Hopkinton News : sports

Contoocook Carry returns Sept. 27

Goffstown Editor — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 13:33:00 GMT

The coldest months of winter may still be far away, but Hopkinton residents are already looking to help community members by using their legs, paddles and bikes.

For the seventh consecutive year, locals will take part in the Contoocook Carry triathlon on Sunday, Sept. 27.

The event is a 2-mile run, a kayak route down the Contoocook River and a 14-mile bicycle ride through the town.

Proceeds will benefit the town’s fuel assistance program again this year. Last year the event raised about $14,000 through donations and race fees.

“This year will probably be worse than last year economy-wise,” said event organizer Mary Congoran. “It’s one of the events that brings together families, athletes and people just coming out for the cause.”

Following the event, which usually takes competitors about two hours to complete, many racers return to Hopkinton

High School to receive prizes donated by residents.

Many competitors perform the race in teams, often dressing up in costumes to match their team names.

Congoran said volunteers in town also have contributed by helping prepare crates of wood for the wood bank, supplies that in the past have been almost completely used by the end of the winter.

“It just feels good for people to do something good for others with their own hands and their own bodies,” said Congoran. “I’m really proud of our community in whatever amount they give. It’s about the money, but it’s also about seeing how many people are willing to come out and help.”

The race begins rain or shine at 1:30 p.m. at the high school, and race day registration runs from 11:45 a.m. until 1:15 p.m.

Pre-registration information can be found at www.hopkinton-nh.gov under the Contoocook Carry link in the Resident Quick Links section.

Due to the difficult economic times, Congoran said it’s difficult to set expectations for what she hopes to raise this year. Regardless of the total amount raised, Congoran said she is always surprised by the amount of participation.

“These envelopes come in, and you can just tell people wished they could give more,” said Congoran. “But the point is they took the time. They took the time because they are saying that they want to do whatever they can to help.”

Hopkinton boys soccer team wins third straight title

Bow Editor — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 02:12:00 GMT

BY MATT SCHOOLEY

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.”

Hopkinton boys soccer needs pair of wins for another championship

Bow Editor — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 00:56:00 GMT

BY RYAN O’CONNOR

With a six-goal differential in two successful playoff outings, the Hopkinton Hawks moved two games closer to a more important goal – their third straight Class M boys soccer title.

The top-ranked Hawks, with a 5-0 opening-round triumph against Fall Mountain and a 1-0 quarterfinal-round win against Stevens, advanced to the semifinals, where they were scheduled to play fourth-seeded White Mountains on Wednesday, Nov. 5.

The winner advanced to the title game, slated for Saturday, Nov. 8, 3 p.m. at Merrimack Valley High School in Penacook.

Against Stevens on Friday, Oct. 31, it took the locals 17 minutes to score the one goal needed for victory, yet it took 80 minutes of staunch defense and ball control to secure it.

With 23 minutes remaining in the first half, Will Rendell tapped in a rebound off a near-miss by Kris Abildgaard.

“Our team goal coming into today’s game was to play the way we can play – lots of possession and lots of balls to the end line,” said head coach Scott Zipke. “Stevens’ game plan was clearly to try and counterattack all day and catch us snoozing for a breakaway.”

Though Zipke said both teams executed their game plans well, it was the Hawks’ backfield that won the game. Led by sweeper Brian Scala, marking backs Duncan Sweny and Kim Long, and stopper Brooks Wood, the Hopkinton defense never allowed Stevens to succeed with its “boomball-type play,” said the coach.

Conversely, the forwards controlled the ball up top the final 20 minutes of the game. While his teammates fired eight shots on net, Jay Leblanc made two saves for the victors. The first came on a semi-breakaway midway through the first half, and the other on a well-struck corner kick he rejected.

In the preliminary round, the Hawks baffled the Fall Mountain defense, converting five goals among 10 shots on net.

Still, Zipke said his team never took the visitors lightly.

“We knew coming into today that Fall Mountain was not a normal No. 16 seed. They lost four overtime games this season and only lost once by more than a single goal,” said the coach. “The quality of the opponent makes today’s win all the more satisfying and beneficial.”

Rendell, like he did three days later, scored first in the 17th minute. From 20 yards out, he punched a one-timer into the upper-right corner of the net.

All-state striker Travis Fuglestad followed up with a header off a corner kick in the 25th minute. Travis Kuster earned the assist on the second goal, then redirected a skillful Abildgaard cross past the goalie in the 53rd minute.

Joe Merrow scored off his own rebound in the 74th minute, and Fuglestad notched his second tally of the game with less than five minutes left when he sent “a gorgeous left-footed knock” into the upper-left corner of the net from 22 yards out.

The defense gave Leblanc a virtual day off, allowing only one shot on goal.

Hopkinton field hockey falls again in state semis

Bow Editor — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 00:53:00 GMT

BY RYAN O’CONNOR

They can take pride in the fact they’re constantly one of the top teams in the state. But that’s little comfort to Patty Connolly and her Lady Hawks.

For the fourth straight year, the Hopkinton girls field hockey team completed a fine regular season, earned a high playoff seed and made a strong push into the Class M-S semifinals.

For the fourth straight year, the run ended there. The fifth-seeded Lady Hawks, who beat No. 4 Mascoma on the road to reach the semifinals in Bedford, fell to top-ranked Berlin, 3-1, despite controlling play for much of the second half.

“Having been to the game the last three years, they really wanted to do whatever they could to get to the next level,” said Connolly.

They almost did.

Though the locals expected to pull an upset, especially with the knowledge Bedford High’s artificial turf played to their speed, Berlin scored during the first minute of play, which Connolly said took some wind from her team’s taut sails.

Roughly 15 minutes later the Lady Mountaineers extended their lead to 2-0, but Hopkinton remained focused and drew within one when Brittany Dow connected with fellow standout Hannah Richard less than two minutes before halftime.

The Lady Hawks attacked immediately in the second half and maintained control of the ball for most of the next 14 minutes. They had many opportunities to score, but Berlin goalie Hilary Lemelin denied shot after shot.

Berlin coach Nicole Arguin called a timeout with 16 minutes remaining in the contest, which seemed to refocus her players, and a couple minutes after Hopkinton goalie Megan Edmonds came out of the net to deny a one-on-none breakaway with a spectacular diving stop, Berlin’s Kara Poirier knocked in her own rebound to secure the victory.

“They never gave up. They kept believing they could do it,” said Connoly. “We had our opportunities. We controlled it (deep in Berlin territory) for a long time, but I give credit to them and their goalie. Their defense was very strong back there.”

Making the loss that much more difficult for the Hopkinton mentor is the knowledge she’ll lose seven seniors – Remley Johnson, Amy Smith, Megan Wilson, Liz Crews, Brooke Porter, Brittany Dow and Taylor Adamski – who played key roles in the Hawks’ success this season.

“It’s going to be a much younger team next year, and losing those seniors leaves a lot of holes,” said Connolly. “I would hope we can get to this game again, but realistically we’re going to have to grow a lot during the season to get back here.”

Still, Richard returns with fellow juniors Jess Pennell, Danielle Gonzales, Mimi Ramsdell, Christina Hurley, Margreta York, Emma Hunt, Claudia Lawton and Miranda Murphy. Sophomores Edmonds, Ali Campbell, Kara McCluskey and Kelsey Dow also come back.

Hopkinton field hockey, determined to advance, again reaches semifinals

Bow Editor — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 01:24:00 GMT

BY RYAN O’CONNOR

For the third consecutive year, the Hopkinton field hockey team is headed to the Class M-S semifinals.

This season, coach Patty Connolly said her team has the talent and the desire necessary to take the next step and perhaps win the school’s first field hockey championship.

First, however, they must defeat No. 1 seed Berlin. That’s not an insurmountable task; the Lady Hawks have already proven they can win in a hostile playoff environment.

They traveled to fourth seed Mascoma on Saturday, Oct. 25, and upended the hosts, 2-1.

They also hit the road during the regular season to face defending state champ Derryfield, this year’s No. 3 seed, and handed DS its only loss. Hopkinton faces Berlin on a neutral field – Bedford High School. The contest was scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 29.

“Berlin should be tough, but all the top teams are very tough … And having seven seniors who have the experience of being in this game should really help us,” said Connolly. “We are all very driven to make it to the next level.”

Against Mascoma, Hopkinton faced an early deficit when the Royals scored exactly four minutes into the game.

But Hopkinton fought back, and with five seconds remaining in the first half, Brittany Dow took a pass from Brooke Porter and drove the ball past the Mascoma goalie to knot the contest at one.

Connolly said the goal gave her squad the momentum heading into the second half, and they capitalized. At 19:42, Brooke Porter notched her second assist on a corner pass when she found Hannah Richard, who put the Lady Hawks ahead for good.

Though both squads had other opportunities, Connolly said the strong defensive play of Emma Hunt and Amy Smith helped preserve the victory. Megan Edmonds contributed five saves in net.

Three days earlier, the locals opened the postseason with a 5- 1 triumph at home against Newport. Connolly said her players weren’t taking the 12th seed lightly after these same foes took them into overtime earlier in the season.

Richard eliminated any doubt among her teammates when she scored two goals in the first two minutes of play.

“This allowed us to relax and just play the kind of passing game that we have been all season,” said Connolly.

Sophomore Ali Campbell tallied two more scores and sophomore Kelsey Dow added one. All five goals came in the first half.

Hopkinton boys soccer team continues fine season with pair of recent victories

Bow Editor — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 20:53:00 GMT

BY RYAN O’CONNOR

They may not be as big or as fast as the 2006 or 2007 Class M championship teams, but they’re in a familiar place nonetheless.

The Hawks, 4-1 winners at Raymond on Friday, Oct. 10, celebrated Columbus Day with a 4-0 triumph against Mascenic on Monday, Oct. 13. Hopkinton currently sits atop Class M boys soccer with a 10-0-2 record.

“They’re a different team from last year, and last year was a different team from the year before,” said head coach Scott Zipke. “This year we don’t have the size or speed we’ve had the last couple years, but we possess the ball better and are able to rely on our skill.”

Indeed, most teams key on Travis Fuglestad, one of the state’s most prolific scorers, but the rest of the Hawks have managed to spread the field and open space up the middle.

While HHS has succeeded so far, Zipke said the next week should clarify how his squad stacks up against the rest of Class M’s best.

The Hawks won’t see 9-2-0 Prospect Mountain, 9-2-1 White Mountains or 10-3-0 Gilford during the regular season, and they don’t play 9-3-0 Sanborn until Oct. 24, the last game before the playoffs.

Yet they’ve already beaten and tied 7-2-2 Campbell, and this week they were scheduled to host a Belmont team who Zipke said is much better than its 4-8 record indicates and will be looking to make a statement against the top team in Class M on Wednesday, Oct 15. After that, the locals travel to 9-3-0 Epping on Friday, Oct. 17.

Most recently, however, Hopkinton took care of business against Mascenic, putting 15 shots on net and converting almost a third of those opportunities. Will Rendell put HHS on the board early when he knocked a rebound into the top-left corner of the net in the 10th minute. In the second half, Fuglestad, who averages 1.7 goals per game, notched his 20th tally of the season, courtesy of a fine Nick Windhurst touch pass in the 44th minute.

Two minutes later, Kris Abildgaard sent a low laser toward the net off a corner kick and connected with Joe Merrow, who redirected the ball past Mascenic’s goalie.

Abildgaard completed the Hawks’ scoring in the 56th minute on a 45-yard free kick that missed his teammates’ header attempts, and instead found the back of the net on its own.

Bret Minnehan made two saves for the victors, and helped earn them their fifth shutout of the season. Their goals-against average is less than one per contest.

“For the second straight game we were able to possess the ball and open up the field in a big way,” said Zipke.

Three days earlier, Hopkinton quickly showcased its road prowess in Raymond.

Fuglestad knocked in a rebound off an Abildgaard corner kick in the third minute, and then tallied two more goals in the 36th and 45th minutes on assists from Travis Kuster and Merrow, respectively.

While his teammates peppered the opposing goalkeeper with 28 shots, including 18 on goal, Jay Leblanc made good on two of three save opportunities. Abildgaard continued his fine season with the final goal, in the 65th minute, when he danced around four defenders and slipped the ball past the keeper.

Hopkinton boys soccer still unbeaten after OT win vs. Fall Mountain

Bow Editor — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 01:57:00 GMT

BY RYAN O’CONNOR

Despite thoroughly outplaying their opponents, the Hopkinton Hawks were forced to scrap for victory No. 6.

Still, by handing Fall Mountain its fourth overtime setback, 2-1, on Monday, Sept. 29, HHS remained undefeated and on track to compete for a thirdstraight Class M title.

“Today’s game was a true test of our patience, as we attacked all day ...,” said head coach Scott Zipke. “Some games the biscuit just won’t go in the basket and you are just worried about getting the victory.”

Hopkinton compiled 35 shots, including 22 on goal, but was only able to convert one opportunity during regulation. In the 26th minute, Travis Fuglestad knocked a Kris Abildgaard cross into the far side of the net. Fall Mountain scored on a free kick seven minutes later, but Zipke said Fall Mountain generated only two legitimate scoring opportunities the entire game.

In overtime, Fuglestad returned the favor. He beat a defender and knocked the ball across the goal mouth, where Abildgaard planted the game winner in the 98th minute.

“When (we) eventually start hitting the net (consistently), teams that haven’t seen (us) play will be in for a surprise,” said Zipke.

Jay Leblanc made three saves for the victors, including a denial on a free kick.

Hopkinton boys soccer team dominates opponents in recent action

Bow Editor — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 20:47:00 GMT

BY RYAN O’CONNOR

With two more decisive victories, the Hopkinton boys soccer team continued its march to the playoffs and a shot at a third straight state title.

After shutting out Conant, 5-0, on Sept. 17, the Hawks thrashed Stevens on the road, 5-1, on Friday, Sept. 19, to extend their record to 5-0-1.

“Tonight’s game was very satisfying in that we went to a tough place to play on a Friday night and totally controlled the pace of play,” said coach Scott Zipke. “Throughout the game, including spurts where it got pretty rough and tumble, we kept our composure and continued to work the ball around looking for chances.”

The hard work of starting center midfielder Travis Kuster and striker Kris Abildgaard paid off for both players, said Zipke. Each notched two goals.

Kuster found the back of the net first, in the 13th minute, after Joe Merrow sent a spot-on cross in the direction of Eric Kilens, who laid the ball in front of Kuster for the easy knock-in.

Travis Fuglestad scored next, a minute later, on a penalty kick after a Stevens defender saved a sure goal by Abildgaard.

Abildgaard notched his tallies in the 40th minute, off a Fuglestad pass at the near post, and in the 50th minute, from a Kuster pass that was headed and flicked into a mass of players in front of the net.

Kuster capped the Hawks’ scoring on an assist from Tim Glanville in the 61st minute. Stevens’ lone goal came in the 77th minute.

Jay Leblanc made two saves for the victors. Against Conant, the Hawks peppered the opposing goalie with 15 shots on net and 26 attempts overall, while Leblanc was only forced to stop one shot.

Zipke said the team accomplished both its goals – to start quickly and to get players other than Fuglestad on the scoring sheet.

Brooks Wood contributed first, burying the ball from 20 yards out after stealing it and beating two defenders. Fuglestad, with nine goals entering the match, added to his season totals with a left-footed blast from 20 yards out, and an easy tap in after Will Rendell drew the goalie the out of the net. Rendell assisted on Fuglestad’s first tally as well.

In the 66th minute, Abildgaard ran past four defenders near the endline and planted the ball in the back of the net.

Nick Windhurt contributed as well, speeding past several Conant players on a 50-yard sprint down the field and notching the fifth goal. The Hawks were scheduled to play next on Wednesday, Sept. 24, against 4-1 Mascenic Regional. They host 3-4 Fall Mountain on Friday, Sept. 26.

Hopkinton girls soccer team shows talent and mettle in loss to unbeaten Gilford

Bow Editor — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 20:41:00 GMT

BY JERRY LIPTAK

For Hopkinton, the fullgame effort was certainly there. Unfortunately for the hosts, it was also there for Class M’s top-ranked girls soccer team, Gilford.

The visiting Golden Eagles took an early lead and withstood the Hawks’ response to win on Friday, Sept. 19, 3-1. In the process, they dropped Hopkinton to 2-1-2 and left town with a 7-0-0 mark.

“I think we certainly showed we can play with them,” said Hopkinton’s longtime mentor, Curt Martin, who said his team competed without fear against a group that outscored its previous six foes by a 36-6 margin.

The Lady Hawks controlled the first 25 minutes of play, but Gilford’s star striker, senior Cassie Crockett, deked a pair of Hopkinton defenders and right-footed a shot over Emma Brown’s extended arms for a 1-0 Golden Eagles’ edge 13 minutes into the contest.

Despite strong pushes from Elise Ewing, Jen Merrow and Kaley Cook, the Hawks did not find the net. When Cassie Crockett took a feed from her sophomore sister, Chelsea, and scored three seconds before halftime, Hopkinton could have given up.

Instead, Melissa Baron’s corner kick set up Ewing’s goal just 90 seconds into the second half, and the Hawks trailed by one. On the play, Cook forcefully engaged a Gilford defender, freeing Ewing for the score. It was perhaps the strongest example of Hopkinton’s refusal to step aside for Gilford.

“They’re starting to do the things we’ve asked them to do – finding the right option once they have the ball, and staying in control of the ball and themselves,” said Martin.

Brown, helped by starting defenders Jill Peters, Katie Babson, Sarah Dobe and Heather Scammon, played well in goal. She had no chance to save either of Crockett’s accurate first-half shots.

The defense’s solid stand, coupled with steady midfield play from starters Jacqui Foti, Katie Jackson and Melissa Baron, prompted Martin to make a bold prediction regarding the group’s remaining 11 regularseason contests.

“I told them right after the game,” said the coach, “‘If you play like you played today against Gilford, there’s not a team left on the schedule that can beat us.”

Hopkinton field hockey team wins against defending state champs

Bow Editor — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 18:29:00 GMT

BY RYAN O’CONNOR

For the sophomores and freshmen on one sideline, it was an unwelcome first.

For those on the other sideline, it was the first step in a campaign they hope carries them to a state title.

The defending state champion Derryfield field hockey team – led by Hopkinton’s own Ann DiPastina and Katherine DiPastina, the school’s all-time leading goal scorer – carried a 21-game winning streak into its Tuesday, Sept. 16, home matchup with Hopkinton, a team it defeated, 1-0, two weeks earlier. The Lady Cougars left with a 2-1 loss, their first setback since the 2006 playoffs.

“It is a great feeling, but it feels even better because we lost to them the first time,” said Hopkinton coach Patty Connolly. “To win on their beautiful turf is very satisfying.”

The Lady Hawks returned all but three players from their 2007 semifinalist team, and Connolly said she hopes the experience of reaching the final four two years in a row will translate into two additional postseason victories this year.

“I have eight seniors, so hopefully this will be our year, but you never know, this is a funny game,” she said. “Definitely, our expectation is to take that next step and, with a little luck, be in that final game.”

Despite the most recent result, both Connolly and Derryfield coach Lenny McCaigue agree it’s still the defending champs with the target on their backs.

“I think we’re still a little bit under the radar, but everyone wants to gun for the state champions,” said Connolly. “Maybe this will wake some people up, but I don’t feel people are really taking us for real yet.”

That’s why she knows her squad must continue to prove it’s among the Class M-S elite. Sophomore Megan Edmonds fills a vacancy in net. She’s progressing steadily, as evidenced by her 12 saves against Derryfield, said Connolly.

Junior Danielle Gonzalas, who played soccer last fall, never competed in field hockey prior to this season, yet she’s stepped in and had an immediate impact on the team’s offense.

In fact, Gonzalas scored both of Hopkinton’s goals against the Lady Cougars. The first came on a Taylor Adamski assist that knotted the contest at 21:08 in the second half, and the game winner came courtesy of Hannah Richard with 11:35 remaining in the battle.

Richard and Brooke Porter, said their coach, played outstanding in the midfield and kept constant pressure on Derryfield.

“If we had gotten a second goal before they scored, I don’t think they would have had the same momentum,” said McCaigue. “But they came out very motivated today and played a physically strong game.”

Captaining the Lady Hawks this year are Porter, who Connolly said contributes all over the field, Adamski, who anchors the backfield, and Brittany Dow, who has led Hopkinton in scoring the last three years.

Others making contributions for Hopkinton this season are Amy Smith, Mimi Ramsdell, Christina Hurley, Megan Wilson, Margreta York, Emma Hunt, Liz Crews, Remley Johnson, Claudia Lawton, Miranda Murphy and Ali Campbell.

Hopkinton boys soccer team remains unbeaten with disparate victories

Bow Editor — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 18:25:00 GMT

BY RYAN O’CONNOR

Two drastically different victories kept the Hopkinton boys soccer team unbeaten through two weeks of the Class M season.

Two days after soaring past Somersworth, 5-0, the Hawks clawed back from an early 2-0 deficit and overtook Mascoma, 3-2, on Friday, Sept. 12.

Mascoma scored twice in the first 12 minutes, but Hopkinton’s still-gelling defense locked down and prevented another tally. In the meantime, all-stater Travis Fuglestad notched three unassisted goals.

He first found the back of the net in the 13th minute, before planting the ball in the upperright corner on a free kick in the 39th minute. Fuglestad capped the scoring in the 52nd minute.

“His last goal came on pure hustle when he saved a slowrolling ball while going out for a goal kick near the corner flag,” said his coach, Scott Zipke. “(He) then took it straight to the goal, running by defenders and hammering it past the keeper.”

While Fuglestad’s name dominated the box score, fellow striker Kris Abildgaard played very well, said Zipke, creating several opportunities for his teammates.

Hopkinton finished with more than 20 shots. Bret Minnehan made four saves for the winners.

“All in all, today was great experience and made us a much better team,” said Zipke. “My guys showed a positive attitude the whole game, and their superior fitness certainly paid off as well.”

Hopkinton’s conditioning was evident against Somersworth as well.

While holding their foes to zero shots on goal, the Hawks peppered the opposing netminder with 16 shots.

While Fuglestad garnered another three scores, Zipke said the player of the game was sophomore Billie French.

“Billie played a stellar game both defensively and offensively at outside mid and had his hand in on a number of scoring opportunities other than the two that made the stat sheet,” said the coach.

In the 21st minute, Abildgaard fed a cross to French, who placed the ball perfectly for Fuglestad to notch the first tally. French then took a long pass from Abildgaard, faked a defender and the goalie, and scored the second goal himself.

Abildgaard relayed a shot off the crossbar to Fuglestad for the third point, and Joe Merrow assisted on a Will Rendell header before Eric Kilens provided the helper on Fuglestad’s third goal.

Hopkinton was scheduled to host Conant on Wednesday, Sept. 17.

Hopkinton Hawks gear up for chance to wear third straight boys soccer crown

Bow Editor — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 00:23:00 GMT

BY RYAN O’CONNOR

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.

Hopkinton softball team's quick rise followed by recent bumpy ride

Bow Editor — Wed, 14 May 2008 21:45:00 GMT

BY RYAN O’CONNOR

A recent rough stretch aside, Dan Meserve said things are looking up for his Lady Hawks – now and in the future.

After beginning the season 4-1, the Hopkinton softball team flip-flopped in its last five contests. The result is a 5-5 record through Friday, May 9 – just past the midpoint of the season. But that doesn’t mean the squad’s goals are unobtainable.

“We’re hoping to finish strong and certainly meet our expectation of making the playoffs,” said Meserve. “Our ultimate goal is to get a (postseason) home game, and we still have a shot … It’s a little bit of a long shot, but we certainly still have a shot.”

A 6-2 record from this point, said the coach, is likely needed for the team to secure homefield advantage in the first round of the Class M tournament.

Though many Class M teams returned their No. 1 pitcher this season, Hopkinton did not. Still, Meserve said the locals have compensated with solid defense.

Leading this year’s unit are senior captains Jackie Reen, Christina Gleason and Elizabeth Brown.

Reen pitches and plays center field, Gleason patrols right field, and Brown mans third base.

Backup outfielder Dayna Jewell, in her first year on the team, is Hopkinton’s fourth senior.

Junior Remley Johnson, who pitches or plays the outfield, leads a solid group of juniors.

Kelsie Benson and Kaylah Lessard see time in the outfield as well, and Megan Wasserman backs up Brown at the hot corner.

It’s the team’s crop of sophomores, however, that has Meserve giddy about the future.

“I started three freshmen last year, and this year I’ve had games where my entire starting infield has been sophomores,” said Meserve.

Emma Brown catches, Katie Babson plays first base, and Melissa Baron and Hannah Richard hold down the middle infield at second and shortstop, respectively.

Miranda Murphy is the team’s utility infielder, and Ashley Gleason pitches and plays the outfield.

“It’s truly a nice, strong group of sophomores with some seniors that have done a great job of leading – and a good group of juniors as well,” said Meserve. “Yes, we are a young team because we start a lot of sophomores, and you can definitely look at it and say, ‘In another year we can be a powerhouse,’ but this year we still have a great group of girls that create a good blend and have a chance to do very well.”

Game notes

The Hawks dropped a 4-3 battle with Sanborn on Friday, May 9.

Reen led off with a walk, stole second and was driven home by Babson, who went 3- for-4 with two runs scored and an RBI.

Richard and Lessard each plated Babson, but the Lady Hawks lost the contest when Sanborn took the lead for good in the sixth inning.

Hopkinton finished the contest with seven hits. Reen pitched six innings and gave up three earned runs on six hits while striking out five batters.

The Lady Hawks next host 6-5 Campbell of Litchfield on Friday, May 16.

The defense rests – Marked all year, Hopkinton still takes second-straight crown

Bow Editor — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 20:55:00 GMT

BY RYAN O'CONNOR

If Winnisquam was Cinderella, then Hopkinton refused to be Prince Charming, smashing her glass slipper and leaving its own 3-0 footprint instead.

In the Class M boys soccer championship on Monday, Nov. 6, the fourth-seeded Hawks allowed their opponent to hang around just long enough to make the contest interesting – roughly 62 minutes – before dashing all remaining Winnisquam hope in a minute and a half.

Though the first half’s only tally was a Steve Olimpio header off a Travis Kuster cross, Hopkinton created separation with just more than 18 minutes remaining in the second half when Travis Fuglestad, from roughly 15 yards out, redirected a Ricardo Colonna assist past a diving Winnisquam goaltender.

Then, at 16:41, Doug Fuller received a David Wood pass, juked two Bears defenders and sent a low liner across the goal, ricocheting the ball off the right post and into the back of the net for the exclamation point.

Hawks coach Scott Zipke said it is a credit to his players’ mentality that they avoided allowing a storybook matchup between an upstart No. 11-seed and the defending state champs to stand in the way of another Class M crown.

“My guys are super intelligent, and they knew they had to come in here and play hard and were smart enough to enact the game plan and ignore all the hype,” he said. “Once they got through (No. 1) Gilford (in the semifinal) they might as well have been the No. 1 seed, so I’m not sure there was a chip on their shoulder today. They just displayed pure soccer intelligence out there.”

In fact, Winnisquam, which had received two yellow cards all season, was hit with five penalties in the contest, something Bears coach Amy Dutton said is a testament to the physical play of a well-balanced Hopkinton squad with great speed.

Though Zipke couldn’t decide which championship tasted sweeter, he acknowledged the 2007 edition had to chew a little harder.

“This year, the whole year has been a little bit more special. Every game has been a tournament atmosphere and everyone’s been gunning for us, so to come in and be able to pull off the back-to-back is really something,” he said. “Last year, we were coming in and we were (Winnisquam). We didn’t have the pressure on us, and we just gave it our all and happened to win.

This year, with a price on our head like that, I couldn’t be more proud of the way my guys played today.”

Bedeviled – Hopkinton eliminated in quarterfinals

Bow Editor — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 17:53:00 GMT

BY JERRY LIPTAK

Mother Nature visited Saturday, Oct. 27, extending Hopkinton’s season. Epping visited Sunday, Oct. 28, ending it.

Despite what girls soccer head coach Curt Martin called a solid effort, the No. 3 Lady Hawks dropped a 2-1 Class M quarterfinal-round decision to the No. 6 Blue Devils.

“I though we controlled play,” said Martin, whose team finishes the season 12-5-0. “We did what we wanted to do for the most part, but we had just a couple minor lapses.”

Hopkinton, in fact, allowed a goal in each half, falling behind 1-0 at the break, tying the match on Kaley Cook’s left-footed goal early in the second half, then allowing the winning goal with little more than 13 minutes left.

The Lady Hawks pressured the guests, but Epping, 12-5-1 after the victory, continued to put two and sometimes three defenders on striker Elise Ewing, who still managed to boot a few shots at a pair of Epping keepers.

Hopkinton did not face the Blue Devils in the regular season, when the Hawks opened with seven straight wins. The girls dropped two straight during a period when Martin said the team played inconsistently, then rallied to win five of seven down the stretch, due in large part to solid leadership from the seniors.

Six Lady Hawks played their final high school soccer match for the school – co-captains Moe McAuliffe, a midfielder, and Dayna Jewell, a defender; starting defender Elyssa Bairstow; and reserves Kristen Murphy, a forward; Gretchen Loft, a forward and midfielder; and midfielder Liz Brown.

“What a good group of seniors. They’ve given tremendous effort since they’ve started with the program,” said Martin. “Some of them didn’t make varsity until this year, so it shows their love for the game.”