A Hair Raising Season

Action from a 3-1 victory in 1974 over Conant. In the background is Marshall White, and leading the drive are (from left) Bob Bradley and Kevin Evans.

Fifty years ago this fall, Conval High had its most successful soccer season in its first five years, advancing all the way to the state quarterfinals before bowing to eventual state champion Kearsarge, 2-0. But there’s more to the story (besides the hair dos of the day). The 1974 Cougars, even in late October with an 8-1-0 record, were still unbelievably fighting for a tournament spot.

That’s because there was only one division for the entire state, no matter what the size of the school! (That changed in 1976 with the formation of two leagues, and in 1986 when the NHIAA formed four divisions as there are today.)

The regular season included two tough triumphs over rival Conant of Jaffrey, as well as the likes of Milford and Keene. But Steve Lowe’s squad also played tiny Marlborough (now part of Keene High), and defeated small school Simonds of Warner (now part of Kearsarge).

In the quarterfinal battle at unbeaten Kearsarge, the Cougars appeared to have scored the equalizer seconds before halftime, but it was ruled that the goal off a corner kick occurred after the horn had sounded.

Conval, however, earned statewide recognition that season as Mike Crowe was named to the first team of the 1974-75 All State Soccer Team, and teammates Jeff O’Neil and the late Steve Crowe were selected to the third team.