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LAX: Red Raiders light up scoreboard in 14-2 win over Mifflinburg

(TIM WEIGHT/FOR THE EXPRESS) Bellefonte’s Molly McKee attempts a shot in Thursday’s home contest versus the Mifflinburg Wildcats. The Red Raiders cruised to a dominant win, 14-2.

By KENNY VARNER

For The Express

BELLEFONTE – Fast and furious.

Such was the way the Bellefonte girls Lacrosse team scored its goals Thursday night, topping visiting Mifflinburg in grand fashion at 14-2.

Sometimes the best defense comes from a very talent-laden and skilled-front line.

Leading the way offensively for the Red Raiders were teammates Molly McKee and Elisabeth Macafee, who both erupted on offense. McKee had five scores while Macafee had four goals.

Lia Miner also finished with multiple goals, notching two on the night.

Bellefonte used its speed and talented-stick ability to force the ball back into the back-third of the Wildcats, resulting in a 34-shot effort while its defense allowed just two goals on six shots.

Goalkeeper Kayle Frantz had 12 saves on the afternoon.

“We focused a lot on making sure we pressured them in keeping it in the attack end, rather than letting the other team come down and have to play defense,” said Bellefonte coach Doug McKee. “We have two starting juniors and three starting freshmen and seven sophomores. They have progressed a lot. They have been working hard in practice. A lot of it’s been stick-work and focus. We talk about that at practice all the time. Just focus on catching the ball first and then move.”

And move they did.

Just minutes into the contest, the Bellefonte offense took the face off and pushed it into the circle.

With just 23:17 left in period, Macafee hit her first goal of the night, making it 1-0.

Despite taking the ball into the Wildcats’ area, Mifflinburg stole it then took the ball down into the Red Raiders’ end. The Wildcats tied it less than two minutes later.

From there it was all Bellefonte.

Lia Miner picked up a pass from Shea Kelley and blasted it into the Mifflinburg goal with just 19:04 left in the first.

Before the Wildcats knew what happened, the Red Raiders blew another shot past the Wildcats’ goalkeeper on an unassisted goal by Sarah Tobin, upping the lead to 3-1.

With Bellefonte dominating the attack area, it wasn’t long before the “Red and Black Attack” would find the net again.

McKee notched her opening score with a goal less than four minutes later.

When asked, the Bellefonte defense held the Wildcats at bay, thwarting any kind of run they were trying to push through.

With still 10:52 left, McKee tallied goal No. 2 while forcing Mifflinburg to take a timeout.

Leigha Schrader put her team up 6-1 as she bounced a shot straight through to the back of the net.

Miner hit goal No. 2 at the 5-minute mark, increasing the Red Raiders lead to a very secure 7-1 advantage.

But there was no let-up in the crew of aggressive, opportunistic players.

Less than a minute later McKee posted her third goal with 4:17 still left to go in the half.

With 1:04 left, Emma Astare put her name in the scoring list as she caught the back of the net, making it a 9-1 advantage.

But they weren’t quite done yet, Macafee pushed one more goal across to advance the lead with 47 ticks left.

In the second half, it was more of the same as Macafee and McKee would be the only scorers in the half. Macafee and McKee both had two each en route to the 14-2 victory.

Bellefonte ends its season Monday against Mifflin County.

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