Derryfield boys lacrosse holds off Windham to reach D2 title game for fourth straight year

NASHUA - The result was the norm for the Derryfield School boys lacrosse team, but getting there took everything the Cougars had.

The top-seeded Cougars held off an intense and game No. 5 Windham squad to defeat the Jaguars 8-7 Wednesday in the Division II boys lacrosse semifinals at Stellos Stadium. The win was Derryfield’s 53rd in a row and its the fourth straight trip to the championship game.

Derryfield never trailed but had to overcome a slew of penalties, turnovers, and a scoreless fourth quarter to hold off the upset-minded Jaguars.

“We didn’t stay out of the penalty box today," Derryfield coach Chris Hettler said. "That hurt our momentum in the second quarter. We had a chance to get things going. I bet we had six minutes worth of penalties. We want to get out and pressure guys, but if we’re not doing it legally and end up in the box it kills a lot of momentum and tires out our defense.”

The Cougars were gassed late but looked great early. Derryfield scored the first three goals of the game and then built a 6-3 lead in the second quarter. Senior attackman Connor Glosner led the way. The RPI-bound Glosner had three goals in the first half.

Glosner got moved to defensive middie to help slow down Windham as the game went on.

“He was playing with great legs, and we felt like he was bringing some energy there,” Hettler said of Glosner. “We felt at times we might be able to get matched up against a short stick. He had a hot hand (Wednesday) so we were looking for him to get the ball as much as possible.”

Jon Maclean, a Windham native, had three goals for the Cougars, including the eventual game-winner midway through the third quarter. Maclean also had a ground ball with seven seconds left put the game on ice. Senior middie Robbie Dowst had a goal and an assist as well.

“Every time we play Windham he always shows out,” Glosner said of Maclean. “He’s definitely a force on the field because he’s so slippery. He’s where you want him to be when you want him to be there.”

Led by a four-goal effort from sophomore Jake Rust, the Jaguars never stopped coming at Derryfield. Freshman middie Nathan Levine had two goals for the Jaguars including their seventh, midway through the fourth.

Windham wasn’t able to put a shot on goal in the final 6:40 of the game. The Jaguars turned the ball over 17 times and were minus-5 in groundballs.

“It was more about early mistakes that kind of put us behind early,” Windham coach Joe Young said. “Capitalize on those opportunities and maybe it doesn’t come down to that last minute.”

The win sets up a state championship rematch, as the Cougars will face No. 2 Portsmouth in Saturday's final. Derryfield beat Portsmouth 7-4 last year to claim its second straight D2 title.

“It’s going to come down to individual matchups,” Hettler said. “Do we take care of guys like Cole Brams, Ollie Allen? Do we let their supporting cast, Dom Iafolla, Ryan Groleau, do we let those guys have games outside of them? If we can shut down the complimentary players around them then we’ll win. If you win the individual matchups you’re going to win.”