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# Bishop Guertin girls lacrosse comes up just short in loss to Westwood (video)
- URL: https://www.nh-highschoolsports.com/bishop-guertin-girls-lacrosse-comes-up-just-short-in-loss-to-westwood-video/
- Published: 2023-04-21T14:42:20.000Z
- Updated: 2023-04-21T14:42:20.000Z
- Description: NASHUA - There were a lot of things the Bishop Guertin High School girls lacrosse team improved on Thursday. Coming off the first in-state loss in almost four years, the Cardinals focused on a few areas they needed to be better at, and they were. But after hanging with Westwood (Mass.) for more tha
- Author: Joe Marchilena
- Tags: Division I, Bishop Guertin, girls lacrosse, slider, Westwood, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-08-18 04:44

NASHUA - There were a lot of things the Bishop Guertin High School girls lacrosse team improved on Thursday.

Coming off the first in-state loss in almost four years, the Cardinals focused on a few areas they needed to be better at, and they were.

But after hanging with Westwood (Mass.) for more than 42 minutes, the Wolverines were able to take control in those areas, and put Bishop Guertin away for a 12-9 win at Stellos Stadium.

The teams went back and forth for most of the day, but in the final eight minutes, Westwood (6-1) won draws, came up with stops on defense, and drew out possessions, cutting down the time the Cardinals (2-2, No. 3 in the NHHSSports Coaches Poll) had to come back.

Anna Campel led Bishop Guertin with four goals while Lauren Redfern scored twice. Kyra O'Connell, Arianna Kouchalakos and Maddy Hartsock added a goal apiece while Tess Prunier and Kam Schmitt each added an assist.

Westwood got three goals and an assist each from Caroline Nozzolillo and Lil Hancock while Kella McGrail added a goal and two assists. Emilie DeMaio also scored twice and Ava Connaughton chipped in with a goal and an assist.

"We came out on top, but totally didn’t feel like it throughout the game," Westwood coach Margot Spatola said. "There was definitely a lot of back and forth. They got a few goals and so did we. It was nice to finish. All credit to Bishop Guertin for everything they put out there. Their draws and their 1-v-1 defense were incredible."

After struggling on the draw and on groundballs in a loss to Portsmouth on Tuesday, Bishop Guertin focused more on improving in those areas. The Cardinals held an 11-9 edge on draw controls, including a stretch midgame where they won 6 of 7, but down the stretch, the Wolverines had the advantage.

"The draw was way better, the groundballs were way better," Bishop Guertin coach Leslie Why said. "We spent a hundred percent on groundballs and draws and defense. You could see that’s where we leveled up."

Westwood jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first five minutes, and after winning the next draw, it looked like the Wolverines might get more when Nozzolillo was awarded a free-position opportunity. But Cardinals goalie Maddy Eder-Linell came up with a save, one of three she had in the first half on free positions, and Bishop Guertin was able to turn the stop into a goal from Campel at the other end.

Redfern tied the game moments later, after Westwood received a yellow card, but the Wolverines were able to win the draw and kill off the Bishop Guertin advantage. The teams traded goals the rest of the half, with Westwood going up one and Bishop Guertin answering, including a goal by Hartsock with 53.4 left in the first half to make it 5-5.

That's where it stood at the break thanks to a save by Eder-Linell on a free position by Catie McGowan with 4.4 seconds left in the half.

The Cardinals won the draw to open the second half and looked like they might take their first lead, but Westwood goalie Riley Harrington (nine saves) came up with a pair of stops. On the second one, the Wolverines picked up the groundball and went right down the field in transition, getting a goal from Olivia Williams to take a 6-5 lead.

"Our attackers do a really good job of cutting back and getting the ball from the midfielders and the defense," Spatola said. "We also have some midfielders who can really run, and so I think, getting that inspiration from a great play on defense, that makes a huge difference. I hope and think it carries through to the midfield and offense."

The Wolverines got the ensuing draw and were able to maintain possession for a long stretch, leading to goal by Nozzolillo, giving them a 7-5 lead with 17:28 remaining.

The teams went back to alternating goals after that, until Campel scored to make it 9-8 with 7:38 remaining. The Cardinals then won the draw and Hartsock had a chance to tie it on a free position, but Harrington made the save, and after Bishop Guertin got the groundball, made another.

This time, the Wolverines got possession and were able to run out some clock before the Cardinals were forced to press out, and Westwood put the game away.

"The gap at the end score-wise was because we told them to go into full press, and as soon as you do that, you know you’re going to give up goals, but you might get the ball back," Why said. "We gave up two or three."

After dropping back-to-back games for the first time since 2018, the Cardinals face a tough week ahead, with games at Bedford and Exeter, before hosting Moses Brown, from Providence, next Saturday.