One goal enough for Goffstown field hockey in D2 playoff win over Lebanon (video)

GOFFSTOWN - There are worse times to score your first varsity goal.

For the Goffstown High School field hockey team, there was no better time for Trinity Lunn to do it than when she did.

The Grizzlies were putting tons of pressure on Lebanon's defense, they just weren't finding a way to get through, and with two starting seniors out, someone needed to find the right touch to make it happen.

With the third quarter about to end, that someone, was Lunn, who chipped in a rebound with 6.2 seconds remaining in the frame to give No. 5 Goffstown the only goal it needed in a 1-0 win Thursday over No. 12 Lebanon in the Division II preliminary round.

Amelia Cole recorded an assist on the goal and Molly Braica made three saves to help the Grizzlies (11-3-1) advance to the quarterfinals, where they will face No. 4 Souhegan at 2 p.m. Sunday in Amherst.

"Our little freshman who has been playing for four months puts the game-winner away," Goffstown coach Jess Brown said of Lunn. "She started playing in August and so fun for her to have that moment. We just needed that scramble in front of the goal that we were able to convert. She was just able to get (a rebound)."

It was the only shot Goffstown would get by Lebanon goalie Meghanne Cheevers, who finished with 18 saves, while the Grizzlies had 11 penalty corners.

"I think this was our best game we’ve played all season," Lebanon coach Amanda Valliere said. "It felt like all of the pieces of the game we’ve been working on came together. Our senior on defense, Lindsey Stark, was a solid wall. I haven’t counted, but Goffstown had to have at least 15 corners. To hold a team to one goal, I’m just super proud of our defense."

Already down senior Ava Jones (illness) at the start of the game, Goffstown also lost senior Nora Erwin early in the third quarter, when a ball deflected up and hit her in the face.

With two key offensive players out, Brown had to shuffle the lineup to find a combination that would work. While the Grizzlies were getting opportunities, they were struggling to finish against Cheevers.

"Lebanon always has phenomenal goalkeepers," Brown said. "I thought we put some great shots on to net. We had consistent corners and consistent shots and we just couldn’t break through. It’s exciting when people can pick up where we were."

The Raiders (5-10-1) came out with early pressure against the Grizzlies, getting a corner in the opening six minutes of the first quarter, but couldn't do anything with it. From about midway through the first until halftime, Goffstown was able to keep the ball on Lebanon's half of the field.

Goffstown's best chance of the first half came with about three minutes left, when Erwin made a quick turn and fired at the goal, but the ball trickled just wide.

Then, in the third, Goffstown had a run of seven corners, spread out over a stretch of nine minutes. But it wasn't until time was winding down that the Grizzlies finally broke through with a goal.

Cole sent the ball in on Cheevers, forcing her to make a save, but Lunn was in the right spot to make it 1-0.

Although Goffstown continued to keep the ball in Lebanon's end, the Raiders got a break in the final minute. Lebanon was able to breakout going the other way and drew a corner with no time left.

Braica was to come up with a save and the Grizzlies cleared the ball to end the game.

"The corner at the end, when time expires, you think ‘is this going to be … ,’" Brown said. "Second half, we were able to lock down most of that play. I was really impressed with girls who have been kind of playing in secondary roles coming in and playing first roles."