The competition in Division I high school field hockey is almost always intense and tight, and having a positive outcome in every match is important for every team.
With that in mind, the scoring-challenged Londonderry High stickers have a good amount of pressure on them right now – after going 1-3-1 in their first five matches – to maximize their offensive potential.
The Lady Lancers claimed a 1-1 tie in a home match with the Exeter High Lady Blue Hawks at LHS Wednesday, Sept. 16, but then suffered a 2-0 loss at the hands of the host Bishop Guertin Lady Cardinals in Nashua last weekend.
In the 1-1 deadlock with visiting Exeter, the hosts received a second-half goal from Hannah McGrath – with an assist from Alivia Proulx – and equaled the Lady Blue Hawks’ scoring output.
“Exeter was a great game,” said LHS veteran coach Laura Federico. “The girls were ready to play and focused from the first whistle on coming out strong. It was a hard-fought but exciting game, with both teams playing well. We had some great opportunities in front of the net but we couldn’t capitalize on them.”
And the locals didn’t have any shots go home in their 2-0 blanking at the hands of Guertin last Saturday, Sept. 19, and saw their season record slip to 1-3-1 as a result.
“Our loss to BG was very disappointing,” said the LHS coach. “Our team broke down mentally and did not decide to perform up to their abilities. We continue to have a lot to work on, and their play in that game demonstrated that to me.”
The Lady Lancers were right back down to business Monday in a home match against Nashua South, a winless squad that had allowed 30 goals in its five defeats.
The local stickers notched their second win of the season in the Monday match, but their offense was far from prolific in a 2-1 nipping of the Lady Purple Panthers.
Hailey Gilbert had a hand in both Lady Lancer goals, scoring one and assisting on the other. Hannah McGrath potted the other Londonderry goal, and Maeve McPhail was good for an assist.
LHS standout keeper Rachel Simkevich made eight saves her contribution to the victory as the locals drove toward their annual Pinkerton test.