A pleasing road win on the seacoast followed by a rock-hard, overtime loss to Hanover at home last week left Pinkerton Academy boys’ soccer coach Kerry Boles and his charges contemplating a Division I record of 8-4-1.
The academy booters upped their season record to 8-3-1 by besting the struggling but tough Winnacunnet High Warriors (2-10 record) by a 3-0 tally in Hampton on Wednesday, Oct. 8.
Pinkerton potted all of its goals in the first half, with Alex Ebner set up by Sean Donohue in the 13th minute of play, Cobi Moore set up by Kyle Hicks just a minute later, and Hicks assisted by Cole Perry with seven minutes to go in that period.
PA net-minder Hayden Pavao only needed to make one save in contributing to his crew’s fourth shutout of the fall, while his squad blasted 17 shots on Warriors’ keeper Nick Seta.
The locals were paced by senior captain Hicks, juniors Colin Coutts and Stuart Graves, and senior Matt O’Brien in a team effort.
“This was an excellent performance today. We finally played with fire and chemistry and kept it simple all afternoon,” said the coach. “With the big games we have remaining on our schedule, it was nice to gain some momentum this week. I like the direction we’re going right now.”
But Boles and his boys couldn’t help but be a bit deflated upon leaving their own pitch last Friday, Oct. 10 following their 2-1, double-overtime loss to the tough Hanover High Marauders (8-3-1).
The visitors ended the match in its 95th minute of action when Noah Hahan scored the deciding tally.
“This was a hard fought, physical game today,” said Boles. “Hanover took advantage of some breakdowns defensively, but that’s what good teams do. Hopefully we can rebound because we face the hottest team, Exeter, in Division 1 in our next game (this Friday). They are 8-1-1 in their last 10 games.”
Hanover snared a 1-0 lead 27 minutes into the match, but Pinkerton bagged the equalizer with just five minutes remaining in regulation time when Moore was set up by Hicks. And it was soon on to overtime.
Hayden Pavao made five stops in the Pinkerton net in what proved to be a rough loss.
Boles said his crew was paced in the match by Hicks, junior Coutts, and freshman Perry.
