At an early-season team meeting, Bedford boys tennis head coach Shawna Morley asked her players what their goals were the season.

With each hand that went up, the goals became loftier, eventually ending with one player saying his goal for the team was a state championship. For this second-year program, it’s not out of the question.

The Bulldogs continued their hot start to the season with a road victory over previously unbeaten Souhegan, leaving Amherst with a 5-4 triumph on Monday, May 4, to improve to 4-0 on the year.

“Just last year we were developing sportsmanship and how to act. That’s in check,” said Morley. “Now we have a taste for what it is to compete. We want tournament time and to be contenders.”

Bedford grabbed the lead during singles play as No. 1 Myles Utell and No. 3 Nate Denoncourt cruised to 8-2 and 8-0 wins, respectively.

The other two singles victories came from the No. 5 and 6 players, Wesley Maddox and Ben Greiner, 8-3 and 8-6, leaving the Bulldogs one doubles win away from the team victory.

Despite the 4-2 lead entering doubles, the match was in doubt as all Bedford duos trailed.

Denoncourt and Jim Foley came back, sealing the match with their victory.

Juniors Andrew Weeks and Denoncourt have brought experience to the team after playing for Morley in 2006 as freshmen at West, a team that was the state runner-up.

In addition to that leadership, Morley said the feeder programs in the area have been critical components to her young team’s early success.

Bedford’s mentor said she is not only focused on getting team wins, but also getting players qualified for the individual state tournament.

The Bulldogs have won each match this year despite health concerns, including Courtney Mountifield, who had been ranked as one of the top players in New England.

Mountifield has battled a wrist injury but is expected to return before season’s end. Morley is excited to see how deep into the playoffs her team can go if it can become healthy and continue to improve.

“We’re planting the seed and really letting them discover things on their own,” she said. “It’s a coach’s dream to have so many players that love the game and are committed to getting better.”