Upsets could be brewing with Division II boys lacrosse quarterfinals set

The top eight teams remain as the Division II boys lacrosse quarterfinals kickoff on Saturday, and all eight teams go into the weekend that they each have at least a shot at reaching the final four.

Three of the four games feature teams that played highly competitive games during the regular season, while in the fourth game, No. 8 Keene should have its full lineup available this time around when it takes on No. 1 Derryfield.

After a preliminary round that saw all of the higher seeds advance, don’t be surprised to see an upset on Saturday and a surprise team in the semifinals.

Here is a look at the quarterfinal games scheduled for Saturday.

No. 8 Keene (10-7) at No. 1 Derryfield (17-0), 5 p.m.

• When the Blackbirds traveled to Manchester at the end of spring vacation week, they were shorthanded and got waxed by the Cougars, 16-1. Following that loss, Keene won five straight and finished the regular season winning seven of nine to get the eight seed. Derryfield has won 50 games in a row, including the last D2 championship games. Just four times this season have the Cougars scored fewer than 10 goals, and they come in averaging 14.5 goals per game, while the Derryfield defense has allowed more than five goals just twice.
• Prelim: Keene beat Kingswood, 8-6.
• Pick: Derryfield 14, Keene 3.

No. 5 Windham (14-5) at No. 4 Merrimack Valley (11-3), 5 p.m.

• The two teams played back on April 13, with the Jaguars winning 14-13 on the road. It was one of seven games this season for Windham decided by three goals or less, with the Jaguars going 5-2 in those contests. Windham has scored 10 goals or more in 13 games this year, winning all but one, while Merrimack Valley’s defense has allowed an average of 9.4 goals a game. The Pride opened the year with two straight losses, but won 11 of their final 12.
• Prelim: Windham beat Oyster River, 13-6.
• Pick: Windham 12, Merrimack Valley 11.

No. 7 Goffstown (12-5) at No. 2 Portsmouth (15-2), 6:30 p.m.

• It was just a week ago when the Grizzlies welcomed the Clippers to town and had a lead in the fourth quarter before Portsmouth rallied for a 10-9 win. That came on the heels of a 7-4 loss to Derryfield, as Goffstown dropped its final two games of the regular season after winning 10 in a row. During that run, the Grizzlies won games in what ever way they needed to, whether it was low-scoring contests or shootouts. Portsmouth ended the regular season on a 10-game winning streak, and the Clippers’ two losses were both one-goal defeats against Derryfield and Division I Londonderry.
• Prelim: Goffstown beat Timberlane, 10-3.
• Pick: Portsmouth 14, Goffstown 9.

No. 6 Winnacunnet (11-4) at No. 3 Dover (12-3), 5 p.m.

• The Warriors held the Green Wave to their second-lowest goal total of the season in Dover’s 8-3 win on May 2. That was Winnacunnet’s first loss of the season and the Warriors finished the regular season with three straight set backs. Defense has been key for Winnacunnet, as its allowed an average of 6.9 goals a game. Dover has averaged 13.5 goals per game this season, scoring fewer than 10 goals just twice all season. The Green Wave started the year with eight straight wins, then dropped three of four before ending the year with three straight wins.
• Prelim: Winnacunnet beat Hollis Brookline, 5-2.
• Pick: Dover 6, Winnacunnet 4.

Playoff Prediction

Preseason

• Playoff teams: Derryfield, Dover, Goffstown, Hollis Brookline, Keene, Kingswood, Merrimack Valley, Portsmouth, Oyster River, Timberlane, Windham, Winnacunnet.
• Championship: Derryfield over Dover.

Now

Give us a second for a pat on the back for picking a 12-team playoff field correctly. Now that that’s over, there’s a slight change in our championship-game pick.

• Final four: Derryfield over Windham; Portsmouth over Dover.
• Championship: Derryfield over Portsmouth.