Redfern, Schnider help lead New Hampshire to win in Twin State girls lacrosse game (video)

HANOVER – Lauren Redfern couldn’t remember if she’d ever played on the same side as Hailey Schnider.

The way the pair played during the second quarter of Saturday’s Hanover Lions Twin State All-Star Girls Lacrosse Game, one would never have known it.

Redfern had four goals and three assists and Schnider also had four goals, as each scored three times in the first half of New Hampshire’s 21-13 win over Vermont in the annual all-star game at Hanover High School.

Redfern (Bishop Guertin) had a hand in the first five goals New Hampshire scored in the second quarter, after Vermont had cut the lead to 6-4. One of those was an assist to Schnider (Pinkerton), who also had the first goal of the game.

“I know the level she’s at and she knows the level I’m at,” Redfern said. “I don’t think I’ve ever played with her other than this game, so going into it, I knew she was a great player. Getting to work with her and understanding how she plays, throughout the game, it kind of grew. That’s why we were able to get some goals and assists off each other.”

For Katie Bourque, Schnider’s coach at Pinkerton and coach of the New Hampshire team along with Dana Gray (Dover), it was fun to see the pair – and the whole team – come together.

“They lit it up,” Bourque said. “They’re awesome kids and you’re just so happy for them. For them to play against each other as rivals, and then go as teammates (Saturday), it’s awesome to see, and it’s crazy to see how well they played together.”

Olivia Selleck (Bow) had three goals and two assists and Emma Kendzulak (Windham) added three goals. Chloe Hall (Windham) also had two goals and a helper while Eva de Matteis (Goffstown) and Emma Kennedy (Souhegan) each had a goal and two assists.

Sara Chodosh (Hopkinton) and Maeve Lee (Hanover) each had a goal and an assist and Cailean Roy (Hollis Brookline) also scored. Abaigeal Estano (Goffstown) had two saves, as she split time in goal with Hayley Doda (Inter-Lakes/Moultonborough).

“It was very fun,” Schnider said. “Most of us know each other’s style of play. It was just a matter of remembering it and putting it all together and playing as one team.”

Vermont got four goals from Breya Montague (Essex) and three goals from Sadie Stefanak (Burr and Burton) while Loretta Cooley (Rutland) scored twice.

Kate Boehmcke and Stella Dooley, both from Champlain Valley Union, had a goal apiece, as did Annie Dufault (Mt. Abraham) and Emma LaRock (Lamoille Union). Sierra Harris (Essex) had five saves and Carley Cook (Mt. Abraham) finished with two.

The teams traded goals in the first minute, but New Hampshire scored four straight to go up 5-1 late in the first. Vermont answered with a 3-1 run to cut the lead to 6-4 early in the second quarter, thanks in part to winning nine of the first 13 draws.

But New Hampshire was able to change the tide on the circle, winning seven of eight to end the half. Redfern scored with eight minutes left in the half and then found Schnider for a goal to make it 8-4.

The Bishop Guertin grad then added another goal 41 seconds after that, and after Harris made a save on a free-position shot by Chodosh, Redfern got the groundball and scored to make it 10-4.

After another draw control for New Hampshire, Hall had a free position that Harris stopped, but again, Redfern got the groundball. This time she got it back to Hall, who went behind the back for a goal to make it a 5-0 run.

“You’re able to pick it up and play it,” Redfern said. “It’s great that all the girls on the team were able to do that. And on the defensive side, too, I know they were working on trying to have crease pressure higher up. Our coaches were calling in and they were taking that information. That’s really important for both defense and offense, whether it’s just plays or callouts from the coaches.”

New Hampshire took a 13-6 lead into halftime and got it close to running time on a couple occasions in the second half. Vermont was able to hang around, cutting the lead down to six goals in the final two minutes, but Lee and Selleck finished off the day with a pair of goals.

“This is a special game,” Bourque said. “Last game for the seniors and they get to have one last run together. A lot of great girls, some great lacrosse was played (Saturday). I think everyone contributed significantly, so it was a fun game to watch and be a part of.”