One and done
MURRYSVILLE — It's tough keeping up with a Comet — just ask the Seneca Valley girls lacrosse team.
In the program's first PIAA playoff game, the Raiders fell behind early and were ousted by Penn Manor 26-9 Tuesday afternoon at Franklin Regional High.
The Comets' firepower included three players, Alicia Burns (7), Julie Falk (7) and Maddy Hess (5), with at least five scores.
Falk has scored more 120 goals this season and recently was named the Lancaster-Lebanon League's Most Valuable Attacker.
Penn Manor High is located in Millersville.
"We had never been to the state tournament and had never faced this team," said SV coach Dina Hughes. "I think our girls may have come out a bit intimidated.
"We knew Penn Manor had all-around good skills and that they were very aggressive," she added. "That's what we had trouble with today: their aggressiveness."
Penn Manor (18-4) opened a 6-1 lead before four minutes had elapsed in the first quarter.
"Our offense has done it all season for us," said Comets coach Jim Miller. "The speed we have at midfield was too much for (Seneca Valley)."
The Raiders (17-5) found themselves down 9-1 midway through the first half before they pulled to within five after consecutive scores by Sam Struss, Jen Cwik and Morgan Midkiff.
But Penn Manor scored five of the next seven goals and led 14-6 at halftime.
Struss beat Comets goalie Lauren Ali 40 seconds into the second half to cut SV's deficit to 14-7, but the Raiders drew no closer than that.
"Seneca Valley was in a position where they had to take chances on defense, they had to try and force turnovers, and we took advantage of that," said Miller.
Struss led SV with four goals and finishes the season with 86 scores. Paige Corathers and Midkiff each scored twice and Cwik once.
Lauren Moran made eight saves for the Raiders and Ali seven for the Comets.
Hughes said she hopes the game serves as a learning experience for her returning players.
"These other teams in the state playoffs are no different from us," said Hughes. "Once we realize that, I think we'll do better.
"No Seneca Valley team had ever made it to the state tournament before this year," Hughes added. "These girls should be proud of their accomplishments. This is now the standard for our program."
Playing their final game for SV were seniors Brooke Arrington, Jen Cwik, Ally Zezinka and Jenna Fronzaglio.
"The seniors have been good leaders," said Hughes. "Even today they kept the team positive when we were down.
"We're going to miss that, but we do have a lot coming back," she added. "I think the state playoffs will see us again."
