Nashua South's Carly Benzekri (6) tries to move past Nashua North's Savanna Basford during Wednesday's Battle of the Bridge at Stellos Stadium. (Telegraph photo by TOM KING)

NASHUA – It was the tale of two teams in different worlds.

The Nashua South girls lacrosse team has high aspirations, as they want to crack the upper echelon of Division I.

Nashua North just wants to crack the win column for the first time as the program is still building.

The result when those worlds collide? A 19-3 Nashua South victory Wednesday in the Battle of the Bridge.

“It’s always a game full of emotion,” South coach Ciki McIntire said. “You never can assume anything, right? They just came out hungry today, and it’s always a battle with North.”

South (7-3) jumped out to a 4-0 lead before North (0-6) could get on the board and led 4-1 after one. But they outscored the Titans 6-1 in the second quarter to lead 10-2 at the half and before long things reached running time in the third.

The Titans were without one of their best players, Rachel Gauthier, who is injured. And South took another talented Titan, Molly Ducharme, out of the flow.

“It’s tough when you can’t get ball control (on the draws) and they figure out Molly’s holding on to the ball,” said North acting head coach Chad Zibolis, who is steering the ship while Jenn Dyer is out on leave. “And once they double her down, she’s going to find a way to get rid of it. And if you can’t keep the ball, you’re in trouble.”

The Panthers were led by Maren Lowell’s five goals and she recorded her 200th point. Carly Benzekri had four goals, Addie Borden three, and Saige Devins two goals and an assist. Mainstays Karina O’Donnell (goal, two assists) and Nevaeh Eppolito (goal) also got on the board.

It wasn’t all bad for the Titans, as Emma Barry scored her first career varsity goal, North’s only goal in the first half, after which South led 10-1. Elliott Brown, who took the field after starting in goal, scored as did Savanna Basford.

Brown and Zibolis combined for eight saves in goal.

South played some of its younger players late and recording their first career goals were Nitzann Alkalay (goal, two assists), Molly Mullaney and Aubrey Rose.

McIntire wanted her team to work on its defense after giving up 31 goals combined to Pinkerton and Portsmouth coming into this one. She was happy with the job Lexi McGuire, Maddie Langer and Karina Santana did. Lilee Petricca had two saves while splitting time with Emma Herlihy.

“They played physical, they played tough, and we had some moments defensively,” Zibolis said. “That’s stuff we’re still trying to learn how to do. We’re still trying to figure out how to do it without Rachel right now.”

But the Panthers did what good teams do, make their world the dominant one.

“We have a lot to work on,” said McIntire, whose team is at Hollis Brookline Friday night, “but I’m very proud of the way they showed up to play today.”