As the saying goes, defense wins championships. Of course, scoring six goals in the state finals doesn’t hurt either.

The Hopkinton High School boys soccer team completed its quest for a third consecutive Class M title with a 6-0 win over Sanborn Regional on Saturday, Nov. 8, at Merrimack Valley High School.

During its four tournament games, the defense didn’t allow a goal as Hopkinton outscored its opponents by a 13-0 edge.

“First of all, I have to compliment our defensive unit,” said Hopkinton’s head coach, Scot Zipke. “From Jay Leblanc in goal, to sophomores Brian Scala at sweeper and Brooks Wood at stopper, to senior marking backs Duncan Sweny and Kim Long, the boys secured four straight shutouts in the biggest four games of the season. The way they contained and shut down the Sanborn attack was impressive and absolute.”

Sanborn handed Hopkinton its only loss on Oct. 24. That 1- 0 final closed the regular season and denied HHS an unbeaten campaign, but the Hawks dashed any hopes of a repeat performance early on.

Little more than two minutes into the contest, senior captain Travis Fuglestad broke down the left sideline and scored from about 25 yards out, giving Hopkinton a 1-0 edge.

“That was important because if it goes on 0-0 for too long, you’re going to lose your advantage,” said Zipke. “We built this team as an all-around team. It really is just a balanced team.”

Before the Indians’ defense could settle again, the Hawks went on the offensive once more. Senior Will Rendell headed home a pass from Kris Abildgaard to take a 2-0 advantage just 3:47 in.

Fuglestad left the game following a shoulder injury, but after several minutes on the bench, he made an immediate impact upon re-entering the game. Within seconds of returning to the field, the striker spun his defender and scored to extend the Hopkinton lead. Long recorded an assist on the play. It was the second of three goals for Fuglestad in the state final, all in the first half.

“I think he’s the best striker in the state,” said Zipke. “He’s so explosive. To lead us to a championship in his last year … he’s going to be sorely missed.”

Taking the early lead was important for Fuglestad, who was a member of all three championship- winning teams.

“Those first two goals were huge. We just kept hitting them and hitting them,” he said. “At halftime our coach was just saying that we couldn’t play (based on) the score. With five minutes left, though, you can’t help but say, ‘Oh, boy. This is the end.’”

Fuglestad also notched an assist on Abildgaard’s goal with 17:44 left in the first half, giving the Hawks a 5-0 lead heading into intermission.

Billie French ended the onslaught with an unassisted goal in the 67th minute. Hopkinton’s players soaked in the day, getting together for breakfast the morning of the game, then meeting at the school to tailgate before heading to Penacook in search of title No. 3.

“We really are a close team. We have a lot of camaraderie,” said Fuglestad. “To get three in a row going out, you really just couldn’t ask for anything more.”