By Roger Brown
MaxPreps.com
The score undoubtedly came as a shock to some, but the person least surprised by the Exeter High School boys lacrosse team's 7-5 triumph over Pinkerton Academy last Friday may have been Pinkerton coach Brian O'Reilly.
"I picked Exeter to be the No. 1 team (in Division I)," O'Reilly said after the loss, which ended his program's 22-game winning streak. "I did, because of the goaltending situation they have. They have the ability to play defense. I know everybody talks about Bishop Guertin, and they have a high-powered offense, but Exeter has goaltending and BG doesn't. Goaltending will carry you."
Senior Eric Gunst and junior Kevin LeSage shared the goaltending duties for Exeter last season, and are expected to do the same this spring. Gunst made 15 saves in the victory over Pinkerton, which raised Exeter's Division I record to 2-0. Pinkerton slipped to 2-1.
Pinkerton losses are rare. The Astros, who beat Bishop Guertin to win last year's Division I championship, have won nine titles in the last 13 years and have reached the state championship game in their division 12 times during that span.
Friday's victory was the first time Exeter had beaten Pinkerton during Exeter's six years as a Division I program.
"They were the only (Division I) team we had never beaten," Exeter coach Gerry Holly said. "It's good for the kids because it gets them over a psychological hump. I'm glad they were able to step up and pull it off.
"We're going to be competitive. We'll see how it goes against some of the other top teams. I think we're right there with everybody."
Pinkerton entered the game at less than full strength. Among those missing was attackman Steve Guilherme, who suffered a torn ACL during football season. Guilherme was the team's No. 2 scorer last season, when the Astros finished 20-0. O'Reilly said he's hopeful Guilherme will return sometime in May.
In addition, midfielder Bobby Datillo suffered a wrist injury in the second quarter of the Exeter game and didn't play after halftime. Exeter outscored Pinkerton 6-2 in the second half.
Holly said Pinkerton is still the team all others are measured against.
"There are other good teams - Bishop Guertin, Hanover, Concord - but as far as I'm concerned they're always the premier (team)," Holly said. "If you beat a team like Pinkerton you can play with anybody.
"You don't win championships in April. They're missing a lot of guys and they're going to get better. You can count on that."
Baseball/Softball: NHIAA Shortens Seasons
In response to the wet spring that has forced numerous games to be postponed this spring, the NHIAA announced Friday that games scheduled for the final week of the regular season in Class M and Class I baseball and softball have been cancelled.
Schools have been asked to use the final week to play games that have already been postponed, and any games that are postponed later this season. In most cases, teams had their regular-season schedule reduced from 18 to 15 games.
"It hurts teams like us that are deep in pitching," Portsmouth baseball coach Tim Hopley said. "We had already rescheduled all of our postponed games and were ready to play four games a week."
The decision prevents Class M and Class I teams from selecting which postponed games they reschedule since all postponed games must be played, and reduces the possibility that teams will have to play five games in one week.
Class L and Class S schools will attempt to play a full regular-season schedule.
Of the state's four athletic divisions, Class L has had the fewest games postponed this spring. Shortening the Class S season wasn't deemed necessary because many Class S teams play a 14-game regular-season schedule and doubleheaders are more prevalent in Class S than in other classes.
Honors: Monadnock Recognizes Stewart
Monadnock named its softball field Tom Stewart Field during a ceremony that preceded Monadnock's Class I opener against Bow.
Stewart, the school's longtime softball coach, entered the season with a 310-154 record and has guided the Huskies to two state championships (2004 and 2005).
