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Andrew Pescia looked at the ball sitting just 12 yards away from him in the 38th minute of the Class L state final. He was on the verge of making the most important play of his career.

Lined up opposite him was Brad Hilton, Merrimack's star midfielder.

NASHUA, N.H. | Down 1-0 to battle-hardened and undefeated Pinkerton with 10 minutes to go, Londonderry coach Shawn Diaz had to make a change.

His decision: switch from the 4-4-2 to a more attack-minded 3-5-2 formation, moving central defender Steve Carroll to central midfield. The gamble paid off as Carroll set up the game-tying goal in the 76th minute, then scored the game-winner less than two minutes into overtime to lead Londonderry to a shocking 2-1 win in the Class L semifinal.

Robbie McLarney raced down field, beat a defender to the ball and fired it past the goalie to the left side of the net in the 94th minute of overtime to give No. 4 Londonderry a 1-0 victory over Manchester Memorial in the Class L quarterfinals. "It was fantastic," said Londonderry coach Shawn Diaz. "We have been on such a great run the second half of this season. This is the first time in my five years we have made the semifinals."

Londonderry downed Alvirne 5-0. Billy Holland, James Mariano, Robbie McLarney, Will Cavallo and Andrew Stewart each scored a goal for the Lancers. Cavallo and McLarney each chipped in two assists.

Senior midfielder Robbie McLarney notched a hat trick as Londonderry shutout Goffstown, 3-0. The Lancers' (7-3-1) defense was backstopped by keeper Andrew Peschia who recorded four saves en route to the shutout.

LONDONDERRY, N.H. | Londonderry's Robbie McLarney spent last Friday night at Yurcak Field, Rutgers' 5,000-seat soccer stadium.

As he watched the Scarlet Knights play Notre Dame, it became clear: This was the place for him. "The atmosphere, I just loved it," he said. "The whole weekend was awesome."

2006 record: 14-4, lost in Class L quarters

Returning starters (5): Bobby Wunsch, Sr., defense; Robbie McLarney, Sr., midfield; Billy Holland, Sr., forward; Cameron Avery, Sr., midfield; Steve Carroll, Jr., midfield