Prior to the season, she predicted her team’s wins wouldn’t be pretty, but the victories would be there nonetheless.

Through four games, Carol Merchant’s words have proven prophetic.

Despite losing a large chunk of players from last year’s veteran roster, the Salem High School field hockey coach has watched her three-time defending Class L champs put together another fine start.

With a 4-2 triumph against Goffstown, on Monday, Sept. 15, the Lady Blue Devils improved to 3-0-1.

But just as Merchant predicted, the girls have had to work for every goal. After opening the season with a 2-2 tie at home against Winnacunnet, SHS took care of Nashua North, 4-0; beat Concord, 2-0; and squeaked by an up-and-coming Memorial team, 1-0.

“You only have to win by one goal, and we’re finding ways to score against tough defenses, and we’re winning tight games,” said Merchant. “We’re achieving our early goals and we’re trying to improve on specific aspects week to week.”

Oddly enough, it’s been Salem’s defense that has been the brightest spot so far, she added.

“In the past, I think most people looked at us and said our best defense was our offense, and this year I think we’re much stronger in that area than we have been.”

Against Goffstown, a team Salem defeated in the 2005 title game and again in the 2006 playoffs, the locals jumped ahead, 3- 0, before trading the next three goals.

Jennifer Azarian notched the first two scores on assists from Nicole Rozumek and Erica DePinto, respectively. Megan Martineau found the back of the net next, on an Ashlynn Moerloos helper, before Moerloos answered Goffstown’s first goal with a tally of her own – courtesy of another DePinto helper – with seven minutes left in the first half.

Jamie Klufts played solidly in net and denied a handful of Goffstown opportunities to secure the victory.

“I think we got off to a good start and jumped on them early, and then they got some momentum when we made some mistakes in both the offensive third and the defensive third,” said Merchant. “(We) had a little bit of an off day, but a win is a win is a win.”