The Division III boys’ soccer season started with a clash of titans, as Hopkinton and Kearsarge drew 1-1 on Thursday afternoon.
The hard-fought battle between the 2024 champion Hawks and 2025 runner-up Cougars was a rematch of last year’s semifinal. Each team scored within the first 15 minutes of the encounter and then locked down defensively as they hunted for a win.
Kearsarge opened up the scoring first with an eighth-minute goal by senior forward Quinn Cusick. The Hawks equalized just three minutes later after a shot by Rowan Boyle ricocheted off the post and AJ Pratts flew in to finish the rebound.
It was a sign for what’s yet to come from both teams looking to build toward deep pushes in the postseason once again.
Also in Division III, 2025 quarterfinalists Belmont is returning a strong core of upperclassmen and should give teams a tough battle.
Led by long-time head coach Mike Foley, Belmont should be physically and tactically tough to stop going forward. On defense, there will be some adjustments to work out, however, with some new faces and less experience.
Bishop Brady will be under new leadership as the school’s Director of Sports Medicine, Nutrition and Performance Erik Nelson takes over the coaching role.
Nelson has overhauled the Giants’ tactical set-up and is returning all three of his captains from last year’s squad. Bishop Brady could surprise a few teams and get back into the playoff picture if it can flip some of last year’s results in its favor.
Concord
Division: I
Coach: Scott Dunlop (32nd year)
Last year: 4-11-1
Returning starters: Asher Hertier, so., D; Kevin Mbonimpa, so., D; Merhan Asif, jr., D/M; Paul Byage, jr., M/A; Nephthali Muleya, jr., G; Sumaili Ramadhani, sr., D; Sadiki Rukumbuzi, sr., M.
Top newcomers: Brennan Schmidt, so., D; Tanner Rowell, so., D; Ethan Belanger, so., A.
Outlook: “Top newcomers are Brennan Schmidt to anchor the defense with Asher Hertier, who is moving from forward to solidify the central defense. Tanner Rowell will have time in the defensive midfield role along with Ethan Belanger to provide offensive production on the front line with returner Ami Gadi.
We are looking to make defense a priority with the group that we have. The team wants to establish a defense-first mentality and then go attack. We are looking for our midfield to be led by Merhan Asif and Paul Byage with the skillset they have. Nephtahli Muleya and Jaxson Leyton are battling it out for time in the net.” – Dunlop
Teams to beat: Nashua South, Bishop Guertin, Bedford and Hanover.
Bow
Division: II
Coach: Josh Smith (4th year)
Last year: 7-5-5, reached prelims
Returning starters: Ben Reardon, jr., G; Clayton Nadzan, sr., D; Rowan Schlosser, sr., M; Carter Hall, sr., M; Milo Cocola, sr., A; Caden Bechtold, jr., M; Eli Ordway, jr., M; Owen Jordan-Foote, so., D; Blake Crowell, sr., M/A; Isaac Roz, jr., A.
Top newcomers: Meldin Becirovic, fr.; Kyle Cimis sr.; Harrison Fournier, jr.; Conor Slevin, fr.
Outlook: “We have a very experienced group with a strong core of returning players, and several promising younger players. The first week has indicated that this group is focused and motivated to build on our early playoff exits of the past two seasons.” – Smith
Teams to beat: Campbell, Oyster River, Hollis-Brookline and Lebanon.
Coe-Brown
Division: II
Coach: Christian Gompert (15th year)
Last year: 9-6-3, reached quarterfinals
Returning starters: Tommy Maskwa, sr., M; Hayden Covill, jr., M; Grady Mulligan, jr., M; Abel Szatko, jr., D.
Outlook: “We graduated five starting players from last year’s team, and we lost two more returning starters to season-ending knee injury and sport specialization. So, we are a younger team with only three seniors. I can see early on that these guys are motivated and are starting to come together. They have stepped up to the challenges the coaching staff has thrown at them so far. I imagine we will experience a noticeable learning curve at the start of the season, but we have the foundations of a team that can grow pretty quickly and should compete with anyone by season’s end. If they stay hungry, selfless, and adapt as we go, it should be a pretty memorable season.” – Gompert
Teams to beat: Oyster River and Pembroke.
John Stark
Division: II
Coach: Mark Boucher (second year)
Last year: 6-7-4, reached prelims
Returning starters: Zach Morrison, sr., G; Kenan Podzic, jr., D; Blake Maxwell, jr., D; Owen Gitchell, jr., M; Desmond Bogle, jr., M; Connor Brooks, sr., A; Casimer Ferenc, sr., M.
Top newcomers: Callum DeCew, so., M; Hunter Philibotte, so., G; Hunter Murphy, jr., D.
Outlook: “We have a positive outlook this season as the core of our returners helped us return to the playoffs. Also, we were competitive with top teams last season with the same core. It will be exciting to see the group one year older with some new players coming in. Our team goals are to return to the playoffs and contend to the last game. We hope to stick together and gel this preseason and improve our skills on a daily basis.” – Boucher
Teams to beat: ConVal.
Merrimack Valley
Division: II
Coach: Ken Fuller (12th year)
Last year: 5-8-3
Returning starters: Carter Lankhorst, sr., M; Gavin Anderson, sr., D; Jason Mullen, sr., D; Kobe Amanor, sr., A; Bennett Harrison, jr., D; Riley Moore-Jahn, jr., M; Eli Tibbetts, jr., M.
Outlook: “We are a young team who looks to build off a season that felt incomplete. We have some high-level experience, but we will have to rely on a lot of newcomers to step into big roles as we look to compete for the playoffs.” – Fuller
Pembroke
Division: II
Coach: Drou Goff (4th year)
Last year: 10-2-5, reached quarterfinals
Returning starters: Amadu Diallo, sr., D; Brody Ricci, sr., A; Eric Maccarone, sr., M; Josh Maccarone, sr., D; Jacob Wilson, so., M.
Top newcomers: Bo Mitchell, so., D; Alex Sapounas, so., M; Camden Ruot, fr., A; Emmett Ahern, fr., M.
Outlook: “The program looks to continue building from the previous three seasons, hosting playoff games in two of the last three years. Pembroke has a few strong returning players, and a lot of new players coming in to fill the void of graduating nine seniors. The group is looking to pick up where they left off last season, staying organized and keeping a distinct style of play to see success.” – Goff
Belmont
Division: III
Coach: Mike Foley (27th year)
Last year: 11-4-3, reached quarterfinals
Returning starters: Brody Ennis, sr., M/A; Connor Waldron, sr., A; Wyatt Bamford, sr., M; Ryan Monasky, sr., G; Deryk Matthews, sr., D; Aaryn Durand, jr., M; David Mahoney, jr., M/D; Sam Binder, so., D; Bronson Glines, so., M/A; Evan Martinez, so., M/A.
Top newcomers: Dane Smith, so., D/M; Devin McPherson, so., D/M; Zayn Morris, fr., D/M Sebastian Vaughan, fr., D.
Outlook: “Upperclassmen heavy with a lot of experience, need to build team chemistry and build off of early season successes.” – Foley
Teams to beat: St. Thomas, Kearsarge, Hopkinton and Gilford.
Bishop Brady
Division: III
Coach: Erik Nelson (first year)
Last year: 7-8-2, reached prelims
Returning starters: Henry Thresher, sr., G; Andrew King, sr., A; David Cameron, sr., D; Cooper Albee, jr., D; Jon Lazear, jr., A; Luke Beddard, sr., A/M; Sean Dunn, sr., A.
Top newcomers: John “Jack” Albee, fr. A; Landen Krause, sr., M; Ben Gendron, sr., M.
Outlook: “A first-round exit to Hopkinton last season, the Giants look to build on that run with a number of key returning players. The tri-captain core of the team is a high-level asset with key newcomers contributing in key roles.” – Nelson
Teams to beat: Kearsarge, St. Thomas, Trinity, Gilford, Prospect Mountain, Hopkinton, Derryfield and Belmont.
Hillsboro-Deering
Division: III
Coach: Joseph Gillett (5th year)
Last year: 3-11-2
Returning starters: Ryan Shortt, sr.; Owen Gosselin, sr.; Quinn Coombs, jr.; Kirian Robbins, sr.; Rylan Michael, sr.
Top newcomers: Logan Cyzyweski, so.; Jahcobi Hibbert, so.; Ben Crossman, fr.
Outlook: “We are looking to bounce back after the loss of nine seniors last year. We have another experienced team, with 10 seniors, and six juniors and hope to find some success with our core team. Our midfield and wing backs are new to starting roles, and we have high hopes for the boys. Captain Ryan Shortt will be looking to have an all-state caliber season.” – Gillett
Teams to beat: Kearsarge and St. Thomas.
Hopkinton
Division: III
Coach: Scott Zipke (21st year)
Last year: 13-4-2, reached semifinals
Returning starters: Cooper Owens, jr., D; Ollie Zahn, jr., M; Rowan Boyle, sr., M.
Top newcomers: AJ Pratts, sr., M; Hayden O’Connor, so., D.
Outlook: “Graduated 10 guys from last year’s semi-final team, including 8 starters. A lot of work is being put in to claim those spots but, with only nine pre-season days before our first game, figuring out the ‘correct’ starting lineup will be a work in progress that will continue late into the season. Our goal this season is to keep our standards high – work towards not having a letdown after graduating such a high-quality Class of 2025.” – Zipke
Teams to beat: Kearsage, Stevens and Belmont.
Kearsarge
Division: III
Coach: Couper Gunn (5th year)
Last year: 15-1-4, D-III runner-up
Returning starters: Grady Burch, jr., G; Cooper Russell, sr., D; Rylan Fitzgerald, sr., M; Trenton Judkins, sr., M; Quinn Cusick, sr., A; Bryce Selby, jr., M.
Top newcomers: Dustin Hedderig, fr.
Outlook: “To be undeniable state champions through our defensive organization and creative, free-flowing, varied attack.” – Gunn
Teams to beat: Kearsarge, St. Thomas and Hopkinton.
Winnisquam
Division: III
Coach: Thomas Osmer (7th year)
Last year: 6-8-2, reached prelims
Returning starters: Jacoby Keith, sr., G; Noah Bassett, sr., D; Kaito Tamaru, jr., D; Jack McGranaghan, jr., D; Simon Ahlgren, so., M; Brady Nelson, sr., M; Nolan Abbott, jr., M; Jon Wright, sr., F; Braeden Perrault, sr., F.
Outlook: “With most of our starters returning, including some key players, we are optimistic for the season. As always, our number one goal is to play a game we can be proud of. We will be trying to qualify for a fifth playoff berth.” – Osmer
Teams to beat: Newfound in Bear Cup.
Concord Christian
Division: IV
Coach: Joe Nault (first year)
Last year: 10-6, reached quarterfinals
Franklin
Division: IV
Coach: Charlie Chapple (first year varsity, 5th overall) and Matthew Blouin (first year)
Last year: N/A
Returners: Kayla Adams, sr.; Lindsey Benwell, sr.; Jasmine Boullie, jr.; Jaxon Desmarais, jr.; Joseph Dougherty, jr.; Chase Hatcher, jr.; Carmello Kasse, jr.; Billy Lavallee-Chesley, jr.; Gabe Marland, jr.; Thomas Nason, sr.; Sam Silva, jr.; Corbin Wyatt, jr.
Outlook: “We have played a JV schedule for the last four years because of low numbers. Last year, the players proved they’re ready for a higher level of competition. We’re excited to challenge ourselves as we return to the Division IV Varsity level.” – Chapple
Teams to beat: Epping.
Pittsfield
Division: IV
Coach: Logan LaRoche (4th year)
Last year: 3-11-1
Returning starters: Jacob Cassin, sr., M; Aaron Ahern, sr., D/M; Mason Weldon, jr., M; Owen Clark, jr., M; Gavin Martin, jr., D; Trevor Danton, jr., G; Carter Cassin, so., M; Cam Thurston, fr., A.
Outlook: “The Panther boys are looking to break through the division this season. Last season, our group was very young, and those boys have grown a lot both mentally and physically since then. We have a balance of experience and youth, and a strong core of players who invest in the sport year-round. The Panther boys will be striving to make themselves known this season, and we are all in on earning our spot in the playoff picture.” – LaRoche
Top newcomers: Riley Lavigne, fr., D; Sawyer Morse, 8th grade, M/A.
Outlook: Epping and Woodsville.