PEMBROKE – Like so many of his peers, Pembroke Academy boys soccer coach Peter Bisson wants to improve.

Bisson's pace, however, may be slightly different than those of some of his colleagues.

“Every week, every day, and every game,” said Bisson. “Our plan is to basically win the games we should be winning, not have any sort of letdowns or setbacks and try to come out and be a more consistent team.”

Bisson hopes his team will surpass last year's success, where the Spartans made it to the postseason and won their first game before being eliminated in the Division II tournament.
By focusing on more than one postseason win, Bisson plans to creep closer and closer to a division title.

Getting better week by week will be important for Bisson and his team.

The Spartans began the season with a 1-0 victory over Coe-Brown Northwood Academy on Friday, Aug. 24.

Three days later, Pembroke suffered its first loss, 3-1, to Souhegan on Tuesday, Aug. 28.
“My team works very hard. Even down three goals, they continued to work and fight back and continue pressing,” said Bisson.

Shane St. Onge scored the Spartan's only goal of the game in the second half with an assist from Tyler Gaharra.

Gaharra, a senior transfer student, has impressed Bisson thus far.
“He's a pretty talented player,” said Bisson.

Though it may take a few games for Gaharra to adapt to playing in a new system at Pembroke, he is already making an impact in the games.

Alex Trujillo, the goalkeeper, made five saves in the loss to Souhegan.

Trujillo will play a crucial role in Pembroke's pursuit of a playoff-contending season.

For the Spartans and Bisson, this season will be about improving on the weaknesses and understanding their strengths.

“We do have some speed on the team, which is nice, because you can't really teach that,” said Bisson.

After each game, the team evaluates their play to put focus on their weaknesses. By continually building upon their weaknesses, Bisson hopes to develop new strengths for the Spartans.

Kyle Haas, one of Pembroke stronger players, shares Bisson's mindset to create strengths from weakness.

Haas has moved from a midfield striker position to central defense in order to help out the Spartans this season.

“He's taken the role on to help solidify our backs. He's taken it on himself to control everything back there, even though it's not really his position,” said Bisson. “(We) set those goals in the beginning, the long-term goals, but realize that every day we have to come out and get a little bit better.”