H.S. girls lacrosse: Exeter's Benevides off to shining sophomore season

Exeter High School sophomore girls lacrosse player Riley Benevides gets ready to put a shot on net during practice on Thursday, April 23. Benevides has scored 24 goals in five games this season, including a game-winning overtime tally on Wednesday against Londonderry.

Benevides' game-winning goal, the first one in her high school career, occurred in the first minute of overtime against the Lancers.

"When we went into overtime, we had our mind set on winning," Benevides said. "It was really important, and I knew I had been performing well the whole game, and I wanted to keep that momentum going. I did what I could, and finished strong."

Benevides said her goal was incredible and amazing, but was quick to deflect the credit.

"I was so supported by all of my teammates, too," she said. "It was just an incredible moment."

'Big shoes to fill'

Exeter High School sophomore girls lacrosse player Riley Benevides works through a drill during practice on Thursday, April 23. Benevides has scored 24 goals in five games this season, including a game-winning overtime tally on Wednesday against Londonderry.

Benevides knew she would have to step up for the Blue Hawks, who lost several starters from last year's team which advanced to the Division I semifinals.

"I knew there would be some big shoes to fill, so I worked really hard in the offseason," Benevides said, adding she played club lacrosse with the New Hampshire Tomahawks. "I knew I'd be prepared for this moment and I'm really just excited to show it off."

Phoebe Christenson, a senior and Division I all-state first-team selection last year, has known Benevides since she was in the sixth grade.

"Riley has always been an excellent lacrosse player," Christenson said. "Freshman year, she stepped on the field already starting and she's always just been a great player. I think she's stepping into those (leadership) shoes and it's great to be able to work with Riley."

Growth for sophomore season

Exeter head coach Angela Palmer said Benevides has taken on much more of a leadership role with the offense as the Blue Hawks are implementing a "pretty tricky, complicated college offense" this season.

"She's really taken the initiative on learning everything and trying to get everybody up to speed," Palmer said. "So, she's really grown as a player."

"I think (my role) has gotten bigger and I'm just excited to show that I can do it," Benevides said, adding that she is always working on her stick work and staying in shape.

From a standout freshman season, Benevides said the biggest learning point is how much more of a team game lacrosse is, and how to rely on her teammates more.

And what's more troubling for opposing defenders and teams is that Benevides is naturally a left-hander, making it difficult for teams to game-plan for.

"I'm a lefty, so it's harder for defenders to know that's coming, but I also have a strong non-dominant hand," Benevides said. "I can shoot from both sides, which is huge. I've been working on that a lot, and I have speed."

"She has such a quick first step," Christenson said. "She's probably the fastest player on this entire field and it shows."

Palmer said Benevides always had a really hard shot, and believes her patience with the ball has improved in the early part of her sophomore season.

"It's something we've been working on, and not feeling pressure to just shoot and not have the perfect shots," Palmer said. "So, she's waiting for better opportunities, and I think that's all part of growing."

"I truly do love this sport," Benevides said. "It was never forced, it's always been easy to me because I truly do love it, so I never complained about going to practice or anything."

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: H.S. girls lax: Exeter's Benevides off to strong sophomore season