20 - April 29, 2011


by Marc Ayotte Python offensive supremacy. Python


defensive subjugation. Python opponent obliteration. Python four-game winning streak. The Pelham High boys’ lacrosse team, playing like a team possessed, has rebounded from an opening day loss and vaulted into fourth place of the NHIAA Division III lacrosse standings. Leading to the most recent contribution to the climb up the standings was another Pelham offensive explosion, coupled with a stellar performance in goal by Jon Dostie. The combination resulted in a Python 12-0 shutout victory over visiting Laconia at the Harris Family Sports Facility. The Pythons struck early and often, as


Pelham~Windham Sports Pelham~Windham Sports


Pelham Boys’ Lacrosse Dominates in Win Streak


nine goals. Nick Morin, with seven goals and seven assists, along with Racca’s five goals and three assists, form a formidable trio. The Python offense, in firing on all


goals by Jamie Favreau, Ryan White, and Peter Soonthornprapuet, in the first four minutes of action, gave the home team a 3-0 lead that was never challenged. Evident during the winning streak for the Pythons has been ball control. “The last three games we’ve had control on offense,” noted Head Coach Matt Regan. He explained that by controlling possession of the ball, “we can keep our defense in position.” Accordingly, Coach Regan praised the effort of his defenseman Peter Soonthornprapuet: “Peter has been just unbelievable.” With two goals and one assist on the season as a defenseman, it is testimony to his speed, quickness, and offensive adroitness on the field. “He just gets downfield just so fast,” noted Coach Regan. On the defensive side of things, Soonthornprapuet is the resident ground ball machine, leading the team with 34 ground balls controlled, which is huge, according to the head coach.


Complementing the Python offense has been outstanding goalie play. Pelham goalkeeper Jon Dostie has surrendered a mere four goals in his last four outings. During the streak, the Pelham goalie has impressively recorded two shutouts. “Dostie has been solid. He hasn’t made any mistakes. He’s saved everything he’s capable of saving,” according to Coach Regan. The Python Lax-er assessed the recent Python rampage: “I’m glad we’re starting to play the way we should. We


Nick ‘Scorin’ Morin rifles a shot at the Laconia goal. Morin has seven goals over the last three Python games


worked well as a team and had no letdowns.”


An important ingredient to ball control and the subsequent re-emergence of the Pelham offensive attack is the return of attackers Derek DeFranzo, Keston Beauregard, and Evan Skinner. Without them in the lineup, Coach Regan felt the offense just was not in control. “We now have a better flow on offense,” acknowledged the head coach. In addition to controlling possession of the ball, the three have done more than their fair share of lighting up the scoreboard. Since returning, DeFranzo, Beauregard, and Skinner have combined for five goals and 10 assists in the three wins. Teammates Nick ‘Scorin’ Morin, Tyler Racca, and Ryan White have also had their individual scoring talents enhanced by the return. In the first three games of the streak, which included a 14-0 trouncing of Pembroke and an 11-2 drubbing of Trinity, the Python offensive blitzkrieg has seen the ‘awesome attackers’ register 23 goals. Ryan White has been top gun, leading the offensive parade with


cylinders, has been absolutely ‘sick’ by outscoring their opponents 49-4 since the season-opening loss. Still, they are without the services of senior Rich Sullivan and Alec Paradis. Sullivan is expected to return in a couple of weeks, thus adding more potency to the Python offense, while three-sport standout Paradis is on the shelf for the entire season with a torn ACL, MCL, and meniscus. On Tuesday, April 26, the Pythons visited cross-town rivals Windham for a confrontation and left the host team in their wake with a 12-2 thrashing, running their win streak to four games. After the Jags got out to a surprising 1-0 lead and held the recent potent Python offense in check, they found themselves tied with Pelham at one apiece after one quarter. Trailing 2-1 late in the first half, the Pythons finally awoke from their school vacation slumber and goals by Beauregard, Morin, and White, in a three- minute span, took a 5-2 lead into halftime. Pelham came out storming in the second half, dominating the flow of the game. Three third-period goals gave the visitors a 9-2 lead with 12 minutes to play. In complete control, the Pythons added three more goals in the final frame, leading to the double-digit victory. The Pythons’ blistering attack was led


by the consistent play of Ryan White, who scored one of his game-high four goals in each quarter. Scorin’ Morin added two goals, along with four helpers. Jamie Favreau and Keston Beauregard had strong performances by scoring two goals each. Despite the sizzling Python offense of late, Coach Regan still finds room for improvement. “We missed a lot of shots we should’ve put in. We have to start executing. We have to start putting the ball in the back of the net,” he said. Python attacker Ryan White attributes the strong Pelham play to having almost everyone back and healthy. “We are doing so much better—we’re clicking as a team,” he said.


Lady Pythons Continue to Struggle


by Marc Ayotte The Pelham girls’ varsity softball team struggled this past week


when they dropped consecutive decisions to Milford at home and then on the road at ConVal. In late fall-like conditions, the Pythons surrendered a 3-1 fifth inning lead to the Spartans of Milford by giving up nine runs on the way to a 16-3 home loss. Starting Python pitcher Jordan Parece had things going her way,


pitching four strong innings. However, in the top half of the fifth, Parece faced control issues, which led to Coach Todd Lozeau bringing in Hannah Schaeffer for a relief appearance. When all was said and done, the six walks allowed by the Pelham pitchers afforded Milford to take control of the game. The Spartans, on the heels of the fifth inning outburst, went on to a 13-run mercy spanking of the Pythons. Coach Lozeau commented on the weather and his team’s psyche:


“We were affected by the weather, but they have to play in it, too. You have to play in it—through the elements. We lost total confidence when things started going bad. If you don’t have the confidence— when it starts raining, it’s going to pour on you.” The rain kept on a-comin’ when the Pythons hopped on the bus and headed for Peterborough the following day. With déjà-vu appearing at the ball park, ConVal erupted for nine runs in the home half of the fourth as they turned a 3-2 Python lead into an 11-4 home win. Despite the fifth loss in six games, Coach Lozeau remains optimistic for the remainder of the season. “We’re staying positive. We have a good chance to win six or seven games,” he said. The Lady Python task doesn’t get any easier, as they have upcoming games against undefeated and Division II-leading Bedford, as well as Division II defending champions Coe-Brown.


Lady Python Jordan Parece fires to the plate in action against Milford


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