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Windham wins state title

HAMPTON — In the Division 1 state finals, the Windham boys soccer team left little for chance.

After two heart-stopping victories in the quarterfinalls and semifinals, the Jaguars scored three first-half goals, which were more than enough in a 3-0 victory over host Winnacunnet to finish as unbeaten (11-0-1) state champions.

This was Windham's first Division 1 state title after winning Division 2 crowns in 2012 and 2013.

"This just feels incredible," said senior captain Landon Neal. "We did everything we thought we could do."

Indeed, it was a great day for Windham all-around, but it was particularly satisfying for the Neal family, Landon had two goals and an assist while brother Preston recorded his sixth shutout of the season and had 10 saves that including a couple of the spectacular variety in the second half when Winnacunnet desperately tried to get back in the game.

"That (a shutout) is something you always want to see in the final game," said Preston. "There were a couple of close calls but my defense did a nice job of clearing the ball.

"We were talking a lot before the game about getting the lead and that helped."

The Jaguars took the lead 12 minutes in the game when team leading scorer and captain Charlie Breen got a pass from Landon Neal and boomed a beauty into the upper corner of the goal.

"It felt great to bury one that early," said Breen of his ninth goal of the season. "We knew from the start we could do this, but that gave us some momentum."

Just five minutes later, Landon Neal got the ball right in front of the Winnacunnet goalie and drilled it in the net to provide a cushion. Then, at the nine minute mark, he and Ryan Husson had assists as junior Mason Pfeiffer tapped the ball in in a scramble in front of the net to account for the final 3-0 score.