Nashua South boys lacrosse beats Salem for first playoff win since before split

NASHUA - The No. 8 Nashua High School South boys lacrosse team went on a quick run at the end of the first half that proved to be the difference Wednesday in a 9-6 win over No. 9 Salem in the Division I preliminary round.

The Panthers (9-8) scored three goals in less than three minutes at the end of the first half to break a 4-4 tie and held off the Blue Devils in the second half. South, which won its first playoff game since before the split, will face No. 1 Bishop Guertin in the quarterfinals at 3 p.m. Saturday.

Steve Saucier led the way for South with three goals and two assists and Collin Morrow had three goals and one assists. Brian McKinley made 12 saves, including several in the second half as the Panthers held Salem to just two fourth-quarter goals.

Drew Hailey had three goals for Salem (8-11), which was in the playoffs for just the second time. Andrew Phillips also had a goal and an assist.