Around the Granite State: Derryfield girls lacrosse opens playoffs with win over Kearsarge (video)

MANCHESTER – The Derryfield School girls lacrosse team got out to a strong start and held off Kearsarge for a 15-7 win Tuesday in the Division III preliminary round.

The No. 8 Cougars scored five goals in the game’s first six minutes to jump out to a 5-1 lead, went up by as many as seven goals in the first half, and after Kearsarge closed the game, Derryfield put the game away late.

Teagan Peabody had four goals and an assist for the Cougars (11-7) and Lilly Handwerk also scored four times. Chloe Bremberg had three goals and Christina Nadeau had two goals and two assists.

Kira Geddes and Alex Benson also had a goal and an assist and Courtney Wold added a helper. Lily Kfoury had nine saves in goal for Derryfield.

Kearsarge (7-9) got three goals from Adison Whitty, who also helped the Cougars win 13 of 24 draws. Ociee Ilg added two goals and Adara Boucher and Addyson Rossi had a goal apiece.

Derryfield will now take on top-seeded Bow in the quarterfinals on Thursday.

No. 6 Inter-Lakes/Moultonborough 17, No. 11 Bishop Brady 5

The Lakers picked up the first postseason win in program history in their first try with the victory over the Giants.

Freshman Estelle Good came up big for ILM, with five goals and two assists, while senior captain Katie Velie also scored five goals and had an assist. Senior Julia Marra added four goals and senior captain Elise Stewart also scored twice.

Lianna Keenan added a goal and an assist while Hayley Doda made six saves for the Lakers. The junior goalie was also strong in the clearing game, getting the ball to Keenan and Marra near midfield on several occasions.

Kate DeTolla led the defensive effort for ILM, with support from Lola Ferranta.

The Lakers will go to No. 3 Gilford on Thursday for a quarterfinal matchup.

No. 7 Pelham 15, No. 10 Lebanon 8

Taylor Galgay scored four goals as the Pythons got a playoff win over the Raiders.

Hannah Deschene and Ella DeSimone each scored three goals for Pelham (10-5) while Sophia Joncas and Kate Burke had two goals apiece.

Jillian LeBlance added a goal and Addie Breault made 11 saves, Carlee Sloan was big in transition for the Pythons.

Pelham will now face No. 2 St. Thomas in quarterfinals on Thursday.

Division II

No. 5 Timberlane 16, No. 12  ConVal 3

The Owls picked up the victory in the preliminary round, getting four goals each from Becca Silva (one assist) and Lily Brien.

Ella Watts added three goals and two assists for Timberlane while Lulu Trasatti and Anne Quinn had two goals apiece. Maia Parker scored a goal and had two assists and Addie Conlan added a helper.

Shaye Fanning made 11 saves and the Owls defense was led by Ava Stewart and Emma Norcott, who had two groundballs apiece.

Timberlane moves on to the quarterfinals, where it will face No. 4 Winnacunnet on Thursday.

No. 9 John Stark/Hillsboro-Deering 12, No. 8 Merrimack Valley 11

Kaycie Rhodes had eight goals to lead the General-Cats to the road playoff victory over the Pride.

Riley Davis added two goals for JSHD (8-7) while Emma Dobbins and Melody Courturier also had a goal apiece. Emma Donahey finished with six saves and Becca Drabble had two, while Ryan Mucci played a strong game on the offensive end, both in transition and on the ride.

The General-Cats head to the quarterfinals to take on top-seeded Hanover on Thursday.

No. 7 Oyster River-Newmarket 13, No. 10 Kennett 5

Grace Royal and Elsa Pueschel each had three goals and an assist to the Bobcats’ playoff victory over the Eagles.

Waverly Oake-Libow added two goals and two assists, Sophie Royal had two goals and one assist and Mia Weglarz also scored twice. Shea Sullivan recorded an assist for ORN (11-5).

Sydney Haines finished with six saves while Emy Pryzbylski and Shea Sullivan each played well defensively and in transition.

The Bobcats will now face No. 2 Windham Thursday in a quarterfinal matchup.

Division I

No. 8 Merrimack 15, No. 9 Exeter 14 (OT)

Lilly Marshall scored 12 seconds into overtime to give the Tomahawks their first playoff win since 2012.

Ava Martin scored the last of her four goals with 28 seconds left to tie the game in regulation while Payton Trepaney also scored four times for Merrimack (8-8).

Hailey O’Kane had seven goals to lead Exeter.

Merrimack advances to take on No. 1 Bedford in the quarterfinals on Thursday.