RallyNorth.net

Second-half rally sends Pinkerton into finals

Saturday, June, 01 By Jeff Hamrick

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."