Bow senior Ava Adams scored her first varsity goal on a long bouncing cross from senior Cara Van Dyke. Even late in a big win, it confirmed the Falcons are a force in Division II.
Bow entered this season with a title to defend. Through eight games in 2026, no one had bested them. Hosting Pembroke (7-1-0) on Tuesday was a true test for how good this Bow team actually was. The Falcons showed it with a 6-0 win.
“I love my team so much. They’re always there for me and the way they all cheered me on and hugged me made me feel so good about myself,” Adams said about the moment she scored her goal.
The culture head coach Jay Vogt has created with the girls’ teams has carried over from year to year. From their pre-game warm-up routine where they run in and out of a circle around him to hype themselves up, to the fierce and relentless work rate on the pitch.
Every player knows their role and task. Every player knows what chance they’re looking for to pounce. Adams said that even coming on as a substitute, she’s always ready and watching the starters to emulate their play.
The Falcons’ only draw was against Souhegan away from home, ending 0-0. Bow’s defense had shut out every opponent and the offense had scored 34 goals in total.
Pembroke’s attack had a chance to finally break that streak early in the game from a cross to sophomore Paige Bemis that bounced around the box.
For Pembroke, it was a tough loss to stomach after such a good run through eight games. There were bright spots defensively in the midfield, particularly Kennedy Jeski and Lily Ricc. Still, the long-ball style of play by the Spartans allowed Bow lots of control and possession.
The defense was solid all game for Bow. Junior Zoey Lupien was one of the most active and vocal leaders in the back line. Even though keeping the net at zero adds some pressure to the defense, she said, it also pushes them to work even harder. Alongside centerback Reanne Hubbard, the two were able to clear most of Pembroke’s long balls.
“I feel like we have trust in each other that if one of us is missing it, the next one’s got it,” Lupien said.
Offensively, junior forward Ava Popielarz opened the scoring with a good run forward on a through ball from freshman Hannah Couture, nestling her shot low into the far post.
Popielarz scored two more similarly, hunting as a true No. 9 in the box and on a forward run. Those two goals were assisted by freshman forward Addison Young.
Young scored one herself, assisted by senior Brylie Gelinas. Sophomore Jolee Trudel rounded out the scoring with a good finish on a cross by junior Jaeden Kennedy.
Popielarz said that the Falcons understand their positioning well. They’re able to take decisive action on and off the ball moving forward.
“We really understand each other, so we all know our roles and expectations if we lose the ball,” Popielarz said.
Bow will move on undefeated and carrying goalie Sierra Scull’s clean sheet streak forward to play Lebanon (2-5-1) next. That game is scheduled for Saturday at 4 p.m. in Lebanon.
Pembroke is still well positioned in the top five of Division II and will look to bounce back at home against Coe-Brown (3-6-0) on Friday at 4 p.m.