BEDFORD — The Kearsarge High boys soccer team looked better all night in the Division III semifinals. But better isn’t always enough.
Goals make the difference. In overtime, they mean an instant win.
No. 2 Prospect Mountain generated just two shots on goal through 105 minutes of play, yet still found a way over third-seeded Kearsarge in a 1-0 Division III semifinal at Bedford High School on Wednesday night on Orion Neathery’s double-overtime penalty kick.
Timberwolves junior forward DJ Scarpa streaked downfield on a long ball over the top of everyone in the second OT of a scoreless match. Kearsarge senior Cooper Russell tried to close him out, knock him off, anything but let him shoot on junior Grady Burch’s goal.
Russell went for the diving tackle and was whistled for a foul in the Kearsarge penalty area. Sophomore Neathery then stepped up to the spot and scored to the right, out of Burch’s reach, to end the match and the Cougars’ season.
“I don’t think either one of the teams had anything left in the tank, and I’ll give credit to Kearsarge,” Prospect Mountain head coach Cory Halvorsen said. “That was a battle.”
Kearsarge junior Bryce Selby was the most dangerous attacker for the Cougars, but couldn’t break through Prospect’s goal in semis. Credit: ALEXANDER RAPP / Monitor 
Timberwolves senior Isaac Casale (8) and Kearsarge senior Rylan Fitzgerald battle for possession. Credit: ALEXANDER RAPP / Monitor 
Kearsarge senior Quinn Cusick battled for every long ball up top, here against Timberwolves sophomore Dylan Pelletier (6). Credit: ALEXANDER RAPP / Monitor
There wasn’t much to say after the loss for Cougars coach Couper Gunn. He knew his team had all the chances and just couldn’t find the net.
It came down to the slimmest of margins.
Kearsarge (15-2-2) proved that last year was not a fluke despite Wednesday’s result. The Cougars are still loaded with talent and depth that gained exposure to another year of postseason experience.
“It’s a phenomenal effort. I think we grew into the game and were really, absolutely dominant in overtime,” Gunn said. “It’s frustrating to lose like that.”
Seniors Rylan Fitzgerald and Quinn Cusick and the central defensive pairing of Trenton Judkis and Russell played tireless games. They cleared, held up play and did what was asked of them until the last kick.
Junior midfielder Bryce Selby was a threat all night. He created space for himself to fire off six shots on goal and a few others that just missed the target.
Timberwolves goalkeeper Charlie Yeaton was everywhere in front of the net on the night. Yeaton saved multiple free kicks aimed at goal from Russell and Selby, and even when he wasn’t there, he had backup. Prospect Mountain junior Anthony Sanville had a goal-line clearance on a shot headed for the back of the net in the first half.
Frustration also got to Kearsarge, as both Selby and Russell were given yellow cards for tackles.
The Cougars couldn’t find a way through in regulation and let the Timberwolves (17-2-0) gain momentum and confidence throughout the match. Until one kick ended it all.