The back-and-forth rivalry between ConVal and Exeter continued Tuesday, as the Blue Hawks beat the Cougars in a title game rematch to open the unified soccer season.
Exeter – the team ConVal beat in the state title game the past two years – opened the scoring early, pouring in four goals as the skies poured down an unexpected rainstorm on the otherwise sunny day.
ConVal starting goalkeeper Parker Nason said the elements were a factor.
“My vision was so bad,” Nason said, “because I had water instantly in my eye. I was trying to wipe it like a windshield wiper – get it out, get it out, so I could see.”
The rain settled down, and ConVal settled in, as partners Emeline Tyler-Wall, Liam McCall and Brooke Ellis fed through balls to players Nico Colon, Isiah Debarros and Angel St. Pierre. The Cougars had their share of chances but couldn’t break through in the first half.
In the second, it was Nason who broke the ice for ConVal. Up at forward with Debarros in net, Nason dribbled right and fired the ball with his right foot across the goal and past the goalie, where it tucked into the left goalpost for the Cougars’ first score.
“That was a ‘let’s just send it,’” Nason said. “I wasn’t sure where to put it, I just saw the goal, saw an opening and hit it.”
That would mark the end of ConVal’s offense for the afternoon; Exeter would add one more and come away with the 5-1 win.
It was ConVal’s first game action after only one practice so far, and coaches Dick Ellingwood and Tracey Bean now have a clear picture of what they need to improve; namely, spacing, not bunching up on the ball and transitioning from defense to offense.
Exeter beat ConVal in last year’s season opener too, before losing in the finals, and if the Cougars have their way, this season will go the same.
“This is a wonderful team,” Nason said.
ConVal (0-1) is at Keene Monday at 3:30 p.m.