MANCHESTER – The Pinkerton Academy-Bishop Guertin High School boys lacrosse rivalry is definitely back, bigger than ever.

Historically bigger.

The Astros on Wednesday ended an incredible Cardinals streak of success, as for the first time since 2004 BG won’t be in the finals after losing 11-9 in the Division I semis at Manchester Memorial’s Chabot-McDonough Field.

The loss ends 14-6 Guertin’s title game appearance streak at 20 straight years, not including 2020 when the pandemic forced cancellation of the spring season. The No. 3 Astros (18-3) will now play No. 1 Bedford (18-3) in the Divison I finals Saturday at 5 p.m.at Nashua’s Stellos Stadium.

“I don’t think we were sharp,” Guertin coach Brian Cameron said. “We didn’t take enough winning plays, there were a few loose balls, and I think we missed 10 one-on-ones.

“It’s a tough one to sit with. The seniors were amazing, but we weren’t prepared for our season to end today.”

Pinkerton, which really hadn’t been quite on the same level as the Cards after the pandemic, fired the first salvo in the renewed rivalry when they ended the Cards 86 in-state winning streak a month ago.In that game, Guertin was missing some key offensive pieces and looked out of sorts in a 9-8 loss.

In this game,defensively they had trouble dealing with the Astros, especially with six penalties to Pinketon’s one. And Pinkerton took full advantage.

“Absolutely, we like our guys,” Pinkerton coach Marty Auger said. “They’re quite good, don’t get me wrong, and we respect every single one of them. But we like our guys. Winning that first time gave us conidence. …We like to push. We excel when we push the ball.”

“They had the man ups, they scored on man up, scored in transition,” Cameron said. “I thought six-on-six we were pretty good.”

So how was the flow? Guertin never led, trailing 3-2 after one period and the Astros had a great second quarter to lead 7-3 at the half. BG held Pinkerton to two goals in the third quarter, but couldn’t really muster much of an offense and it was 9-5 going into the fourth quarter.

Pinketon extended the lead to 11-6 with 3:24 to go, but freshman faceoff man Hugh Roark was winning big time and the Cards went on a desperation run with goals by Hudson Schmitt, Sean McGarry (two goals) and Jack Redfern (two goals). That closed it to 11-9 with 1:04 but they couldn’t connect despite a couple of chances thereafter.

“We were ready for their pressure,” Auger said. “Their strength is their ‘D’ middies.”

Bishop Guertin’s Hugh Roark harrasses Pinkerton’s Dylan Stingel during Wednesday’s Division I semis in Manchester. (Telegraph photo by TOM KING)

Other goals for BG were by Cam Hayden, Jackson Warren, Hugh Roark, and Drew Redfern. Pinkerton was led by four goals each by Cade Johnston and Matt Gormandy, plus singles from Levi Weaver, Jackson Farrell and Ryson Michaud.

Pinkerton goalie Owen Perkins, who stymied BG in the first meeting, did so again on Wednesday with 18 saves. BG’s Jonah Feliciano had eight.

“Credit to them,” Cameron said. “They’re a complete game. They used the fuel from last year’s championship game (a one-sided BG 19-5 win) into this year. They came out different; hopefully we can do the same next year.”

“We felt like this year is our best chance,” Auger said, “of doing something special.”

And that’s what they did.