), Stevens.
Outlook: Kearsarge has enjoyed the first half of its schedule with wins against teams that are a combined 7-21. The back half? That might be just as favorable, if not moreso, as the Cougars play two teams that haven’t won a game. Their one loss and tie were against teams that had a winning record.
Record: 5-2-1
Key wins: Kearsarge (tie)
Outlook: Winnisquam is in an eerily similar boat to Kearsarge at the halfway point. When it has played teams with winning records, it has lost by a combined score of 6-1. Teams with a record of .500 or less, the Bears have outscored opponents, 44-1. Only one team of their six remaining games has a winning record.