ALLISON PARK — With a spot in the boys lacrosse state semifinals on the line, Seneca Valley proved to be the better team at the most crucial time.

Sewickley Academy had just pulled to within 10-7 by scoring four of the third period's final five goals, including two in the final minute from Ed Lally and Ben Brown.

"We really felt that if we scored the first goal of the fourth quarter to cut it to 10-8, Seneca Valley would start to second guess themselves," said Sewickley Academy coach Tim Hastings.

It was a goal never scored by the Panthers.

SV tallied both scores in the final period, posting a 12-7 win Saturday afternoon at Hampton High School's Fridley Field.

The Raiders (20-2) will face District 12 champion LaSalle College High School (20-2) in the PIAA semifinals at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Memorial Stadium in State College.

SV coach Peter Hoffman also realized the importance of the opening minutes of Saturday's fourth quarter.

"We knew the next goal was going to be a critical one," he said.

SV's Rob Fyock and Joe Natoli both thwarted Sewickley possessions by intercepting passes early in the fourth period and goalie Brian Bohn withstood several rushes by the Panthers, opening the door for Jordan Kelly.

The Raiders' sophomore midfielder scored the crucial goal, giving SV an 11-7 edge with 6:41 left on the clock.

Just over a minute later, Will Koontz capped the scoring with his second goal of the game.

"We were a bit off at the end of the third," said Fyock, a midfielder who scored three goals in the game. "We just needed to settle down. I think in the end, we just wanted it more."

The Raiders defeated Sewickley 15-6 in the regular season.

"We were pretty successful in the first matchup," said Hoffman. "We felt pretty good about the individual matchups entering this game, but Sewickley is well-coached and they always seem to react well in big games."

It took SV just over six minutes of the first period to open up a 4-0 lead thanks to goals by Fyock, Andy Hickmann, Jake McAndrew and Sean O'Rourke.

The Raiders' lead was 4-2 after one quarter and 7-3 at halftime.

SV's goal scorers included McAndrew (3), Fyock (3), O'Rourke (2), Koontz (2), Kelly and Hickmann.

Bohn and Sewickley's Max Pawk both had nine saves.

Lally scored four times to lead the Panthers (18-5).

"We were looking forward to this game," said Hastings. "It just didn't happen for us today. (Bohn) came up big and Seneca is a great team."

With one more win, Seneca Valley will find itself in next Saturday's PIAA final.

"I've never been in this position before, so there's nothing to compare it to," said McAndrew. "I'm sure it will hit me soon."

The other state semifinal is between District 1 champion Conestoga and District 3 runner-up Manheim Township.