Fast start helps Exeter field hockey knock off Nashua North

NASHUA - Getting off to a strong start doesn't just have an affect on the team that does the early scoring.

So when the Exeter High School field hockey team scored twice in the first six minutes of Thursday's game against Nashua North, it not only got the Blue Hawks going, it set the Titans back in more ways than just the scoreboard.

North regrouped, and despite playing long stretches in its own end, hung around before Exeter was able to tack on a couple of goals in the final 15 minutes for a 5-0 win in a Division I game at Stellos Stadium.

Ainsley Grant had two goals and an assist for the Blue Hawks (2-2) while Maddie Davis, Mae Kunysz and Addison MacNeil also had a goal apiece. For Exeter, it was the second win in as many days and helped them bounce back from an 0-2 start to the season.

"We kind of had a hard start," Exeter coach Deb Grott said. "Each game, progressively, our team has gotten better. A lot of times we’re a second-half team. It’s not fun to dig out of any hole, no matter how good of a team you are. You want to be able to go out there and react fast and get something going positive. It always gives them more confidence."

Kunysz and MacNeil scored 52 seconds apart in the first half, giving the Blue Hawks a 2-0 lead just 5:55 into the game, and boosting their confidence.

For North (0-4), which was playing its fourth game in six days, it was deflating.

"I thought they were ready at the start and then Exeter got two quick ones," North coach Ruppy Hailey said. "There were just a couple of tough bounces around our net. Exeter did a nice job having someone where they belonged and they were able to clean up the loose change."

The Titans came back with a chance of their own moments later, as Emily Closson, Lizze Deck and Reagan Belanger teamed up to create a breakout for North.

Deck put a shot on goal that Exeter's Clara Gorman stopped. The rebound went back to Deck, who sent the ball across to Belanger, but she was unable to capitalize, sending the ball wide.

Exeter responded with a barrage of shots on North goalie Madi Goulet, who finished with 16 saves. The Blue Hawks eventually broke through again, this time on a goal by Davis, to make it 3-0 with 11:13 left in the half.

“Going down two was frustrating,” Hailey said. “I thought after the third goal, I called a timeout, that everyone regrouped. For the middle 25 or 30 minutes, the girls responded well, we quieted things down and created chances. Our transitioning was better. We just dug an early hole and that’s tough to come back from.”

Exeter had a 14-1 advantage on penalty corners, including three in the final two minutes of the first half, but the Titans' defense kept the Blue Hawks from adding to the lead.

The Blue Hawks continued to keep possession to start the second half, getting three corners in the first five minutes and putting four shots on goal. But Goulet was able to come up with saves on all of them.

“She takes the position really seriously,” Hailey said of Goulet. “She’s working on improving her angles and knowing when to come out. She’s been great mentally and really has been a bright spot.”

North's lone corner came with about 15 minutes left, with the Titans firing a shot wide of the goal. Exeter was able to counter quickly, with Grant scoring the first of her two goals just moments later to make it 4-0. The freshman added her second goal just 4:06 later to finish off the scoring.