Portsmouth boys lacrosse advances to D2 title game with win over Derryfield

PORTSMOUTH - It all finally came together for the Portsmouth High School boys lacrosse team.

After losing to Derryfield in the Division II final in 2017 and 2018, the Clippers finally crested the mountain and defeated the Cougars 6-4 on a sweltering afternoon to advance to Saturday’s title game against Timberlane.

“We’ve never had an opportunity where a superior Derryfield wasn’t staring us down,” Portsmouth coach Chad Vischer said. “Now we have a very, very good team in Timberlane. Timberlane has a good defense. We’ll be ready to go.”

The Clippers controlled possession throughout and only trailed for 35 seconds in the third quarter. Winning time came midway through the fourth quarter when Portsmouth scored three goals in a stretch of 3:44 to open a 6-3 lead with just 2:35 to play.

Zac Amend got the scoring going when he rifled one into a corner. Mike Durkin scored on a quick shot about 90 seconds later for what would proved to be the game-winning goal. Houston Heidinger ripped one low that capped the scoring run and gave the Clippers the insurance they needed.

Amend and Durkin each finished with a pair of goals. Heidinger had an assist on Amend’s first goal of the game in the third quarter.

“I almost didn’t play lacrosse this year, and I’m so glad I did,” Durkin said. “It’s been an amazing season. I didn’t think the team was going to be good this year, none of us did. We lost four kids going to prep schools, and we thought it was going to be a rebuilding year. And we came out and almost had an undefeated season. Now we’re going to the championship. It’s an amazing feeling.”

The game was a chess match throughout, as both goalies stepped to the moment and neither team could impose itself on the other. The Clippers scored twice in the opening six minutes to set the tone only for Derryfield to tie the game at 2 going into halftime.

The Cougars held Portsmouth scoreless for a stretch of 29:10 stretching from the middle of the first quarter to the final minute of the third quarter, but the Clippers found ways to do enough to get the win.

“They played really physical,” Derryfield coach Chris Hettler said. “The ball just seemed to take a bounce into another kid’s stick. They positioned themselves well so maybe they made their own luck.”

Portsmouth outshot Derryfield 31-22, won ground balls 20-15, and were plus-six in turnover margin. All that added together to keep the Cougars from settling into an offensive rhythm despite the defense playing strong throughout and goalie Jaxon Snyder putting in an excellent 11-save performance.

The Clipper win means it will be a first-time champion in Division II on Saturday night. It will be Portsmouth’s fourth final and Timberlane’s first. It will also be the first time since 2012, back when the program was in Division III, that Derryfield will not be playing in a championship game.