In the Monitor’s fourth installment, let’s take a second to address where the fall sports season is at. Some sports are beginning to play for championships, yes golf, I’m talking about you. Others are wrapping up regular season games and eyeing the standings to see where they fall. And for a small population of fall sports, there are still a few weeks to go.
This has been a thrilling fall season so far for most area teams, and for others, it’s had its struggles but there have been some successes along the way.
A look into the class standings at week four.
1. HOPKINTON GIRLS’ SOCCER (12-0-0): Until the Hawks are challenged for a full 80 minutes, they’ll continue to remain at the top of the class. They’ve put on a clinic on the pitch this year and confidently will enter the playoffs in search for their fourth consecutive championship.
2. HOPKINTON FIELD HOCKEY (12-0-0): Following its 4-3 win over Bishop Brady at the end of September, Hopkinton hasn’t dropped off its play. The Hawks completed two shutouts last week and currently are in first place in Division III.
3. PEMBROKE GIRLS’ SOCCER (12-0-0): The Spartans jump six spots in this week’s edition following a pair of shutouts last week. If Pembroke wins against a tough Merrimack Valley team on Tuesday, it’ll be undefeated with a Friday match against Bow.
4. BOW GIRLS’ SOCCER (11-0-0): Speaking of the Falcons, they retain their spot at No. 4 in the standings after having the last 10 days off. Bow begins a four-game road stretch this week that includes a trip to Lebanon (7-3-0) and a potential matchup of undefeated teams when it travels to Pembroke on Friday.
5. CONCORD GOLF (25-1): The Crimson Tide officially finished in first place in the final regular season standings. They’ll make their run for a team title on October 14 at the Overlook Golf Club with a 9 a.m. tee time.
6. BOW GOLF (20-1): Similar to their Division I neighbors, the Falcons finished in first place in Division III after an impressive season. Bow will make a title run on Tuesday at Laconia Country Club against other area teams. Tee time is 9 a.m.
7. John STARK FIELD HOCKEY (10-2): The Generals had a nine-game win streak snapped last week in a 1-0 bout to Hanover – the current No. 1 team in the Division II standings. John Stark bounced back, however, with a 2-0 win over Bow and close out the regular season this week with two road trips.
8. CONCORD BOYS’ SOCCER (8-3-1): Following an 0-2 start, Concord has only lost one game since then. The Tide currently sit at No. 5 in the Division I standings and have two matches this week they should win.
9. Coe-BROWN BOYS’ SOCCER (7-5): While the record may not jump out, recent events give the Bears their first crack in the top-10. They had two overtime winners last week, one of which was against reigning state runner-up Bow. Coe-Brown, should it continue its impressive late-season run, plays Kingswood (5-6) and Manchester West (0-9) this week.
10. KEARSARGE FOOTBALL (3-2): The Cougars have rattled off three straight wins and hold a winning record with just three games left. In its last two games, Kearsarge has scored 80 points and allowed 28 points.
11. Kearsarge boys’ soccer (8-3-1): Kearsarge moves up one spot in this week’s rankings after a week that featured quite a peak and plateau. The Cougars lost 5-0 to Mascoma Valley, but forced a tie 2-2 tie at Hopkinton. If they can develop from that tie, the Cougars could be a sleeper team to watch heading into playoffs.
12. Concord girls’ soccer (9-3-0): The Tide have won their last four games and haven’t shown signs of slowing down. Expect a good week of competition with games against Timberlane and Merrimack.
Others receiving votes: Bishop Brady boys’ soccer, Bow boys’ soccer, Kearsarge field hockey