The Karns City girls soccer team was cruising in the first half against Clearfield in the District 9 Class AA semifinals Tuesday in Brockway.

Two Hunter Dittman goals in the first 18 minutes gave the Gremlins a comfortable 2-0 lead and the defense didn't give up a shot on goal in the first 40 minutes.

But the second half was a struggle for Karns City, which held off Clearfield 2-1 to punch its ticket to the district championship match next week.

“In the second half we weren't as successful,” said Karns City coach Tracy Dailey. “We weren't winning the 50-50 balls and we had to defend a lot more.

“When we got back into the locker room and warmed up after the game, I told them, 'I'm not doing my job if I don't address our play in the second half,'” Dailey added.

Dailey is hoping that doesn't carry over into the title match next week against Brookville, a 2-1 winner over top-seeded Saint Marys, at a site and time to be determined.

Karns City has won six consecutive district titles and 20 of 23.

Dittman helped the Gremlins (12-4) get an early handle on this semifinal. A senior, she is now the team's leading scorer with 15 goals.

Karns City was hit by several injuries this season, including one to last year's second-leading scorer, Hannah Knoll, who is out for the season with a torn ACL.

“Hunter has stepped up this year, not that she hasn't stepped up in other years,” Dailey said. “She knew she needed to step up as a scorer and she has. She does everything well across the board.”

Girls Tennis

Brooke Bauer earned a dominating 6-0, 6-0 victory as Knoch swept Westmont Hilltop, 5-0, in the first round of the PIAA Class AA Girls Team Tennis Championship at the Gorilla House Gym in Altoona.

The Knights will move on to Hershey to play Scranton Prep at 11 a.m. Friday in the quarterfinals.

Singles: Laura Greb (K) d. Alyssa Kush 6-2, 6-3; Brooke Bauer (K) d. Lindsey Pullin 6-0, 6-0; Emma West (K) d. Abby Majercsik 6-1, 6-1

Doubles: Libby Conlon/Alex Jaksec (K) d. Sydney Proderbarac/Melanie Hong 6-1, 6-3; Jadyn Brown/Bri Walchesky (K) d. Lily Dudash/Sophie Hochfeld 6-0, 6-2

Girls Volleyball

Lexis Prementine had 19 digs and four kills, but Slippery Rock fell to Villa Maria 25-11, 25-15, 25-16.

Annika Peale added six kills and six digs, Morgan Malinski 14 assists and seven digs and Taylor Balint 14 digs for the Rockets.

Hockey

Tyler Draper had a goal and assist Monday night as Seneca Valley defeated Peters Township, 4-1.

Andrew Dimond, Michael Spokane and Luke Maier also scored for the Raiders. Drawing assists were Tyler Kocac, Bryce Korner, Noah Nicklas and goaltender Aiden Campbell.