By JEFF MILLER
BOYS SOCCER
Division IV Championship
No. 3 Sunapee 1, No. 1 Newmarket 0
HOOKSETT — Sunapee captured the first state title in boys soccer history by upending undefeated and top-seeded Newmarket 1-0 Nov. 3 at Southern New Hampshire University.
Sunapee ends its historic season with a 17-3 record, while Newmarket falls to 19-1.
Sunapee’s Michael Mullen followed up a Jake Austin bid that was wide by tapping in a defensive mistake by the Mules with two minutes left in regulation to give the Lakers the title.
The championship was the first for Sunapee coach Jack Iacopino who has been at the helm of the Lakers for 22 seasons.
Justin Claus was outstanding in goal for Sunapee pitching the shutout. Helping Claus on defense throughout were Matt Nangeroni, Josh Heino, Brenden Kelleher, Darren Hulton and Austin.
GIRLS SOCCER
Division III Championship
No. 4 Hopkinton 2, No. 2 Stevens 1 OT
LACONIA — Stevens lost a heartbreaker in the Division III girls soccer finals. The Hopkinton Hawks scored just a couple of minutes into overtime to beat Stevens 2-1 Nov. 4 at Laconia High School and capture the title.
The Cardinals scored late in the first half as Sydney Miller converted an Ashlynn Marsh corner kick that was tapped by Audrey Puksta to Miller for the goal.
Puksta appeared to give Stevens a 2-0 lead midway through the second half but the goal was wiped out due to an offside call.
Hopkinton responded by getting a Grace Clark goal with just 13 minutes left in regulation to send the game into overtime.
Jessie Carney won it for the Hawks just 2:11 into the extra session as she converted a corner kick to set off a wild celebration.
Hopkinton closes the season at 16-3-1 while Stevens ends its season at 15-4.
Division III Semifinals
No. 2 Stevens 2, No. 3 Campbell 1
LACONIA — Stevens advanced to the Division III championship game with a hard-fought win over Campbell 2-1 Oct. 30 at Laconia High School.
The Cardinals scored both goals they would need in the final 10 minutes of the first half.
Jenna Pond made it 1-0 with a blistering shot past the Campbell keeper, while Sydney Miller followed with a penalty kick conversion to give the Cards a 2-0 lead at the break.
Stevens played well behind goalie Kaitlyn Chambers but the Cougars got a goal with 26 minutes left in the contest from Autumn Thompson.
Division IV Semifinals
No. 4 Epping 1, No. 1 Sunapee 0 OT
LACONIA — Sunapee’s season came to an abrupt end in the Division IV semifinals as the Lakers were upset by Epping 1-0 Nov. 1 in overtime at Laconia High School.
Epping’s Casey Needham converted a penalty kick five minutes into overtime to give the Blue Devils the victory.
The Lakers had a great chance earlier in overtime but a Louise Groton direct kick from 22 yards out went off the crossbar.
Epping held the edge in shots on goal 9-7, while Sunapee led in corner kicks 4-2.
The Lakers end their season at 15-3.
FOOTBALL
Division III Quarterfinals
No. 7 Stevens 7, No. 2 Trinity 0
MANCHESTER — Stevens pulled of a huge upset in the Division III football quarterfinals with a win over second-seeded Trinity 7-0 Nov. 3 at Gill Stadium.
The Cardinals avenged a 39-6 defeat at the hands of the Pioneers during the regular season.
The cold, windy night belonged to the Stevens defense that held Trinity’s powerful offense to 78 total yards on the night. Stevens shut down Trinity all purpose back John Thibault to 19 carries for 49 yards.
Keaghan McAllister capped off a 97-yard drive in the second quarter by scoring from 21 yards out.
The Cardinals tried to add to the lead but fumbled three times inside the Trinity 10-yard line in the game’s final quarter.
Stevens improves to 6-4 with the win, while Trinity ends its season at 7-3.
Stevens will play at third-seeded Campbell on Nov. 10 in the semifinals.
As your daily newspaper, we are committed to providing you with important local news coverage for Sullivan County and the surrounding areas.