Maybe the John Stark girls’ lacrosse team could have won without her. With her, there was little doubt.
After sitting out Wednesday’s first half with illness, Danielle Galli took Kingswood and the second half by storm.
The senior midfielder led her team in ground balls (five), draw controls (three) and tied for the team lead in goals (two) as she led the Generals to a 9-7 win.
“Danielle Galli was a force,” Stark Coach John Warner said. “She plays with a tremendous amount of power and speed and her skills are top notch. So a lot of the goals she scored today were through a lot of traffic and really good goals.”
The Generals (8-4) knew they would have their hands full with Kingswood (5-5) with or without Galli. The two programs have been at similar levels for a few years and tend to play tight games against each other.
But the knowledge didn’t help Stark.
The Knights opened up a 3-0 lead after eight minutes and forced Warner to call a timeout. The coach went over a few things, like not shooting directly at the goalie. The Generals responded with their first goal a minute later (scored by Sara Medvetz), but it took another 10 minutes for the offense to truly click.
That’s when Stark scored three goals in three minutes – two from Liz Neal and one from Cadence Loos. Kingswood answered with a goal with about three minutes left in the half to make it 4-4 at the break.
Warner’s halftime talk reiterated the points he made in the first-half timeout, but the tips didn’t take. The Knights scored two goals in the opening five minutes of the second half to take a 6-4 lead.
The scored stayed that way until Galli took control with about 15 minutes left. That’s when the Generals started the game-deciding run of four goals in four minutes. Galli scored two during that string, while Rylee Ledoux and Jillian Douzanis each had one.
Douzanis also scored Stark’s final goal with about eight minutes left to make it 9-6. The Knights created some pressure after that, but goalie Sam Porter (eight saves) kept the lead at three goals until Kingswood scored with 1:30 left.
“(Porter) had a couple of big saves late,” Warner said. “Sometimes it’s not how many saves you make but if you make them at the right time.”
MacKensie Nase led the defensive effort for the Generals, who also got a solid performance from defender Emily Patten. Stark has now won six of its last seven games with two more remaining on its regular-season schedule.
“This is a good win for us because Kingswood is probably the toughest team we’ve beat,” Warner said. “We’re playing better, but we still have to get consistent and play the whole game.”
(Tim O’Sullivan can be reacehd at 369-3341 or at tosullivan@cmonitor.com or on Twitter @timosullivan20)
From coaches’ reports
Souhegan 18, Concord 5
Key players: Concord – Becca Proulx (4 goals), Tori Pelletier (goal)
Highlights/key moments: Souhegan continued its impressive stretch of six wins in its last seven games, having only lost to Massachusetts teams this season. Concord has lost four in a row.
Coach’s quote: “It was a rough game for us, we have had a long stretch of games. Three last week and this was the second of four this week, so it has been a lot of hard work shown by the team in a short period of time.” – Concord’s Steph Johnson
Records: Concord 4-8; Souhegan 13-2
MV 21, Oyster River 13
Key players: MV – Dillon Arrant (5 goals, 3 assists), Chris Carmichael (5 goals, assist), Evan Martin (5 goals, assist), Chase Mercier (2 goals, assist, 8 groundballs), Matt Jarvis (11 saves)
Highlights/key moments: MV jumped out early, leading 6-2 after one and 10-4 at halftime. The midfield pushed the ball well in transition, scoring a season-high seven goals on fast breaks, and building the lead for the majority of the game.
Records: MV 6-5; Oyster River 4-6
Hopkinton 13, Lebanon 5
Key players: Hopkinton – Joe Cullinan (6 goals, 2 assists), Sam Schuster (5 goals), Owen Kanter (goal, 3 assists), Prince Mansah (goal), Jake Hemmerlein (3 groundballs, 5 takeaways), Derek Amoth (6 saves)
Highlights/key moments: Lebanon scored first, but Hopkinton ripped off eight consecutive goals for an 8-1 lead at halftime. Hopkinton maintained possession for the majority of the second half and had good defensive stands.
Coach’s quote: “Today’s game was a nice culmination of the work we have been putting in this season. We were able to control the pace of the game, made some impressive defensive stands and created many scoring opportunities. The team put forth a valiant effort for every possession and groundball, while showing a lot of intelligence and mental toughness.” – Hopkinton’s Deacon Blue
Records: Hopkinton 7-4; Lebanon 4-7
Bow 8, Timberlane 5
Key players: Bow – Ryan Tobeler (2 goals), Brendan Ulrich (goal), Ben Podis (goal, 3 assists), Jared Reynolds (3 goals), Colin Buck (goal, 2 assists)
Highlights/key moments: After leading 4-3 at halftime, Bow had a strong third quarter to go up 8-4 and held on to only allow one goal the rest of the way.
Coach’s quote: “This was a hard-fought win against a very well-coached team. Despite our slow start, I was happy with how we rebounded in the second half to secure a win.” – Bow’s Kyle Tracy
Records: Bow 5-7; Timberlane 4-10
Plymouth 13, Coe-Brown 9
Key players: Coe-Brown – Ben Watson (4 goals, 2 assists), Liam Taylor (2 goals, assist), Mitchell Wade (goal, 8 ground balls), Jacob Switzer (16 saves)
Highlights/key moments: Trailing 8-2 at halftime due to four goals off three straight penalties, the Bears rebounded in the third to cut the lead to 8-5. The teams went back and forth in the final frame, with Coe-Brown unable to get the deficit closer than three, but never stopped pressuring Plymouth.
Coach’s quote: “We lost to this team 20-2 last year, so I’m very proud of how far they’ve come.” – Coe-Brown’s Ryan Hanavan
Records: Coe-Brown 2-9; Plymouth 7-4
Trinity 9, Bishop Brady 2
Key players: Bishop Brady – Rich Sullivan (goal), Bryce Johnson (goal), Kyle Cioffi (assist)
Highlights/key moments: Trinity only led 3-1 at halftime, but its defense shut down the Giants’ attack for the majority of the game. Brady was trailing 5-2 entering the fourth quarter, but Trinity found timely goals to keep the Giants from getting any closer.
Coach’s quote: “This was another tough loss to a really good team after losing to Pelham on Tuesday. It felt like we were hanging with them in the first half, as our goalie Craig Newcomb made a ton of good saves. Our depth is just severely lacking due to injuries. Trinity will make a deep run in the playoffs.” – Bishop Brady’s Justin Loring
Records: Bishop Brady 5-6; Trinity 9-1
MV 17, Coe-Brown 1, 5 inn.
Key players: MV – Sam Hodkinson (5 IP, 1 hit allowed, 4 K, 0 ER), Lindsay Balch (3-for-4, 2 doubles, 2 RBI), Brooke Palmer (2 doubles, 3 RBI)
Highlights/key moments: MV scored four runs in the first inning, five in the third and eight in the fourth to close out the scoring, totaling 15 hits on the day.
Coach’s quote: “A very good win against a team ahead of us in the standings.” – MV’s Sam York
Records: MV 7-7; Coe-Brown 7-6
John Stark 13, Lebanon 0, 5 inn.
Key players: John Stark – Delani Dowst (5 IP, 10 K), Kali Kolehmainen (3-for-4, home run, 3 runs)
Highlights/key moments: Dowst pitched a complete game, allowing just one batter to reach base on an infield single. Stark exploded in the fifth inning with nine hits and 10 runs to close the game out.
Coach’s quote: “We hadn’t played a game in the last eight days, so we were a little rusty, but in the fifth inning our bats woke up and our pitching was lights out.” – John Stark’s Gerry Morin
Records: John Stark 5-7; Lebanon 2-10
Belmont 12, Winnisquam 3
Key players: Belmont – Taylor Lavallee (3-for-4, double), Megan Prescott (2 hits allowed in final six innings), Nicole Antonucci (2 hits, 2 runs), Shannon Davies (home run), Lizzie Fleming (2 hits), Courtney Clairmont (2 hits); Winnisquam – Ema Atherton (2 hits, RBI), Lauren Bolstridge (RBI triple), Marissa DeBlaise (hit, RBI, run)
Highlights/key moments: Winnisquam scored three runs on four hits in the first inning, but Belmont was able to respond in the second. The Red Raiders scored six runs in the frame and continued to add runs as Prescott shut down the Bears offense.
Coach’s quote: “It was nice to see us come back so strong after the bad start.” – Belmont’s Bill Clary
“We gave them a few extra outs in the second and third innings.” – Winnisquam’s Kevin Dame
Records: Belmont 10-4; Winnisquam 6-6
Bishop Brady 19, H-D 2, 5 inn.
Key players: Bishop Brady – Emily Manning (2 IP, 3 K, 1 hit allowed; 2 hits, 4 runs), Lily Rivera (3 IP, 5 K, 0 ER, win), Emily Santis (double, 2 RBI), Aniecia Vargas (double, 2 runs), Cait Mallahan (2 hits, 3 RBI), Jackie Hill (2 hits, 2 runs); H-D – Holly Madore (2 hits), Ally St. Laurent (hit), Danielle Perham (complete game, 9 K)
Highlights/key moments: Brady scored 10 in the second inning, four in the third, two in the fourth and three in the fifth. Brady has won four in a row and seven of its last eight.
Coach’s quote: “Both Lily and Emily were throwing harder in the warmer weather. Very happy to get all 17 players into the game. Also happy for Emily St. Arnaud for an RBI sacrifice bunt, two walks and three runs on her birthday.” – Bishop Brady’s Freddy Rivera
Records: Bishop Brady 9-3; H-D
Kearsarge 10, Bow 0
Key players: Kearsarge – Ashley Thompson (7 IP, 4 hits, 9 K), Kate MacLeod (3 hits), Maddie Folcik (2 hits), Farrah Wilson (hit)
Highlights/key moments: Folcik led the Cougars going 2-for-3 at the plate and scoring three runs, while MacLeod was 3-for-4.
Records: Kearsarge 5-9; Bow 2-10
Hopkinton 4, Stevens 3
Key players: Hopkinton – Alexis Blanchette (7 IP, 11 K, 2 hits, 0 ER), Kasey Smith (2-for-3, 3 stolen bases, winning run), Krista Amoth (2-for-3, 2 RBI), Lily Scammon (2-for-4, 2 runs, game-winning hit)
Highlights/key moments: With things tied 3-3, Smith led off the bottom of the seventh with a single and proceeded to steal second and third. A line-drive double play nearly stranded her there, but Scammon came through with the game-winning hit. Blanchette pitched well but didn’t get the defensive support she needed.
Coach’s quote: “A walkoff win is always nice. I was a littler worried that we were going to let a great pitching performance go for nothing, but the team stepped up with the run in the bottom of the seventh.” – Hopkinton’s Dan Meserve
Records: Hopkinton 7-5; Stevens 5-7
Franklin 8, Newfound 2
Key players: Franklin – Hailey Haskins (7 IP, 10 K, 0 BB, 2 hits), Anna Doherty (2 hits, 3 RBI, walk), Alli Mahurin (excellent defense)
Highlights/key moments: Haskins took a no-hitter into the seventh before Newfound connected for an infield single and, eventually, its only run. Doherty homered in the first to help the Lady Tornadoes to an early lead.
Records: Franklin 11-1; Newfound 4-9
Coe-Brown 6, Merrimack Valley 0
Key players: Coe-Brown – Brody Ashley (6 IP, 4 hits, 9 K; 2-for-4, 2 runs, 2 SB), Zack Pine (1-for-1 off the bench), Dylan Andrew (1-for-3, RBI), Max Judge (1-for-2, RBI); MV – Joe Dougherty (complete game, 6 hits, 3 ER)
Highlights/key moments: Ashley did a little bit of everything as Coe-Brown snapped a two-game skid with the win in Northwood.
Coach’s quote: “Hopefully we can get our next two and make a push for a home playoff seed.” – Coe-Brown’s Sean Ashley
“Joe Dougherty deserved a better fate. He battled all game.” – MV’s Sean Wheeler
Records: Coe-Brown 9-5; MV
Goffstown 11, Pembroke 1, 5 inn.
Key players: Pembroke – AJ Gagnon (run)
Highlights/key moments: The Spartans allowed two runs in the first before Gagnon scored on a wild pitch in the bottom of the inning. Goffstown got seven in the second and two in the fourth to bring the game to its final.
Records: Pembroke 2-11; Goffstown 11-3
Bow 9, Kearsarge 1
Key players: Bow – Christian McDonald (3-for-4, 3 RBI, 2 doubles, 2 runs), Jeff Bell (5 IP, 1 run, 2 hits, 4 K, 1 BB), Austin Beaudette (2-for-3, RBI, 2 runs), Connor Lorenz (2-for-2, RBI), Jack Corriveau (home run)
Highlights/key moments: The Falcons scored five runs in the first three innings to take control early. It was the seventh win in eight games for the Falcons, who will get a rematch with the one team they lost to during that stretch (Pelham) on Monday.
Coach’s quote: “Bow played a complete game and beat us today. We had some good at bats but we couldn’t generate enough offense and they were scoring every inning.” – Kearsarge’s Travis Pelletier
Records: Bow 10-3; Kearsarge 7-6
Belmont 9, Winnisquam 8, 8 inn.
Key players: Belmont – Chris Marden (2-for-4, 5RBI, 2 doubles), Cole Contigiani (1-for-2, double, 2 BB, 2 runs; 8 IP, 9K, win)Josh Guptill (1-for-3, game-winning RBI), Colby Brown (1-for-4, RBI in varsity debut); Winnisquam – Jack Decormier (2-for-4, 2 runs, 2 RBI), Christian Serrano (2-for-2, 2 BB, 2 runs), Devin Martinez (6 IP, 3 ER), Tim Harmon (2 hits)
Highlights/key moments: Serrano gave Winnisquam an 8-7 lead with a two-out, two-strike bunt single to score Martinez from third, but the Raiders scored single runs in the seventh and eighth to claim the win. Contigiani, who got stronger on the mound as the game went on, led off the seventh with a double and eventually came home on a two-out double from Marden. Guptill pushed across the winning run with a bases-loaded walk in the eighth.
Coach’s quote: “Belmont is a very good team, probably the best hitting team we’ve seen all year. To give a team like that 15 extra chances (11 walks, three errors and one hit batter) and still be in the game says a lot about the heart of our team.” – Winnisquam’s Fred Caruso
Records: Belmont 12-2; Winnisquam 6-6
Bishop Brady 12, H-D 0
Key players: Bishop Brady – Mario Fusco (6.2 IP, 1 hit, 11 K), Max Lamora (4 hits, 2 runs), JP Nemcovich (2 hits, 2 RBI)
Highlights/key moments: Brady lead early, 3-0 after three innings, but didn’t open up the game until it scored seven in the seventh inning.
Coach’s quote: “We did not hit the ball as hard as we have been, but Mario gave us a good effort on the mound and we played solid defense behind him. I give H-D credit, they played us hard for seven innings.” – Bishop Brady’s Skip Foy
Records: Bishop Brady 8-5; H-D 0-12
Franklin 3, Newfound 1
Key players: Franklin – Garrett Fleming (6 IP, 15 K), Bryan Sweet (2 hits, run), Max Joyce (2 hits, run), Pat Kaplan (2 RBI)
Highlights/key moments: Fleming pitched a masterpiece, recording 15 strikeouts. Kaplan drove in two runs with a hit to shallow left field with two outs in the third, giving his team the lead for good.
Coach’s quote: “Garrett came out and pitched very well for us, keeping Newfound hitters on their heels and giving us a chance to win. We had some timely hitting with the right people on base to push across three runs. Newfound always plays us tough, so it’s nice to get a win.” – Franklin’s Dave Joyce
Records: Franklin 6-6; Newfound 1-12
John Stark 3, Dover 2
Highlights/key moments: John Stark started the game strong, winning the opener 25-13. Dover took advantage of Stark’s thin lineup in game two with a 25-21 win. After splitting games three and four, Stark won game five and the match, 15-10.
Coach’s quote: “Dover is much better than their record would indicate and this ended up being a great test. It was also a good chance for some of our newer guys to play in a pressure situation. In the end, we did what we needed to do to get the win.” – John Stark’s Dave Simeone
Records: John Stark 8-6; Dover 0-12