The Salem High Blue Devils and Concord Crimson Tide boys’ lacrosse squads both suffered resounding defeats at the hands of the undefeated Londonderry High Lancers last week. And the local laxmen stepped into this week looking to advance to a glittering 4-0 on the still-young 2017 season.
In the 12-3 thumping of Salem on the New Hampshire/Massachusetts border on Tuesday, April 18, the Lancers led 2-1 after one period and 6-2 at halftime. But they went on to outscore their hosts by a 6-1 margin in the second half in tucking the victory away.
The victorious locals received three goals and an assist from Sean Snyder, two goals and a helper from Pete Navarro, two goals apiece from Jake Holland, Anthony Federico, and Tyler Grant, and one assist from Merrill Neiman.
Grant was also a pretty spectacular 14 of 15 on face-offs for the victorious locals, and goalie Alex Fawcett contributed two saves. His opposite number in the Salem cage made some 20 stops in trying to keep the match close throughout.
And two days later in the state’s capital, the Lancers powered their way out to an 18-9 throttling of host Concord by potting the first dozen goals of the match.
Sean Snyder netted the first three and finished the productive day by scoring six times. He and his Lancers led 7-0 after one period and 13-3 at the half.
Mike McAlister, Jeff Wiedenfeld, and Navarro each potted two goals for the winning side, and Grant contributed one goal and won 20 of the 29 face-offs for which he contested.
The 3-0 Lancers then rolled into this vacation week aiming to keep their winning ways driving ahead when they hosted the Windham Jaguars on Monday afternoon.
But the Lancers absorbed their first defeat of the still-young campaign at home against Windham, dropping a 12-11 decision despite a strong fourth quarter attempt at a comeback.
The hosts started the game by jumping out to a quick three goal lead before the Jaguars answered with two of their own. The first quarter ended with a 5-4 Lancer lead.
Windham rattled off three straight goals to begin the second period. after one period. Londonderry answered with two of their own but trailed 9-7 at the halftime break.
And Windham netted the only two goals scored in the third period, and as a result carried an 11-7 advantage into the fourth quarter.
The Lancer squad outscored their guests by a 4-1 margin in that final period, but Windham wound up one goal better up on the scoreboard.
Snyder led the LHS offense by potting five goals, Dom Federico and Anthony Federico each scored twice, and McAlister and Navarro each scored once. Where assists were concerned, Snyder, Dom Federico, and Holland each notched two, and Anthony Federico and Jeff Wiedenfeld each collected one. Keeper Fawcett made five stops.