Man Down: Auger coming up big for Pinkerton boys lacrosse

Brian O'Reilly didn't mince words last week when talking about Ryan Auger.

The freshman attackman had just scored four goals - including the game-winner with 1:54 to play - and assisted on two others as the Pinkerton Academy boys lacrosse team rallied for a win over Bishop Guertin.

"We've been waiting for Ryan for years," O'Reilly said. "There was no question he was going to step in and start. I think he's our next great star."

Throughout that game, and in most others this season, Auger hasn't played like a freshman much, as his transition to the varsity has looked seamless. That's meant stepped in and playing alongside a couple of seniors, while also, at times, taking a beating from defenders a few years older.

Early on, he's shown awareness and played with a finesse that takes years for the top players to acquire, and he hasn't been intimidated when contact has been near.

"He's a very smooth player and playing football last fall toughened him up for the varsity," O'Reilly said. "Ryan is old for his age. I don't mean physically old. He plays like he’s a senior."

Auger is just one of a handful of young players who are complimenting seniors like James Tulley, Brett Dattilo and Cam Richard. Sophomore Chris Valentine has provided Pinkerton with another scorer to go with Auger, Tulley and Dattilo, while sophomore goalie Alex Sturgess has joined Richard as a key component on the Astros' defense.

After Monday's 9-1 win over Souhegan, Pinkerton (13-0) plays just one team (Exeter) with a winning record in its final five games, and the Astros have already beaten the Blue Hawks once this year.

No need to panic

Through the first seven games of the season, the Windham boys lacrosse team had allowed 35 goals total. In last Thursday's loss to Derryfield, the Jaguars gave up nearly half that number in a 16-7 loss to the Cougars.

Afterward, Windham coach Jason Rozembersky wasn't too concerned about his team's loss, just its second of the season.

"If this was our first tough game, maybe we'd second guess our ability," the coach said. "But we've played the best and we know what we can do. We know we can run with them."

The Jaguars have opened with one of the toughest schedules in the division. Six of its nine games have been against teams that are a combined 43-13 and Windham is 4-2 in those games, including handing Goffstown and Portsmouth their only losses of the season.

"We've had success," Rozembersky said. "We know where we are and what we can do. We have time to learn and continue get better. That's the plan and that’s what we’re hoping to do. We can run with any team we need to, we've just got to put the whole game together."

Progress made

At first glance, a 2-8 record doesn't look like much to be happy about, but the situation Ciki McIntire walked into as a first-year coach for the Nashua South girls team isn't typical.

Since winning the program's third championship in 2007, the Panthers have fallen on hard times, and this year's two wins equals half the team's win total from 2011-15.

"I am so pleased with this group," McIntire said. "It's so hard to report scores of 17-2 against these powerhouses that we're playing. Our goal is to be competitive with the middle of the pack. I'm very pleased with the progress to see the change from the beginning of the season to now."

While South has suffered its share of blowout losses, three of its defeats have been by four goals or less, including last Friday's 11-7 loss to Nashua North.

"They were all upset in the huddle after the game and I said 'listen, what was the score last year?' " McIntire said. "I think it was like 15-4 or something like that. Baby steps to keep improving, and we still have a few more weeks. Guess what? We play (North) them again in a few weeks. It should be a good game again."