WEST NEWBURY — Just 23 more seconds.
That’s all the Pentucket girls lacrosse team needed to hold on for during Friday’s non-league battle against visiting Masconomet. With a highly-competitive game tied at 9-9 as the closing moments of regulation ticked away, the Panthers just needed one more defensive stop in their own zone to send it into overtime.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t to be.
Junior goalie Carsen Ventola made an amazing save to somehow get her stick on the initial shot, and send the ball tumbling forward. But Masconomet was first to the ground ball, and the ensuing shot by Hannah Coleman found the back of the net to break the tie. And 23 seconds later, the Chieftians were celebrating a practical “walk-off” win over the Panthers, 10-9.
“It was a little bit of a scrum, and everybody was going for it and red came up with it,” said Pentucket coach Todd Conover on the winning goal. “The girl for them made a great shot.
“But Carsen (7 saves) has been awesome for us this year. She got some reps late in the season last year during our playoff run, and she’s been working really hard in the offseason. She’s got natural talent, and her mentality is very good. She’s very open to all of the coaching she gets.”
Losing in the closing moments, in any sport, is obviously tough.
But for Pentucket (5-4), it’ll be another moment to learn from.
Down in Division 4 this year, the Panthers welcomed in a Division 2 opponent in the Chieftians on Friday. And as for other strong opponents in the non-league portion of the schedule, the Panthers have already played Winchester and Central Catholic, and have a game against Danvers coming up later in the spring.
“It helps us with everything,” said Conover. “Any time we can get a competitve game like this, we’re all-in because it helps in all aspects of how we can improve as a team.”
After a fast-paced first half, the team’s went into the break tied at 7-7.
Returning Daily News All-Star Cat Colvin was dialed in for Pentucket, as the junior led the way with four goals. Katherine Wisniewski scored twice in the first half for the home team, Ashley Gagnon had two assists, and Ella Palmer (1g, 1a) and Kate Conover (1g, 2a) were behind the team’s other two tallies.
Neither team led by more than a goal at any point in the second half.
Coleman and Colvin exchanged goals to make it 8-8, then Palmer’s strike was offset by a goal from Masco’s Caitlin Driscoll to tie things back up. The Panthers earned some great looks in the final minutes, with Morgan Gallant and Colvin firing dangerous shots that hit the crossbar. But the bounce didn’t go their way, and on the other end, the Chieftians came up clutch in the closing moments.
And unfortunately, it won’t get any easier.
Up next, Pentucket will host Newburyport, the defending Division 3 State Champions, on Tuesday at 4 p.m.
Masconomet 10, Pentucket 9
Goals: M — Hannah Coleman 4, Caitlin Driscoll 2, Ava Gauvain, Riley Bovardi, Caleigh Fates; P — Cat Colvin 5, Katherine Wisniewski 2, Ella Palmer, Kate Conover
Assists: M — Coleman; P — Ashley Gagnon 2, Conover 2, Palmer
Saves: P — Carsen Ventola 7
Masconomet: 7 3 — 10
Pentucket (5-4): 7 2 — 9