RallyNorth.net

MANCHESTER, N.H. — Londonderry made it clear from the start; the Lancers were simply a team of destiny.

After falling in last year’s state final, the Lancers scored redemption, capturing the first state title in program history with a 9-6 win over rival Pinkerton in the Division 1 championship.

WELLESLEY — North Andover senior Caroline Barclay wiped away a few tears and smiled as she reflected on the season.

“We won’t be Scarlet Knights anymore,” said Barclay. “But it doesn’t end here. I’ll still be playing plenty of lacrosse. I’m excited.”

WELLESLEY ­— The North Andover girls lacrosse team lost in the Division 2 state championship game to Norwell last night 15-6 in front of about 1,000 fans at Babson College.

Norwell’s quad-captain Kate MacDonald’s six points (3 goals, 3 assists) and sophomore Molly Cox’s hat trick in the first half were too much to overcome. The Knights went into the half trailing 8-1.

Setting up the dream No. 1 vs. No. 2 showdown in the Division 1 finals, second-seeded Pinkerton slid by No. 3 Exeter, 9-7, in the semifinals. Casey Konnal and Nicole Curry each potted three goals, and Heather Carr led the team with four points (1 goal, 3 assists).

NORTH ANDOVER — After watching her coach get doused with celebratory Gatorade, North Andover’s Kate Kleinendorst took a moment to look out onto the empty Walsh Stadium field.

“Picture-perfect,” she said with a smile. “I honestly couldn’t have dreamed this. This is unbelievable, but we did it.”

Timberlane fell to top-seeded Portsmouth, 18-5, in yesterday's Division 2 quarterfinals. The Owls finish 7-8.

Behind a four-goal effort from Rory Fawcett, Pinkerton topped Manchester Central 18-5 in the Division 1 quarterfinals. Danica Whitehouse, Nicole Curry and Kacie Connal all had hat tricks, and Diana Kraus turned aside two shots.

Kayla Green racked up a game-high eight points (4 goals, 4 assists) as Londonderry dismantled Salem, 21-0, in the Division 1 quarterfinals. Marcie Marino was close behind with six points (3 goals, 3 assists), and Dana Boyle also chipped in four goals for the Lancers. Libby Curran and Crystalle Parent combined for five saves to keep the Blue Devils off the board.

WESTON — Breanna Yocum continued her stellar junior season by scoring eight goals. But despite her efforts, Pentucket lost to Weston, 18-12, in the Division 2 North semifinals last night.

Jenna Armstrong lifted North Andover past vaunted Winchester, 9-8, with a goal with 30 seconds left in their Division 2 North quarterfinal matchup. Armstrong scored four goals and Jenn Pino added three while Erika Zahoruiko stymied Winchester's gifted scorer Lauren Sullivan, holding her to one goal. She was averaging 4.4 goals a game. The defending state champion Sachems had reached the state finals four years in a row but the No. 5 Knights were too much for No. 4 Winchester. North Andover avenged an 11-9 loss to the Sachems in last year's North semifinals.