BY DAVE CHOATE

Varsity boys soccer coach Randy Lovering came into the season with heightened expectations for his squad, and a 2-4 start has done nothing to diminish that.

“We’ve played a lot of good teams, and we have a top-heavy schedule in the first part of the year. I still think seven to eight wins and a playoff berth is a reasonable expectation,” Lovering said before the team’s 4-1 win over Nashua North on Sept. 18.

Goffstown’s only other win this season was a 3-1 triumph over Spaulding. Lovering said he has been encouraged by the way his team has played in some of its losses, particularly a hard-fought 1-0 setback to defending state champion Exeter.

“We still want to get some wins, but if we take care of ourselves, I still think we can draw a home game in the tournament,” he said.

Goffstown will have to continue scoring more goals if that’s going to happen. Lovering said the team’s defense is very strong, but the offense is inconsistent. The four goals against winless North are its most this year.

He said he has tried shuffling players around to generate some offense and will continue to do so against Central on Friday, Sept. 21.

Lovering said the team will continue to key on strong performances from senior center midfielder Brad Downing, goalie Nick Campasano and a strong defensive backfield.