Defense steps up for Londonderry girls lacrosse in win over Concord

CONCORD - It has taken some time but Londonderry High School girls lacrosse coach Scott Walden is finally seeing his team play defense the way he wants.

The Lancers utilized a swarming defensive approach that often included double teams to secure  a 10-3 triumph over Concord on Friday at Memorial Field.

Londonderry (5-8) ended a five-game losing streak - during which it allowed an average of 15 goals per contest - with the win.

“My defense, after years, especially with the seniors, they’ve realized what we need to do,” Walden said. “That was something that was huge.”

Concord (4-5) scored two of its three goals via free-position shots and finished with five shots on goal. Londonderry held the Crimson Tide to two goals in the first half and one in the second frame.

The Lancers led, 6-2, at halftime and had at least a four-goal advantage throughout the final 25 minutes.

Walden said the Lancers gave up too many backdoor and face cuts in their 16-8 loss to Bedford on Thursday. Londonderry did not make the same mistake against the Crimson Tide.

“They were definitely sliding to the right spots today,” Walden said of his players. “That defense definitely is looking much better, which is huge especially at this time of year.”

Defensive play was not the only bright spot for Londonderry in the win.

The Lancers won the game’s first three draws and scored on their first three possessions to build a lead they never looked back from. Sammy LeClair, a defender, helped Londonderry secure seven draws overall. She had no experience taking draws for the Lancers before their past two games, Walden said.

“Sammy, she’s always been a defender. She’s never taken draws at all but she’s tall, she’s athletic, she’s a great player,” Walden said. “She’s gassed a lot of times because she’s a defender and this and that. I said, ‘Get used to it. Emily Holland did it all last year.’ I go, ‘You’re going to have to be the one to do it now.’”

Concord coach Steph Johnson said her team played better Friday than it had in its prior few games. Johnson was pleased with how Concord goalie Fabi McLeod (nine saves) played as well as the scoring opportunities and possession time the Crimson Tide had.

“We work hard and we work our game and we’ve definitely been improving,” Johnson said. “Our past two games, we’ve improved significantly since then so it’s a good path to be on and get ourselves where we want to be.”

Catie Derhak had a hat trick while Jenna Stowell and Sarah Duarte both scored twice for Londonderry. The Lancers also received one goal each from Allie Marsh, Izzy Bourque and Kaitlin Nartiff. Londonderry goalie Hannah Paradis made two saves.

Ananya Nadeau, Erin Doherty and Nicole Toler each scored for Concord. Nadeau also helped the Crimson Tide log five draw controls.

Concord scooped up 28 ground balls compared with Londonderry’s 19.

“They were very aggressive and a very tough defense to play,” Johnson said of the Lancers.