Windham girls lacrosse wastes little time in win over Goffstown

WINDHAM - The Windham High School girls lacrosse team didn’t need all that long to take over its game against Division II rival Goffstown.

The Jaguars scored 33 seconds into the game and kept piling up goals as they cruised past the Grizzlies 15-3. It was Windham’s fifth win in six games.

Windham’s offensive dominance came in large part due to its control of the draw. Led by senior captain Ally Connolly, the Jaguars won 13 of 16 draws in the game. From there Windham’s diverse offense took over.

The Jaguar attack was led by Ryane Farrell. The sophomore was dominant near the cage, scoring six times and adding a pair of assists. Farrell scored three straight goals midway through the first half.

“She’s a sophomore but she plays like a senior,” Windham coach Maura Murphy said. “She takes it upon herself to put herself in situations to help the team regardless if we need goals, assists, draw controls. She’s an all-around great player. She works really hard.”

Farrell led the offense, but Windham (9-5) kept its attack balanced throughout as six different players scored. Farrell’s older sister Maggie had a hat trick and an assist.

Devon Hamilton had two goals and an assist while sophomore Maddie Connolly added a goal and an assist herself. Sophomore Olivia Kendzulak scored twice for Windham.

“Our team’s really been connecting these past few games,” Ryane Farrell said. “Ally Connolly’s been doing great on the draw, and she’s really gotten it to us so it’s easy to get it (in opponent’s territory). Our whole team knows when someone wants to drive so they’ll spread and occupy their defender so it makes it easier. It’s a team effort.”

Maddie Connolly scored the game’s first goal. Twice in the first half the Jaguars scored two goals in less than a minute and led 11-0 at halftime.

“You’re never nervous,” Ally Connolly said. “You’re always comfortable with whoever has the ball which is nice because plays work everywhere and you can sub people in and out.”

Despite building up a big lead the Jaguars never let up defensively. Windham forced nine Goffstown turnovers and won the groundball battle 19-9. Windham let loose 28 shots while holding the Grizzlies (5-6) to just eight.

“I think we did a nice job keeping them outside the 8-(yard arc), forcing them wide, forcing bad shots, and staying tight on cutters,” Murphy said. “I think that worked really well.”

Goffstown sophomore goalie Abby Sudak turned aside seven shots for the Grizzlies.

The Jaguars will have their mettle tested next time out when they face division-leading, and undefeated, John Stark on Wednesday.