Why did successful season runs end in PIAA openers for D-10 lacrosse champs Prep, Conneaut?

Another season ended in familiar fashion for District 10’s lacrosse champions.

Three of D-10’s four 2023 champs took to the PIAA playoffs Tuesday, where each were dealt a first-round loss. Local action included a Class 2A doubleheader at Dollinger Field, where the Conneaut girls fell to Blackhawk 17-3 and the Cathedral Prep boys were bested by South Fayette 9-4.

It marked the end of successful runs by a pair of three-time defending D-10 champions who were, like in 2021 and 2022, bested by foes from District 7.

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Ramblers can’t withstand second-half pressure

A six-minute third quarter stretch altered Prep’s chances against South Fayette (19-1), the runner-up from the WPIAL of D-7.

The visiting Lions poured in four goals across the latter half of the quarter, stretching their 3-1 lead to 7-1. Prep (13-7) hung around but couldn’t break through a stout SF defense, and despite withstanding much of the Lions’ attack, only saw the deficit on the scoreboard grow.

“We were having a tough time clearing the ball and getting it out of our zone, and their defense was doing a really good job at limiting what we wanted to do on offense,” said Prep head coach Andrew Smykowski. “A couple takeaways, then they went right down and strung together nice possessions.”

Drew Welhorsky led SF with four goals while Spence Hondru scored three. Owen Callaghan scored three for Prep and Will McBrier added one.

“Our guys left it all on the line,” Smykowski said. “I’m so proud of this group — their fight, their resilience. They didn’t waver and kept fighting until the last couple seconds, so I couldn’t be more proud of these guys.”

Conneaut caves to Blackhawk

Eight different players scored for the Blackhawk girls (16-2), which dominated faceoffs and possession and only got stronger after a 9-3 halftime advantage against Conneaut (11-7). Six different scorers accounted for the first six Cougar goals, and Mia Piocquidio finished with a game-high five.

“Any time we get to the state playoffs, we see a different style of play,” Conneaut head coach Scott Shannon said. “It’s rough; it’s aggressive. You have to play a game where you don’t make mistakes. We just made a lot of mistakes today and (Blackhawk) took advantage of it.”

Jacqui Detelich scored two goals for Conneaut and Victoria Medrick scored the other. Tuesday’s winners advanced to Saturday’s quarterfinals.

Last week:What's next for Cathedral Prep boys, Conneaut girls after winning D-10 lacrosse titles?

“We’ve been able to build a culture of success these last three years and that’s what’s expected now,” Shannon said. “It’s expected that we are going to be competing for a district title and a region title, and really be fighting through it every night.”

Class 3A

The McDowell girls (11-7) traveled to WPIAL champion Pine-Richland (19-3) in Tuesday’s Class 3A first round, falling 20-2. Lexi Rich and Lauren Hain each scored a goal for McDowell.

The McDowell boys (7-9) will visit WPIAL champion Mt. Lebanon (18-3) Wednesday at 6 p.m.

More:2023 District 10 lacrosse standings

Contact Jeff Uveino at juveino@timesnews.com. Follow him on Twitter@realjuveino.