CONTOOCOOK – The Hawks faced the earliest deficit that Scott Zipke had seen in over 20 years of coaching. They responded with their best performance of the season.

The Hopkinton boys’ soccer team gave up a penalty kick just 17 seconds into the match, but responded with four goals in the first half and had five different goal scorers in a 7-2 victory over Prospect Mountain in a battle between a pair of undefeated squads on Wednesday.

It only took the Timberwolves (3-1) a couple of passes to draw a foul in the 18-yard box and were awarded a penalty kick. TJ Locke scored past Hopkinton goalkeeper Hunter Eckner-Naylor (five saves) to give Prospect Mountain a 1-0 lead.

It was not only the first deficit that the Hawks had seen all season, but it was also the first goal they allowed through their first three games. The deficit was erased quickly, with senior Noah Aframe (goal, two assists) scoring the game-tying goal in the 12th minute off an assist from senior Nate Windhurst.

Junior forward Kristof Cauley confidently polished off a pass headed down by Aframe in the 23th minute, sophomore Rowan Boyle scored one minute later, and junior captain Fin Murphy headed home a corner kick taken by Boyle in the 34th minute to make it 4-2 at halftime.

“It was a little shocking at how quick (the deficit) happened,” Zipke said. “Credit to my guys, they turned around and got right back after it. It was an interesting start, but they had the exact correct response.”

Murphy scored again in the 46th minute (from senior Deegan Tomaz), senior Cody Charron netted another in the 64th (Aframe assist) and an own goal by Prospect Mountain in the 76th minute capped the scoring.

Locked scored again for the Timberwolves in the 37th minute and keeper Ben Gagnon made seven saves.

“Prospect is a big, strong team. It was our biggest challenge of our first three games,” Zipke said. “To have that many guys carry the goal scoring makes it tough for our opponents. Who do you cover when you have five different guys scoring?”

While Prospect Mountain is the most challenging opponent that Hopkinton has faced thus far, the Hawks also posted impressive shutout victories over Derryfield, 7-0, and Trinity, 3-0. After graduating 11 seniors from last year’s roster, Zipke credits center back Michael Pantano and central defensive midfielder Windhurst, both senior captains, for taking the reins and organizing the defense so quickly.

“They run that defense and provide direction to the outside backs,” Zipke said, who also commented on senior Aframe’s experience at outside back. “They’re constantly talking and directing traffic. … To have that senior leadership in the back is a nice luxury.”

Zipke also pointed to the sophomore duo of Boyle (outside midfielder) and Sawyer Zipke (central midfield), and junior outside back Shane Smith for having strong performances on Wednesday, stating that, “We have a good mix (of seniors and underclassmen).”

Hopkinton hosts Belmont (2-1-1) on Friday with a 4 p.m. kickoff currently scheduled.