BEDFORD — Defending the zone wasn't the problem for Pinkerton Academy of Derry.

Clearing it was another story.

“Our clearing tonight was not good and proved to be the difference in the game,” said Astros head coach Brian O'Reilly as top-ranked Bishop Guertin of Nashua squeaked out a 3-2 NHIAA Division I boys' lacrosse semifinal win Sunday night at Bedford High.

In the other semifinal contest, third-seeded Hanover scored three first-period goals in 34 seconds and three second-period goals in 46 seconds en route to a 14-7 victory over second-ranked Londonderry.

On Wednesday at 7 p.m. Bishop Guertin and Hanover will clash for the state title at Bedford High.

Pinkerton, held scoreless through three periods, nearly pulled off a major comeback, scoring two fourth-period goals. J.D. Dudek (9:17 left) and Peter Field (4:42) made for an exciting finish as Pinkerton had two possessions in the final 1:47 to send the contest into overtime.

But as was the story throughout the contest, Pinkerton's offense couldn't produce one shot in its last two possessions. In fact when the final horn sounded, the official stat on the game showed Pinkerton took only three shots and scored two goals in 48 minutes.

As Pinkerton head coach Brian O'Reilly pointed out after the game, “we had limited opportunities because we just couldn't clear our zone. We were happy with our defensive zone , something we worked on for a while preparing for this game. But we just couldn't generate enough offense.”

BG head coach Chris Cameron said he was “waiting for Pinkerton to come out of its zone and play us. We took the early 3-0 lead and we sat on it because we didn't mind wasting the clock.”

But even Cameron admitted that it was too close for comfort after Pinkerton closed the gap.

“Well we, certainly — and nobody, for that matter — want to be in a one-goal game with Pinkerton,” said Cameron. “Coach O'Reilly made the adjustments he needed to, to get back into the game. We just played good defense especially in the final two minutes, not allowing them a shot to tie it.”

Two of BG's three first half goals were produced late. The first goal came with just 5.9 seconds left in the first period, off the stick of Tom Vailas.

“That goal ends up being the one that hurts the most,” said O'Reilly. “We shouldn't have surrounded the ball at that juncture of the period.”

Hunter Allen produced the second BG goal with 7:31 left in the second period, converting a nice pass from Casey Burnett.

The last goal of the half, again adding to Pinkerton's frustration, came with just 1:08 left, as Connor Donahue weaved enough space to pop in his tally.

“Holding Pinkerton to two goals, if anyone told me we were going to do it before the game, I'd say we'd take it any time,” said Cameron. Pinkerton goalie Pearce Connal finished with 11 saves as O'Reilly confirmed after the game it was the lowest scoring game he's been involved in as head coach.

Hanover 14, Londonderry 7: In lacrosse, controlling and winning ground balls lead to valuable offensive possessions. It was that part of the game that allowed Hanover to control the tempo early and establish a hefty six-goal halftime lead.

“We're not very good when we are forced to settle the ball,” said Hanover head coach Jeff Reed. “We like to set tempo, fast tempo, that's our style.”

Londonderry (12-4) took its only lead of the game when Robert Hart (three goals) opened the scoring just 2:29 into the contest.

But in a blink of an eye Londonderry's lead was short-lived as Hanover (12-3) set tempo, scoring its first three goals in a span of 34 seconds from Christian Johansen, Ryan Brigham and Christian Wolter. Hanover would get another goal from Wolter for a 4-1 first period lead.

“You can't spend a lot of time in your defensive end, but credit them for winning the ground balls, maintaining possession and capitalizing on them,” said Londonderry head coach Joe McCune.

Hanover gained a 5-1 lead 2:10 into the second stanza when Alex Krass tucked home a high shot. Then the Marauders applied their second quick-lightning strike, scoring three more goals in a span of 46 seconds for an 8-1 advantage with 2:22 left in the first half.

Wolter, Brigham and Jesse Brown each found the twine during that critical spurt, leaving the Lancers a big hole to dig out of by halftime.

“At that point you can't get down,” said McCune of his team's 8-2 deficit at intermission. “You've got to stick together and battle back.”

Hanover extended its lead to 10-2 before the Lancers responded, scoring four of the next five goals.

Hart led the mini run with two goals while Eric Coburn and Trevor Plummer each netted a goal.

But Hanover managed to extend its lead as Johansen led everyone with four goals and one assist followed by Brown with three goals and three assists. Peter Bensen contributed one goal and three assists while Brigham and Wolter each had two goals.