The Hopkinton boys’ lacrosse team had a plan to deal with versatile and offensive-minded Kearsarge midfielder Justin Norris on Wednesday. The plan worked for the Hawks, who held Norris to just two goals and continued their perfect start with a 14-6 win. It was the first loss of the season for the Cougars.
It didn’t take long for Kearsarge – and Norris – to get back on track. The Cougars traveled to Laconia on Friday, in one of the few games played across the state, and beat up on the Sachems for a 10-4 win. The loss snapped a three-game win streak for the defending Division III champion Sachems (5-3).
Norris scored three goals and dished two assists in less-than-ideal conditions, while Leland Heckel scored three times and provided an assist. Tate Nurme scored twice.
The Cougars (6-1) trailed 4-3 at the half against a pesky Laconia squad that was playing on back-to-back days for the first time this season. Kearsarge used a five-goal third quarter to take control and never looked back.
“The guys did a great job in very tough conditions today,” Kearsarge Coach Zach Matthews said. “It took us a half to find our groove but the second half was what Kearsarge lacrosse is about.”
Campbell 5, Bishop Brady 4
Key players: Brady – Jamie Cookingham (2 doubles, RBI), Maddy Rines (2 hits, two RBI), Emily Manning (double, RBI), Abby Santis (2 hits), Emily Santis (single), Gwen Tupman (single) and Jess Beeso (single, RBI)
Highlights/key moments: After three innings of Thursday’s game, the Green Giants found themselves down 5-1, but they started to chip away in the fourth inning and eventually got the deficit down to one run. That’s as close as it would get. It was the first loss of the season for Brady.
Coach’s quote: “Despite the loss, we had 11 hits to their four but committed two errors that led to three unearned runs. Emily Manning gave us a quality performance on the mound going the distance with three strikeouts in defeat.” – Brady’s Freddy Rivera
Records: Brady 7-1; Campbell 6-3
Monadnock 6, Kearsarge 3
Key players: Kearsarge – Cy Courser (2-for-4 double, single, RBI), Tyler Crawford (2-for-3 single, double, BB, RBI), Nick Pellerin (3 singles, RBI; 2 IP, 3 H, 4 K, 3 BB), Gabe Benedict (5 IP, 9 H, 3 K, BB 5 ER)
Highlights/key moments: Thursday’s loss was the fourth in five games for the Cougars.
Coach’s quote: “We had our opportunities, but when you leave 12 men on base, it’s tough to win. Our pitching kept us in the game against the defending champs.” – Kearsarge’s Travis Pelletier
Records: Kearsarge 2-8; Monadnock 6-1