Bow High was the only local team to advance out of a loaded Division III girls’ lacrosse bracket and did so dominantly.
The No. 1 Falcons’ big 14-4 win over John Stark on Saturday in the D-III semifinals at Laconia High School put them back in the championship for the first time since last making it in 2023.
In 2023, Bow had a similar run of dominance and scored 17 or more goals on the way to the state title. This isn’t that same team, though. Under the leadership of head coach Chris Raabe, Bow only has one loss in 17 games played.
No. 3 St. Thomas (17-2) prevailed in Saturday’s other semifinal, eliminating No. 2 Hopkinton, 15-12. In more recent history, the Saints were defeated by the slimmest of margins against Bow two months ago, 13-12.
The D-III championship game is set for 6 p.m. on Tuesday at Bedford High School.
St. Thomas 15, Hopkinton 12
Key Athletes: Hopkinton — Ava Burns (4G, 5DC, 6GB), Maeve Owens (2G), Pippa Lang (2G), Emma Pelletier (G, A, 2DC, CT, 3GB), Molly Hodgdon (G,A), Autumn Meier (G, 5DC, 9GB), Lilly Chodosh (G), Sadie Pelletier (3CT, 2GB, defense), Ryan Barrett (CT, GB, defense), Helen Yeaton (CT, defense), Mary Maughan (2GB, defense), Molly Martin (6S, 2GB).
Key Moment: The Hawks had a 9-8 lead early in the second half. St Thomas had a three-goal run at the end of the third.
Coach’s quote: “The game came down to a handful of key plays at either end of the field. We put the work in and played full out until the end.” – Gus Madden, Hopkinton
Hopkinton’s Pippa Lang shoots against St. Thomas in Laconia for the D-III semifinals. Credit: CHIP GRIFFIN / Photos by Chip 
Hopkinton senior Maeve Owens (R) tries to move around St. Thomas’ Ava Goodwin in the Hawks’ loss to the Saints, 15-12. Credit: CHIP GRIFFIN / Photos by Chip 
St. Thomas’ Julia Bryan (L) and Hopkinton’s Sadie Pelletier (R) battle for the ball down the sideline in the Division III semifinals. Credit: CHIP GRIFFIN / Photos by Chip 
Hopkinton senior Emma Pelletier (13) scores in a crowded crease early on against St. Thomas on June 6, 2026. Credit: CHIP GRIFFIN / Photos by Chip
Bow 14, John Stark 4
Key Athletes: Bow — Jules Cusson (4 goals, assist), Vita Flagg (3 goals, assist), Chloe Nowakowski (goal, 3 assists), Keegan O’Meara (assist), Josie Johnson (goal, assist), Ainsley Herrick (goal, assist), Casey Totten (assist). John Stark — Claudia Dustin (goal and assist), Zoe Lawson (goal and assist), Addie DeCew (goal), Addy Brunini (goal), Rowin Ledy (10 saves).
Key Moment: Four goals in the first quarter propelled Bow to an early lead that the Falcons maintained.
Coach’s quote: “Great team effort from start to finish.” – Chris Raabe, Bow
John Stark’s Hannah Perkin (R) is chased by Bow’s Chloe Nowakowski (22) in the D-III lacrosse semifinals. Credit: CHIP GRIFFIN / Photos by Chip 
Bow’s Ainsley Herrick and John Stark’s Addie DeCew battle for the draw in Laconia during the semifinals. Credit: CHIP GRIFFIN / Photos by Chip 
Bow’s Vita Flagg (1) gets a shot off after sprinting past the Generals’ defenders. Credit: CHIP GRIFFIN / Photos by Chip 
John Stark attacker Zoe Lawson tries to beat Bow’s Ainsley Herrick on the perimeter of the crease. Credit: CHIP GRIFFIN / Photos by Chip