The ConVal boys’ lacrosse team is getting it done on defense this season, but they’ll need to increase their scoring output if they want to compete with Division II’s big dogs on a regular basis.
“We’ve got a really solid defense,” said senior long-stick midfielder Alex Heck, who anchors the Cougar defense. “There’s a lot we need to work on – slides, recovering, all that – but once we get that down, we should be good from there. Really solid defense. I’m really happy with them so far. It’s been a lot of fun.”
ConVal is allowing just 5.2 points per game, fifth in DII behind defending champ Portsmouth (3 ppg), Oyster River (4), Windham (4.7) and Winnacunnet (5). That defense is keeping them in games, but when the Cougars aren’t putting it in the net themselves, they leave a few winnable games on the table.
Such was the case Friday, as visiting Coe-Brown scored just six times, but ConVal still came up short, as Black Bear keeper James Thomas was on fire and the Cougar offense sputtered at times.
“A lot of it just came down to good old fashioned fundamentals,” said head coach Terrence McNamara after the 6-5 ConVal loss. “Passing, catching ground balls. We need to clean that up a little bit. But you know, close games are fun, even when you lose, it’s still good to have a good battle.”
Cody Siegel had three of ConVal’s goals, but was disqualified for the remainder of the contest in the second half after picking up a fifth penalty. Ronan McNamara added a goal and an assist, and Ethan Weber scored once.
“Our clears were a little slow at the beginning,” Heck said, “but after that they really picked up. Our offense was great on transition, moving the ball around, getting those shots.”
Kell McMahon had a good day in the faceoff circle and was one of several ConVal players who had a chance at a game-tying goal in the final minutes.
Goalie Nick Squatrito made five saves.
ConVal is now 3-2 heading into the week with a home game against Manchester Memorial-West Monday and Kennett Friday. Heck said the Cougars hope to make some noise in those games – in fact, he said, their goal is to not lose another game the rest of the way.
“No more losses,” Heck said. “That’s huge. This week we have two games…we want those to be big wins. Statements showing we are still here, we’re still in DII and we’re here to compete.”
Pembroke 5, ConVal 4
The Cougars were up for the entire game Wednesday until Pembroke put up three runs in the seventh to pull off the come-from-behind victory.
Austin Knight went 2-3 with a pair of two-out RBI and two good heads-up plays at short, head coach Matt Harris said. Eric Stapelfeld hit a two-run homer.
ConVal (4-3) is at St. Thomas Aquinas Monday and hosts Bow Wednesday.
Hopkinton 7, Mascenic 6
The Vikings had the wind taken out of their sails last week after making a trip to Cooperstown, New York to play Hopkinton at the Baseball Hall of Fame, only to turn right around and head home as rain made Doubleday Field unplayable. Instead, Mascenic played the Hawks in New Ipswich Wednesday and took their first loss of the season.
Mascenic scored five runs in the first inning and was winning 6-5 in the top of the seventh before surrendering two runs on back-to-back errors.
Jack Cocozella (2-5) homered and drove in two runs for the Vikings; Joe Cocozella also drove in a run, and pitched a complete game, giving up one earned run while striking out five.
Monadnock 10, Mascenic 0
Mascenic’s skid continued Friday in Swanzey, as the No. 1 7-0 Huskies shut them out. Jack Cocozella hit a leadoff double for the Vikings and then Kevin Putnam and Ben Dean combined to no-hit Mascenic the rest of the way.
The Vikings (6-2) were set to host Campbell Monday and play at Raymond Wednesday.
Monadnock 6, Conant 1
Monadnock is the team to beat in Division III right now, and the undefeated Huskies dealt Conant a blow on Thursday afternoon. Lane LeClair (1-4), Jordan Ketola (2-3, R) and Garrett Somero (1-2) were the only Orioles to get hits off Monadnock starter Cam Olivo and reliever Connor Branon.
Conant (2-4) was set to play at Hillsboro-Deering Monday and host Winnisquam Wednesday.
WLC 9, Pittsfield 0
Sean Brennan struck out 17 Panthers in a complete game win for the Warriors on Friday. WLC got a big two-out bases-clearing double in the third from Colby Collins to blow the game open.
WLC (3-4) was set to host Franklin Monday and play at Sunapee Friday.
Conant 9, Monadnock 2
The Orioles got their revenge on Monadnock Thursday as Teagan Kirby (3-4, 2B, 2 RBI) came up with a slew of big hits. Conant was up 9-0 by the end of the fourth inning.
Hannah Manley drove in two runs and Graecen Kirby had an RBI triple; she also pitched for the complete game win, striking out 10 while allowing four hits and walking seven.
Conant (3-3) is set to play at Hillsboro-Deering Monday and at Belmont Thursday.