MANCHESTER — A mere three years old, the Windham girls lacrosse program already is associated with the D word.
And after winning its second consecutive Division III state championship last night, it isn't premature to begin talking dynasty.
Quicker to loose balls and better on most faceoffs, second-seeded Windham easily dispatched upstart and fifth-seeded Lebanon 21-12 before a full house at Southern New Hampshire University's Larkin Field.
"Actually, I can't think about anything past tonight," said junior Melissa Cino, who had four goals and a whopping seven assists. "I hope to come out (next year) and do it again, but who knows what's going to happen."
While the final score was a bit lopsided, Windham showed off its resiliency every time the Raiders (13-5) tried to rally. The Jaguars scored three goals in a span of 100 seconds to open a 6-3 lead midway through the first. Then after Lebanon cut its deficit to one, Windham ran off three consecutive to gain a four-goal advantage with 4:12 left before intermission.
The second half provided more of the same as Windham took command by scoring the first three goals of the frame in a 73-second stretch.
Then the rout began with six scores in fewer than five minutes. And when it was over, Ali Connors had piled up six goals, giving her 19 in three tournament matches, while Sam Crichton added four and Lexi Lewis and Courtney Sweeny each posted hat tricks.
A year after an undefeated 18-game season, Windham wasn't perfect again this time around, but its two losses were to Division I champion Pinkerton and Division II titlist Portsmouth. Among this year's 18 victims were perennial Division I power Londonderry and Billerica, a large-school MVC squad. In its three-year history, Windham has won 43 of its 53 matches (.811 winning percentage).
"The girls just get better and better every year," said coach Jill Bartlett, who will guide the program's move up to Division II next season. "They're enjoyable to be around every day ... but it feels even better to win it again. "I think it might be a little too early to talk about a dynasty, but I feel we have a shot, and they'll make a good run next year."
Starting just three seniors in a lineup that included two freshman attackers (Lewis and Hope Curtis) and four sophomores, the Jaguars appear primed to continue their early success. Last night, underclassman accounted for all 21 goals. On the season, Windham outscored opponents 379-122 (19.9-6.4 per game) while tallying at least 20 goals 13 times and 18 or more 17 times.
But before you start thinking it's all about offense with this squad, don't forget Tori Cipollone, the junior goalie who posted five saves, including two tough stops in a 25-second span early in the second half when Lebanon still had comeback dreams. Jen Gaarder won 23 of the match's 35 faceoffs.
Read More »Leah Chittick scored three goals and freshman Lauren Hiller made a career-high 18 saves as No. 3 North Andover topped No. 2 Framingham 9-7 to advance to the Division 1 North title game.
"Lauren got the game ball," said coach Karen Lahey. "She played out of her mind. We stopped 11 of 13 free positions. That's a crazy percentage."
Read More »Windham wlll be in the Derryfield girls lacrosse team's nightmares for quite some time.
The No. 2 Jaguars beat No. 3 Derryfield for the third time this season, a 16-7 victory in the Division 3 semifinals last night.
Read More »MANCHESTER — After snapping the mother of all losing streaks last night, the Pinkerton girls will be looking to end another drought that's lasted nine years.
The second-seeded Astros rallied from a three-goal, second-half deficit and defeated third-seeded Londonderry 8-7 in the Division 1 semifinals at Southern New Hampshire.
It was Pinkerton's first victory in 16 games against the Lancers since winning the 2008 season opener. Now the Astros (16-4) have a chance at the program's second state title and first since 2004 at 7 p.m. Tuesday against the winner of yesterday's nightcap between top-seeded Souhegan and fifth-seeded Exeter.
"We tried to take the focus away from it being Londonderry," said second-year coach Rob Daziel, whose squad lost a pair of regular-season games to the Lancers by a combined 23-17. "It was a tournament game and it didn't matter who we were playing. But those girls were still aware that it was Londonderry and a very solid program. But we really tried to take that factor away."
The Astros didn't appear intimidated scoring three of the game's first four goals, but the Lancers, who had scored at least 17 goals eight times while winning 11 of the previous 12, stormed back by scoring the fianl four goals of the opening half. Julie Wasserman scored three times as Londonderry (13-6) took a 5-3 lead into intermission.
But despite trailing, Boyle was optimistic. A big reason for that was Sarah Lambert, who prior to this season had no idea the Astros had struggled against the Lancers.
"We're glad to have her," Boyle said of his junior goalie, who transfered from Manchester Memorial after her sophomore year. "The defense supported her, and in that first half she was staring into that sun. To only be down two (5-3 at intermission) and not to be able to see the ball was remarkable. That first half is what kept us in the game."
After an early Kennedy Daziel goal pulled the Astros within one, Londonderry once again took a three-goal advantage on goals by Molly Koon and Alexa Bedell, who finished with three.
Sophomore Maggie McCarthy, who had gave Pinkerton a 2-1 lead early in the first half, drilled her 100th career goal with 13:34 left to cut the deficit to 7-5. Daziel erased that margin with a pair of goals in a span of 57 seconds. Junior Sierra Sanchez provided the game winner with 5:15 remaining.
"My heart was just beating," Sanchez said. "I was just hoping I could help the team out. Everything was going through my head at once. Then it was just pure excitement and joy. I was so proud.'"
But it wasn't until Lambert made a couple huge saves the final 41 seconds before the victory was assured, ending Londerry's quest for its fourth state title in five years.
"There is no disappointment," first-year Lancer coach Mike Boyle said. "My kids are teenagrs and they're a little disappointed. We had a saying ... make it to the Final Four. So that's what we wanted to do and we did."
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North Andover's girls lacrosse team ripped Peabody in the Division 1 North quarterfinals to advance to the semifinals against No. 2 seed Framingham Tuesday. Michelle Poirier led the scoring with four goals and an assist and defenders Micaela Mello, Kaliegh Rogato and Emma Johns.
Read More »Maggie McCarthy scored five goals and Amanda Szostak and Kennedy Daziel each added four scores as No. 2 Pinkerton rolled over No. 7 Concord in the New Hampshire Division 1 quarterfinals. The win earns the Astros a matchup with archrival Londonderry on Saturday at Southern New Hampshire.
Read More »Julia Wasserman scored five goals and added two asssists to lead No. 3 Londonderry to a 17-12 victory over No. 6 Hollis-Brookline in the New Hampshire Division 1 quarterfinals. The Lancers next travel to face No. 2 archrival Pinkerton on Saturday at 6 p.m.at Southern New Hampshire.
Read More »
In the final game for head coach Phil Rowley, who is retiring after six years, Central Catholic's girls lacrosse team dropped a 10-9 tourney heartbreaker to Peabody. Colleen Slein had three goals and an assist in the loss.
Read More »Freshman Alex Comeau turned in a "spectacular" effort in the Haverhill net according to head coach Mindy Cripps but the Hillies dropped a tough 14-11 decision to Lowell in Division 1 North preliminary round lacrosse action.
Read More »Behind Abby Galloway-Burke's eight-goal explosion, Methuen lacrosse bounced Salem from the Division 1 state tourney, 12-10. Shaley Horan, Kristina Cottone and Alex Comerford were defensive standouts for the 14th seed Rangers, who will next face No. 3 North Andover tomorrow night in first round play.
Read More »
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