Going into the wayback machine here but I hadn’t gotten around to these pics yet. This was a 14-5 win for Windham that started the first of what would be 6 wins in a row to close the season and place them the third seed for the DII NH Playoffs. Game #1 is today against Alvrine who Windham has taken down twice already this year. Hopefully the team will stay healthy, get a bit of a challenge but put the game away and move on to the second round.
Windham Varsity Lacrosse vs. Portsmouth and St. Thomas Aquinas
Took some time off from posting these as there was a point where the team lost 3 of 4 games and the most important player was out with a concussion for three games…not exactly the most thrilling stuff for me to shoot. I did take some photos of these games including against Portsmouth—a loss to the best team in DII in NH and one of the top few teams in the state and St. Thomas Aquinas that is one of the top few teams of DII (also a loss). Neither was a disaster but does show the length the team has to go to play with the best. Faceoffs remain feast or famine for the team, the offense must work on cutting more to the net rather than relying on the speed and agility of individual players which can be offset by doubleteams and good stickwork, and the D could still use a bit more nastiness. But all in all? The team is at 10-3 and tied for 3rd in DII. The upcoming Timberlane game will determine the team’s seeding for the postseason. A win and they will be either the #2 or #3 seed…a loss? They could drop to 7th. This is likely the difference between a first round bye or relatively easy matchup and having to play a peer in the first round and possibly Portsmouth or Derryfield in the second. Timberlane will be a challenge...a true coinflip of a game. Each have beaten teams the other has lost to and lost to teams the other has beaten. Timberlane was the runner up to Portsmouth in ‘21 for the state championship and will not likely wilt. Enjoy the pics!
Windham Varsity Lacrosse vs. Alvrine 04/26/22
Well, we better enjoy this one as it may be the last one for a bit. A 20-4 in Hudson vs. Alvrine runs Windham’s record to 6-0 and an 8th place ranking in the state amongst all lacrosse teams (D1 included). The game was played in a steady rain which made photography conditions dark but my focusing seemed to be back on point and produced some good images that have a distinctly different feeling that the bright sun and deep shadows of prior games. Defense was smothering again though Alvrine clearly has issues in some basic skillsets making turnovers and pressure easy to generate. Offense came fast and furious with Windham simply passing the ball in a circle without any attempt at scoring for about the last 8 minutes of the game. If anything the win was more dominating than the 15-2 win Windham had over Alvrine earlier in the year.
That said, Windham now enters the heart of their schedule with Derryfield, St. Thomas Aquinas, Winnacunnet, and Portsmouth accounting for the next four games. Windham could easily go 0-4 in those games and should consider going 2-2 in those games to be a solid accomplishment. Derryfield is #6 in the state while Portsmouth is the defending state champion and is ranked 4th in the state and Winnacunnet 11th while St. Thomas Aquinas played Winnacunnet to a standstill earlier in the year and beat Hollis-Brookline 16-1 (Windham beat them 18-8). Most at risk in the next 4 games is Windham’s defense who hasn’t really had to play any tough competition all year. Without being tested, Windham doesn’t really know what it has on the back end. These games will tell whether they are a contender or pretender feasting on easy competition.
Windham Varsity Lacrosse vs. Salem 04/22/22
Another home game, another win. Having issues with the camera and not focusing the way I want and so the shots are limited and I deleting 90% of what I took…just wasn’t happy with the results. The game was a 13-5 win but it was far more nail biting than that looks. Windham was down 3-0 to start and the D1 Salem team looked to have taken Windham on its heals being down its most senior defender.
The defense clamped down and allowed only two goals after the first quarter and the offense picked up the remaining slack to take the win. No comments beyond that. A nice way to show that they can come back from a punch and not quit.
Windham Varsity Lacrosse vs. Alvirne 04/18/22
I had not posted anything on the past Friday’s game—which was a 16-0 shutout of Kingswood who was supposed to be a decent team this year due to it being an evening game under what passed for “lights”. I quit taking pictures at the half as it just wasn’t worth it. I can crank the ISO and get shots that look fair on a .25” by .25” square but its not worth my time to even look through those let alone edit them…so into the trash they go.
Monday’s 15-2 win over Alvirne is a different story. At least there are some good shots from that game, as relatively uncompetitive as it was. Likely the most physical game of the year so far there were some decent hits given in both direction and a number of fouls as well. Windham kept up its heavy scoring attack and were kept to 15 goals by some great play by the Alvirne goalie who was their best player on the day. Despite the score, Windham got frustrated at times with the saves he was making to the point of trying trick shots and a number of skip shots to try and get past the keeper. Prior games saw Windham scoring on what appeared to be about 2/3 of their shots where here they got more shots off but only were scoring on about 40% if I had to guess.
Windham’s defense also had to play on its heals a bit more than in prior games with a number of “man down” situations. This was what was most notable as Windham’s D in these situations stood strong and kept the Alvirne shooters to the outside and frustrated their ability to get clean looks in a dangerous position. This bodes well for the remainder of the season if they can keep it up. Too often do High School lacrosse players allow shooters to get their arms and hands free vs. staying in the chest and hips of their opponents and here we saw great improvement in this area. Windham goalie Jack Milano was once again more than up to the task of saving the bulk of shots sent his way and remains an anchor in making smart and crisp passes out of the crease.
Wednesday brings what should (though I thought this of the Alvirne game too…) be the first big test of Windham’s season. Losing out in the first round of the ‘21 playoffs to Hollis-Brookline in a bitter 18-9 defeat, Windham will be out for a bit of redemption but as we saw last year where Windham came into the playoffs with a higher seed…nothing can be taken for granted.
Windham Varsity Lacrosse vs. Bow 04/12/22
Good game to start the year. 14-1 was the final score against an overmatched Bow team. Coming into the season Windham was ranked in the top 4 or 6 teams in DII and Bow in the bottom 6 or 8 so this was expected. Bow only managed three shots on goal for the game, was unable to control faceoffs and couldn’t force Windham turnovers. Offensively Windham looked strong on faceoffs which is key for them and while on the smaller side physically, Windham didn’t put a lot of balls on the ground, distributed the ball well resulting in balanced scoring from mid-distance chances (not many bombs that went in by luck and not many easy dumpins from up close—both of which are good signs) and stayed out of any need for physical play. The starters were in until about the final 5 minutes of the game and more than held their own in all phases of the game.
Friday’s upcoming night game on the road vs. Kingswood will be the early test of the season as the teams are ranked closely to start the year. That should give a better view at any cracks in the team’s capabilities and willingness to punch back when hit in the mouth.
Windham Varsity Lacrosse vs. Goffstown 05/25/21
Well that was MUCH better. A bit of aggression, a bit fiesty, a bit angry (broken sticks, some chirping, some actual bad blood developing between the teams)—that’s what we like to see. Windham was out to a big lead early and nursed it in the second half for a 14-4 win. Didn’t get quite to the running clock with a greater than 12 point lead but…good enough. This runs the record to 11-6 on the year with one game remaining, again against Goffstown. Then its on to the tournament—hopefully the boys aren’t too worn out from Memorial Day Weekend for the Monday game which will be super tough and Windham will be the underdog. Going to have to bring their “A” game and then some if they hope to advance out of the first round.
Windham Varsity Lacrosse vs. Pinkerton 05/22/21
Men among boys I think is the phrase. In a game lost 17-4 and in which Windham went 0-23 on faceoffs and was completely dominated on both ends of the field, that’s the phrase that comes to mind. Unwilling or unable to match Pinkerton’s physical play, Windham did not have the skill to maneuver around the field to avoid it. Not that Pinkerton was unskilled themselves—far from it. Their passing and cutters to the net often went unchallenged. Deserving of their spot in the top teams of DI, Pinkerton showed Windham just how far they COULD improve. Its partly a matter of “do they want to?” and “are they willing to?” As noticed with Windham’s basketball team this year, facing adversity and physical play is not something bred into Windham players seemingly on a wide basis in the community, nor unfortunately, are the genetics that produce hulking 6 foot, 200 pound middies with quick feet, hard shots, and the attitude of a killer. So 10-6 they are with two games left vs. Goffstown this week before the tournament. Hopefully these serve as a good tune up and prepare them for action.
Windham Varsity Lacrosse vs. Keene 05/18/21
This was their ninth win in a row with the following day’s far more difficult win at Keene running Windham’s streak to 10. The NHIAA site only shows Windham’s record as 9-5 but it is missing an additional game and win against Spaulding making their record 10-5. Unfortunately Windham’s next game is against Pinkerton, a DI team and one of the best in the state. making the game simply competitive would be an accomplishment. But that’s this weekend. This 13-4 victory was never in doubt with Windham getting out to a bit lead early. Again, not much work for the defense, who, when challenged, presented an adequate but not strong position. Windham has its best players on offense and presents the scoring punch to compete in the upcoming DII tournament but defense is its weak spot. After Pinkerton will close out the regular season next week with two games against Goffstown, both winnable games against a solid opponent giving Windham a good warmup before the tournament which should start with a home game.
Windham Varsity Lacrosse vs. Salem 05/14/21
Running their record now to 8-5 with their 8th win in a row, this one, like the prior Salem game was easy. Never in doubt and little effort required on the part of the Windham defense—which is unfortunate as that is where they need the most work. This puts them squarely in the middle of the DII seedings for the end of year tournament.
Windham Varsity Lacrosse vs. Timberlane 05/13/21
Running their record to 7-5 this was a second win in three days vs. Timberlane. Not an easy win but they will take it. Offense seems to be solid and has rounded into nice shape with consistent faceoff wins, crisp passing and a number of players who can score off their own playmaking. Defense still needs work. I’d love to see more aggression, more bodywork, less stickwork. No opposing player has been scared about coming into the heart of Windham’s defense yet and that needs to change. Far too many players get off uncontested shots against Windham goalies. Seven wins in a row is solid and should see them in the middle of the pack for seeding come tournament time.
Windham Varsity Lacrosse vs. Portsmouth 04/13/21
Well now….that wasn’t what we wanted was it? An 11-5 loss to start the season when nothing seemed to work right. Tons of standing around on offense with no cutters, few shots and no drives to the net outside of the first five minutes of the game. Defense? Well…it was there…It just didn’t come to play much. Almost no physicality, no one was being a pest…no price was paid for Portsmouth to reach the goal mouth again and again and again. No one gave up the body to block the shots that were had over and over. Goalie’s? Not really known. They certainly faced a ton of shots but not one of the three that came in stood out given what they faced. Lastly, faceoffs….well…when you lose some 75%+ of them you are automatically giving the opposing team way too many possessions that if you aren’t going to play aggressive defense, are going to continue to end up with balls in the back of the net. Well…Next time it is boys. Gotta bring more than this in the next game. Portsmouth may simply be the better team but Windham can certainly close the gap and make it harder on them at the least.
As for me? Well, lacrosse is unquestionably more difficult to photograph than either basketball or football. Football is agonizingly slow in comparison to both sports which makes finding the action easy. Basketball has the advantage of a lack of equipment which makes getting great facial expressions easy. Lacrosse? It moves very fast with lots of intersecting traffic on top of all the face hiding helmets and many of the players you want to shoot never come close to you if you stay on one side or the other of the field and the endlines are “verboten” due to the “danger” of being hit by a ball. The only good thing is the light. Being outdoors and during daylight hours at least let you crank the shutter speed. So a big learning curve for me to. Hopefully I will bring a better photography game to the rest of the year.
So a toast to us both…may we all bring a better effort in the days to come.
