EXETER - Exeter High School's Riley Benevides scored 39 goals in a very impressive freshman girls lacrosse season in 2025 for the Blue Hawks.
Now a sophomore, Benevides, a midfielder, has scored 24 goals in Exeter's first five games this season, and is on pace for nearly 90 goals this season.
"That's incredible, especially as a sophomore," Benevides smiled and said on her current pace. "It comes from the support of all of my teammates; I'm definitely not doing it alone at all."
Her latest goal was the game-winning overtime goal in Exeter's 12-11 win over Londonderry on April 23. Exeter has won three straight games and is 4-1 entering Friday's rivalry clash at home against Winnacunnet, the defending Division II state champion.
Benevides, who had eight assists to go along with her 39 goals as a freshman, scored six goals in Exeter's win against Londonderry. It was the second time in as many games in which Benevides has scored six goals this season.
Benevides scored five goals in Exeter's 17-3 win over Windham in the season-opener. She had five goals in a 16-0 win over Concord, six in a 15-3 win over Salem, and two in a 11-4 loss to Souhegan.
Benevides' game-winning goal, the first one in her high school career, occurred in the first minute of overtime against the Lancers.
"When we went into overtime, we had our mind set on winning," Benevides said. "It was really important, and I knew I had been performing well the whole game, and I wanted to keep that momentum going. I did what I could, and finished strong."
Benevides said her goal was incredible and amazing, but was quick to deflect the credit.
"I was so supported by all of my teammates, too," she said. "It was just an incredible moment."
Benevides knew she would have to step up for the Blue Hawks, who lost several starters from last year's team which advanced to the Division I semifinals.
"I knew there would be some big shoes to fill, so I worked really hard in the offseason," Benevides said, adding she played club lacrosse with the New Hampshire Tomahawks. "I knew I'd be prepared for this moment and I'm really just excited to show it off."
Phoebe Christenson, a senior and Division I all-state first-team selection last year, has known Benevides since she was in the sixth grade.
"Riley has always been an excellent lacrosse player," Christenson said. "Freshman year, she stepped on the field already starting and she's always just been a great player. I think she's stepping into those (leadership) shoes and it's great to be able to work with Riley."
Exeter head coach Angela Palmer said Benevides has taken on much more of a leadership role with the offense as the Blue Hawks are implementing a "pretty tricky, complicated college offense" this season.
"She's really taken the initiative on learning everything and trying to get everybody up to speed," Palmer said. "So, she's really grown as a player."
"I think (my role) has gotten bigger and I'm just excited to show that I can do it," Benevides said, adding that she is always working on her stick work and staying in shape.
From a standout freshman season, Benevides said the biggest learning point is how much more of a team game lacrosse is, and how to rely on her teammates more.
And what's more troubling for opposing defenders and teams is that Benevides is naturally a left-hander, making it difficult for teams to game-plan for.
"I'm a lefty, so it's harder for defenders to know that's coming, but I also have a strong non-dominant hand," Benevides said. "I can shoot from both sides, which is huge. I've been working on that a lot, and I have speed."