Bishop Brady boys soccer scores early to knock off Laconia
CONCORD – First-year Bishop Brady boys soccer coach Mike Ling said ideally, he wants his team to start each game strong and keep opponents on their heels.
In other words, he would like the Green Giants to open every contest like they did in their 6-1 triumph over Laconia Thursday at New Hampshire Technical Institute.
Bishop Brady (5-0) had built a 3-0 lead 22 minutes into the game thanks to two goals by Wesley McIntosh and another from Manish Giri.
McIntosh opened the game’s scoring in the seventh minute off an assist from Giacomo Rapparini. His second goal came in the 22nd minute when he weaved through the Sachems defense in the penalty box and deposited the ball into the right side of the net.
Giri put the Green Giants ahead 2-0 when he scored on a free kick from about 30 yards out.
“Usually, we’re a second-half team and we’ve been working on going out fast, staying strong and we did that (Thursday),” Bishop Brady senior defender Jake Yanski said. “It helps a lot for the second half where we can slow it down (and) work on our passing game.”
Colin Plante scored in the 34th minute off an assist from McIntosh and Tony Wright put one home just before the end of the first half to give the Green Giants a 5-0 halftime advantage.
Laconia (2-4) did not register a shot on goal or a corner kick through the opening 40 minutes. Ryan Paiva scored the lone goal for the Sachems in the 51st minute on a header following a Thomas Turpin free kick.
Giri’s second goal of the game on a low shot into the left corner of the Laconia net in the 64th minute capped Bishop Brady’s scoring.
Bryce Johnson made three saves for Bishop Brady. Cam Souda stopped seven shots on goal for the Sachems.
The Green Giants have not surrendered more than one goal to any opponent so far. They have outscored their first five opponents 23-4. Ling said defense has proven to be one of his team’s strengths thanks to strong senior leadership on the back line.
“Last year, we were not too much of a defensive team,” Yanski said. “We tried to force it through the middle. This year, we’re actually working as a whole team … it’s a big advantage against other teams because they’re usually out fast and they stay out strong but if we can shut them down the first half, it kills their confidence and then gives us the advantage.”
The Green Giants might not win every regular-season game but starting 5-0 has them optimistic about what they can achieve this year.
“As a four-year varsity player, I don’t think any of my other teams that I’ve played with at this school have been this good and I’m ready for an incredible rest of the year too,” Wright said.
