Maybe it was the stern talking-to from coach Scott Daniels at halftime, maybe it was the formation adjustment, or maybe it was the jolt from the honey energy gel the Cougars consumed at the break. Whatever it was, the ConVal boys’ soccer team turned Tuesday’s flat first half into a second-frame scoring frenzy and a 3-0 shutout victory over Souhegan.
“I think our energy level was low in the first half,” coach Daniels said. “We weren’t playing a possession game and getting the ball out wide. At half time, we changed the formation a little bit, threw an extra guy in the midfield, and that helped keep our guys wide and change the course of the game.”
The Cougars moved from their 4-4-2 formation to a 4-5-1, where center mid Sean Cattigan stepped up in a big way to break up the Souhegan attack.
“He hasn't had a ton of minutes,” coach Daniels said, “but he came in the second half and played center mid and really took control and was winning balls. That really turned the tide, I thought.”
The offense began to flow from there. Forward Jake Daniels had himself a half, making a solo move and booting one in from 20 yards out in the 46th minute, scoring on a penalty kick in the 63rd and then closing out the game by one-timing a perfect cross from Ryan Close to complete the hat trick.
“It’s feeling great,” the younger Daniels said. “It’s been a pretty good start for our season, just added a couple more goals for our team. We have a goal of 30 goals and we’re already almost halfway there and we’re five games in.”
They got the hat trick, but one goal was all the Cougars needed, as their stingy, Bryson Boice-led defense doesn’t allow many offensive chances, and goalkeeper Wyatt Beaulieu is a brick wall.
“I think he’s one of the best keepers in the state,” coach Daniels said, “and when he’s on his game and he’s leading, we’re never out of a game – he’s gonna make big saves. It starts from the back and it moves forward. He’s a captain for a reason. The boys respect him and he’s earned that.”
Daniels is in his second stint with ConVal after coaching in 2013 and 2014, and the opportunity to return and coach his son Jake and the rest of his longtime youth soccer teammates was one he couldn’t pass up.
“I’ve been coaching this group of boys since they were eight or nine at the club level,” coach Daniels said. “I never really thought that the opportunity would, would come and when it did, a lot of them asked me to apply and it just happened to work … I’m glad to have the opportunity to close the chapter with this group.”
It’s been rewarding so far; the Cougars look good at 3-2, with both losses close games against last year’s Division II finalists, Lebanon and Oyster River. ConVal’s next test comes against John Stark Friday at home.
BOYS’ SOCCER Conant shuts out WLC
Junior forward Josh Dipasquale kept up his torrid season-opening pace on Tuesday as the Orioles remained undefeated with a 3-0 shutout win over visiting Wilton-Lyndeborough. Dipasquale scored all three goals and now has a team-leading nine on the season. Junior Thomas Harvey had two assists against WLC and freshman Connor Eagan had the other.
Conant coach Tom Harvey said that great play from junior midfielders Manny Hodgson and Sean Farmer kept the game out of Conant’s defensive third.
“Our passing game is starting to come around and be a factor,” coach Harvey said.
Conant is now 5-0 and travels to Mascenic Saturday for the Vikings’ homecoming game at 3:30 p.m.
GOLF ConVal keeps shining
ConVal’s golf team had a good day at Coe-Brown Monday, with many career-best scores, coach Mike Young said. Wyatt Burbank kept his foot on the gas with yet another medalist performance, shooting a 38 for 24 points. Burbank also hit an eagle on the final hole by sinking a long putt, between 25-50 yards “depending on who you listen to,” Young said.
Caden Robbins scored 15 and made his first career birdie, and Daniel McCall (13) and Owen Conway (13) had their best career scores to give CV 65 points total. Noah Stewart also had the best score of his short career with 11 points.
ConVal came in second, beating Kearsarge and Plymouth and finishing behind Coe-Brown.
The Cougars travel to Stevens next Wednesday.
FIELD HOCKEY Derryfield 2, ConVal 0
Derryfield scored early against ConVal Tuesday, but the home Cougars hung in there and played a solid game, settling in and putting on pressure, coach Kelly Shirk said. Senior Abbey Shumway and junior Emily Vanderpool both made defensive saves at the goal line; senior goalie Lydia Cleveland made seven saves on the day. Offensively, seniors Laramie Wilson, Makennah McPherson, Allie Hodgen and Hayden Kaltsas all took shots on goal, but none could find the back of the net. Derryfield added a late goal to create the 2-0 final.
ConVal (1-5) hosts John Stark Friday.
GIRLS’ VOLLEYBALL ConVal dominates Fall Mountain
The Cougars got a big road win at Fall Mountain Monday, coming out early and attacking Fall Mountain with hard serves and kills, coach Amanda Hinton said.
The team combined for 28 aces in the three sets and outscored their opponent 75-36, winning in straight sets, 25-12, 25-11, and 25-13.
“All Cougars contributed to the win with amazing encouragement and support from the bench,” Hinton said.
Samantha Henderson debuted at setter instead of her usual libero and had four aces, seven successful serve receives, four assists, and a kill. Emma Rodenhiser had two aces, six kills, and a block while Kendall Sullivan had four aces, seven assists and a kill. Ashlynn Willimas added four aces and three kills from outside, and Ivy Armstrong-McEvoy had two aces, three kills and a block. Senior middle hitter Brianna Decker made her varsity debut with three kills.
ConVal (2-1) hosts John Stark on Thursday for the Cougars’ homecoming game.