LEETSDALE — The only thing that seemed to be able to stop the Mars girls lacrosse team in the second half was time.

The Planets scored six of the last eight goals over the final 14 minutes of the match, but the furious rally fell short in a 16-11 loss to Oakland Catholic in the WPIAL 2A playoffs Wednesday night at Quaker Valley High School.

“I’m going to get emotional,” said first-year Mars head girls lacrosse coach Cara DuMont. “I couldn’t be prouder of my team. They 100 percent never give up. It doesn’t matter what the score is, they keep fighting. They’re 100 percent a second-half team. I believe in them so they believe in themselves. They fought to the final buzzer.”

Unfortunately for Mars (11-8), a slow start doomed the Planets.

Oakland Catholic roared out to a 4-0 lead less than four minutes into the match. Natalie Cyterski scored twice and assisted on the other two goals in the flurry.

Cyterski finished with six goals to lead the Eagles.

Mars, though, answered with two goals of its own off the sticks of Paige Seles and Steph Cimini.

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