> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.nh-highschoolsports.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Benevides scores in OT to give Exeter girls lacrosse win over Londonderry - URL: https://www.nh-highschoolsports.com/benevides-scores-in-ot-to-give-exeter-girls-lacrosse-win-over-londonderry/ - Published: 2026-04-23T15:37:34.000Z - Updated: 2026-04-23T15:37:34.000Z - Description: EXETER – Riley Benevides knew that she’d take on a bigger role entering the season for the Exeter High School girls lacrosse team and that’s a challenge she has embraced. The sophomore midfielder flashed her talent all afternoon during Wednesday’s game against Londonderry and then saved the best for - Author: Dan Doyon - Tags: Division I, Exeter, girls lacrosse, Londonderry, slider, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-08-18 04:44 EXETER – Riley Benevides knew that she’d take on a bigger role entering the season for the Exeter High School girls lacrosse team and that’s a challenge she has embraced. The sophomore midfielder flashed her talent all afternoon during Wednesday’s game against Londonderry and then saved the best for last. Benevides capped off her six-goal effort with a game-winner in overtime to give Exeter a 12-11 Division I victory over the Lancers at William Ball Stadium. “We lost a lot of our starters so I knew there were some big shoes to fill and I knew I had to step up to that this year,” Benevides said. “(Today) was incredible play at a high level and it really got to showcase everyone’s talent all over the field, I’m glad it came out on our side.” Londonderry (3-2, No. 7 in the New Hampshire Orthopaedic Center/NHHSSports coaches poll) took a 10-9 lead with 7:26 left in regulation after a Summer Butler (three goals) wrap-around past Exeter goalie Molly Byrne. Benevides countered with a steal and zoomed to the net to beat Londonderry goalie Abbigail Cook (nine saves) to tie the game at 10-10 with 4:02 remaining. After Cook stuffed a shot from Benevides, Londonderry took back its one-goal lead with 2:13 left on a goal from Lexi Padykula. Exeter’s Claire Wilhelm responded with a goal off a free position to tie the game at 11-11 with 1:27 left in regulation. Benevides’s defensive instincts took over in overtime after Londonderry was collecting a loose ball in its own end. Benevides stepped in to take control and raced to the net to beat Cook. “We just really knew we had to win it; there was no other option,” Benevides said. “We had been playing great defense. When I saw she was going to get the ball I said ‘that ain’t gonna happen.' So I did whatever I could to get that ball.” Senior Phoebe Christenson added four goals for Exeter (4-1, No. 4). She bookended the third quarter with goals to give the Blue Hawks a 6-5 lead and tied the game at 9-9 entering the fourth quarter. Christenson has seen Benevides continue to blossom and is excited about the prospects of a formidable scoring duo following last year’s 15-5 run to the Division I semifinals “I’ve always known she’s a really good player, even shining her freshman year, but even more now stepping into the shoes we lost last year,” Christenson said. “We really have a good offense. We’re working around and it's clicking for us and (Wednesday) was a good day to show it.” The win came nearly a year after an overtime goal by the graduated Hailey O’Kane gave Exeter the win by the exact same score at Londonderry, 12-11. “This team is very evenly matched to us and we had to get to the ball. We switched up our defense and it worked really well,” Exeter coach Angela Palmer said. “Riley and Phoebe led us on offense and they’re both really strong.” Londonderry coach Kelsey Durhak has been pleased with her team’s progress early on after the Lancers missed last year’s Division I tournament. “We’ve always come out to play against these big teams and this is why we come to play these big games,” Durhak said. “The girls played really well and played with a lot of heart and they pushed themselves the whole game.”