McAfee's late goal lifts undefeated Winnacunnet past Londonderry in D1 quarterfinal

HAMPTON - With less than four minutes remaining in Saturday's Division I field hockey quarterfinal, top-seeded Winnacunnet was deadlocked at 1-1 with No. 8 Londonderry. Then senior forward Fiona McAfee delivered the moment Winnacunnet needed most.

McAfee raced nearly the length of the field and blasted home the go-ahead goal with 3:35 remaining, lifting the Warriors to a 2-1 victory at Winnacunnet High School.

"It feels really, really good," McAfee said. "Honestly, I'm happy about how the game went. I think we needed to realize that you have to work really hard in the playoffs because it's not easy. Records don't matter anymore. We have to play strong the entire game."

The victory sends Winnacunnet (16-0) into the Division I semifinals, where it will face No. 4 Bedford on Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Exeter High School. The Bulldogs advanced with a 4-1 victory over No. 5 Merrimack.

"It's just been such a fun season and we're not ready for it to end yet," Winnacunnet head coach Hand said.

"We went to the semis last year, and I think it definitely helps that a lot of our players were on the team last year," McAfee said. "So, a lot of people have felt what it feels like to go to the semifinals. I know for me, I already feel a little less nervous going to the semis; I feel more pumped up than nervous, which I think is good."

McAfee said Londonderry challenged the Warriors throughout the afternoon.

"They're a strong team, and they matched us for a lot of the game," McAfee said. "But we came out stronger."

Hand expected nothing less from the Lancers. The Warriors defeated Londonderry 1-0 during the regular season and knew the rematch would be equally competitive.

"I'm just so happy for everyone," Hand said. "They played so hard as a team today and never backed down. We started off a little slow, and we knew it'd be a battle right from the start. I'm so proud of them. They don't let up."

McAfee's game-winner was exactly the spark the Warriors needed.

"She's such a remarkable player," Hand said. "Her skill, her passion. I knew she'd leave her heart out there today."

Senior Sofia Donatelli gave Winnacunnet a 1-0 lead with the game's first goal in the second quarter, and that advantage held through halftime. Londonderry answered with a third-quarter goal.

"I think everyone definitely turned it up a notch," junior defender Mary Kouloheras said of the team's response after the equalizer.

McAfee credited Winnacunnet's teamwork for creating its scoring opportunities.

"Our team does a good job working together to finish," she said. "Our goals wouldn't happen if we didn't connect and pass with each other."

The Warriors' defense also came up with several key plays down the stretch. Kouloheras made a critical defensive save late in the game to preserve the tie before McAfee's winner. Winnacunnet goalie Riley Gagalis was credited with three saves.

"Mary had a defensive save coming out of nowhere," Hand said. "The entire defensive unit stayed together back there. They all worked hard, kept their sticks low, communicated and had Riley's back."

Hand said her message throughout the second half was simple - don't panic.

"That was our biggest thing, just don't let up," Hand said. "We know Londonderry is a team that fights right to the end."

Kouloheras said the victory was a reward for months of hard work.

"I was just so relieved because I know we really deserve it," she said. "Everyone has been working so hard and giving 100 percent, so it's a good feeling."