Londonderry field hockey hangs on for win over Nashua South (video)

NASHUA - Everything just seemed a little off Thursday for the Londonderry High School field hockey team.

Down a key player and playing for the second day in a row in warm conditions, the Lancers didn't have the normal energy their coach, Nichole Treadway, was used to seeing.

Early in the fourth quarter, she made a tweak to the lineup, moving a trio of players around, so that sophomore Alison Chambers was playing up front on offense, and the switch paid off. Chambers was able to slip behind the Nashua South defense with the ball and got a shot past goalie Xiadani DeLaLima to give Londonderry the lead.

Ava Griffin added another goal off a penalty corner with just under four minutes remaining and the Lancers held off a late charge from the Panthers for a 2-1 win in a Division I contest at Stellos Stadium.

"South came to play and they did some nice things," Treadway said. "I thought they wanted it more than we did. They were moving to every ball, they were aggressive. I said to my girls, no excuses. We played (Wednesday), they played (Wednesday). It’s hot for you, it’s hot for them."

Londonderry (4-1) was without senior Taylor McKinnon, who plays a key role on defense, and moving everyone over one spot seemed to take the Lancers out of their rhythm.

"Defensively, we’re missing Taylor McKinnon and she’s a presence on the field," Treadway said. "When those big links and pieces are missing, the whole team feels it. Abby Austin stepped up and played a great game."

South's Keegan Dolan scored just 35 seconds after Griffin scored for Londonderry, and the Panthers (0-4) weren't done. South had three penalty corners in the final two minutes, and came close to tying the game, but Lancers freshman goalie Molly Tharrington came up big with a couple of saves.

"I thought they gave it their all (Wednesday) and was a little concerned, especially in the heat," South coach Ciki McIntire said. "They took it to another level (Thursday). They did not give up and competed the whole game. Just when I thought they were ready to give up, they went and scored a goal. They found another level and I think they got mad they got scored on."

Maren Lowell had an assist on the South goal and DeLaLima finished with 10 saves.

Through the first half, neither team had a great opportunity to score, and both teams started to pick up the pace in the third quarter. Londonderry had three corners and forced DeLaLima to make a couple of plays to keep the game scoreless.

The Panthers answered with a threat of their own late, putting a couple of shots on goal that Tharrington had to turn away. South ended the quarter with a corner, but Londonderry was able to clear the circle.

Then, to start the fourth, the Lancers made their adjustment. Chambers burst past the defense to get enough separation to score and immediately put her hands on her knees, in what looked like a combination of exhaustion and relief.

"I’ve been playing (Chambers) more as a low forward," Treadway said. "I needed her to get out front and make something happen right now. I knew if we could get her the ball, she’s be able to get in through traffic and get a shot off. She did her job."