Two more hard-fought contests brought the season to a close for the Londonderry High School field hockey team, which advanced to the Division I quarterfinals before falling to the top-seeded Winnacunnet Warriors.

The Lancers entered the playoffs on Oct. 14 with an 8-7-1 record as the No. 8 seed, earning home-field advantage for their preliminary-round match-up against the Portsmouth Clippers, who also finished the regular season at 8-7-1.

Londonderry controlled possession for much of the contest and successfully defended the few penalty corners it allowed. Senior goalkeeper Molly Tharrington turned aside five shots to help secure a 2-0 shutout victory.

Sophomore Emma Karvielis got the Lancers on the board in the first period, scoring at 6:31 off an assist from senior Gemma Murray. That goal proved to be enough to put Londonderry in front, although the Lancers appeared to add another early in the third period when Murray knocked in a rebound during a corner. The goal was waved off because the ball reportedly had not cleared the circle.

The Lancers eventually added an insurance goal in the fourth quarter.

Junior Morgan Ayotte scored at 13:29, with Murray earning her second assist of the game, sealing the 2-0 win and a trip to the quarterfinals.

The victory set up a road match-up against No. 1 Winnacunnet, which had gone undefeated during the regular season. Despite the challenge, Londonderry entered the game believing it could stay within striking distance and pull off an upset.

The Lancers had faced the Warriors in Londonderry three weeks earlier, losing in a close 1-0 decision. Their quarterfinal rematch proved similarly competitive.

Winnacunnet scored first in the second quarter to take a 1-0 lead, but freshman Abby Chambers answered with the tying goal in the third quarter, bringing the Lancers even.

The game remained close until late in the fourth, when Winnacunnet’s Fiona McAfee scored the go-ahead goal with just 3:35 remaining.

The Warriors held on for a 2-1 victory on Saturday, Oct. 24, ending Londonderry’s postseason run and advancing to the semifinals.

Winnacunnet improved to 16-0 and was scheduled to face the No. 4 Bedford Bulldogs for the third time this season on Wednesday at Bill Ball Stadium in Exeter.