RallyNorth.net

BEDFORD — In a flash, it was finished.

As Pinkerton and Winnacunnet turned in their usual tournament war yesterday, battling to a standoff over 74 minutes, the top-seeded Astros drew a penalty corner in the last minute of the first overtime period.

Kaylie DeCosmo certainly has had a strong sophomore season. She now is second on her team in scoring after an impressive two-goal game to lift top-seeded Pinkerton 4-0 over No. 8 seed Bishop Guertin in the Division 1 field hockey quarterfinals.

The Pinkerton field hockey team was supposed to be in rebuilding mode this year but, after beating Concord 3-0 for theirr fourth straight win, the Astros are now 6-1. Julie Saltamartini had a goal and an assist and Brianne Toree had a pair of assists.

Julie Saltamartini scored twice and assisted on another as Pinkerton delivered Exeter its first loss.  Kaylie DeCosmo, Brooke Dorval and Jessica Cote also scored for the Astros (5-1).  Jordan Dudley made eight saves to secure the win. Exeter falls to 6-1.

In what Pinkerton coach Jen Restini called "a battle of corners," Julie Saltamartini scored the only goal of the game in the second half off a penalty corner to hand the Astros to a 1-0 victory over Timberlane.

Nicole Yannalfo scored three times as Pinkerton broke open a close halftime score and cruised to a 7-1 in at Keene. Brooke Dorval added a goal and an assist for the 3-1 Astros.

Pinkerton field hockey knocked off two-time defending champion Winnacunnet on a goal by Julie Saltamartini early in OT. Chevy Collins, Jessica Cote and Rachel Charewicz played fine all-around games. Charewicz and Nicole Yannalfo tallied the other Astro goals.

Using a little more disciplined and controlled play in the circle allowed Pinkerton to explode for five second-half goals in a 7-0 victory over Nashua South. Midfielder Brianne Torre (two goals) was effective all over the field for the Astros and, in her first varsity game, Kaylie DeCosmo (assist) came out with great energy and carried it through the entire contest.