High schools: Top-seeded Hopkinton wins, Belmont upsets Gilford in D-III boys’ soccer prelims, plus more tournament action
Bishop Brady’s Andrew King (17) tries to break through Hopkinton’s defense while junior defender Shane Smith (18) closes down on Oct. 22. Hopkinton defeated Bishop Brady late in the regular season and again in Wednesday’s preliminary round. CHIP GRIFFIN / Photos By Chip
| Published: 10-31-2024 12:49 AM |
No. 1 Hopkinton 4, No. 16 Bishop Brady 0
Key players: Hopkinton – Nolan Linstad (2 goals), Cody Charron (goal), Noah Aframe (goal), Fin Murphy (2 assists), Kristof Cauley (assist), Travis Windhurst (saves); Bishop Brady – Henry Thresher (7 saves)
Highlights: Charron scored 12 seconds into the match, the Hawks dominated the time of possession and created many dangerous scoring chances, the Hopkinton maintained its undefeated record with a shutout victory in the preliminary round of the Division III tournament. The opening, very fast, goal was a quick run on the outside by Cauley before he crossed to an open Charron on the back post. Linstad’s goals (in the 13th and 48th minutes) were both from nice crosses that he finished calmly in close. Aframe’s score (in the 44th minute) was a header from a failed clear off a corner kick. The Hawks will host No. 8 Kearsarge in Saturday’s D-III quarterfinal.
Coach’s quote: “Deegan Tomaz, although not on the score sheet, made a huge contribution to the win from the center midfield position.” – Hopkinton’s Scott Zipke
Records: Hopkinton 16-0-1; Bishop Brady 5-12-0
No. 8 Kearsarge 6, No. 9 Hillsboro-Deering 1
Highlights: The Cougars took advantage of the conditions on Proctor Academy’s turf field, easily dispatching the Hillcats in the preliminary round of the D-III tournament. Kearsarge will play at No. 1 Hopkinton in Saturday’s quarterfinal. The Cougars beat H-D, 3-2, in the regular season on Oct. 1.
Records: Kearsarge 8-5-4; H-D 8-8-1
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No. 11 Belmont 1, No. 6 Gilford 0
Key players: Belmont – Nate Allard (goal)
Highlights: Allard scored the only goal of the match in the second half as the Raiders upset the Eagles in the first round of the Division III tournament on the road in Gilford. Belmont will play at No. 3 Prospect Mountain (15-2-0) in Saturday’s quarterfinal.
Records: Belmont 7-6-4; Gilford 10-5-2
No. 12 Trinity 1, No. 5 Winnisquam 0
Highlights: The Pioneers upset the Bears on the road in Tilton to advance to Saturday’s quarterfinal round. Trinity will play at No. 4 St. Thomas.
Records: Trinity 6-6-5; Winnisquam 11-4-2
No. 6 Coe-Brown 3, No. 11 Souhegan 0
Key players: Coe-Brown – Brady Colgan (2 assists), Ryan Kouchoukos (goal, assist), Kasey Searing (goal), Tommy Maskwa (goal), James McKane (assist), Steve Phillips (3 saves)
Highlights: Colgan slotted a pass to Searing at the 18, who finished it off for Coe-Brown’s second goal and the Bears shutout the Sabers in the preliminary round of the Division II tournament. Coe-Brown will play at No. 3 Milford (12-2-2) in Saturday’s quarterfinal.
Coach’s quote: “An unselfish pass from Brady (Colgan) to Kasey (Searing) was indicative of the team-first mentality we’ve seen our guys start to embrace, and it gave us some breathing room in sloppy conditions where anything can happen. Having as many assists as goals tells the story of the day: unselfish play and a ton of attacking movement. Add in full-team defensive commitment, and we are starting to see our guys play some of their best stuff of the season. We’re excited for Saturday.” – Coe-Brown’s Christian Gompert
Records: Coe-Brown 9-6-2; Souhegan 4-7-6
No. 4 Woodsville 6, No. 13 Pittsfield 0
Highlights: The much-improved Panthers ended their season in the Division IV preliminary round on Wednesday, Pittsfield’s first playoff game since 2021. The Panthers went 0-14 in 2023 and 1-15 in 2022.
Records: Woodsville 14-2-1; Pittsfield 5-8-3
No. 8 Littleton 6, No. 9 Concord Christian 2
Highlights: The Kingsmen allowed six goals, the most they’ve allowed in a single match all season, in a first round loss in the D-IV postseason tournament.
Records: Littleton 8-5-4; Concord Christian 8-7-2
No. 2 Coe-Brown 3, No. 15 John Stark 0
Key players: Coe-Brown – Emma Zeblisky (15 kills, 4 aces), Haile Comeau (7 aces, 11 digs), Avery Keefe (20 assists, 4 digs), Natalie George (5 kills)
Coach's quote: “Playoffs always come with some extra emotions, and I’m so proud of how the team settled and enjoyed the match. The growth in their game and their commitment to playing for each other has been incredible to watch. Tonight they earned more time to climb together.” – Coe-Brown’s Renee Zobel
Records: Coe-Brown 17-1; John Stark 8-10
Somersworth 3, Winnisquam 0
Highlights: The Bears fell to the Hilltoppers in straight sets for the second time this season, ending Winnisquam’s playoff hopes in the preliminary round.
Records: Somersworth 19-0; Winnisquam 7-10
Field hockey: All-State rosters released, Concord’s Armaganian named D-I Coach of the Year, John Stark’s Bolduc wins D-II’s Defensive POY
Former Merrimack Valley dynamic basketball duo continues to perform for the NEC Pilgrims
Boys’ soccer: Hopkinton’s Murphy wins D-III Player of the Year, Zipke named Coach of the Year as Hawks lead area All-State selections
