LONDONDERRY — Boston University recruit Jenny Thompson burst on the scene four years ago with her ability to consistently win the draw.

Londonderry, in crunch time of its up-for-grabs girls' lacrosse quarterfinal, benefited greatly from the senior midfielder's knack for obtaining possession.

Thompson's talents in the center circle translated to 5 of 6 late-game draw wins, and fueled third-seeded Londonderry's 13-10 Division I decision Wednesday against arch-rival and 3-seed Pinkerton Academy of Derry.

The Lancers (11-3 Div. I), in turn, won their 13th straight game against the Astros and earned a sixth consecutive trip to the state semifinals.

“They were going hard off the draw,” Thompson said of the Astros, trying to deny the three-time defending champs an unprecedented fourth consecutive NHIAA girls' lacrosse crown. “We had to go just as hard. There was definitely pressure.”

Until Slater called upon Thompson (six goals) to win those valuable possessions, the Lancers were hardly a lock to reach Saturday's Final Four at Southern New Hampshire University.

The underdog Astros (6-8 Div. I) erased a 7-4 halftime deficit and twice forced ties at 8- and 9-up. Freshman Maggie McCarthy's work in the circle led to a commanding 15-4 edge in possession wins off the draw.

Pinkerton was rewarded for its patience on offense. Attacker Riann Daziel (four goals) and Jacqueline Johnson (two goals, assist) did their parts to place the defending champs on upset alert.

“We were in this game,” first-year Pinkerton coach Rob Daziel said. “We hit a couple of post shots. That's lacrosse. Had a couple of breaks gone our way, it certainly could've been a different outcome.”

Thompson took her first draw with the game tied at 9, and 13 minutes, 46 seconds left in regulation. The reigning Union Leader Player of the Year won her first five matchups, and sandwiched free-position goals around strikes from attackers Leah Walter (three goals, three assists) and Caitlin Murphy (two goals).

Riann Daziel, on a feed from sister Kennedy (two goals, assist), stopped Londonderry's season-saving four-goal run with 75 seconds to play.

Courtesy of Thompson, though, the Lancers already drained the clock considerably with lengthy possessions.

“She's quite a player,” Londonderry coach Bob Slater said of his All-American. “BU is very, very lucky to get her.”