EXETER - There is something to be said about playing your best when the state tournament rolls around.

Exeter, the defending Division I state champions, won its final five games and went 7-1-3 in its last 11 regular-season games, while Goffstown lost three of its last four.

The trend continued for both teams on Wednesday, Oct. 29 in a Division I first-round game at Eustis Field at William Ball Stadium.

Exeter senior midfielder Owen Smith, off the opening kick-off, connected with Jaden Gargiulo on a through ball, and Gargiulo beat Goffstown sophomore keeper Luke Napierkoski just 20 seconds into the game.

The eighth-seeded Blue Hawks, thanks to the stellar performance of junior goalie Reid LaBroad and the defense of Aiden Powers, Jack Blythe, Darren Grant, and Cowan St. Armand, made Garg

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