High schools: Concord softball upset train continues to final four; Coe-Brown, Hopkinton boys’ lax advance to D-III semifinals

Bishop Brady second baseman Reese Henry can’t come up with the ball as a Monadnock baserunner slides safely on Monday at Rollins Park. Bishop Brady’s season, and 15-game winning streak, came to an end in Monday’s D-III quarterfinal.

Bishop Brady second baseman Reese Henry can’t come up with the ball as a Monadnock baserunner slides safely on Monday at Rollins Park. Bishop Brady’s season, and 15-game winning streak, came to an end in Monday’s D-III quarterfinal. GEOFF FORESTER / Monitor staff

Bishop Brady shortstop Payton Bryson makes a diving catch against Monadnock on Monday as second baseman Reese Henry looks on.

Bishop Brady shortstop Payton Bryson makes a diving catch against Monadnock on Monday as second baseman Reese Henry looks on. GEOFF FORESTER  / Monitor staff

Maggie Taylor (13) celebrates at home plate with her teammates after her 3-run homer on Monday in a Division I softball quarterfinal at Goffstown High School. Taylor’s home run in the top of the fifth inning gave Concord softball a 5-1 lead. The Tide scored five runs in the inning and No. 12 Concord upset No. 4 Goffstown, 7-1, to reach the final four for the 15th time in the last 20 seasons.

Maggie Taylor (13) celebrates at home plate with her teammates after her 3-run homer on Monday in a Division I softball quarterfinal at Goffstown High School. Taylor’s home run in the top of the fifth inning gave Concord softball a 5-1 lead. The Tide scored five runs in the inning and No. 12 Concord upset No. 4 Goffstown, 7-1, to reach the final four for the 15th time in the last 20 seasons. Chip Griffin / Photos By Chip

Tess Bolduc reaches for an out at first base in Concord's Division I softball quarterfinal victory on Monday at Goffstown High School. No. 12 Concord upset No. 4 Goffstown, 7-1, to reach the final four for the 15th time in the last 20 seasons.

Tess Bolduc reaches for an out at first base in Concord's Division I softball quarterfinal victory on Monday at Goffstown High School. No. 12 Concord upset No. 4 Goffstown, 7-1, to reach the final four for the 15th time in the last 20 seasons. Chip Griffin / Photos By Chip

Published: 06-10-2025 12:13 AM

D-I Softball

No. 12 Concord 7, No. 4 Goffstown 1

Key players: Concord – Bailey Cassin (7 IP, 1 ER, 3 H, 9 K; 2-for-3, HR, 2 RBI), Maggie Taylor (2-for-3, HR, walk, 2 runs, 3 RBI), Tess Bolduc (hit, walk, 2 RBI), Jaylyn Wessling (hit, run), Andie Moreira (hit, walk, 2 runs), Ella Chrabolowski (run); Goffstown – Casey Rivard (HR)

Highlights: No. 12 Concord pulled off its second major upset of the tournament, eliminating the No. 4 Grizzlies to reach the Final Four for the 15th time in the last 20 seasons. Bolduc delivered a 2-run single in the top of the first for all the runs Cassin would need. The Tide’s freshman battery of Cassin and catcher Kiley Taylor (who calls the game) had the Grizzlies off balance, limiting them to just three hits. The first was Rivard’s solo homer in the bottom of the fourth, which cut Concord’s lead to 2-1, but the Tide answered right back in the top of the fifth, with home runs by Maggie Taylor and Cassin plating five runs for a commanding 7-1 lead. The Tide takes on top-ranked and reigning champion Londonderry (20-0) in Wednesday’s 7 p.m. semifinal at Plymouth State.

Coach’s quote: “Ranking doesn’t mean a thing to these girls right now. They’re playing with so much joy and enthusiasm, and it’s contagious. We’ve got a huge challenge in front of us, but as a team if we keep playing like this, who knows what we could do.” – Concord assistant Sandy Smith

Records: Concord 12-8; Goffstown 15-5

D-III Softball

No. 5 Monadnock 12, No. 4 Bishop Brady 3

Highlights: The Giants’ season, and 15-game win streak, came to an end in the Division III quarterfinals on Monday. Brady started the season 0-2 before going 14-0 to close out the regular season and picking up its 15th win in preliminary round.

Records: Monadnock 16-3; Bishop Brady 15-3

D-III Boys’ Lacrosse

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No. 1 Coe-Brown 12, No. 9 Kearsarge 1

Key players: Coe-Brown – Gilbert Beann (4 goals, 3 assists), Sam Frye (3 goals, assist), Garrett Ward (2 goals, assist), Ryan Rodler (goal, 3 assists), Liam White (goal, 2 assists), Joseph Fenton (goal), Jack Matson (5 saves), Aiden McGuigan (14-for-17 faceoffs); Kearsarge – Brodie Malynowski (11 saves), Reed Cole-Tucker (goal), Will Spanos (assist)

Highlights: The Bears led 2-1 at the end of the first quarter, but pulled away to lead 5-1 at halftime, 7-1 heading in the fourth and exploded for five goals in the final frame to secure Coe-Brown’s first playoff victory in seven years under coach DePalma. The undefeated Bears look to keep their streak alive in Thursday night’s semifinal against No. 4 Hopkinton at Bank of NH Stadium in Laconia at 7:15 p.m.

Coach’s quote: “Tip of the hat to the Kearsarge staff and players. They have been classy both times we have seen them this year and play hard. I am so excited for all those who have put into building this program to finally get a playoff win, but it is just A playoff win, not THE playoff win. Anyone left has a shot at it and we know we are going to have to compete on every play, in every aspect of the game on Thursday with Hopkinton to keep this thing rolling. They are legends, we know what they’ve done. Coach Blue always has those guys in this position. It will be fun. I am super proud of our gents for the focus and consistency they played with today. Very grateful for the awesome support from the CBNA community today as well.” – Coe-Brown’s Tony DePalma

Records: Coe-Brown 16-0; Kearsarge 10-6

No. 4 Hopkinton 16, No. 5 Laconia 8

Key players: Hopkinton – Merrick Chapin (4 goals, 5 assists, 5 ground balls), Shane Smith (5 goals, assist, 5 ground balls), Jackson Westover (4 goals, assist, 5 ground balls), Rowan Boyle (2 goals, 2 assists), Owen Buss (goal, assist, 6 ground balls), Ozzie Rosenholm (17-for-25 faceoffs, 11 ground balls), Brayden Crawford (6 ground balls, 5 caused turnovers), Kaleb Huse (5 ground balls, 3 caused turnovers), Nolan Staples-Roy (3 ground balls, 2 caused turnovers), Nolan Linstad (3 ground balls, caused turnover); Laconia – Eli Nadeau (3 goals), Brady Stevens (3 goals), Rock Londer (2 goals)

Highlights: This postseason bout between two perennial Division III powers stayed close early, with the Hawks up 5-3 after the first quarter and 7-5 at halftime, but Hopkinton found its stride in the third. The Hawks capitalized on several plays to pull ahead, 12-7, going into the fourth, and held on to secure their spot in the Final Four. Hopkinton will play undefeated Coe-Brown in the semifinals on Thursday at 7:15 p.m. at Bank of NH Stadium in Laconia.

Coach’s quote: “I am so proud of what we accomplished as a team today. Laconia is a tough team with skilled players and we overcame that with poise, grit, and guile. We are playing our best lacrosse right now and are jazzed for a big matchup against undefeated Coe-Brown.” – Hopkinton’s Deacon Blue

Records: Hopkinton 12-3; Laconia 11-5