Exeter girls lacrosse reaches first D1 final with OT win over Souhegan

PORTSMOUTH – The Exeter High School girls lacrosse team scored three goals in overtime Saturday to defeat Souhegan in the Division I semifinals.

The No. 4 Blue Hawks rallied from a 7-4 deficit to beat the top-seeded Sabers 12-9 and advance to the championship game for the first time in program history.

Kristina Keith had five goals and Jenna Henningsen had four goals and two assists, including what ended up as the game-winner in overtime, as Exeter (16-4) held Souhegan (18-2) to just two goals over the final 27-plus minutes of action. Ana Toomey also had two goals and two assists.

Souhegan got three goals from Kate Birmingham, while Katherine Almeida had two goals and Emma Estabrook also scored twice. Meahan Allard stopped 19 shots for the Sabers.

Exeter will now face Bishop Guertin in the title game at 5 p.m. Tuesday at Portsmouth High School.