> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.nh-highschoolsports.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# Winnacunnet girls lacrosse beats Hanover to return to D2 title game
- URL: https://www.nh-highschoolsports.com/winnacunnet-girls-lacrosse-beats-hanover-to-return-to-d2-title-game/
- Published: 2025-06-09T16:30:40.000Z
- Updated: 2025-06-09T16:30:40.000Z
- Description: NASHUA - Skyla Mace felt like the Winnacunnet High School girls lacrosse team was finally getting into its groove midway through the second quarter of Saturday's Division II semifinal. But two quick goals by Hanover cut the Warriors' lead down to one with a little more than two minutes remaining in
- Author: Joe Marchilena
- Tags: Division II, girls lacrosse, Hanover, playoffs, slider, Winnacunnet, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-08-18 04:44

NASHUA - Skyla Mace felt like the Winnacunnet High School girls lacrosse team was finally getting into its groove midway through the second quarter of Saturday's Division II semifinal.

But two quick goals by Hanover cut the Warriors' lead down to one with a little more than two minutes remaining in the first half.

Mace wasted no time getting momentum back for her side, as Winnacunnet won the ensuing draw, the senior ended up with the ball and blew by everyone else to score just 10 seconds later.

After a yellow card on the Bear moments later, the Warriors tacked on two more goals and top-seeded Winnacunnet was on its way to a 13-7 win over No. 5 Hanover at Stellos Stadium in Nashua. The Warriors move on to the D2 final for the second year in a row at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Bedford High School.

"We came out a little slow," Mace said. "We were pretty jittery. Second quarter we were able to pick it up and get our offense flowing a little bit.

"Once they made it 5-4, we were like, we’ve got to open this up a little bit. We like to have a little bit of a cushion, gives us more confidence. That definitely gave us momentum to get a couple of quick ones."

Mace finished with three goals and two assists while McKinley Fowler had four goals and Elle Emery had two goals and an assist for the Warriors (17-1).

Emmy Grander added a goal and two assists while Ari Rizzo and Sarah Rademacher each had a goal and an assist. Annika Jacques also scored and Madison Brunelle finished with four saves.

"I thought we played well," Winnacunnet coach Glenn McKenzie said. "We played with some discipline. It took us a while to get going in the first quarter. There were a little nerves I guess. That’s well-coached and very good team. We had to fight our way through it."

Nora Bradley and Cassidy Loughman had three goals apiece for Hanover (11-7) while Joia Collins also scored. Charlotte Robinson made 12 saves for the Bears, despite dealing with an ankle injury suffered early in the game.

"I was really proud of their fight and hustle," Hanover coach Sarah Martin said. "Winnacunnet is a really good team, we lost to them earlier in the season, but I thought we could play them tougher (Saturday). We got a couple of injuries (during the game) that I think were hard for my girls to overcome. My goalie twisted her ankle and (Loughman) got a little banged up in there."

It was a 2-2 game after one quarter, but Winnacunnet started to create separation throughout the second, as it capitalized on opportunities while Hanover was unable to.

The Warriors led 5-2 with just under six minutes remaining in the quarter, but back-to-back goals by Bradley and Loughman made it 5-4 with 2:07 left in the half.

But any momentum the Bears had was gone quick, as Mace got one of the goals back with 1:57 to go until halftime. After Winnacunnet won the ensuing draw, Hanover's Maeve Bradley drew a yellow card, and the Warriors took advantage, getting goals from Fowler and Emery to take an 8-4 lead into halftime.

"We caught a break where they got a yellow card and we were able to get a couple in," McKenzie said. "That was probably the difference in terms of building separation. We played well defensively for most of the game. Their goalie played a great game and made some great saves."

It looked like Winnacunnet was going to take a five-goal lead into the fourth quarter, but with under 30 seconds remaining in the third, Mace found Fowler for another score to make it 11-5 after three.

"We got a little bit rattled and moved away from our game plan and some of the fundamentals that we’re really good at," Martin said. "That’s something we talk to the kids about, we’re a young team, and being a little more mentally tough and be able to ride the waves of the game.

"I don’t have any juniors. I go from two seniors who played, and two seniors who didn’t play, and no junior class. The rest are sophomores and freshmen. I’m excited about the future. I give a lot of credit to Winnacunnet."