High School Lacrosse (Playoffs):
Shawnee Holds Off Delran's Attack

Thursday, May 21, 1998

By Gary Steiner
SJSports Staff Writer

In quarterfinal playoff action, 13th-seeded Delran visited 5th-seeded Shawnee, looking for another upset win after defeating 4th-seeded Pingry 17-13 on the road. The Lady Renegades had previously defeated the Lady Bears 7-5 in their hard fought regular season game. Defense would again be the name of the game as the Lady Renegades shut down Delran's attack.

Shawnee quickly got down to business, scoring first off of a free position by Dana Griffith. This was immediately followed by a quick goal from Kate Gilland, then Dana Griffith's second goal from a free position. Delran called a time-out to try to settle things down, but Shawnee immediately answered with their 4th goal, this one also from a free position and Kate Galland's second. Shawnee would score their 5th unanswered goal, a score by DeeAnn Messenger, before Delran finally got on the scoreboard with a shot by Beth Starkey just before half-time.

In the second half, the Lady Renegades would continue their defensive hold on the Lady Bears. Kate Gilland would score her third goal to open the half. Delran's lead scorer Lauren Simone would score her only goal of the game to end her high school career with a Delran school record of 217 goals.

Shawnee's Julie Branin would make the shot of the day, catching a pass high in mid air and with an acrobatic twist flipped the ball past the Delran goalie.

Delran's third and final goal would come on a shot by Kristine Kasprzak. Shawnee's Kate Gilland would end it all with her career best 4th goal of the game. The Lady Renegades now move on to the semi-finals with an 8-3 win.