SHALER TWP — Twenty seconds.

That's how long it took Butler to seize control of its WPIAL Division II boys lacrosse semifinal game against Erie Cathedral Prep Wednesday night at Shaler High.

Tyler Kotch scored the Golden Tornado's first goal 20 seconds into the game as Butler cruised to a 13-4 triumph over the Ramblers.

Kotch wound up with three goals and two assists. Nathan Barthlow scored five goals and has 12 in two playoff games after netting 26 goals during the regular season.

"We were ready to play tonight," Barthlow said. "That early goal showed we were going to be coming after them all night."

The Tornado (17-2) will face Hampton (18-2) in the Division II championship game at 5:30 p.m. Friday at Chartiers Valley. The Talbots knocked off Greensburg Central Catholic 13-7 in the other semifinal Wednesday.

Cathedral Prep head coach Jeff Lord was out of town and not at his team's semifinal. Assistant coach Tom Eighmey ran the team.

"We didn't match their intensity in the first half," Eighmey said. "That was disappointing to me. They had fire in their belly and we didn't."

Butler had an 8-1 lead by intermission and outshot the Ramblers 22-9 in the game.

The Tornado defeated Cathedral Prep 12-7 in their regular season matchup at Art Bernardi Stadium.

"Our offense controlled play enough tonight that our defenders were fresh when (the Ramblers) had possession in our end," Butler coach Ed Swierczyk said.

Tornado goalie Alex Hill made five saves, including three from close range.

Cody Conklin had two goals and two assists for the Tornado. Cody Bachman added two goals and Pat Hitchan scored one.

When Cathedral Prep did score in the second half, Butler answered almost immediately.

Conner Edgar pulled the Ramblers within 10-3 by scoring 37 seconds into the final quarter. With an assist from Bachman, Barthlow answered 58 seconds later.

Erik Hultgren scored for the Ramblers with 9:09 remaining before Bachman countered for Butler 28 seconds later.

Hultgren led Cathedral Prep with a goal and an assist. He scored two goals in the final 30 seconds to force overtime in the Ramblers' first playoff game last week.

"That was the first playoff win in our program's history," Eighmey said. "We had a week to prepare for this game and we weren't mentally prepared.

"This was a fairly even game in the second half, but it was too late by then."

Max Easly was the Ramblers' (12-8) leading scorer during the regular season with 29 goals. He was kept off the scoresheet Wednesday.

"But Hultgren is the heart of their attack and we contained him," Swierczyk said. "They didn't seem quite sure of what to do once we did that."

Butler defeated Hampton 12-7 in their regular-season matchup.

"We're the two best teams," Swierczyk allowed. "This should be quite a final."