Timberlane boys lacrosse hangs on to beat Nashua South in D1 prelims

NASHUA - It may have been a first-round matchup but Thursday’s Division I boys lacrosse tournament game between Nashua South and Timberlane was a heavyweight fight for the full 48 minutes.

Once the dust settled, it was a late defensive stand by the Owls that did the job as No. 9 Timberlane held on for a 15-14 win over the No. 8 Panthers. The victory was Timberlane’s first Division I playoff win in its first season in the state’s top flight.

The Owls found a way to victory despite being dominated in terms of possession. South won faceoffs, 22-6, and ground balls, 32-16, but the Owls found ways to turn the Panthers over and convert when they had the ball.

“We’re used to that,” Timberlane coach Ken Blaszka said. “We’re used to not winning faceoffs, but we fight hard. You can see the fight in us, maybe not as skilled as other people but we come to play.”

The fact that Timberlane (7-9) closed the game with strong defense couldn’t have been more ironic as the opening three quarters were a shooting gallery. The game was tied at three after a quarter, and the Owls led 9-7 at halftime. Timberlane carried a 14-13 lead into the fourth before the defenses locked down.

It was two saves in the final minute from Ben Lamar, who finished with seven saves, to seal the victory.

“He did crazy,” Timberlane’s Cody Fleming said. “He always comes in clutch with the big saves when we need them.”

Fleming led a diverse Owl attack that saw five players find the back of the net. Fleming had four goals, including the eventual game-winner 4:21 into the fourth quarter. Vaughn Bourassa had four goals as well and Matt Licata added a hat trick.

“We share the ball,” Blaszka said. “If you’re in a jersey you have to be in the game. I don’t need you just to be on the field; you need to be in the game. If you rely so much on one or two it gets tough. You need it from everybody, and it keeps the defense honest.”

The Panthers were led by four goals a piece from Drew Fleury and Joe Bodi but were held to one goal in the final 16:31 of the game.

The loss ends South’s season with a record of 9-10.

“They capitalized and we didn’t,” South coach Bill Monson said. “We had the ball plenty, but you can’t win in the playoffs giving up 15 goals, especially when you’re winning as many faceoffs as we did. We got our work cut out for us in the offseason, but we’re so young. We’ll be fine.”

Up next for the Owls is top seed Bishop Guertin on Saturday afternoon back at Stellos Stadium.

“We have to do what we’re supposed to do,” Blaszka said. “For me, a lot of stuff we talk about is technique. They know what to do, it’s just a matter of doing it at a million miles an hour. Are we going to match their skills? No. Oh well. We’re going to try to punch them in the mouth and do our best.”