CONTOOCOOK – In a physical, grinding showdown between two Division III girls’ soccer powerhouses, the lightest touch decided things.
Bishop Brady and Hopkinton had fought through regulation and the first overtime without scoring a goal on Thursday. But with less than two minutes left in the second overtime, Hopkinton’s Loren Charron slipped a cross to Jessie Carney, who was just 2 feet from the goal line. Carney softly redirected the ball into the net, and the Hawks had a 1-0 win.
“Loren was right at the end line when she crossed it past her defender. The goalie dove for it, but she missed it and I was right behind her,” Carney said. “I just tapped it in.”
Scoring in overtime is nothing new for Carney, who netted the sudden victory game winner as a freshman in last year’s Division III final. Thursday’s match didn’t have the same stakes, but with previously undefeated Brady on one side and the defending champs on the other, it was a big game.
“We really wanted this,” Carney said.
Brady (5-1) had scored 30 goals in its first five games, with sisters Sheridan and Adrienne Brummett accounting for most of the offense. Hopkinton decided to man mark Sheridan, a forward, with sophomore back Annie Higginbotham, and the Hawks put Lillie Presti on Adrienne in a battle of senior midfielders. All four players gave the kind of extra effort big games require, but in the end Hopkinton’s strategy and defenders prevailed.
“They man marked both of the Brummett sisters, so it was tough for us going forward,” Brady coach Andrew Mattarazzo said.
The Giants are always capable of scoring with the Brummett sisters on the field, but the Hawks had more possession and more chances on Thursday. Carney hit the crossbar in the 31st minute and six minutes later Caitlin Clark missed just wide after a series of good passes left her open at the top of the 18-yard box.
With Charron and Clark pulling the strings in midfield, Hopkinton opened the second half with more pressure, but Brady center backs Hannah Hicks and Maddy Rhyhnart stopped almost all of the threats before keeper Emily Senko (five saves) needed to get involved.
“Brady’s two center backs were excellent today, they shut us down, and that was a little more frustrating than I expected,” Hopkinton Coach Mike Zhan said.
Like they did in the first half, the Giants looked dangerous when they countered after absorbing the Hawks’ attack. But Hopkinton had defensive answers, too, with senior Eleanor Owen sweeping away most of the deep advances and keeper Emily Fleegle (three saves) stepping up as needed.
Clark nearly scored again in the 75th minute when the ball fell to her feet in the box after a Hopkinton corner kick, but Senko made a reaction save on the close-range shot. Still, chances like that one gave the Hawks confidence going into overtime.
“Our girls knew they had it,” Zahn said. “We had so many more chances than they did, we just needed to put one away.”
(Tim O’Sullivan can be reached at 369-3341 or tosullivan@cmonitor.com or on Twitter @timosullivan20)
John Stark 3, Kennett 2
Key players: John Stark – Chelsea Woodsum (2G), Dianna Stafford (A), Bella Roy (G), Meghan Mefford (A) took the team two goals up from an unassisted goal and an assist by Dianna Stafford. Kennett came back back to equalize but the pressure generated by the girls eventually gave Bella Roy the chance to go 3-2 up after a through ball from Meghan Mefford in the last minutes of the game.
Highlights: Woodsum put the Generals up by two with an unassisted goal and another tally off an assist from Stafford. Kennett came back to tie it up but the pressure generated by Stark eventually gave Roy the chance to win it, scoring on a through ball from Mefford in the last minutes of the game.
Coach’s quote: “Senior Chloe Astholz is thriving in her role as one of the captains and her role in the defense, while sophomore Arden Ulmer has become a dominant player in the center of the field.” – Stark’s Chris Pike
Records: John Stark 5-1; Kennett 1-3
Campbell 2, Belmont 1
Key players: Belmont – Sana Syed (G), Rebecca Fleming
Highlights: Belmont managed to tie the contest up on a penalty kick for Syed, the first goal of her varsity career, but Campbell came roaring back with the game-winning goal in the 65th minute.
Coach’s quote: “Well played game by both teams. Very proud of the kids as we continue to grow as a team. Campbell is a very good team and it was great to be able to see where we are at early in the year.” – Belmont’s Mark Dawalga
Records: Belmont 3-2-1; Campbell 5-1
Newmarket 2, Pittsfield 1
Key players: Pittsfield – Paige Provencal (G), Rebecca Smith (10 saves), Nel Boguszewrski (defense), Jolene Wood (defense)
Highlights: Pittsfield and Newmarket went scoreless into the half before Newmarket got on the board in the 55th minute, and then again 10 minutes later for the 2-0 lead. Provencal converted a free kick to pull Pittsfield within one and the panthers had some opportunities but were unable to capitalize on them to tie the game. Pittsfield’s defense was superb all night long, taking good looks away from the Mules.
Coach’s quote: “The girls played fantastic tonight and it was a total team effort versus a very good team. We may not have won but we learned a lot about ourselves and gained a lot of confidence to build on as the season goes on.” – Pittsfield’s James Kennedy
Records: Newmarket 7-1; Pittsfield 1-3
Littleton 2, Franklin 0
Key players: Franklin – Leila Gerard, Alyssa Cornell, Danyelle Hines, Jada Lapierre, Hannah Oltman, Emma Lapierre, Liz Guillotte, Ryleigh Seufert
Coach’s quote: “The girls played great tonight with a lot of intensity. I’m very proud of how well they worked together as a team and how hard they work each time they step on the field.” – Franklin’s Shelby Joyce
Records: Littleton 1-4; Franklin 0-6