Londonderry field hockey comes through in overtime to beat Merrimack

MERRIMACK - The Londonderry High School field hockey team had been pushing to get a goal throughout the second half of Wednesday's game against Merrimack.

The Tomahawks' defense held firm, though, and when the scoreless game went to overtime, Lancers coach Nichole Treadway tried to make continuous substitutions to keep her players fresh.

One of those changes came just at the right time.

Midway through the overtime, Londonderry senior Courtney Shay jumped back on the field after a breather and quickly got into the play, getting the ball alone to the right of the Merrimack goal. Shay took a big swing on the ball from a tough angle and her shot found the far side of the goal to give the Lancers a 1-0 win over the Tomahawks in a Division I game.

"I was a little nervous at the angle she was at," Treadway said. "I felt like we had been hitting it into their sticks all game and that was another thing we talked about. Don’t be a robot. If their stick is there, don’t just wind up and hit it. The angle that I had, I wasn’t so sure about it, but I know she has a rocket when she connects."

Emily Cowette picked up an assist on the goal with 7:26 left in overtime as Londondery improved to 3-0 on the season. Riley Walter made six saves for the Lancers, all in the first half.

For Merrimack (0-2), it was the second one-goal loss of the season.

"They played really well," Merrimack coach Anne MacLean said of her team. "I’ve got great players, but we don’t have enough to be subbing. I give them a lot of credit. When you go into overtime, you’ve got to keep the ball on your stick. They’re a great team on the ball. You’ve got to spread out and get everybody tired. At that point, I think we were out of gas."

The Tomahawks were able to force overtime by withstanding a ton of Londonderry pressure in the second half, as the Lancers dominated possession. Londonderry had eight penalty corners after halftime, including three in a four-plus minute stretch, but couldn't capitalize.

Merrimack goalie Heather Rohr, who made 13 saves, and Erin Knauer led the defense, keeping the scoreless tie intact. The Lancers' best scoring chance of the second half came early, when Kayla Miles was able to get by the Tomahawks' defense, but Rohr came out to make a save and knock the ball away.

"She’s amazing," MacLean said of Rohr. "It was all sorts of saves. She did a great job and I was so pleased. Last year, I think we lost five starters on defense. These are all new positions and Heather was amazing."

The longer Londonderry went without a goal, the more frustrating it got for the Lancers.

"We just think keep going, they’re going to fall eventually," Shay said. "Just keep hitting them on net, we’re right there. Anyone can hit it in, we’ll get it eventually.

"I feel like our shots on net weren’t like they usually are. We didn’t have as many. When we had them, they were so close."

In the first half, each team had opportunities to take the lead, going back and forth down the field. But those continuous rushes seemed to take a bit out of Merrimack.

"Towards the end (of the first half), I think we were picking up a little more intensity," MacLean said. "We were happy to be (scoreless). They start to get a little tired and they get into themselves, and you have to tell them just get out there and play your best, that’s all."

Despite that, Treadway was nervous about the Tomahawks' ability to take advantage of a breakout, especially in a scoreless game.

"Our transitions were not what they needed to be," the coach said. "It was pretty back and forth in the first half. There were times that we dominated in their circle. Then they’d get those fast break opportunities that would get us on our heels."

Both teams return to action on Friday, as Londonderry hosts Timberlane and Merrimack travels to face Winnacunnet, with both games scheduled for 4 p.m.