MERRIMACK — The Manchester Central boys' soccer team's play resembled that of a one-hit wonder rock band in Friday's season-opening 1-0 win over Merrimack.

After going ahead in the 25th minute of play, the defending Division I champs built one quick rhythmic passing combination after another to create opportunities. Each chance became near misses. A couple of potential goals grazed posts. One clanked off the crossbar and Tomahawks goalkeeper Nate Cusham made eight saves to prevent a second goal.

In fact, even though the Little Green team controlled play for most of the game, Merrimack very nearly tied the game in the final seconds of play when senior captain Alec Watkinson leaped horizontally across the pitch inside the box in an attempt to head a serve inside the far post.

“I got to it, but was maybe an inch away from being able to send it where I wanted to,” said Watkinson, who made a similar play early in the second half, and made a valiant attempt with a bicycle kick from about 10 yards out in the 60th minute. “They might have looked pretty, but they all missed.”

Was it frustrating to play so well, yet not be able develop a comfortable lead? “No way. That's what makes soccer so much fun,” said Central's Samuel Binogono. The junior, a returning starter, struck the lone goal of the game by reaching a loose ball at midfield and creating a breakaway chance by sending himself a 15-yard pass.

Binogono, Justin Reno, Blake Cornellier, AnujKahdka and Semis Sandzic took turns creating potential scoring runs for most of the game.

Merrimack's defense turned back some charges, but the potential finishers just missed the target.

“We had our chances, that's for sure. I can't think of another game where I've missed so many shots. Still, it was a win,” said Central's Romeald Katanga, a junior, who finished a couple of pretty passing combinations by hitting the post.

“We got a win on the road against a senior-laden Merrimack team that has the talent to compete for the title,” said Chris LaBerge. “You have to walk away feeling happy about that.”

In the first half, Binogono's speed and behind-the-back dribble consistently beat Merrimack to the back line. He crossed passes across the goal face, but couldn't connect with teammates.

Other attacks came from Keegan LaBerge, the coach's son, sending speedy forwards straight down the pitch.

“We made some adjustments at halftime, which slowed them somewhat,” said Merrimack's first-year coach Ryan Farnsworth, a former Tomahawks player working with a roster of 14 seniors. “Central's got a lot of speed and talent. With what I saw my team do today, I'm happy with what we could do in the near future.”