ConVal boys’ soccer team starts strong with win against Merrimack Valley

The ConVal boys’ soccer team is off to a strong start with Tuesday’s 2-1 season-opening win over visiting Merrimack Valley.

After being blanked in last year’s DII quarterfinals and seeing last week’s planned season opener postponed due to forecasted (but not realized) thunderstorms, the Cougars were raring to go Tuesday afternoon. 

“We were geared up,” said head coach Nelson Lima. “We were geared up Friday, and a little disappointed, so that overflowed into today. It mounted and mounted. We usually get out here at 3 – they were out here at 2:30, ready to go. You could tell right from the first 20 minutes that everything we’ve been doing in practice, they’re executing it, or at least trying to execute it.”

ConVal executed indeed, to the tune of two first-half goals, one a Max Cail jump-kick off a Parker Trodella cross in the 12th minute and another off a Trodella steal and shot in the 20th. 

“It showed their intensity,” Lima said. “It was tough for [Merrimack Valley] to match their intensity and that’s why we went up two goals.” The Cougars got a little lax to start the second half, letting their man-marking get a little sloppy and committing a couple penalties as both sides upped their physicality. Merrimack Valley would turn that into a goal off a free kick in the 60th minute that bumped over goalie Anthony Gutwein’s hands during the goal-mouth scrum and bounced to Carter Lankhorst for an easy volley. But ConVal clamped down, kept their heads and held on for the 2-1 win. 

“I give them credit for gathering their wits and settling back down,” Lima said, “trying to do the right things again. It’s nice to see, because we’ve been preaching it, so it’s nice to see that they’re listening to it, not retaliating when things have been pushed around. Sportsmanship is a big goal of ours this season, so it’s nice to see that they’re buying in.”

The Cougars earned a Division II four-seed last season, finishing 8-2-6. The low goal totals that led them to an astonishing six ties came home to roost in the playoffs, where they were shut out by Lebanon after a first-round bye. ConVal is well-positioned to earn another high seed this fall. Senior captains Max Cail, Esben Andersen and Brayden Boice are a balanced leadership triumvirate – Cail the high-flying goal-scorer, Anderson the calm and sturdy midfielder and Boice the stout, staunch defender. 

“I’m very proud of them,” Lima said. “They coordinate off-field stuff. If I have to communicate something to the team, I can depend on them to get it communicated to everybody. Everybody’s gonna respond well, they look up to them, especially because of their work ethic. It’s tough to match. They’re probably the three hardest-working players on the team, and for them to be the captains, it gives them a good model to look to.”

The Cougars’ strong junior class has been playing together for a long time and seeing varsity minutes since they were freshmen, and that experience is bringing a lot to the pitch this fall as well. Logan Montano, sprung up to newfound heights, anchors the defensive back line; Brody Way, Grayson Yergeau and Paxton Loxthrop had good contributions Tuesday, and fearless Harlan Bielagus is always in the middle of the action.

A couple newcomers stepped up in a big way as well, Lima pointed out; the junior Trodella made his varsity debut at striker and had an assist and the game-winning goal, and freshman Owen Mathewson played 70 minutes in his first action, taking on Merrimack Valley’s biggest and best without backing down. 

“To see a freshman take those hits and get back up like nothing happened – and play smart – it’s very impressive to see,” Lima said.

ConVal (1-0) is at Plymouth (1-0) Friday.