Salem goal keeper Elias Mercedes makes the save and deflects the ball away from the net.
DERRY, N.H. - Kerry Boles has coached 575 Pinkerton Academy High boys' soccer games.
Of those 575 he noted six of them stand out above the rest.
With five of those six being state championship wins.
The other one?
His first ever win, but not for the reason most would probably think.
That first victory, in particular, taught him a lesson which he has taken with him all the way to win No. 350, which he accomplished on Tuesday.
"Listen to your players," he bellowed out.
Back in 1992, then 27, Boles was in his second year of coaching the Pinkerton boys freshmen team. After an issue occurred with the varsity coach, the school administrators asked Boles to fill in for a game and "see what happens."
"I coached the team but I had no idea of anyone's name. I had no clue whatsoever in terms of trying to set up a line-up for the game," he recalled.
Boles recalled asking the captains to put together their "ideal line-up." It worked. The neophyte Pinkerton coach won his first game as well as the two that followed.
On a three-game winning streak, the interim tag was removed from Boles' status and he was named the permanent head coach.
Thirty-two seasons later, his record is 350-187-38, ranking Boles sixth all-time in wins in New Hampshire boys soccer history.
"When I first started I was a know-it-all. It was 'This is what we're going to do.' Then I learned that your kids can help you," he said. "I adopted the philosophy of 'This is what we're going to start with' and then I'd go to the captains and say 'If you feel that something needs to be changed, come talk to me.'"
Boles has coached hundreds boys over the years which have led him to seven state finals (winning in 1994, 1995, 2008, 2010 and 2014 and losing in 2005 and 2006), but more importantly relationships that he'll keep for the rest of his life.
"I don't really look at my own personal stats. It's more about what do I bring to the kids, what lessons can I teach them, being a quality, helpful person and being involved in community service things," he said. "It's great to have those numbers but those numbers don't happen without the kids. The kids have to believe in you and year after year they have believed in me."
The reason why Boles comes back every year is the countless number of relationships he has made. One in particular is very special to him, Mike Hachey, the current Windham coach. He was a big player on two state championship teams under Boles, and then was his assistant coach for several years.
"Although I've always respected my time with Bolesy as my coach and mentor, it's the friendship we've developed over the last 30 years that I value the most," said Hachey. "We've been through a lot together that goes well beyond soccer. He's more than just a coach that took me under his wing many years ago. We're family now.
"To win 350 games is an extraordinary achievement, especially considering that Kerry accomplished this in Division 1. It's a testament to his abilities as a coach, teacher, and most of all, as a competitor. Kerry's drive to win far exceeds most people. That translates to his players and produces results. I have never known a person more competitive than Bolesy. That is something we have in common. I feel it was a primary bond in our partnership and has developed into great battles as adversaries."
Boles will turn 60 years old in January. He said depending on possible professional life changes, he could continue to coach anywhere from two to five more years.
"No matter what I decide," he said with a big smile, "I know 400 wins isn't happening."