Raiders rammed
JACKSON TWP — For everything Seneca Valley tried to do, Pine-Richland had an answer, and then some.
The Rams' girls lacrosse team was fast out of the gate Thursday night, taking a 5-1 lead just over 10 minutes into the game.
The Raiders, who could have moved to within a half game of the Rams for first place in Section 2 with a victory, were never able to get closer than a three-goal deficit in a 16-5 loss at NexTier Stadium.
The first meeting between the teams proved much closer, with the Rams winning 9-8 on April 3.
“We didn't play to our level in the first game,” said Pine-Richland coach Tori Trombetta. “I didn't think we'd win by as much as we did tonight, but our girls played really well.”
SV (8-2, 6-2) struggled to keep possession and the Rams were more than happy to make the Raiders pay for it.
P-R senior Brittany Byerly led all scorers with six goals. Two of her tallies came late in the first half, giving the Rams a 9-4 edge at halftime.
“Coming into the game, we were more concerned with (Drew Hayden, four goals),” said Seneca Valley coach Dina McCaskey. “But Pine-Richland is a fast team all-around. We needed to work together and play team defense tonight.”
Down by five goals entering the second half, the Raiders watched Tess Drotar score twice in the first two minutes and 18 seconds, putting P-R up 11-4. The first of those scores came just 22 seconds into the half.
Seneca Valley's frustration was exemplified on a possession nearly halfway through the second half.
The Raiders held the ball for almost three minutes, only to turn it over.
Though the team scored shortly thereafter — on a shot from Maddie Koontz — SV never was able to mount a serious rally.
“Not keeping possession, throwing the ball away, we didn't play with good, fundamental skills tonight,” said McCaskey.
“Our defense had been struggling, but tonight the girls came out with their sticks up,” said Trombetta.
Haile Sandor made eight saves for the Raiders, while Kaelin Clogan stopped four shots for the Rams (9-1, 9-0).
Morgan Midkiff led SV with two goals, both coming in the first half. Also finding the cage for the Raiders were Kalie Soller and Gaby Nehr.
Drotar offered four goals for P-R while Hannah Christenson chipped in with two.
The Raiders will look to get back to their winning ways Tuesday at Sewickley Academy.
“The girls need to think about the decisions they made tonight,” McCaskey said. “We have a talented team, but can't afford to make bad decisions on the field like we did tonight.”
