Bow News : sports

Bow’s deep D-1 run ends with tight loss to title winners

Goffstown Editor — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 19:07:00 GMT

BY MATT SCHOOLEY

Bedford’s ride to a District 1 championship nearly hit a speed bump, courtesy of a powerful Bow team.

On July 15, Bow’s 11- and 12-year-olds pushed the eventual champions to the limit but lost, 6-4, during the losers’ bracket quarterfinals.

Bow fell behind after the first inning, 3-0, but Colby Fortin began his team’s comeback with an RBI groundout in the top of the third.

Though small ball helped put Bow on the board, the long ball put them ahead in the visiting half of the fifth, when Nate Corriveau and Fortin hit back-to-back home runs to give their team a 4-3 lead.

After Evan Vulgamore led off the inning with a double, Corriveau launched a rocket over the fence, and after a Bedford pitching change, Fortin followed suit.

While the bottom of the frame started quietly enough with a strikeout and two infield singles, Bedford recaptured the lead soon after with a two-out bases-loaded triple that scored three runs.

“I was surprised it was such a hit-fest,” said Bow manager Jamie Vulgamore. “When they went up, 3-0, you just never know how the kids are going to battle back. They answered nicely.”

Despite his team’s elimination from the bracket, Vulgamore said he doesn’t believe it’ll be the last time his players suit up together.

“We’re a small town, so for us to be able to compete against these teams, I don’t see anyone that can keep up with these guys when they get to the high school level,” said Vulgamore.

Team members were Ryan Boldwin, Vulgamore, Corriveau, Fortin, Sam Morrow, Sebastian Strong, Dylan Bibeau, Stephen Panella, Travis Reynolds, Nathan Cunningham, Patrick Hughes, Connor Simpson and Nick Kruger.

Despite loss to Windham, Bow hoping to earn berth to regionals

Goffstown Editor — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 18:55:00 GMT

BY MATT SCHOOLEY

Following a loss to Salem National, Bow tripped up and fell into the losers’ bracket of the District 1 baseball tournament.

Three wins after that setback, a confident Bow squad found itself hoping to plan a different kind of trip.

On Monday, July 13, the 11- and 12-year-old all-stars won their third consecutive game with a 5-3 win over Derry American and earned a spot in the losers’ bracket semifinal against Bedford in a game scheduled for Wednesday, July 15.

Should Bow overcome Bedford, it would find itself in the losers’ bracket final with a rematch against Salem National, hoping to avenge an 11-1 loss from July 3 and earn the right to face Windham, the victor in the winners’ bracket.

Bow manager Jamie Vulgamore said he has confidence his team would be able to defeat Windham the required two games, and he has his eyes set on a higher goal.

“We’ve been playing every other day and we’ve had every type of game,” said Vulgamore.

“We’ve had to come back, we’ve had to hold the lead. I don’t think our kids are concerned at all. They think that they could win two against the Windham, and they think they could go to Connecticut (to the East Regional tournament).”

In the victory over Derry, Nate Corriveau hurled 4 2/3 innings and struck out eight batters to earn the win in addition to smacking a two-run home run in the fourth. Corriveau was scheduled to pitch against Salem National if Bow can defeat Bedford. and advance.

Number six hitter Sabastian Strong hit his first long ball of the tournament in the second inning against Derry to open the scoring, pounding a solo shot to give his team a 1-0 advantage.

Nate Cunningham added to the lead with an RBI single in the third inning before Corriveau’s home run, which was followed shortly after in the fourth by Colby Fortin’s solo shot to give Bow a 5-0 lead.

“We have a lot of big hitters,” said Vulgamore. “I have the deepest lineup that I think a Bow all-star team has every had. My six through nine hitters are just as good as my leadoff and second hitters.”

In six tournament games, Bow has pounded out 50 runs for a 5-1 record.

The team’s pitching has also been solid, and Vulgamore said unlike many Little League teams, he doesn’t have to rely solely on his ace.

“For me, it’s hard figuring out who to start. I really have three aces. I never have to worry about getting through one game to get to our ace pitcher,” said Vulgamore. “We knew coming into this year that it was our time to make a run at it. This has been our best shot in Bow for a while, and we’ve known that for a while.”

Athlete of the month: Bow’s Bucchino a rock in net for state champs

Goffstown Editor — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 20:11:00 GMT

BY MATT SCHOOLEY
Sponsored by Indian Head Athletics

David Bucchino won’t be in net when the next Bow boys lacrosse season starts, but he’ll still have an impact in the crease.

In addition to working closely with his protege during practices, the recently graduated Bucchino steadied the Falcons en route to a second consecutive Division II title, earning him the honor of Indian Head Athletics Athlete of the Month for June.

During Bow’s three postseason contests, Bucchino allowed just under six goals per game, but it wasn’t only his work during games that impressed Falcons mentor Chris Gaudreau.

“He’s just got it. His talent as far as being a leader and getting other kids to follow is even more impressive,” said Gaudreau. “Not only does he have talent, but he carries himself in exactly the way you’d want him to.”

Next year, the Falcons turn to a junior netminder with little varsity experience. John Fanaras was the backup goalie this year, and he was able to soak in a great deal of advice from Bucchino, a fellow left-hander.

“There have been a lot of skills I picked up from him, from hugging the post and keeping the angles,” said Fanaras. “I also got to see the way he handled himself in a lot of big situations. He holds his composure very well, and that’s something that every goalie should take into consideration.”

Both Fanaras and Gaudreau said Bucchino carries the same intensity he has during games while on the practice field.

Bucchino, who plans to play lacrosse at Elmira College next year, said it will be difficult to move on from the Falcons, yet he knows he’s leaving the team in good hands with Fanaras taking his place.

“I told him before I left that he had big shoes to fill, but he’s ready. I have a lot of confidence in him,” said Bucchino. “They gave me a lot of respect. It’ll be really hard for me to leave, but I definitely went out with a big bang.”

During the end-of-year awards ceremony at the high school, Bucchino was given the Male Sportsmanship Award – not just for the spring season, but for the entire year.

Gaudreau will miss Bucchino next season, both on and off the field.

“He’s really a coach’s dream,” said Gaudreau. “He attacks the ball, and he makes saves that you wouldn’t expect him to be able to make. Every game there were four or five goals that he kept off the board. He just saved us.”

(Editor’s note: The Athlete of the Month receives a $50 gift certificate courtesy of Indian Head Athletics.)

Bow girls pick up five more early-season wins

Goffstown Editor — Wed, 06 May 2009 18:07:00 GMT

The Bow Falcons improved to 6-1 in Class I girls tennis following recent victories against Pelham, Laconia, Kearsarge, Kennett and, on Monday, May 4, Pembroke Academy. The team’s lone blemish in 2009 was a 7-2 setback to Hanover on April 29.

In a rain-shortened 6-1 decision over Pelham, Kate Torres, Mariah Leven and Emma Mulvaney, the locals’ top three singles players, respectively, dropped one game combined in sweeping their matches. Pooja Kasireddy, the team’s No. 4, and Lizzy Rogers, at No. 6, each dropped two games in taking their matches and securing the team win.

Torres and Leven teamed for a doubles victory before rain arrived, interrupting Mulvaney and Brenna Froleiks, who were leading their No. 2 doubles match. Emily Zbehlik and Rogers, at No. 3, were ahead as well.

Bow dropped just seven games overall in shutting out Laconia on April 25, 9-0. Hayley Macanni earned an 8-2 win at No. 3 singles, while Rachel Foster joined with Rogers at No. 3 doubles for an 8-1 outcome.

Torres, Leven, Mulvaney, Kasireddy and Zbehlik handily won their singles matches. Kasireddy and Froleiks were 8-1 winners at No. 2 doubles, while Torres and Leven were 8-0 victors at No. 1 doubles.

At Kearsarge on April 27, the match was over with five Bow singles wins, including a pair of shutouts, one each from Leven at No. 2 and Mulvaney at No. 4.

The loss on April 29 featured two tight 8-6 setbacks for Bow singles, with No. 3 Mulvaney and No. 6 Zbehlik falling just short. Still, Macanni, the team’s No. 2 that day, and Stephanie Malanga, at No. 5, won their matches.

At home on April 30, Bow doubled up Kennett, 6-3. Once more, the Falcons closed out the match before singles play ended. Zbehlik posted a shutout victory at No. 6.

The Falcons lost just two games in singles play against Pembroke en route to a 9-0 victory.

Macanni and Mulvaney edged their PA foes at No. 1 doubles, 8-6, while Zbehlik and Rogers, at No. 2, and Froleiks and Foster, at No. 3, were both 8-3 winners.

– Jerry Liptak

Bow girls soccer team falls in OT to eventual state runner-up

Bow Editor — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 02:17:00 GMT

BY RYAN O’CONNOR

With the season’s first snowfall as the backdrop, the No. 8 Bow Lady Falcons missed several key opportunities, including a shot off the crossbar late in the second half, and Hollis-Brookline, the ninth-seeded visitors and eventual state runner-up, scored three minutes into sudden death to secure a Class I opening-round victory on Oct. 29.

Still, Bow girls soccer coach Jay Vogt said the season was one of growth, especially for the younger players.

“Some of them started off somewhat tentative, but as the year progressed they became comfortable in their roles and the speed of play and did a great job contributing to the success of our team,” said Vogt.

Though the Lady Falcons lose eight seniors – captains Colby Jacobson, Lauren Allison and Caitlin Pratt, as well as Caitlin Heindl, Mariah Leven, Leanna Shea, Emily Shirlock, and Kate Torres – Vogt said he fully expects his strong crop of juniors to step up and lead the team.

“I expect everyone to take their game to the next level. We were all disappointed in ending our playoff run so early this year, so hopefully that motivates everyone to work hard and come back as better players,” he said. “My expectations are that we will be as competitive next year as we were this year. A lot will depend on what the returning players do from now until the start of tryouts next August, what JV players are ready to step up to varsity and contribute, and if any incoming freshmen can step in and play on the varsity level.”

Expected back next season are juniors Hope Hartley, Hannah Whitley, Lauryn Wheeler, Olivia Foy and Emily Hannon; sophomores Taylor Grip and Kassadi Phelps; and freshmen Rachel Kramer, Kyle Duval, Missy Gloekler and Molly Perkins.

Bow wants its trail signs back

Bow Editor — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 01:03:00 GMT

BY MATT SCHOOLEY

Bow police are looking for any tips from residents with information about three signs that were stolen from the Town Forest.

The signs were noticed missing on Saturday, Oct. 11, one week after they had been installed by the Bow Pioneers Snowmobile Club.

On Oct. 4, club members placed three large wooden signs at the three major trail junctions in the woods, and soon after, the one placed at Trail Junction 15 was discovered missing.

Several days after the first sign was found missing, police discovered that two others had been taken as well.

Only one sign was recovered, as it was found nearby in the river. Pioneers group members re-cemented the sign into the ground, and it is now back in its original location.

“We have no clue or no idea. We don’t know why they would go out of their way to make the beautiful posts disappear,” said Ray Cote, a member of the Bow Pioneers.

Bow Police Officer Justin Sargent said the sign was likely stolen close to the day it was placed in the ground.

“It was lifted out of cement, and the cement hasn’t even dried, so it had to have been pretty quick after they were working on it,” said Sargent.

The brown signs are about 5 feet tall, made out of wood with yellow lettering.

Members of the Bow Pioneers Club are offering a $100 reward for tips leading to the person or person who stole the signs, and the return of the signs in any condition.

Anyone with information may call the Concord Regional Crimeline, anonymously, at 226- 3100.

“The sign was taken from them, and they are very interested in getting it back,” said Sargent. “People are just pulling them straight out of the ground. We have only found one, so I am not sure what they’re doing with the others.”

Bow boys soccer team loses again to Pembroke

Bow Editor — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 00:59:00 GMT

BY RYAN O’CONNOR

This time last year, the Bow boys soccer team had locked up a top-four seed in the Class I tournament, par for the course for George Pinkham’s squad.

Peter Bisson, on the other hand, was completing his first season at the Pembroke Academy helm. His team had shown signs of progress, but were out of playoff contention nonetheless.

This year, things are a little different. Though the Falcons are in the playoffs again, it’s they who are playing the unfamiliar role of underdog while Bisson’s boys continue to crash the Class I party.

In fact, Bow was the first on what’s become a long list of foes to suffer a surprise setback at the hands of the upstart Spartans.

On Aug. 29, PA traveled to Bow to open the season and defeated the defending state runners- up, 2-1.

This time around, the Falcons had a better idea what to expect, yet the result was no different.

Behind three goals from striker Ryan Clark and another from Caleb Bonanno, the Spartans won again on Monday, Oct. 21, 4-0, and improved to 9-3-2, good enough for fourth place.

Bow, now 7-7-1 on the season, was 6-2-1 in nine prior contests and hadn’t given up more than two goals in a game since Sept. 6. Yet Bisson said he had a feeling his players were due for a big performance. Scoring the first goal against Bow’s staunch defense, he said, gave them all the confidence they needed.

“The energy was there. I don’t know if it’s because it was our last home game or what, but if we can maintain that energy and finish teams off, we’ve got a real shot,” said Bisson. “I’ve got a lot of talent and the right players are in the right spots. I’m willing to put it all in their hands.”

Despite the 2-0 record against the Falcons during the regular season, Bisson said that doesn’t mean he’d like to see them again in the playoffs.

“They’re dangerous,” he said. They defend well and they can get forward very quickly. They’re right in there with a lot of good teams that can easily beat you on any given day.”

Pinkham said he’s happy just to be in the playoffs. In fact, he said he hasn’t looked at the standings since mid-September.

“We’ve struggled all year offensively. We know that and we now we need to hold teams down with our defense,” said Pinkham. “I give this Pembroke team credit, the chances they had they finished. They look very strong.”

Good John Stark and Bow girls soccer teams use OT to verify there’s room to improve

Bow Editor — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 20:59:00 GMT

BY MATT SCHOOLEY

Bow’s and John Stark’s girls soccer teams couldn’t muster any serious offensive threats through 80 minutes of play.

But it took John Stark forward Joan Hamel only 1 minute, 4 seconds to break through the afternoon shadows that consumed the Bow High School field and a host of Falcon defenders. Her goal gave the Lady Generals a 1-0 overtime win.

The Friday, Oct. 10, contest was a battle of Class I postseason contenders; both teams entered the game with eight wins.

Coming off a difficult 2-1 loss to Kearsarge, John Stark’s head coach, Heather Doucette, preached to her team about the importance of a road win against Bow prior to the game.

“(Bow) was obviously fired up for us, and we came out and really needed to utilize our speed,” said Doucette. “They did a good job of keeping us off of our game. This was big for us after a disappointing loss, so I think it gave us some confidence to finish strong.”

During regulation, the majority of play took place near midfield, with neither goalie tested regularly.

Early in overtime, Hamel picked up a loose ball near midfield and carved through multiple Bow defenders, blasting down the sideline and powering a shot into the upper- right corner of the net.

“In a tight game, it just takes a mistake or someone to step up,” said Bow’s head coach, Jay Vogt. “It happened so quickly. I’m still not really sure what happened. Obviously it’s frustrating.”

Including the loss to the Generals, Bow has been shut out in two of its last three games, a problem Vogt said his squad needs to correct.

“At times we moved the ball, and we did everything until we got to the final third (of the field),” said Vogt. “That’s it. We have to find a way to finish. We just need to create some opportunities and get some shots on net.”

Midfielder Caitlin Heindl and defender Caitlin Pratt played well for the Falcons, while John Stark midfielders Alyssa Charest and Allison Harris were in the middle of the action throughout the contest. The win improved the Generals to 9-4-0 on the season, while Bow dropped to 8-4-0 with the loss.

Despite the win, Doucette said she knows her team, which has scored one or fewer goals five times this season, has to improve offensively.

“Being able to beat a team like this can boost us, but we need to be able to get more creative up front,” said Doucette. “There’s a lot to be done.”

Bow High School's solid golf season points to lower rounds, higher finish in ’09

Bow Editor — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 02:45:00 GMT

BY RYAN O’CONNOR

For the Bow golf team, 2008 was a good year. Coach Mike Seraikas said 2009 has the potential to be a great year.

“The kids worked hard, they all improved, and now we’re just looking forward to next season where we’re going to be a year older and a year more experienced,” said Seraikas, who expects to return all but one current player.

Corey Johnson is the lone senior on the Falcons. In his final varsity golf match, at the Class I championship on Thursday, Oct. 2, Johnson turned in an 18-hole 86.

Though that performance didn’t figure into the top five Bow scores, Seraikas credited his captain with keeping teammates loose throughout the season, including when the pressure was greatest.

Ryan Varney and Sam Cole led the unit at this year’s state tournament, which took place at White Mountains Country Club.

Each carded a 79 during day-one competition to make the cut for individual play. Varney finished with a 36- hole total of 160, while Cole tallied a 166.

Others contributing during team play included Jake Hughes, Bruce LaCasse, Ryan Hill, Peter Cummings and Robbie Gunnison, who notched scores of 82, 83, 84, 95 and 95, respectively.

“Some of kids played their best golf of the year at the state tournament, and I’m looking for that same improvement next season,” said Seraikas, who noted scores are down and parity reigns in Class I.

This year’s champion, Lebanon, which turned in a 376 in the finale, graduates seven players. That undoubtedly makes second-place Bedford, which has no seniors and finished eight strokes back, the odds-on favorite.

Seraikas said there’s no reason his young squad can’t compete with the likes of Bedford, Lebanon, Hanover, Hollis-Brookline and St. Thomas next season.

“I feel we can be very competitive and give Bedford a run for their money if the kids continue to work on their games,” he said. “I mean, Bedford got a 384 with all sophomores and juniors … That’s a hard score to beat, but we’re going to try.”

After another solid year. Bow racer on track to move up

Bow Editor — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 01:54:00 GMT

BY DAVID SUITOR

Brad Zahensky wants to race NASCAR someday, and in preparation he is learning his craft by kart racing at Sugar Hill Speedway in Weare.

The 11-year-old already has three years of experience on paved oval tracks. After taking second in the Tiger Sprint A division, he’ll move up in class next year to the Junior Outlaw division for 12- to 15-year-olds.

Zahensky’s No. 7 racing kart is powered by a menthol-burning, single-cylinder, four-stroke Briggs and Stratton Raptor racing engine. That’s roughly 18 horsepower. Couple that with slick tires and an aerodynamic body for racing on an asphalt oval, and the young Zahensky can reach speeds in the 50 to 60 mph range.

For safety, the karts have a full roll cage, an aluminum racing seat and a five-point racing harness.

Zahensky, a good all-around athlete, also plays soccer, basketball and baseball. When the weather won’t allow on-track racing, he and his family go offroad on their snowmobiles.

The Bow Memorial School fifth-grader is a second-generation racer. His father, Paul, raced dirt cars at Orange County Speedway in New York for many years. The elder Zahensky now turns the wrenches, as well as serving as crew chief, transporter driver, marketing director and instructor for his son, one of four children.

With the help of his experienced coach, the younger Zahensky strives to be a smooth, smart racer. He certainly has the pedigree, as well as good equipment and sponsors, to reach his goals.

Bow golf team's fast start bodes well for 2008 and beyond

Bow Editor — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 00:20:00 GMT

BY RYAN O’CONNOR

They’re young. They’re raw. They might just be good enough to surprise some teams in Class I.

Come Oct. 2, when the top golf teams from around New Hampshire meet at White Mountain Country Club to compete for the state championship, Bow coach Mike Seraikas said he fully expects his squad to be in the mix, despite having just one senior.

“This is a good team with a good bunch of kids,” said Seraikas. “I’m really optimistic about this year, but what I’m really looking forward to is next year when they’re all juniors and seniors and we’re that much more experienced.”

The top six golfers, said Seraikas, are pretty well set. Ryan Varney, Jake Hughes, Ryan Hill and Peter Cummings should consistently score in the top five.

Senior captain Corey Johnson and junior Sam Cole are the two most likely candidates to fill out the top five on any given outing, added the coach. Any one of the top six, said their coach, has the talent to compete in the individual tournament. The last couple slots in the lineup are still up in the air.

“What we’ve got is a lot of kids, ninth- and 10th-graders, competing at the bottom of the order,” said Seraikas. “I’m looking for one or two of them to break away from the pack and fill in our No. 7 and No. 8 spots.”

That list includes Bruce LaCasse, Gerald Kuenning, Connor Whalley and Ryan Meaney.

Seraikas said he takes winning seriously but likes to have fun, too, an attitude that clearly rubs off on his golfers. The formula seems to be working.

Through two outings, Bow is 6-0. After demolishing Portsmouth, Laconia and Con-Val, 202 to 215, 229 and 236, respectively, on Sept. 2, the Falcons edged Kearsarge, 208 to 209, and trumped Pelham and Pembroke, which carded 214 and 250, respectively, on Thursday, Sept. 4.

Preseason jamboree gives coaches glimpse of upcoming year

Bow Editor — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 01:06:00 GMT

BY RYAN O’CONNOR

For one day, 18 soccer teams from four different classes converged on Manchester’s West High School.

Among those squads were Class I’s Bow Lady Falcons and Class M’s Hopkinton Lady Hawks.

The coaches of both units left the Saturday, Aug. 23, event without a sure feel for how their respective seasons would develop. After all, the competition included Class L’s Concord, Nashua North, Manchester Memorial and the host Blue Knights. But each coach certainly gleaned a better reckoning of the players – and talent – at their disposal.

“This is a great start, us playing Concord and West – two solid Class L programs,” said Bow head coach Jay Vogt. “Obviously, our goals are to make the playoffs and go as far as we can … but we just finalized our team, so we really don’t have any expectations yet. We’re just seeing what we have to work with right now.”

Curt Martin agreed.

“We have some talent, and we knew it would be a good experience for them playing a tough Class L team,” said the Hopkinton mentor. “Plus we don’t play every day on the turf, so that makes a lot of difference getting used to the bounces and such. Hopefully we learned some things and that will help us get ready for the season opener.”

Bow

After reaching the 2007 state semifinals and losing in a shootout to the eventual Class I champs, Bow graduated nine seniors.

“We’ve had good teams, but hadn’t been able to get over that hump and win in the first round,” said head coach Jay Vogt. “Last year, we did that and got some confidence and just couldn’t quite get by Oyster River.”

This year, Vogt said the challenges are different, but the playoff goal is the same.

“We only have seven players back from last season, so we need to figure some things out … what type of team we’re going to have and what kind of personality we’re going to have,” said Vogt. “This is a good group of girls, but it may take us a little while to get going. I expect my seniors to step up. It’s their team. It’s their year.”

Those returning are four-year players Colby Jacobson and Caitlin Pratt, as well as Lauren Allison, Mariah Leven, Caitlin Heindl, Leanna Shea and Kate Torres. This year, Bow carries eight seniors, five juniors, two sophomores and four freshman.

“I don’t usually have so many (freshmen) … but these girls all showed they can play,” said Vogt. “Now it’s just a matter of getting used to the bigger girls and high school ball, but they should all do fine.”

Missy Gleckler, Rachel Kramer, Kayla Duval and starting goalkeeper Molly Perkins each enter their first high school season.

Hopkinton

With four state titles in the last 10 years, Hopkinton is considered by many a perennial favorite in Class M. Despite a disappointing quarterfinal-round loss in the 2007 tournament, Martin said his squad is likely to once again contend in 2008.

“My expectation is always make the tournament and then hopefully get into the top four,” said Martin, who has been at the Hopkinton helm for 13 years. “We have some talented kids, some pretty fast kids from one end of the field to the other, so it’s just going to depend on their work ethic and how they gel.”

Alicia Ewing, Sara Dobe and Jacki Fotey are expected to lead this year’s squad. One of their goals, said Martin, is to help the younger athletes maintain their composure.

“I think sometimes we need to be a little bit more patient and maybe not get so excited,” he said. “This is a good group of kids that want to work, but there are some other teams out there that are going to be good. So our success, in large part, depends on how good those teams are, too.”

With high school star back home, SNHU tennis coaches expect tourney invite

Bow Editor — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 20:04:00 GMT

BY RYAN O’CONNOR

During her two years playing on the Bow High School tennis team, Amber Chandronnait guided the Lady Falcons to two state titles while earning two individual championships and one doubles crown.

Those accomplishments, along with a plethora of accolades playing independently, earned her a scholarship to the University of Nebraska.

Homesick, she returns to the Granite State and joins former BHS tennis coaches Greg Coache and Drew Groves at Southern New Hampshire University.

The trio looks to guide the Lady Penman to their first NCAA tournament appearance – not much of a stretch considering SNHU is coming off its best year in program history, the first under Coache and Groves.

In fact, the team fell one point short of earning a national bid in 2008. After a four-and-a-half hour marathon, the season ended with a 5-4 loss at St. Michael’s College in the semifinals of the Northeast-10 Conference tourney.

Prior to his arrival at Southern New Hampshire, Coache was the head coach at Bishop Guertin for several years. He took a step back to become an assistant at Bow – a move that allowed him to dedicate more time to his children while they were in high school.

As soon as his last child graduated, Coache immediately put his name in the hat for an open position at Liberty University, where his son Justin plays tennis.

Finishing runner-up for that job, he was excited to hear a head coaching opportunity had opened at SNHU.

“It was right in the backyard and a pretty powerful D-II school, so when the position opened up, I grabbed it,” said Coache. “The school is really growing, and there is a real buzz about this tennis team. As good as we were last year, I think we’re going to be that much more powerful this year.”

Coache said with the university’s willingness to get him on a plane to go talk to interested recruits in person, he’s been able to draw the interest of five-star prospects around the country.

Moreover, Coache said SNHU has plans in the works to build a clubhouse and cover the tennis courts so those standouts can play year round.

But his first step as head coach was to secure an assistant he could trust to maintain a consistent philosophy on the court.

Old friends

Enter Groves, who Coache assisted at BHS.

“Basically, we just switched titles, and I remind him of that all the time,” said Coache. “We’ve been friends and have played together for years. He’s a great coach, and we definitely share a lot of laughs.”

Coache was so interested in bringing Groves in from the onset that the two worked out a schedule that allowed the latter to fulfill a commitment he made to his daughter, a senior playing for the Goffstown High School tennis team this past season.

“He’s very passionate about the game and very competitive but truly a fair individual who is very fun to work with,” said Groves, who coached the Bow boys to three straight playoff appearances after five years and four titles at Souhegan High School in Amherst. The college game presents unique challenges and opportunities, he said.

“You’re dealing with a different commitment, as far as player development is concerned – and certainly their maturity,” said Groves, who has prior experience coaching at D-III Muskingum College in Ohio. “There’s also the fact that at the college level you’re actually right on the court with the players … You can interject in between points and stuff of that nature. Both you and the player are out there trying to win a match.”

Return engagement

He’s especially looking forward to working with Chandronnait, who said she chose Southern New Hampshire University not only because it offered her preferred major, restaurant management, but also the opportunity to reunite with two coaches she learned to respect while growing up in Bow.

“I’ve known them for a long time,” she said. “(Coache) is just really enthusiastic, and I really like his positive energy and the fact he’s so excited about everything.”

More importantly, though – after a lengthy battle to be released from her Nebraska scholarship – Chandronnait said she’s just happy to be back where she belongs.

“I pretty much just wanted to be close to home. I missed New Hampshire. I missed everything here,” she said. “I’m so happy to be back and to have people around me that I know. It’s just different here. I don’t know how to explain it. I feel like I’m wanted here, and I feel like (Coache and Groves) have a lot of faith in me, which is nice.”

Chandronnait was 19-6 in Division I playing in the No. 4 and 5 spot on the Nebraska ladder. There’s little doubt she’ll be the top seed next season at SNHU.

“Personally, I think her senior year of high school she would have won the boys title. We’re talking about a very, very powerful player we’re bringing in,” said Coache. “I tell everyone she chose (SNHU) because of the coaching, but she really could have gone anywhere. I told her, ‘Hey, you know you can definitely help pioneer this program, open some doors, put us on the national map, and I think she was very attracted to that.”

SNHU’s solid lineup Chandronnait joins fellow standout Catalina Echeverry, a Columbian native who went 10-1 as a freshman at SNHU, along with several other talented athletes.

Coache said Chandronnait has already met and began to bond with her teammates.

“I think Amber has found something she’s been looking for a long time in terms of a positive team atmosphere,” said Coache. “She’s about the nicest girl you’d ever meet, but when she gets on the court she’s as tough as nails. Boy is she competitive, and yet she still keeps a smile.”

“Amber is a very eager individual that’s very committed to taking us to another level. As far as the team is concerned, her attitude and her work ethic will only serve to help the other girls,” said Groves. “And of course, she creates strengths in the rest of the lineup. I’ve always felt we’re competitive at the five and six positions, but she certainly strengthens the middle of our lineup. I feel very strong about our two, three and four spots now. Everyone’s excited about it. We’re ready to take on an NCAA bid.”

Across the field, Bow High rakes in lacrosse awards

Bow Editor — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 01:02:00 GMT

BY RYAN O’CONNOR

Throughout the 2008 season, the Bow boys lacrosse team took one fellow Division II foe after another to school.

Even Chris Kelleher, coach of D-I Salem, admitted the Falcons smacked his squad with a lengthy measuring stick during an 8-1 interdivisional loss.

“Some of the kids were saying, ‘They’re D-II, so no problem ... ” said Kelleher, following the April 26 setback. “Skill-wise and athletically, I don’t think they’re that different than us. Mentally, though, there’s a big gap there.”

The Falcons even taught their own coaches not to underestimate them.

“Every year we expect to be in the mix because we have such a great youth program, but when you lose 14 seniors from the previous season … you just don’t know how kids are going to respond moving into larger roles,” said co-head coach Chris Gaudreau. “We had a bunch of kids step up to a level that would have been unrealistic for us to expect prior to the season.”

After watching the Falcons sweep through the playoffs and easily pass their final test with an 11-5 title game victory, it’s evident other D-II coaches learned their lesson as well.

When the final results were graded, 10 Bow players and both head coaches were voted to the New Hampshire all-state lacrosse team.

Sibling revelry

Chris and Steve Gaudreau shared the throne when Bow won its first boys lacrosse title in 2004.

Steve left for a year, in 2007, and the Falcons fell one win short of their second title. This season, Chris said his brother provided the extra boost needed to once again hoist the title.

Now, they share another accolade: New Hampshire coach(es) of the year.

“Steve and I have coached together a lot, in basketball and lacrosse, but this was really a storybook year for us,” said Chris. “I mean, you have years when you’ve got great kids, and you have years when you have a lot of talent, but to have it all in one, and to share that with my brother, well, this was one of those unforgettable seasons you might get once in a lifetime.”

The defense never rested Nick Sarette and Andrew Hunter were voted team captains prior to the season. Neither disappointed, said Gaudreau.

“Nick’s the kind of guy I’d put on the other team’s best player and ask him to shut them down,” said the coach of the first-team all-stater. “That’s a lot of pressure, to be a stable force while everyone else got their feet under them.

“Andrew is a coach’s dream. He’s a kid that has a good amount of ability, but he probably gets more out of himself than he should, and I mean that as an extreme compliment,” Gaudreau continued. “He’s a true gentleman in a sport that gets real physical. He keeps his head about him, and he’s probably the hardest-working kid I’ve every had.”

While the captains took much of the attention in the backfield, Gaudreau said it was Zy Noury who held the defense together.

The senior, who wanted to be an attackman his freshman year, played stellar “D” all season.

“It was a tricky position for him because a lot of times we’d stick Andrew and Nick on the other team’s best players and kind of left Zy on an island,” said Gaudreau. “He was just rock solid for us.”

Net gains

Goalie has never been a position of need on the Bow High School lacrosse field. As Gaudreau put it, “We’ve had great goalies that have handed the torch over, one after another.”

Yet it was junior netminder David Bucchino who may have impressed his coach more than any of his predecessors.

In a sport predicated on scoring, Bucchino maintained a 65- percent save percentage throughout the season, holding opposing teams to 4.3 goals per game. To put that into perspective, the Boston Cannons’ Kip Turner, Major League Lacrosse’s statistical leader in goals against average, has allowed 12.79 shots past him a game. He maintains a .517 save percentage.

And Bucchino’s presence, said Gaudreau, grew with the weight of the games.

“He was going along, playing steadily good, and at the end of the season, on the biggest stage, he really rose up,” said the coach. “I mean, he was seeing the ball really well. He really frustrated the other team’s scorers.”

Bucchino made 10 saves in an 8-4 quarterfinal victory over Bishop Brady, 18 saves in a barnburner against Winnacunnet, and denied 12 Oyster River shots in the finale.

Now that’s just offensive

Leading a balanced offense throughout the season was Steven Gallerani, the leading vote-getter among attackmen.

The senior led Bow in scoring with 41 goals and 20 assists. He was also Bow’s lone representative in the New Hampshire-Vermont all-star game, where he found the back of the net three times.

“For him to step up and be our leading scorer … We thought he would have a real solid year, but we couldn’t have expected him to be as dominant as he was,” said Gaudreau. “He was kind of a quarterback back there.”

Sean Dippold, who notched 25 goals and tallied 31 helpers, was also recognized for his contributions with an all-state honorable mention.

The junior, who played all over the field as a sophomore, was able to use his strength and size to dominate in front of the net this season.

Gaudreau said Dippold may have been the most fundamentally sound player on the field.

Mid-level exceptions

The Bow midfield, said Gaudreau, was the difference in the state title game.

Alex Stevens, with his superior offensive talent, and sophomore Greg Bueddeman, with his stellar speed, each received a firstteam nod.

Stevens, an all-state attackman his junior year, was asked to change positions this season to strengthen Bow’s midfield.

“I don’t know how many kids would embrace that change and do what’s best for the team. I’m very impressed with the maturity in which he handled that for us,” said Gaudreau. “He really presented a great matchup problem for other team’s midfielders. It’s harder to match up there, because a lot of times guys kind of get lost in transition, and that’s where Alex really excelled for us.”

While Stevens was a known commodity, Bueddeman played JV his freshman season.

“We thought Greg could do some damage in the midfield, but to score 18 goals and be one of the main scorers on the first line would really have been a lot to expect of a sophomore,” said Gaudreau. “Usually sophomores show up (mentally) one day, and the next day they’re a little bit off their game. But he was really a game changer with his legs and speed. When he turns it on, he finds another level.”

Longstick middie Griffin Sandler, who Gaudreau said plays with the most intensity he’s seen, and Chris Roberts, who took charge of Bow’s first-line faceoffs, each received honorable-mention nods.

“Chris, we expected to be on varsity, but we didn’t expect him to play nearly as much as he did,” said the coach. “He got opportunities because of injuries and some other things, and he played himself into a position where we couldn’t take him out.

“If team energy was low, there’s a good chance Griffin would go out there and do something to change it,” added Gaudreau of the soon-to-be junior, who captains next year’s team with Dippold and Bucchino.

National intelligence

Steven Lagos didn’t make the all-state lacrosse team, but he earned an honor on a larger field.

The senior, who notched 10 goals and eight assists playing first-team midfield, was one of three Granite Staters named to the U.S. Lacrosse Academic All- American team, which combines excellence in the classroom with a high level of play on the field.

Bow’s Jimmy Fund team improves in three-game tourney stint

Bow Editor — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 21:34:00 GMT

BY RYAN O’CONNOR

Coaching a team of 9- year-olds, plus one 8-year-old, against squads of 10-year-olds, Jamie Vulgamore’s expectations were understandably tempered.

So when Bow defeated Concord National, 4-3, in the Jimmy Fund tournament opener on July 1, he admitted he was pleasantly surprised.

And even though the team lost its next two contests – 15- 2 at Pelham on July 5, and 7- 6 against Salem American on July 9 – and was bumped from the tourney, Vulgamore said the games offered a positive learning experience for those on the field.

“Most of these kids are probably going to be on the Jimmy Fund team again next year, and for a number of them, they saw a lot things for the first time. I mean, they’re not allowed to bunt in the minors, and here, for the first time, they only play nine in the field and have a nine-person batting lineup … They’re used to batting through the entire roster,” said the manager.

“They were a little bit wideeyed, but now that they’ve played in it one year, they know how it works.

“They weren’t used to practicing every night and stuff like that, and for some of them it takes some getting used to,” he added. “But now they’ve played true team baseball for the first time.”

Vulgamore’s son, Evan, was the lone player to compete in last year’s tournament. In Bow’s victory against Concord National, it was Evan who notched a two-run double in the bottom of the sixth inning to give the locals the victory. But the Pelham loss four days later may have been just as beneficial to the psyche of the young players, said Vulgamore.

“It was a great chance for them to see that you’ve got to show up at every game and play every inning,” said the coach. And the tournament concluded on a positive note.

“We lost to a really good Salem (American) team, and we were really making some great improvements from the first practice,” said Vulgamore. “The game was really slowing down for them. It’s a shame they couldn’t continue playing.”

Griffin Connor, as much as any player, made great strides, said Vulgamore. The catcher quickly adapted to making throws across the infield that he’s never utilized in the minors, where the ball is dead when not in play.

Others improving throughout the tournament include Derek Tillotson, Dan Smith, Brendan Winch, Doug Champagne, Jeremy Duhamel, Corbin Provost, Chris Mead, Spenser Sloane, Kieran Fahey, Benjamin Segal and Kadin St. Germain.