The last team the Bow High School boys’ soccer team wanted to see on the pitch during a pivotal stretch of games was Pembroke Academy. The Falcons – in their first season at the Division II level – last played the first-place Spartans on Sept. 2 in a game Bow dropped, 2-1. Since that point, the Falcons have won seven of the last eight games to climb back into the playoff hunt.
Friday, however, represented the rematch between the two programs.
Damon Smith clanged in a first-half goal off assists from Hunter Boyce and Glenn Dion and Pembroke’s strong campaign continued with a 2-0 shutout over the Falcons in Suncook. Pembroke is now 12-1 on the season with four games to play, a vast improvement over its 8-7-1 record from a year ago, which ended with a loss in the quarterfinals of the state tournament.
“It was pretty good for us. I thought we played pretty well,” Pembroke Coach Peter Bisson said. “They had a good surge in the second half that took us off our game a little but we bounced back.”
The shutout was the second straight for Pembroke goalie Tyler Smith, who delivered a number of key stops in the contest to keep the Spartans out in front.
“When we needed him, he definitely came through,” Bisson said. “He came out on a couple crosses and stopped a breakaway, which was key at that point.”
Pembroke used Smith’s goal and strong play in the midfield to completely control the action in the first half. Bow finally found its footing in the second half, narrowly missing two chances for the equalizer before Dion put the game on ice for Pembroke in the final minutes with an insurance goal with four minutes left.
“The first half was completely dominated by (Pembroke),” Bow Coach George Pinkham said. “In the second half, we realized what it was going to take to play with the best teams in Division II.”
Bow (7-5) began the year at 0-3 after losses to Pembroke, Lebanon and Goffstown, but were riding a four-game winning streak going into Friday’a game. Pinkham said an early season discussion with his team was the spark that got them going.
“We had a chat as a team and I laid it on the line that we’re gonna go 0-16 if (we) don’t wake up,” Pinkham said. “I’m happy to be 7-5 in our first year in, but I’m a greedy coach and we can be better than that.
“Pembroke showed us today how a very good team plays and wins. We are not a very good team yet.”
(Jay McAree can be reached at 369-3340 or at jmcaree@cmonitor.com or on Twitter @jaymcaree.)
Concord 5, Keene 0
Key players:Concord – Ngongo Mungeta (goal), Taylor Silverstein (goal, assist), Sebastian Pardo (assist), Brian DeFranzo (5 saves)
Highlights/key moments:The Crimson Tide did all their damage in the first half, using a pair of own goals to their advantage. Concord finished with a 26-5 advantage in shots and an 8-1 edge in corners.
Coach’s quote:“It was a very dominant performance. We played very well and put some things together in the game.” – Concord’s Scott Dunlop
Records: Concord 9-2-1; Keene 1-10-1
John Stark 1, Goffstown 0
Key players:John Stark – Lawson Murphy (goal), Ryan Nelson (assist), Isaiah Lovering and Chase Patterson (defense)
Highlights/key moments: John Stark scored 13 minutes in to pull ahead early and Murphy netted the game-winning goal.
Coach’s quote: “It was a nice response by the team after the loss at Lebanon. The defense had another great game and the team now has nine shutouts on the season.” – John Stark’s Jeff Vogt
Records:John Stark 9-3; Goffstown 9-3-1
Stevens 6, Hillsboro-Deering 0
Coach’s quote:“Stevens is a very strong team and currently in first place. Our young players put up a good fight but couldn’t match up to their special players.” – H-D’s Joe Donnelly
Records: Stevens 12-1; H-D 2-9-2
Hopkinton 5, Somersworth 1
Key players:Hopkinton – Gerry Donahue (3 goals), Jacob Rockwood (goal, 2 assists), Corey Breault (goal), Joe Cullinan (assist), Tim Meserve (2 saves)
Highlights/key moments:The Hawks took over from the opening whistle and did not allow a scoring chance until late in the seond half. Donahue picked up his hat trick in the first half.
Records:Hopkinton 10-2; Somersworth 4-8
Merrimack Valley 2, Kingswood 2
Key players:MV – James Shattuck (2 assists), Dillon Arrant (goal), Chase Mercier (goal)
Highlights/key moments: MV fell behind by a goal early, but rebounded for the equalizer moments later before both teams registered one second-half goal apiece.
Coach’s quote:“We had our chances to win the game but Kingwood played well defensively.” – MV’s Ken Fuller
Records: MV 1-10-2; Kingswood 3-8-1
Concord 6, Keene 1
Key players:Concord – Allison Silverstein (goal, assist), Jessica Nelson (goal, assist), Yelena Beausoleil (goal), Ellie Pope (goal), Gillian Bennett (goal), Grace Devanny (goal), Karley Richards (2 assists), Stephanie Oberg (10 saves)
Coach’s quote: In winning, Concord played its best game of the year and received valuable contributions from every member of the team.” – Concord’s Jeremy Duclos
Records:Concord 8-4; Keene 5-7
Merrimack Valley 5, Kingswood 0
Key players:MV – Abby Grandmaison (2 goals, 1 assist), Emily Knouse (2 goals, 1 assist), Asia Hazeltine (1 goal), Brooke Walton (1 assist)
Coach’s quote:“It feels good to keep the momentum going, we need that to finish the season strong.” – MV’s Jeff Richard
Records:MV 3-9-1; Kingswood 1-11
Gilford 3, Newport 2
Key players: Gwen Knipping (goal), Lauren Dean (assist), Sophie Leggett (2 goals), Hannah Perkins (9 saves)
Highlights/key moments: Two goals on penalty kicks, both from Leggett, helped snap a two-game losing streak for the Golden Eagles.
Coach’s quote: “This was hard fought victory for Gilford, which played 80 strong minutes of soccer.” – Gilford’s Thomas Raymond
Records: Gilford 2-9-1; Newport 4-8
Hopkinton 6, Somersworth 0
Key players: Hopkinton – Ellie Morrall (2 goals), Lilias Whitehead (2 goals), Brianna Curley (goal, 2 assists), Savanna Wageman (1st varsity goal).
Highlights/key moments: The Hawks controlled play from the opening whistle, using three goals in each half to pick up the victory.
Records: Hopkinton 9-3; Somersworth 2-11
Bishop Brady 2, White Mountains 1
Key players: Bishop Brady – Maddie Boyer (goal), Olivia Crainich (goal, assist)
Highlights/key moments: The Green Giants put together a strong second half, scoring both goals in the final 40 minutes.
Coach’s quote:“We had our chance to score in the first half and couldn’t put the ball in the back of the net. The girls changed the dynamic of the game in the second half.” – Bishop Brady’s Andrew Mattarazzo
Records: Bishop Brady 5-7; White Mountains 5-8
Pittsfield 3, Mascoma Valley 1
Key players: Pittsfield – Arianna Cyr (11 kills), Emily Dunagin (20 assists), Lily Dunagin (10 digs), Emma Smith (7 kills, 8 aces)
Highlights/key moments: The first win of the season was a sweet one for the Panthers, who only managed a loss in the opening set.
Coach’s quote: “The girls played the best game of the season tonight. They played as a team, and worked together. It’s nice to see it coming together with such a young group of girls.” – Pittsfield’s Paul Strickhart
Records: Pittsfield 1-10; Mascoma 2-10
Inter-Lakes 3, Mascenic 0
Key players: Inter-Lakes – Jessalyn Brown (29 assists, 8 digs), Amanda Kurowski (14 kills, 7 blocks), Hailey Hart (6 kills), Jordan Durand (7 kills), Rebecca Otis (21 digs), Maegan Bunnel (17 digs).
Highlights/key moments: The Lakers delivered a big win on the road anchored by the defense of Otis, who is now one dig shy of the 500th for her career.
Coach’s quote:“My team stayed focused and determined throughout all three sets. We maintained our composure in the tough environment and held on to win in the third set, 28-26.” – Inter-Lakes’ Randy Mattson.
Records: Inter-Lakes 9-2; Mascenic 9-2
White Mountains 3, John Stark 0
Key players: Stark – Melina Jackson (10 saves), Miranda Palmisano (defense)
Highlights/key moments: The Generals failed to snap a two-game losing streak and close out the season Wednesday against unbeaten Monadnock.
Coach’s quote: “We had some good moments but just couldn’t capitalize on our opportunities today.” – Stark’s Dennis Pelletier
Records: White Mountains 3-9; Stark 2-11
Franklin 8, Conant 0
Key players: Franklin – Brooke Perry (3 goals), Lauren Pelletier (2 goals), Meghan Johnson (goal), Emma Lapierre (goal), Anna Sylvestre (goal), Felicity Defosse (2 assists), Zoe Kaplan (2 assists), Riley Haskins (2 assists)
Highlights/key moments: The Golden Tornadoes scored early and often, tallying four goals in each half. Perry and Lapierre both scored their first career varsity goals.
Coach’s quote: “Today, we worked on improving our game of passing and communicating with each other. Everyone was able to increase their skills.” –Franklin’s Deborah Georgevits
Records: Franklin 8-4; Conant 0-11
Concord 2, Nashua North 0
Key players: Concord – Izzy Dunn (goal), Hayley Munroe (goal)
Highlights/key moments: The defense and midfield play carried the Tide, while a strong attack allowed Concord to capitalize on its scoring chances.
Records: Concord 9-3; Nashua North 5-7
Laconia 1, Kearsarge 0, OT
Key players:Laconia – Cheyanne Zappala, Olivia Conley, Emily Gray; Kearsarge – Morganne Flinkstrom (defense), Vica Henskens, Chase Lennon (midfield)
Highlights/key moments: The Sachems tipped in the game-winning goal off a shot with eight minutes left in overtime.
Coach’s quote: “We played pretty well in an evenly matched game. We stepped up play in the second half and created some momentum.” – Laconia’s Marcy Kelley
“We seemed to dominate offensively but couldn’t get the ball in the goal. It was a frustrating loss in overtime but the winning goal by Laconia was beautifully executed on a penalty corner.” – Kearsarge’s Dianne Chadwick
Records: Laconia 3-9-1; Kearsarge 2-10
Berlin 3, Bishop Brady 0
Highlights/key moments: Both teams finished deadlocked in penalty corners at four apiece.
Coach’s quote: “I am very proud of the way the girls stepped up to play this afternoon. We competed with Berlin today. We came up short on several offensive opportunities.” – Brady’s Kelly Owen
Records: Bishop Brady 4-8; Berlin 8-4-1
Gilford 1, Newfound 0, OT
Key players: Brianna Salanitro (goal), Emily O’Connor, Nicole Berube, Katelyn VanBennekum (defense)
Highlights/key moments: The game-wining goal was scored when the Newfound goalie collided with another player and Salanitro picked up the ball and buried it into the net just three minutes into overtime.
Records: Gilford 11-1; Newfound 10-1-1
Hopkinton 2, Newport 1, OT
Key players: Lilly Hoffman (goal), Lyndon Flanagan (goal), Avery Barrett, Amelia Thomas, Anna Hoffman
Highlights/key moments: Lyndon sent the visitors home happy, picking up the game-winning goal 7:57 into the overtime period.
Coach’s quote: “We started out rocky, but in the end we pulled together and played a strong second half and overtime.” – Hopkinton’s Kate Hohenberger
Records: Hopkinton 7-5; Newport 11-1
Merrimack Valley 28, Kingswood 6
Key players:MV – Evan Martin (10-for-15, 207 yards, 2 TDs), Ryan Neylon (3 catches, 117 yards, TD), Cam Tillman (2 catches, 45 yards, TD), Chase Mercier (45 yards), Ricky Hazeltine (10 rushes, 46 yards, INT), Matt Jarvis (12 tackles)
Highlights/key moments: MV picked up its first win of the season in convincing fashion.
Coach’s quote: “We got the lead early, kept it and the defense did what they do best.” – MV’s Jim Coll
Records:MV 1-5; Kingswood 0-6
Bow 26, Kennett 7
Key players:Bow – Justin Mooney (2 TDs), Matt Harkins (TD)
Highlights/key moments: The Falcons started hot, piling up 14 points in the first quarter on a pair of touchdown runs before sealing the win with a 1-yard TD plunge for Mooney in the fourth.
Coach’s quote: “It was a good win on the road, a long trip and it certainly puts in good shape for our homecoming against Merrimack Valley next week.” – Bow’s Paul Cohen
Records: Bow 5-1; Kennett 3-3