Man Down: Portsmouth boys lacrosse goalie adjusting to position change

Chris Vischer saw the type of play he expected to see when he tabbed Oscar Kozikowski to be the starting goalie for the Portsmouth High School boys lacrosse team this.

With the Clippers trailing by a goal late in the fourth quarter Monday against Hollis Brookline, the junior goalie left the cage to chase after a loose ball.

Not only did Kozikowski get the groundball, he brushed aside two Cavaliers in doing so, giving Vischer enough time to call a timeout and help Portsmouth keep possession.

After Portsmouth had taken the lead, Kozikowski made a save in the final minute that helped preserve a 12-11 win.

"Our goalie came up big at the end, made some nice saves," Vischer said. "He picked up a groundball and I called a timeout (in the fourth). That's a big possession for him to come out."

Kozikowski followed up the win over HB with 14 saves in a 10-6 victory over Winnacunnet on Wednesday. Not a bad week for a player who had minimal experience in the cage before this season.

"He's actually our best long-stick midfielder, but because he's our best goalie option, we've put him in the goal," Vischer said. "He's taken one for the team this season. We wish we could put him both spots."

The Clippers (6-1) are off to a great start to the season in Division II, and are getting some key players back from injury, including senior defenseman Jamie Meade. The co-captain made his first appearance of the season against HB and helped make a game-saving defensive stand in the final seconds.

"We got some players back from injuries," Vischer said. "Jamie Meade was a big help on defense. He's a senior and been unavailable."

Portsmouth plays at Bow (1-1) on Friday.

Spread it out

Seven different players scored goals for the Cavaliers in that loss to Portsmouth, and that's how HB coach Mike Soucy sees his offense performing for most of this season.

"We don't really have one guy, and I prefer it that way," the coach said. "Nobody can key on one guy and try to take him out of the game exclusively. We've got a number of guys that can put the ball in the back of the net when they have time and room to do it. It's just a matter of taking advantage of the opportunities that present themselves."

HB (4-2) has been down seven players during the spring vacation week, as most of them have been away on other school commitments. The Cavs bounced back to get a much-needed win over Keene on Wednesday before taking on Goffstown on May 2.

That's one of two games for HB against the defending Division II champions, as the Cavs will play one of the tougher schedules in the division this year. Along with those two games, HB has already played Portsmouth, Derryfield (5-0) and Windham (4-1), and will play the Jaguars again, along with Merrimack Valley (3-1) and Bow plus a non-division game with Merrimack.

"We've got to win games," Soucy said. "That's the name of the game. The bottom line is you've got to win games, because otherwise, maybe you're seeding isn’t as good, or you're outside looking in at the tournament. Nobody wants that."

Clash of top teams

Saturday's game between Bishop Guertin and Xaverian Brothers, of Westwood, Mass., will feature two of the top teams from their respective states, even if the rankings don't show it.

While the Cardinals (9-0) are ranked third in New Hampshire by LaxPower - behind Derryfield and Pinkerton - the Hawks (6-3) are No. 12 in the rankings despite beating two top-10 teams. ESPNBoston has Xaverian ranked No. 6 in the state.

Losses to Duxbury (No. 2 in Massachusetts) and Needham, plus a loss to LaSalle Academy - the No. 1 team in Rhode Island - dropped the Hawks out of the top 10. Despite that, Xaverian should give Bishop Guertin, which struggled in a 9-8 win over Needham last week, a good idea of where it is.

The game is scheduled for 10 a.m. at Stellos Stadium in Nashua.