Close call

November 4, 12:56 PMNew Hampshire High School Sports ExaminerAmanda Duquette

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Yesterday's Girls Soccer Semi Finals were many things, but boring was certainly not one of them. 

The first game of the evening pitted No 2 Londonderry v No 3 Exeter at Stellos Stadium in Nashua.  Londonderry was coming off an easy win over Winncunnet in the quarter finals, while Exeter's road to the semis was much more contested.  After squeezing by Merrimack with a final score of 1-0, Exeter was looking for an upset.

As I said on Monday, this game was sure to be a battle of defenses.  Sure enough, I was correct.  Londonderry took the early lead, when Tori McCombs scored their first goal just seven minutes into the game.  After that, it was a whole lot of defense for most of the game.  However, with 2 and a half minutes left in regulation Camilla Cook of Exeter evened the score.  The end of regulation would come with the score staying at 1-1.  After a scoreless sudden death overtime, the two teams went into a shoot out.

Each team was given five shooters apiece.  Londonderry took the early lead, leading 1-0 after two rounds.  Natalie Vance tied the shoot out for Exeter in the third round.  After a scoreless fourth round, the crowd held their breath, anxiously waiting for the final round of shooters.  In the end, Anna Grant of Exeter made the final shot, and Exeter walked away with a 2-1 shootout win over a very talented Londonderry team. 

The other game of the day may not have been as dramatic, but it was certainly just as interesting.  No 1 seeded Salem had only one loss all season.  Coincidentally, that loss came at the hands of Manchester Central back in September.  Unfortunately for Salem, lightning struck twice at Stellos Stadium in Nashua, and Central handed Salem its second loss of the season when Central defeated them 2-1.  Exeter and Manchester Central will battle it out on Friday at 7 pm at Southern NH University.

Tonight, both Boys Soccer semi final games will be played at Stellos Stadium, beginning at 4 pm.  The Girls Volleyball semis will also take place tonight at Pinkerton Academy, beginning at 5:30.  Check in tomorrow for scores and details.  Until then, see you on the fields.