DERRY — A pivotal stretch in Pinkerton Academy's schedule is under way.

The Astros started it with a win that coach Brian O'Reilly called the best of the season — so far.

“We're getting better and better. Young team. We had a good week last week, obviously, not against the iron. But we played very well against those teams,” O'Reilly said after his Derry club defeated high-octane Hanover, 9-7, Monday in Division I boys' lacrosse.

The outcome snapped Hanover's nine-game win streak. It also prevented Pinkerton from watching the Marauders win at Memorial Field for the first time.

Attackman Josh Gallant scored three goals, his third the insurance marker and dagger with 26.3 seconds remaining in regulation.

But sophomore midfielder J.D. Dudek (goal) made the contest's biggest play.

The Astros (9-3, 7-2 Div. I) were protecting an 8-7 lead when they were whistled for offsides with 66 seconds left on the clock.

The turnover gave the Marauders (9-2, 5-2 Div. I) a terrific chance to knot the score.

After Christian Wolter (two assists) sent a bid sailing high over the crossbar, Dudek, on a restart, intercepted a pass whipped from behind the cage.

“We had one of our guys run off (the field) and I was caught covering two guys,” said Dudek, a statewide star in boys' hockey. “I just had to make a play. I split them, saw the pass, and anticipated it.”

Fifty-one seconds remained when Dudek's defense thwarted Hanover's attempt to tie.

Minutes earlier, the Marauders positioned themselves for some late-game magic. Christian Johansen (two goals, assist) cut Pinkerton's lead to 8-7.

“We certainly didn't play our best game. And Pinkerton had some stuff to do with that,” said Hanover coach Jeff Reed, whose club's lone lead was 1-0, courtesy of Alex Krass. “My hat's off to them.”

Goaltending was superb, too. Pinkerton's Pearce Connal (15 saves) and Hanover's James Washington (nine saves) ensured the game's largest lead was just two tallies, a cushion the Astros built three times.

But every time Hanover threatened to take control, Pinkerton had the answer.

Brendan Megan's lefty rocket from just inside the restraining box snapped a 6-all tie midway through the third quarter.

Megan's marker lifted the Astros into the lead for the third — and final — time.

“Every game we play, we're getting more and more experience. Our kids are starting to see more and more situations,” said O'Reilly, whose boys on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. seek to avenge an 11-9 loss against arch-rival Londonderry. “But we're doing a lot of things better.”