Coming in as the No. 1 seed (14-0-2), allowing just five goals all season and posting 12 shutouts in 16 games, Bedford is the clear-cut favorite to win the New Hampshire Division I boys soccer state championship.
Four area teams have qualified to challenge the defending state champ Bulldogs.
Here’s a look at the four local teams:
Pinkerton Academy
Seed/Record: No. 8, 8-4-4
Opener: vs No. 9 Nashua South, Wednesday, 3 p.m.
Key Players: Andrew Perfetto (8-2-10), Sr., mid/forward; Ethan Bellows (0-10-10), Sr., mid/defense; Hayden Marshall (5-5-10), Jr., midfield; Rolston Ladd, Sr., goalie (67 saves, 7 shutouts).
Outlook: Pinkerton and Nashua South tied in the regular season meeting. Since then, the Astros offense has picked it up, outscoring teams 11-1 over the past three games. The Astros can certainly play defense, holding teams to one goal or less in 13 of 16 games.
Coach Kerry Boles: “This will be a difficult challenge for us. Nashua South is and has proven to be a great team recently. We will give them our best fight.”
Salem
Seed/Record: No. 13, 6-7-3
Opener: At No. 4 Hanover, Wednesday, 4:30 p.m.
Key Players: Kingston Freitas (14-5-19), Soph., forward; Levi Leite (4-3-7), Soph., midfield; Mateus Pinto (3-6-9), Jr., midfield; and Elias Mercedes (121 saves), Jr., goalie.
Outlook: Freitas is a legitimate threat offensively. The Blue Devils have their hands full with a tough draw against a powerhouse team in Hanover. With just two seniors in the starting lineup, the playoff experience will do wonders for the team next year.
Coach Ian Valcich: “At the beginning of the season we set three goals as a team. To qualify for the Division I playoffs, score more goals than last year and concede less goals than last season. We ended up accomplishing all three goals.”
Timberlane
Seed/Record: No. 15, 6-7-3
Opener: At No. 2 Exeter, Wednesday, 2 p.m.
Key Players: Jude Seager, Jr., midfield; Andrew Pantano, Sr., midfield; Nick DiNapoli, Sr., goalie.
Outlook: The Owls went from a winless season to six wins this season, a huge step up for the program. Exeter dominated the regular season meeting, 8-0, so a monster task lies ahead.
Windham
Seed/Record: No. 12, 6-7-3
Opener: At No. 5 Merrimack, Wednesday, 5:30 p.m.
Key Players: John Durkin (4-4-8), Jr., forward; Alejandro Giraldo (5-1-6), Jr., midfield; Noah Bustmante (5-2-7), Soph., forward; Matt Moseley (64 saves, 2 shutouts), Sr., goalie.
Outlook: This has the potential to be one of the better first round matchups, two teams who did not meet. Windham has been a bit streaky this year and has struggled to put the ball in the net at times.
Coach Mike Hachey: “This season has certainly provided its challenges. We have continued to search for answers, but I am optimistic that this group is putting it together at the right time.”