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# First-half run helps Pinkerton boys lacrosse get win over Exeter (video)
- URL: https://www.nh-highschoolsports.com/first-half-run-helps-pinkerton-boys-lacrosse-get-win-over-exeter-video/
- Published: 2025-05-06T21:00:06.000Z
- Updated: 2025-05-06T21:00:06.000Z
- Description: DERRY - It was a sequence that might have encapsulated the Pinkerton Academy boys lacrosse team as well as could be expected. A great defensive possession leads to a save and a quick clear, getting transition going, and when opportunity for a dirty goal arises, the Astros capitalize. It didn't alw
- Author: Joe Marchilena
- Tags: Division I, boys lacrosse, Exeter, Pinkerton, slider, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-08-18 04:44

DERRY - It was a sequence that might have encapsulated the Pinkerton Academy boys lacrosse team as well as could be expected.

A great defensive possession leads to a save and a quick clear, getting transition going, and when opportunity for a dirty goal arises, the Astros capitalize.

It didn't always work that way Monday for Pinkerton, but it did enough during a 5-0 run in the first half that helped give the Astros control on their way to an 11-8 win over Exeter in a Division I game in Derry.

The run came after the Blue Hawks had tied things at 3 with 1:09 left in the first quarter. The Astros broke the tie with two goals in the final minute of the quarter, then three more in opening 4:20 of the second.

While Exeter cut the lead back down to two goals in the third quarter, Pinkerton (7-2 in D1, No. 3 in the MerchSquared.com/NHHSSports Coaches Poll) was able to step up defensively to keep things under control.

"We have glaring weaknesses and obvious strengths," Pinkerton coach Marty Auger said. "I think people who have seen us for more than one game, they can probably see what we’re trying to do. We’re going to try to cause havoc and try to push the ball.

"We don’t want to settle because we don’t have a lot of big outside shooters. That’s how we’re going to win games like that, cause a lot of havoc and play really solid defense."

Pinkerton saw all of it on the goal that capped that 5-0 run. The defense held and forced a shot that goalie Gavin Burwell was able to stop and he quickly got the ball out for a clear.

One pass later, Brenden Carney was flying across midfield by himself, with plenty of options. He sent a pass toward the goal that was corralled by Jeff Gormady and then continued on, following the play and putting himself in the right spot.

When Exeter's Ronan Wilbur fell down as he made the initial save, Carney was right there for the groundball and the goal that made it 8-3 Pinkerton with 7:40 left in the first half.

"That’s what we’re counting on," Auger said. "You hear me say push about a hundred times a game. We want to create havoc and we want to get numbers. We don’t have big time shooters. We have a lot of solid, hardworking kids."

Matt Gormady had four goals and an assist and Kyle Ushkevich had three goals and five assists to lead the Astros. Jackson Farrell finished with two goals and one assist and Jeff Gormady had a goal and two assists.

Burwell made 22 saves while Ronan Connors and Brady Blaszka had solid defensive efforts, alongside Carney.

Exeter (5-4, No. 4) got four goals from Tyler Bland while Marshall Lasewicz had two goals and an assist. Jackson Greene also scored twice while Pat Hathaway had three assists and Alex Carrigan had two.

Wilbur finished with 10 saves, but as a team, the Blue Hawks turned the ball over 27 times.

"I think the turnover total says it all," Exeter coach Matt Brewster said. "Good teams are going to capitalize on stuff like that. We did not play a full 48 (minutes). If you want to win in this league, you can’t decide when you want to play hard and when not to play hard. We definitely are capable, and we’ve shown we’re capable, so I’m necessarily worried about it. This will be a good learning experience for our guys."

Pinkerton jumped out to a 3-1 lead, but Exeter got manup goals from Greene and Bland just 57 seconds apart to tie the game. The Astros answered with goals from Matt Gormady and Farrell to go in front by two at the end of the opening quarter.

Farrell scored again just 39 seconds into the second and Ushkevich and Carney scored 50 seconds apart to cap the 5-0 run for an 8-3 lead.

It was 9-5 Pinkerton going into halftime, but Exeter's defense stepped up in the third quarter, while early in the frame, the offense came to life again. A manup goal by Lasewicz was followed 30 seconds later by a goal by Bland to make it 9-7 with 8:05 remaining in the third.

But turnovers continued to plague Exeter, and just before the buzzer, Ushkevich picked up a groundball just outside the crease and found the back of the net to make it 10-7 going into the fourth. Each side added a goal in the final five minutes to finish out the scoring.

"I think our guys are starting to put it together," Auger said. "I’m real proud of the guys and it's a big win. We needed that game. That’s a really good Exeter team."