> ## 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.

# Bussiere was backbone for this stage of Portsmouth's dynasty in girls lacrosse
- URL: https://www.nh-highschoolsports.com/bussiere-was-backbone-for-this-stage-of-portsmouths-dynasty-in-girls-lacrosse/
- Published: 2026-06-23T20:06:40.000Z
- Updated: 2026-06-23T20:06:40.000Z
- Description: EXETER - Every senior on the roster for the Portsmouth High School girls lacrosse team has been a contributor to the Clippers' four-year run through Division I. But none contributed as much as goalie Sage Bussiere. Thrust into the starting role in the preseason of 2023, Portsmouth's first after movi
- Author: Joe Marchilena
- Tags: Division I, championship, Clippers, NH High School Sports Insider, playoffs, Portsmouth, slider, Souhegan, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-08-18 04:44

EXETER - Every senior on the roster for the Portsmouth High School girls lacrosse team has been a contributor to the Clippers' four-year run through Division I.

But none contributed as much as goalie Sage Bussiere.

Thrust into the starting role in the preseason of 2023, Portsmouth's first after moving up from Division II, Clippers coach JoJo Kerrigan knew she was asking a lot of Bussiere back then, but she delivered, and continued to through the next four seasons.

“Being the starting goalie as a freshman, that’s big,” the coach said. “It’s a huge spot. She is the only person on our team that, no matter what, has played a hundred percent of every single game, pretty much.”

That included Portsmouth's 10-6 win over Souhegan in the D1 championship game on June 9, the program's third title in a row, all with Bussiere in the crease. In fact, every season for the Clippers' senior class ended in the D1 title game, as they made it to the final in their first year in D1 before falling to Bedford.

“Making it to that game was huge, even though we didn’t get the outcome in that game,” Bussiere said. “Then going three in a row, it’s a huge deal. I think we really were able to make a name for ourselves and pass it on.

“Our graduating senior class our freshmen year was huge, and a lot of people thought we weren’t going to be able to come back with that amount of strength, but we did. We proved again and again how strong we were as a team and how much depth we have.”

The one spot that Portsmouth hasn't had that depth is in goal and who will take over for Bussiere is a problem Kerrigan will worry about at another time.

In the championship game, Bussiere showed why her head coach never had to do that in the last four years.

The Clippers led by a goal going into the fourth quarter but were able to go on a 3-0 run to open the final frame to take a 9-5 lead with 7:16 remaining in regulation. Souhegan took a timeout after the last goal of the run and won the draw coming out of the break.

After working the ball around, Emmie Curran got an open look from right in front of the goal and Bussiere was able to reach up and make the save. But after Portsmouth was able to run about two minutes off the clock, the Clippers turned the ball over, giving the Sabers a chance.

Bussiere was there to pick up Portsmouth again, this time making a save on Averie Curran, but another turnover by the Clippers led to a breakout by Souhgean. For a third time, Bussiere stepped up, making a save on a Lanai Hickman shot.

“I mean, pretty big,” Bussiere said of the moment. “But we’re a unit. (The Portsmouth defense) made them take not great shots and I was able to save them. We kept our energy and we shut down their energy. We keep it up no matter what happens, but being able make those saves gave us the energy and shut theirs down.”

Kerrigan saw that happen, too, with each save, it took a little bit more wind out of Souhegan's sails.

“You can score a goal in 10 seconds in lacrosse,” the coach said. “You constantly have to be ready, and after Sage made some great saves, she had some quick clears right off it. When goalies make saves that big, it really rattles an attack.”

Kerrigan used a timeout once Portsmouth got into the offensive end and the Clippers responded with a goal from Emery Lawton to go up 10-5 with 3:38 remaining. Souhegan got it back on a goal by Emmie Curran with 1:29 to play, but that was as close as the Sabers would get.

“We were able to stop the momentum from shifting and we didn’t let them have their energy,” Bussiere said. “We stayed positive no matter what was happening on the field. When we were down, when we were tied, we were able to pick our energy back up and overcome that.”

Portsmouth was the only team this season to score more than seven goals against Souhegan, but the Clippers also held the Sabers to their two lowest offensive outputs of the year.

“We know our offense can score,” Bussiere said. “If we can shut them down on defense and make them take the shots that I can save, and work really as a unit, we are really able to shut them down. We made adjustments mid-game really well.”

And this group of seniors helped continue a legacy at Portsmouth that might be unmatched in the state.

“It’s a huge legacy,” Kerrigan said. “They are such a great group of players and women who just did so well leading in such a way that people want to follow. We always say our team is a family and it starts from our captains and our seniors and trickles down. They’ve had a phenomenal career at Portsmouth High School and I’m sad to see them go.”