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# Concord field hockey knocks off Merrimack to advance to D1 final (video)
- URL: https://www.nh-highschoolsports.com/concord-field-hockey-knocks-off-merrimack-to-advance-to-d1-final-video/
- Published: 2019-10-30T15:44:29.000Z
- Updated: 2019-10-30T15:44:29.000Z
- Description: EXETER - Andrew Briers could see that momentum had swung away from the Concord High School field hockey team in the second half of Tuesday's Division I semifinal against Merrimack. The Tomahawks had tied the game at a goal apiece and were threatening to take the lead when the Crimson Tide coach took
- Author: Joe Marchilena
- Tags: Division I, Concord, field hockey, Merrimack, playoffs, slider, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-08-18 04:44

EXETER - Andrew Briers could see that momentum had swung away from the Concord High School field hockey team in the second half of Tuesday's Division I semifinal against Merrimack.

The Tomahawks had tied the game at a goal apiece and were threatening to take the lead when the Crimson Tide coach took a timeout. Concord regrouped, and moments later, took back control of the game.

Erin Doherty scored on a penalty corner with 13:29 remaining in the game to give No. 5 Concord the lead and the Tide was able to hold off No. 8 Merrimack the rest of the way for a 2-1 win at Bill Ball Stadium in Exeter. Concord advances to the final for the first time since 2004, where it will face No. 2 Windham at 4 p.m. on Sunday at Bedford.

Kaitlyn McKinnon also had a goal for Concord (12-4) and Maria Armaganian assisted on both scores, as the Tide avenged a regular-season loss for the second straight postseason round.

"It’s a totally different game on turf, so I was a little worried because they had outplayed us that first time," Briers said of Merrimack's 2-1 regular-season win over Concord. "It was obvious at one point (after Merrimack's goal), that players dropped their heads, but there was reaffirmation to do what they were supposed to.

"They kept playing and they got a corner and did what they’re supposed to do. It’s a testament to being put in those tough situations. It’s a credit to them."

On the game-winning goal, Ella Doherty sent the ball to Armaganian at the top of the circle and her shot deflected right to Erin Doherty, who beat a diving Heather Rohr to put Concord back in front less than five minutes after Merrimack (10-7) had tied it up.

"It’s tough," Merrimack coach Ann MacLean said. "You bring it back, you tie the game up. There’s a sense of urgency. It’s been a problem all season, trying to pick up after having a goal scored on them. I don’t think they realized how much potential they have."

Rohr finished with three saves and Theresa Twardosky scored the Tomahawks' only goal off an assist from Ellie Boucher with 18:25 left in the game. Merrimack had been putting pressure on Concord's defense for some time and scored the goal off a corner.

It looked like the Tomahawks took the lead on a corner midway through the first half, but the ball went into the net high off a Merrimack stick and was waved off. Merrimack had another chance with about seven minutes left in the half, when a ball off the stick of Demetria Gonzalez went through the circle, but Paige Rivet was unable to get a stick on it in time.

"The whole first half was all long ball," MacLean said. "It was hard because I think we’re a very skilled team, but we weren’t utilizing those skills. When the ball is going here and there, and they’ve got two players everywhere, it’s hard to adjust to. We tried to make adjustments in the second half, but we couldn’t finish it up."

Concord went right back the other way, getting a corner, and after Rohr made the initial save on the play, Armaganian slipped the rebound to McKinnon, who was able to finish for a 1-0 lead with 5:59 left in the half.

The Tide almost took a two-goal lead at the start of the second half, but Rohr made a save, and on another corner, Ella Doherty just missed on a feed from Armaganian.

Twardosky tied the game six minutes after that and Erin Knauer nearly gave Merrimack the lead, but her shot was tipped wide of the goal. Concord took a timeout with 16:36 to play and the Tide were able to swing momentum back their way with Erin Doherty's goal.

"The clock couldn’t tick fast enough," Briers said. "There were few shots in between. It shows how well both teams played in the midfield."

Merrimack had a couple of chances to tie the game again, including with about seven minutes remaining, when a ball by Gonzalez deflected off Armaganian's stick and went through the circle. The ball rolled in front of the open net, but Merrimack's Chloe Kapsambelis couldn't get to it before it went across the end line.

"We finished in eighth place and we managed to get to the semifinals, so that’s great," MacLean said. "Last year, we were here, but this year we wanted it more. We had a vision to go further but it didn’t work out that way. I’m proud of the girls."