Windham boys lacrosse rallies in fourth quarter to beat Winnacunnet

WINDHAM - The Windham and Winnacunnet high school boys lacrosse teams went shot for shot for 48 minutes in a big Division II matchup, and in the end the Jaguars used a big fourth quarter to take down the Warriors 12-10.

The win improves Windham to 9-4 while dropping Winnacunnet to 10-2. The victory also gives the Jaguars the tiebreaker for seeding in what is shaping up to be a deep playoff field in the division.

Down 10-9 midway through the fourth quarter, the Jaguars strung together three goals over a 2:38 span to pull ahead for good after a game that featured four ties and three lead changes.

“We just talked in the huddle,” Windham senior Tyler Folsom said. “We had to really keep it together, play as a team. Right off the bat (in the fourth) we were down 10-9 and just kept it together. That was a big win from us.”

Folsom, who came to the game late due to the AP physics/calculus exam, finished the game with three goals and an assist.

Folsom helped quarterback a varied offensive attack from the Jaguars. Sophomore Jake Rust had a hat trick and five assists. His older brother Noah, a senior, had a pair of goals.

Phil Tsoukalas had Windham’s 12th goal and won 16 of 25 faceoffs for the Jaguars.

“Two weeks ago we went 1-3,” Folsom said. “That was probably the low stretch of our season. Coach just put us together and said we got a new ride, a new clear. We seem like a new team. It’s good to be getting wins going into the playoff run.”

Winnacunnet jumped out to an early 2-0 lead before Windham responded to take a 5-3 advantage midway through the second. The Jaguars went into halftime up 7-6.

Windham led 9-6 early in the third quarter before Winnacunnet rattled off four straight goals to take the 10-9 lead. The Warriors got a hat trick from Ethan Jones and Gavin O’Hara, and Josh Chase had two goals and a pair of assists.

“We moved it well,” Winnacunnet coach Pat Snow said. “As far as six-on-six offense goes we were getting some quality looks. Their keeper made a couple of great kick saves. I think we had four posts. If we can get those in the back of the net it’s a huge difference maker.”

Despite offensive miscues - the Jaguars turned the ball over 18 times - Windham outhustled the Warriors from start to finish. Along with Tsoukalas’ dominance at the faceoff X, the Jaguars won groundballs 37-27 and outshot Winnacunnet 33-25.

Windham outshot Winnacunnet 21-10 in the second half.

When the Warriors did get through, senior goalie Jack Troupe was there. Despite only playing the position this season, Troupe looked like a seasoned veteran with seven saves.

“For a kid who’s played the game as a goaltender for eight weeks I couldn’t ask for anything better,” Windham coach Joe Young said of Troupe. “He’s willing to put himself out there and absorb shots. It’s awesome.”

For the Warriors, things only get harder as they travel to Manchester on Friday to take on undefeated Derryfield.

“We’ll take a look at this film and study up on Derryfield,” Snow said. “I always tell my guys that they’re just another group of high school kids, and they can make the same mistakes that you can guys can do. If you play good lacrosse anyone’s beatable. We’re going to go in with that mindset, play loose, and try to take it to them.”