The pieces are in place for another title run. The expectations are rightfully there. Now the Hopkinton boys soccer team must work to earn a third straight state championship.

“After the last couple years, our goal is certainly to get back to where we were last year. The kids would have a hard time setting our goals any lower than that,” said head coach Scott Zipke. “Then it just comes down to – can we defend? Through the preseason and first couple games, the defense is weaker than it has been … I’m not super impressed.”

The fact his team has given up one goal in its first two contests – a 4-0 triumph against Hillsboro on Sept. 2, and a 1-1 tie at Campbell on Friday, Sept. 5, is deceiving, said Zipke, noting Campbell missed several relatively easy chances.

Senior Kim Long, a returning first-team all-stater, anchors the defense. He’s complemented by senior Duncan Sweny and sophomore Brooks Wood, who both saw significant playing time last season.

Sophomore Brian Scala, whom Zipke said has exhibited hard work and solid communication throughout the preseason, takes over at sweeper.

“They’re certainly fairly experienced. Right now we’re spending a lot of time working on individual marking and stuff like that,” said Zipke. “I fully expect to get the defending down sooner rather than later.”

Travis Fuglestad, who also earned first-team all-state honors last season, pairs with sophomore Kris Abildgaard up top to create one of the most prolific offensive tandems in the state.

Abildgaard, who scored twice in Hopkinton’s season-opener, is an important element of Zipke’s winning formula this season.

“Travis is one of the best strikers in the state, and I fully expect people are going key on him, so Abildgaard and guys like Will Rendell are going to have to step up and have consistently solid offensive outings, which I think they can do.”

Travis Kuster, who earned an all-state honorable mention as the team’s starting sweeper last year, teams with fellow returnee Joe Merrow to solidify the midfield.

Senior Bret Minnehan, who backed up first-team all-state goalie Zach Winters last season, competes with junior Jay Leblanc to start in net.

Zipke said he may not settle on one.

“They’re battling it out, and right now, I’d say they’re pretty even,” said Zipke. “They’re both playing pretty strong, so if there’s no reason to change, we’ll keep it the way it is.”

Others hoping to take their turn wearing the Class M crown this season include senior Nick Windhurst; juniors Adam Coen, Nick Ellis, Tim Glanville, Zak Jantzen, Robby Keilig, Eric Kilens, Dan Lux and Brandon Mansfield; and sophomore Billie French.

Game notes

Hopkinton refused to lose its first contest of the year in its second game, but the team cut it mighty close.

After Campbell took a onegoal lead midway through the first half, the Hawks waited until the 80th minute to knot things up. Adam Coen connected with Fuglestad, who redirected the ball past a diving keeper.

In overtime, Fuglestad just missed two wide open nets, and Campbell knocked one off the crossbar in the golden goal sessions. Hopkinton, 1-0-1, was scheduled to host Somersworth on Wednesday, Sept. 10.