Nashua South's Karina O'Donnell, left, and North's Molly Ducharme battled each other all night in the Battle of the Bridge at Stellos Stadium. (Telegraph photo by TOM KING)

NASHUA – The Battle of the Bridge always seems to come at the right time.

That’s how the Nashua High School South girls field hockey team felt after they outlasted rivel Nashua North 4-0 Monday night at Stellos Stadium to open the fall version of the city rivalry.

The win was just the second on the year for the Panthers, now 2-6.

“It was pretty intense,” said South senior Karina O’Donnell, who had a goal and an assist. “We just had to come and show up and play. We’ve had kind of a rough season so far, so we knew it was going to be a difficult game, we just wanted to come out together and play hard. It was a good win.”

For the Titans, the season has been even more rough in a way, as they’re winless (0-8) as well as scoreless on the season. They came close, thanks to eight penalty corners, and senior Molly Ducharme hit the post in the first half. But no go.

Is it frustrating?

“I wouldn’t say frustrating, just because they’re improving so much compared to past years,” North coach Katlyn Previte said. “We’re actually getting to the offensive end.

“We’re so close. Every single game we’re so close to scoring, it’s just finishing it. We’re working on it.”

That’s partly due to the play of Ducharme, who constantly led the offense up the field.

“Her stick skills are amazing, and her confidence is great,” said Previte.

It was quite an individual battle between Ducharme and O’Donnell. South put early pressure on North but didn’t score until O’Donell fed Saige Devins for the game’s first goal with 10:09 left in the first half. South scored again three minutes later, with Keegan Dolan slipping a backhander during a scramble past North goalie Mya Zibolis (seven saves). They took that 2-0 lead into the half.

“Karina was doing everything out there, she was just hungry for the ball, trying to take Molly out of the game because we knew Molly was all over the field,” South coach Ciki Mcintire said. “The score doesn’t indicate how close it was.”

South eventually pulled away with two fourth quarter goals, one by O’Donnell, assisted by Wylie Hart 53 seconds into the fourth quarter, and Dolan’s second goal, assisted by Isabel Picano with just 1:47 to play.

Nashua South’s Sofia Forti (21) can’t find the ball after an initial save by Nashua North goalie Mya Zibolis during Monday night’s Battle of the Bridge at Stellos Stadium. (Telegraph photo by TOM KING)

Nashua South’s Sofia Forti (21) can’t find the ball after an initial save by Nashua North goalie Mya Zibolis during Monday night’s Battle of the Bridge at Stellos Stadium. (Telegraph photo by TOM KING)

“We’ve been trying to work with them at being a little more urgent with the ball,” McIntire said. “Urgency in the offensive circle, putting it on the pads, and urgency in the defensive circle. Trying to put all the puzzle pieces together. So much to work on, obviously they’re hungry for this game.”

The drama was whether or not North could get that elusive goal. Besides Ducharme’s post shot, South defender Emily Richard helped out her goalie, Meury Navarrete (six saves), with a kick save of her own. And the Titans had a couple of other mad scrambles and a penalty corner right up until the final horn.

“They work really hard, and they’re improving game by game,” Previte said. “We’re just taking it one stride at a time. That’s all you can do.”

And enjoy the atmosphere of last night.

“It’s so emotional,” McIntire said. It’s like the Game of the Year for them.”

As it should be.