Nashua South's Steve Long, Maxim Hall (12) and keeper Antonio Pancine battle Bishop Guertin's Trent Cormier on a corner kick during last month's Division I title game in Manchester. (Telegraph file photo by TOM KING)

Preparing a wardrobe for the Fall Tourney Trail is not easy.

Sweater, sweat jacket or winter jacket? Ski cap or bask in the sun? Or the dreaded thermals and gloves?

There hasn’t been a trail in recent memory with so many good teams and entertaining stops. So let’s take a look, as we remind you, this is one scribe’s personal account of the games/events seen, not the entire local tourney effort overall:

TUESDAY, OCT. 21

EXETER’S BILL BALL STADIUM

Welcome to the start of the Division I field hockey tournament, the second sport after golf to begin its postseason. It’s the Cardinals vs. Exeter in the preliminary round and this was a good one, and so was the afternoon weather – sunny, 60s, great day for a drive east, plus an early start due to scheduled soccer later. Was fun commiserating with fellow Giants fan BG AD Ryan Brown, a Connecticut guy. The game was a tough 1-0 loss for the Cards despite a flurry of untimed penalty corners at the finish. Another curious note was an official issued a warning to the predominatly Blue Hawk fans in the stands, but neither Brown nor yours truly had heard anything outlandish from the crowd. It’s been noted by a few this fall that game officials weren’t about to take much crowd, uh, input. In any event, Guertin played much better than it did a couple weeks earlier in a 3-0 loss at Bill Ball. An exciting finish.

“The amount we’ve improved over the year speaks for itself,” Cards coach Dakota Bilodeau said.

On to the next stop, which won’t be for another week.

TUESDAY, OCT. 29

STELLOS STADIUM, NASHUA

One of a few soccer doubleheaders we had this fall, and they’re pretty prevalent in the postseason. The first was an incredible swing, as the Nashua North girls beat Windham 3-2 in the Division I prelims, but the Titans scored eight seconds on a Sarah Frye long kick and then again nearly two minutes later, and led 3-0 at halftime. But the Jags dominated the second half in an incredible turn as Windham scored twice and nearly tied it up to force OT.

“That next 40 minutes can change anything,” North coach Jacqueline Thompson said. “When it’s do or you go home, that 40 minutes means even more.”

Jags coach George Fortin obviously challenged his team at the half.

“I just said ‘This is it, this is the season right now,'” Fortin said. “You guys want to walk away losing 3-0 or 6-0, or do you want to walk away feeling good about the effort?”

They obviously chose the latter.

The nightcap was not as exciting, but still good to have an all city battle in Nashua South vs. Bishop Guertin – the first of a few fall postseason matchups on the Trail between these two schools. Guertin prevailed 4-0 thanks to two goals apiece by Kelsey Ackerman and Zoe Horton-Sousa. That sets up the anticipated North-BG quarterfinal rematch, as the two played a classic a year ago. But what also has to be noted was the perseverance by an injury ravaged Nashua South team, that had freshmen playing key spots by season’s end yet still got that last tourney spot.

“In the end, we had seven starters in street clothes on the sideline,” South coach Curt Dutilley said. “I’m just happy we got a playoff game under our belt. There was too much experience on (BG’s) side.”

During the twinbill, we got a DM from the uncle of the Frye twins, who, like their Mom, is from yours truly’s hometown in Albany, N.Y. Living on the west coast, he’s able to watch the games on line via Nashua ETV and loved the broadcasts and Telegraph coverage. But there was one problem: he knew we went to the private school in Albany, he went to the rival public. Hey, it is what it is.

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 29

STELLOS STADIUM

Only one game today, a Division I boys soccer tourney tilt, with Bishop Guertin hosting Pinkerton. Always good to see longtime Astros coach Kerry Boles who was one of the best leadoff hitters yours truly has seen back in 1983 with the Londonderry Lancers.

This was a game in which Boles’ Astros probably could have had two or three early goals, but also a game in which BG senior Liam Ireland was an Everywhere Man, as he was all over the field on both offense and defense in a 2-0 win. “If you talk to any coach that wants to make a long playoff run you’ve got to play your best soccer in October and the beginning of November,” Cards coach Tyler Vandeventer said. “He’s certainly doing it.”

The downside to this? It became a yellow cardfest when it really didn’t have to. And yours truly was dodging soccer balls right and left from behind the net taking photos, it was like magnet. But the BG win sets up another soccer doubleheader at Stellos later that week.

FRIDAY, OCT. 31

STELLOS STADIUM

Happy Halloween, the much anticipated North-BG rematch. Remember, last year the Titans upset the top seeded Cards in penalty kicks, and what about this year?

More drama.

These two teams never disappoint, and went into sudden death overtime tied at 1. And to penalty kicks. Unbelievable, a second straight year. And sudden death penalty kicks. This time, Hadley Comeau buried one for BG and the Cards advanced to the semis on a day when the wind was increasing by the minute.

“I just remembered being in the same position we were in last year,” Comeau, a senior fullback said. “I knew that my team was relying on me, my keeper was relying on me. I knew if we made this we would win and be in the top four for the first time in four years.”

The sad thing for soccer fans was this was the end of the Frye twins era at North, two incredible players who probably won’t play together again, outdoors at least, until July in the Lions Cup Game in Hanover, that being the final time.

“Honestly, I’m just so proud of the girls,” Sarah Frye said. “We were down 1-0 going into the half, couldn’t be prouder of them. Honestly this was the best group of girls I’ve had the honor of playing with. PK’s, it’s always going to be what it is. Honestly just so proud of them for putting everything they had on field.”

Nashua North goalkeeper Kathleen Schreiner gives it a valiant effort but BG’s Emerson Brown’s shot was out of reach for a first half goal duirng Friday’s Division I quarterfinal at Stellos Stadium. (Telegraph photo by TOM KING)

SATURDAY, NOV. 2

STELLOS STADIUM

Anyone up for a Trail Tripleheader, with two stops?

The first is at – where else – Stellos, with a boys soccer quarterfinal doubleheader starting with the 11 a.m.game between No. 1 Nashua South and No. 8 Exeter. In soccer, you can always toss out the seedings, and that was the case here as the Panthers were coming off long layoff thanks to a first-round bye. They led 1-0 but no one felt it was safe and it wasn’t as the Blue Hawks evened thing up and guess what? Yup, overtime. But then Michael Esposito scored a couple of minutes in and South advanced to the semis. The latter part of the game also featured a couple of big saves by Antonio Pancine, who was visibly in pain on a play after taking a shot to the groin, but didn’t get the injury time out from the ref. And the Panthers pushed through.

“The bar’s been raised,” South coach Tom Bellen said. “Now they needed that little taste of pressure … Now I think they understand it.”

In Game 2, Bishop Guertin squared off against Hanover, and the two did not meet in the regular season. And they proceeded to go 100 minutes of scoreless soccer, regulation and two 10-minute overtimes, so on to penalty kicks we go.

And Vandeventer couldn’t bear to watch, part of his superstition with any PK. So he missed the Cards scoring four times to just one for Hanover. BG keeper Beau Boughter continued his great senior season with a couple of big saves not in PKs but in regulation and OT.

“I’m a little superstitious,” Vandeventer said. “Every penalty (kick) I’ve watched for our team this year we’ve missed, and every one that I have not watched has gone in the goal. If we have penalties, my back will be turned until I see it on the film.”

On to create yet another soccer doubleheader this time at Manchester Memorial, in the semis the following week. Yes, it South and BG, in different brackets, seemed to be on a collision course.

BULLDOG STADIUM, BEDFORD

Stop 2, Game 3. The first of the tournament cold begins to set in as the No. 1 Souhegan Sabers take on rival Bow in the Division II field hockey championship game at Bedford High School. It was the 5 p.m. game, and we arrive a little late thans to soccer but still first quarter with things scoreless. They get you for the tickets/passes as you drive up the hill toward the school, the stadium and the parking, and helping out his athletic department was Bedford girls basketball coach Kevin Gibbs. We asked if there was a valet, but we were out of luck.

It was a big night for the Dart family. Junior Ori, who seemed to set the tempo, tied the game on a penalty stroke in the first half, and with just over six minutes left in regulation, her freshman sister Mariellah hit a blast from the outside on a penalty corner. A ball of fire, she was mad the Sabers hadn’t scored in the field of play and decided to do something about it.

“The corners before, they weren’t really working, we weren’t executing enough,” Dart said. “We had a bunch of opportunities. … We finally got that call where we were like ‘OK, we can really do this.’ And I wanted that shot so bad for all of us. I wanted our seniors to have that feeling of winning and for all the adversity we had to go through during this freaking playoff run. And for us to finish that strong and to win and to have gold medals around our necks.”

Wow, that’s a lot to think of in … a split second?

Ori Dart has also scored big goals in her three varsity years which makes yours truly think she was a senior. So in asking Sabers head coach Kelli Braley about what she thought Ori could do going forward, she smiled and said, “Well, she’s only a junior, but I’m looking forward to seeing what she can do next year.” Oops. Congrats to the Sabers, who push through for the title in their fourth finals try in seven years.

MONDAY, NOV. 3

BILL BALL STADIUM, EXETER

Yes, it wouldn’t be an outdoor tournament season without multiple trips to Bill Ball. This is the second of three, a Division II boys soccer semifinal matchup between Campbell, last year’s runnerup, and up-and-coming Hollis Brookline, back to the semis for the first time since 2022.

Of course it wouldn’t be a late round tourney game in Exeter without NHIAA hierarchy sitting in the corner of Eustis Field near the gate. And without overtime, etc., which we got as the Cavs rallied from a 2-0 halftime deficit to knot thing at 2, and all the way we go to penalty kicks, our third PK game of the postseason. This time it went into the sudden death phase of penalty kicks, won by Campbell’s Christian Bellino. Remember the name. “We’re coming for it all this year,” he said.

It was a good first year for new HB coach Rick Carvahlo, with a very good, almost poetic view of the season.

“It was a good run,” he said. “We had to kind of push through the weeds to see the beautiful flowers. Something to build on.”

One of the best quotes on the trail – although Campbell coach Dan Dufourny will top it down the trail, as you’ll read.

TUESDAY, NOV. 4

MANCHESTER MEMORIAL’S CHABOT MCDONOUGH FIELD

This will almost be our second home on the Trail, the first of three stops. Welcome this time to the Division I girls soccer semifinals between Pinkerton and Bishop Guertin. It was great talking football for a bit in the far corner with Pinkerton football coach Brian O’Reilly, there in his AD role as the Astros had a bye for that week.

Scoring was at a minimum – just one goal, that coming when we were expecting a throw-in but a free kick was rewarded, and it was converted in mid-air by the Astros Cara Mahn. On the flip side, BG’s Zoe Horton-Sousa’s hard roller just skipped wide minutes later. Guertin, which saw a fine season end, would fall one goal short of the Astros again, as they had lost a 2-1 during the regular season at Stellos. It’s a tough tourney.

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 5

MANCHESTER MEMORIAL HS

Back to the ChabMac, only this time it’s two for the theoretical price of one (the NHIAA media pass, we never leave home without it). It’s the Division I boys soccer semis, BG vs. Bedford in Game 1 and Nashua South vs. Windham in Game 2.

Both were actually intense battles won in regulation (wow, a streak of three straight, but that would later come to a halt).Would we get a South-BG final?Guertin beat Bedford 2-0, scoring a couple of minutes in – literally a minute after yours truly arrived right at the start. Guertin keeper Beau Boughter was outstanding in the final minute of the first half with two big back-to-back saves. For a good reason, as he is a Bedford kid and his younger brother is on the Bulldogs.

“I know all these kids, I’ve played them since I was little, I just know their play style and stuff,” Boughter said. “Even though they lost, I still love all of them.”

Now it’s on to the nightcap, and the Panthers could not shake the Jags but escaped with a 2-1 win. The audio – but not video, due to NFHS Network contractual broadcast rights – was available on the Nashua ETV app, and calling soccer in radio style isn’t easy, but we had Nashua’s Mr. Soccer, Jared Barbosa, to help yours truly out. The Panthers completed the All-Nashua Final with sophomore Kevin Araujo’s two goals but the Jags sure put on a charge.

“I aged 67 years, I can’t lie,” South keeper Antonio Pancine said.

He was promptly told that now made him older than yours truly. Laughter. Mike drop.

Souhegan’s Avery Wyborney crashes to the ground during the mayhem around the Bow goal and goalie Aubrey Merrill during Saturday’s Division II field hockey title game in Bedford. (Telegraph photo by TOM KING)

THURSDAY, NOV. 6

PINKERTON ACADEMY’S HACKLER GYM

We’re at the hack for volleyball, a nice break from soccer, which still has three games and two stop left on the Trail.

But this stop was for the Division II girls volleyball semis,with No. 4 Milford having upset hopes vs. No. 1 Oyster River. This was the second match of the night, so we pull the veteran move, follow the first game with reports on X, and when it gets close to the end, off we go. By the time we arrive at the Hack, parking right near the entrance. Works every time.

But what didn’t work when needed was the Spartans’ first set magic, as they also had Oyster River on the ropes in the third set, but the ‘Cats rallied for the 2-1 lead and eventually won 3-1.

The Spartans took it hard.

“Milford always has something to prove, and just because we lost today doesn’t mean that we didn’t prove anything,” Spartans co-coach Gabby Monico, a former Spartan standout herself, said. “I said it early on, it was definitely a game of mistakes; it was whichever team was going to make the less mistakes that one. And at the end when it mattered, we continued to make the mistakes and Oyster River seemed to figure it out and get in that rhythm.”

Good though to see former Pinkerton AD Bob Royce and his wife, former Astros girls basketball coach Linda. Their son, Todd, coached Pinkerton to the state title a couple of days later.

FRIDAY, NOV. 7

EXETER’S BILL BALL STADIUM

Division II Soccer Finals times two, for the second straight year.

And for the second straight year, it’s the unbeaten Hollis Brookline girls vs. Bow, and the final score was 1-0. But in a surprise it was the Falcons snapping HB’s 56-game unbeaten streak plus the Cavs bid for a threepeat. The game’s only goal came about nine minutes in. Little did we know that would start a streak of 285 minutes of scoreless soccer in the field of play (non PKs) that we witnessed through Saturday night. Regardless, a jolt and tough end for the Cavs, as friends and families gathered on the grassy area outside the home locker room. An era of dominance ends by seconds, as a possible foul by Bow in the penalty area that would have led to a PK was deemed after time had expired. Ouch. Tough one.

“It is the toughest thing, but it’s almost a fitting place for it to happen,” Cavaliers coach Peter Clarke said.

On to Game Two, Campbell vs. ConVal for the boys title, Cougars vs. Cougars. Campbell was on a mission after losing to Milford in last year’s finals, but neither team could score in 100 minutes of soccer, with opportunities for each. Finally, the clincher in PKs came from – guess who – Christian Bellino. But the best quote on the Trail came from his coach, Dufourny. “I need to coach another sport,” he said. “One where they score.” Congrats Cougars, the area’s second team champ on the Trail.

SATURDAY, NOV. 8

STELLOS STADIUM

An all-city day. First stop is at Stellos Stadium, a Division I first round matchup between Bishop Guertin and Nashua North. It was a tale of two halves, as things were dead even at 7 and the Titans smelling an upset after the first 24 minutes. But Cards QB Nate Bowen went 7 of 9 and it was a 32-7 final.

“We just were asleep that first half,” BG coach Anthony Nalen said. “I’ve never seen us play the way we played that first half.”

What this did was set up yet another South-BG Tourney Trail encounter, this one in football. For North’s Chad Zibolis, it was a tough ending, “but there was some positive stuff” to the season. Yes, as North made the playoffs after missing them the previous year.

MANCHESTER MEMORIAL HS

On to the final stop of the seek – back to the ChabMac, for the classic event of the Trail: South vs. BG for the Division I boys soccer title. South coach Tom Bellen said after the semis win he almost wished the game could have been at Stellos, but knew these sites are pre-determined. Too bad because yours truly, waiting again for the girls final between Pinkerton and Winnacunnet to end before heading north, got caught in Saturday night South Willow Street traffic. Ugh. When we finally arrived, there was parking – barely. And a great game to be seen, with Guertin finally winning it in double OT on the game’s only goal by Nick Chartier, a bang-bang rebound kick. Incredible game. BG coach Tyler Vandeventer had to fullfill a promise to his players if they won to get his head shaved. We didn’t stay to see it as when we left the main parking lot was just about empty.

Now get this: That goal ended a 24 hour streak spanning three games of 285 minutes of scoreless soccer in the field of play (non-PKs) witnessed by yours truly, two Trail stops. Yes, 285. BG wins its first boys soccer title since 2004, and the 2025 soccer season came to an end. One sport and five stops left.

Nashua South’s Justin Fish (1) tries to escape a tackle duirng Friday night’s Division I semifinal win over Bishop Guertin at Stellos Stadium. (Telegraph photo by TOM KING)

FRIDAY, NOV. 14

STELLOS STADIUM

Bishop Guertin vs. Nashua South for the third time on the trail, this time in the Division I football quarterfinals. It was the Cody Jackson Show in a 31-14 Panther win over BG, South’s offense ending the Cards’ season for the second straight year. Jackson threw for 220 yards and two TDs.

“I feel that every week he does something more to amaze me even more,” South coach Josh Porter said.

It was the last local game at Stellos, thus the last night for press box Bill Thorpe’s famous home baked cookies, a hobby of his. We stocked up.

SATURDAY, NOV. 15

SOUHEGAN HIGH SCHOOL’S CALVETTI FIELD

Welcome to the Division II semifinals, with No. 1, unbeaten Souhegan thrashing No. 4 Pelham 47-14 with the incredible 20 points in 42 seconds – Brody Smith’s kickoff return for a TD, two squib kicks fumbled, recovered by the Sabers followed by two Mike Fiengo long TD passes to a wide open Smith and Ryland Raudelunas. But it was fairly secure at the half, with Souhegan up 28-7, and Sabers coach Robin Bowkett munching on a snack. “Robin, did you bring enough for the rest of the class?” we asked. Answer: “From what I heard, you had a ton of cookies last night at Stellos. I think you’re good.”

Our reputation precedes us.

FRIDAY, NOV. 21

BEDFORD’S BULLDOG STADIUM.

Back to the ‘Dog to see the Divsion I semis between Nashua South and Bedford. Coldest night of the season. A great recovery by South after falling behind 21-0 to come to within 28-21, but falling short 35-21. Porter told his team they left “a legacy” for their work ethic through the last few years. Feeling in our feet returned about two hours after the game. Brutal. Last Friday night of the season, thank goodness.

SATURDAY, NOV. 22

PINKERTON ACADEMY’S MEMORIAL FIELD

Welcome to the Division II finals, with Souhegan taking on Trinity, an intriguing matchup since the teams to anyone’s recollection have never met. Before the game, one high ranking NHIAA official was explaining how the rules – neutral sites for all football finals – takes precedence over common sense as the Division III finals between Laconia and Gilford was moved from original designated site Bank of NH Stadium in Laconia to Exeter. The two schools are 15 minutes apart. The rule may be changed to say stick with the original site, but who knows. At least his other prediction of 3 to 6 inches of snow for last weekend’s Division I final didn’t come true.

In the end, Souhegan fell 31-21 to the Pioneers thanks to a great performance by Trinity QB Ollie Service.

“I don’t think they were used to having teams hang around with them like we were doing,” Trinity coach Rob Cathcart said, and he was right. Tough ending to the local season, but we have one more stop to go.

SATURDAY, NOV. 29

STELLOS STADIUM

Fitting that the Trail end here. With the Division I title game between Pinkerton and Bedford in our backyard, we figured it would be of interest, so we made it the Trail’s final stop. Bedford, which lost only one game – to Pinkerton in last year’s semis– over the last three seasons won easily 35-7. Everyone shows up for the finals, including former noted retired Nashua coach B.J. Neverett, up from his Florida home for a visit. Neverett was thrilled that former Silver Knights president Tim Bawmann was returning to the Futures League in a similar role where he began in the area, at LeLacheur Park in Lowell with the new Spinners FCBL franchise.

“I remember 15 years ago I was wondering what I was doing in Tim Bawmann’s office,” Neverett said, recalling when Bawmann offered him the job of Player personnel head with the Knights. “I can’t wait to go back down there next time I’m here to see him.”

And that was that, as one of the longest Tourney Trails we’ve had comes to an end.

Stellos Stadium stands were full for the Divison I state football title bout between Bedford and Pinkerton. (Telegraph photo by TOM KING)