SELINSGROVE -- It's difficult enough to take on Selinsgrove at full strength. It only gets harder when you're at less than 100 percent.
The Shikellamy hockey team, ravaged by flu -- just the regular strain, not the H1N1 virus -- was already an underdog when the Braves took the field for Thursday's District 4 Class AA quarterfinal at Harold L. Bolig Memorial Field. It sure didn't help that No. 7 seed Shikellamy was missing one starter, and six to seven players were making their first appearance on the field this week. Selinsgrove scored two goals over the first seven minutes as the second-seeded Seals rolled to a 6-2 victory on their home turf. Hope Burke had two goals and an assist, and Claire Steininger and Ashley Youngman each produced a goal and an assist as the Seals (18-1) reached the D-4 semifinals. Selinsgrove will take on No. 3 Mifflinburg, a 2-0 winner over Line Mountain, on Monday at 5 p.m. at Bucknell University's Graham Field.
"Our effort was great today. We came out strong," said Selinsgrove coach Cathy Keiser, whose Seals have reached at least the D-4 semifinals nine consecutive years. "We're still moving uphill. We can do better, but we're moving in the right direction."
Shikellamy, which finishes 11-8, was hampered all week by having to practice without its full complement of players due to an outbreak of flu at the school. Practice on Tuesday was even cancelled due to a lack of players.
"The last time we played hockey was Friday (a 2-1 victory over Central Columbia)," said Braves coach Pam Miller. "But (illness) isn't an excuse. We just didn't play as well as we needed to. You come out and you play the game with what you have."
The Seals dominated play from the start, controlling possession and scoring their first goal less than four minutes in. Ashtin Klingler's free hit from the 20 went to Hope Burke on the left side, and her quick catch-and-shoot staked Selinsgrove to the early lead.
Just three minutes later, the Seals made it 2-0 when Steininger collected a shot off pads and fed Burke for the goal. The duo reversed roles seven minutes later, when Steininger scored on a nifty backhand swipe from the right side, with the assist going to Burke for a 3-0 lead at intermission.
Candice Smith, Youngman and Amanda Gaugler added second-half scores for the Seals, and Keiser was able to clear her bench after the early lead.
"It was nice that I could play the whole team," Keiser said. "These kids (who don't start) have worked hard all season and they kept the intensity up. They showed that they can score, too."There were some bright spots for the Braves. Senior goalkeeper Danielle Hulsizer had a strong game with 16 saves, including two spectacular back-to-back saves at the 7:40 mark of the first half as the Seals threatened to make it 4-0. Hulsizer was peppered with 14 shots in the first half, many from close range.
"Danielle did a real nice job for us," Miller said.
And Shikellamy, which was shut out 3-0 and 5-0 in the teams' two meetings during the regular season, finally produced some goals against the Seals.
The Braves -- who didn't earn their first penalty corner until 17:45 left in the second half -- cut the deficit to 4-1 with 12:38 remaining when Erika Rohrbach converted off Chelsea Miller's free hit from the left side above the circle. Terra Hall added the Braves' second goal five minutes later on a penalty stroke, when she lifted the ball high and right past a diving Gabby Pagana, who relieved Amber Wendt in the Seals' cage to start the second half.
Selinsgrove finished with a 22-3 advantage in shots and a 10-5 edge in corners.
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Discussion
Selinsgrove reaches District 4 semifinals
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