Nashua South's Molly Mullaney tries to outrun the reach of Nashua North's Anya Seo during Wednesday' Battle of the Brudge at Stellos Stadium. (Telegraph photo by TOM KING)

NASHUA – The Battle of the Bridge often brings out the best in the best.

So it was no surprise that Nashua South sophomore Carly Benzekri scored six goals in the Panthers’ 14-3 win over city rival Nashua North Wednesday at soggy Motta Field at Stellos Stadium.

But what might be a surprise is that in just a season and a half, she already has 100 points – achieved yesterday – and is closing in on 100 career goals. Amazing.

And she had no idea.

“Ciki (South coach McIntire) came up to me before the game and said ‘Hey, you have three points until you get 100,” Benzekri said. “I didn’t even know I was that close.”

Close wasn’t the way to describe yesterday’s game, but the two programs are at different levels right now. North still fought hard, was down 5-0 by early second quarter and 8-2 at the half.

Wednesday’s game was a little sloppy, McIntire admitted, but a lot of that had to do with the conditions and the rivalry.

Besides Benzekri, Ava Lacrosse scored her first varsity goal while Lexi McGuire had two goals and two assists.Briley Lansteiner and Gemma Williams both had two goals and an assist while Isabelle P:icano had a goal and Wylie Hart an assist. Emma Herlihy had three saves in the South net.

For theTitans, it was hats off to Savanna Basford, who had a hat trick. She had to fight off top South defenders such as Nicole DeJesus, Karina Santana and Maddie Langer.

The Titans are in a building phase, but there are positive signs. They have more players on their roster now than they’ve got more players now than the previous four years, according to first-year head coach (former assistant) Mike Seo,and as he said, “That’s a good sign.”

And he saw some positive signs yesterday too despite the final score.

“Today I saw some bright spots,” Seo said. “I saw some of the girls do some of the things we’ve been working on in practice. And we’re a work in progress.”

Meanwhile, the Panthers are enjoying success, hoping to claw their way to the next level. They face Pinkerton on Friday and host Souhegan next Monday, very good tests.

Carly Benekri celebrates her 100th career point with her Nashua South teammates after Wednesday’s win over rival Nashua North at Stellos Stadium. (Telegraph photo by TOM KING)

“We’re having a great year, we really started off strong,” Benzekri said. “Even like the hard teams, we’re working so well together and improving each game.”

Benzekri is part of a strong sophomore class that is learning to blend in with the upperclassmen now but gives South a bright future.

“If we can get them all up to speed and all playing together, which they’re starting to get there, they’re going to be a force to reckon with if we can keep them together, but add a few other pieces,” McIntire said.

But she loves the pieces she has now.

“They genuinely like being around each other and the like to spread the wealth,” McIntire said. “I know North has been working really hard in the off-season as well, they’ve got some good pieces that hopefully they can build on as well. …

“I’m glad we could get a win today because we have a tough month this month.”