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LEHMAN TWP. — Bishop Shanahan started fast.

The District 12 runner-ups from Downingtown in the Philadelphia suburbs needed just 15 seconds to begin the scoring and when Wyoming Seminary eventually got on the board, the Eagles needed just 13 seconds to respond on the way to a 17-5 romp in a first-round PIAA Class 2A girls lacrosse playoff game at Lake-Lehman.

Bishop Shanahan overwhelmed the Blue Knights early, taking a 6-0 lead in the first 2:34, leading to a timeout by coach Catie Kersey.

“I think we were just intimidated,” Kersey said. “The first couple minutes were challenging.

“Once we called a timeout and sort of settled in, Bishop Shanahan still dominated, but our team held our own out there. I’m proud of them.”

During the opening flurry, the Eagles raced through the Blue Knights defense off the draw, scoring the first two goals 22 seconds apart, the next two 29 seconds apart and the third pair 12 seconds apart.

“The biggest difference is the speed – we’re not necessarily used to seeing lacrosse played at that pace – and their stick skills,” Kersey said. “Those girls can throw right, left, any which way, so that makes it a little more difficult to defend.”

The skill difference showed more when the teams were on the move.

“I thought we played really good settled defense,” Kersey said. “They really hurt us in transition.

“I think that’s where that speed mattered.”

Bishop Shanahan junior Kaela Smith, who has already made an early commitment to play Division I lacrosse at St. Joseph’s, capped the 6-0 start with her 100th career goal. By then, teammate Abby Cooper had already scored twice.

Wyoming Seminary broke through when Abby Straub set up an Emily Sims goal with 19:53 left in the half, but Bishop Shanahan made its dominance clear by scoring twice in the next 25 seconds for an 8-1 lead.

The Eagles reached the Mercy Rule for the first time at 11-1 with 10:47 still remaining in the first half.

Christina Kilyanek scored twice, Straub had two assists and Mia Raineri made 12 saves for Wyoming Seminary, which went unbeaten in the Wyoming Valley Conference before winning its seventh straight District 2 title.

The Blue Knights play outside the area in their non-league schedule to help prepare them both for local title runs and trying to be ready for state play.

Kersey said gaining on the state’s lacrosse hotbeds, however, will remain challenging until more northeastern Pennsylvania players choose lacrosse as their primary sport and spend time in it outside the high school season, therefore elevating the level of play across the entire district.

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Bishop Shanahan 17, Wyoming Seminary 5

Bishop Shanahan `12 `5 `–` 17

Wyoming Seminary `3 `2 ` —` 5

SCORING – BS, Jessica Holowsko (3 goals), Kaela Smith (2 goals, assist), Abby Cooper (2 goals, assist), Hannah Levan (2 goals), Kenzie Staska (2 goals), Erin O’Donnell (2 goals), Alyssa Manley (goal), Lauren Vivorito (goal), Anna Seifert (goal), Gabby Richter (assist), Kelsey French (assist). WS, Christina Kilyanek (2 goals), Bari Lefkowitz (goal), Emily Sims (goal), Kate Romanowski (goal), Abby Straub (2 assists). Shots – LL 21, SEM 23. Saves – BS 7 (Jess Gorr), SEM 12 (Mia Raineri).

Wyoming Seminary’s Alexis Sokach works her way past Bishop Shanahan defenders.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/web1_TTL053117LAX-SEM2.jpg.optimal.jpgWyoming Seminary’s Alexis Sokach works her way past Bishop Shanahan defenders. Aimee Dilger | Times Leader

Wyoming Seminary’s Emily Sims finished with a goal in the game.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/web1_TTL053117LAX-SEM3.jpg.optimal.jpgWyoming Seminary’s Emily Sims finished with a goal in the game. Aimee Dilger | Times Leader

Bari Lefkowitz catches the ball as Bishop Shanahan defender applies pressure.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/web1_TTL053117LAX-SEM4.jpg.optimal.jpgBari Lefkowitz catches the ball as Bishop Shanahan defender applies pressure. Aimee Dilger | Times Leader

Wyoming Seminary’s Abigail Straub and Christina Kilyanek hug after their team’s 17-5 loss to Bishop Shanahan in the first round of the PIAA Class 2A girls lacrosse championship on Tuesday at Lake-Lehman.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/web1_TTL053117LAX-SEM1.jpg.optimal.jpgWyoming Seminary’s Abigail Straub and Christina Kilyanek hug after their team’s 17-5 loss to Bishop Shanahan in the first round of the PIAA Class 2A girls lacrosse championship on Tuesday at Lake-Lehman. Aimee Dilger | Times Leader

By Tom Robinson

For Times Leader

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