After punch ticket to their first-ever PIAA girls lacrosse tournament appearance, Bellefonte was looking to capture its first state tournament win as they went up against a tough juggernaut in Quaker Valley at the friendly confines of Rogers Stadium on Tuesday.

Being the new kids on the block in state tournament, the Red Raiders were tough early on and battled throughout, but the veteran Quakers were too much as Quaker Valley ended the feisty Red Raiders’ season with a 19-5 victory.

The Quakers came into the contest sporting a record of 16-3 and 9-1 in their conference, finishing second in their league. Two of those losses were to another legendary lacrosse team in Mars. The other was from another post season team in Upper St. Clair. Bellefonte came in with a play in victory last week against Cathedral Prep, winning 9-5.

Bellefonte’s goalie Ava Hill finished the day with 12 hard-earned saves.

TIM WEIGHT/For The Express Bellefonte players defend against Quaker Valley during Tuesday's PIAA tournament contest in Bellefonte.

Bellefonte did play a good team from the WPIAL, who were the No. 2-ranked team out there at 16-3.

“I get it. The big thing we wanted to work on today was our defense. We played good defense,” said Bellefonte coach Kerry O’Hara. “We knew what they were going to bring. We knew they were going to play and hold it, hold it, hold it, and then run a play. We knew that we just got to learn from that and try to do better.”

“The best part about this whole experience is we lose one senior, so of a 19-girl roster, 18 are coming back. Hopefully get some new 8th graders up that are going to play,” O’Hara continued. “So, yeah, listen, I’m extremely proud of these girls. We were one and one in the postseason.”

In the first quarter the opening possession went to Quaker Valley. The Quakers drove down and worked the ball around, trying to find a good shot. Katharine Miller scored first for the Quakers as she sent a shot through at the 10-minute makr. She would finish with five goals on the night to pace Quaker Valley.

Bellefonte battled right back on the following Red Raiders possession. Junior Zoe Wilson blazed her way downfield and into the heart of the Quarkers defense. He was shot was sent through traffic. She sent a screamer past, Quaker Valley’s goalie with 9:07 shoing.

TIM WEIGHT/For The Express Bellefonte players get ready to go onto the field and start Tuesday's PIAA playoff game against Quaker Valley.

After consecutive Quaker goals by Grace Keisel, the Red Raiders defense tightened up, keeping any attempt for easy penetration inside. When the first quarter ended the Red Raiders trailed only 3-1.

Defense led the way for the Red Raiders in the first holding Quaker Valley to just three goals. However, in the second, the Quakers got its transition game going into high gear. After working ball around and driving, Miller was back at it hitting a goal at 9:56 to go up 4-1.

The Red Raiders went right back to work as well. Lila Dawson cut into the Quaker Valley lead. Dawson took a start up pass and went to heart of defense where she was fouled in the crease. Seconds later she finished with a goal at 9:43, 4-2.

Quaker Valley went on a 5-0 run to go ahead of the Red Raiders, 9-2. Despite the run, Bellefonte continued to battle through. At 2:51 left in the first half, the Red Raiders scored to cut the lead to six, 9-3. Saydie Murphy went strong across the middle blistering a shot.

At the half, the Red Raiders found themselves trailing, 11-3, however that didn’t stop them from battling. After a strong halftime talk between the coaches and players, the group continued to put everything out on the line and came out of the intermission with a quick goal.

TIM WEIGHT/For The Express Bellefonte's coach speaks with his players during Tuesday's PIAA playoff game against Quaker Valley.

Taylor Badger came out and took the opening possession and sent it through at 11:38, 11-4. But the quick-scoring Quakers again got strong up front play, scoring the next five goals, going into the fourth holding a 16-4 advantage.

Trailing 17-4 minutes into the final quarter, Bellefonte added another goal. Aubrey Barnard scored with 6:50 left to conclude the scoring for the Red Raiders.

Despite the visitors added the next two goals, the Red Raiders stood cheering on their teammates to the very end.

Though the game didn’t go as planned, nobody could take away the thrilling end of the season that saw them make team history with a play-in win and a PIAA state-tournament berth. Something that next year’s team who only loses one senior can build upon for next season.

TIM WEIGHT/For The Express Bellefonte's Emerson Holderman (20) and Lydia Smoyer (8) walk off the field during Tuesday's PIAA playoff game against Quaker Valley.

TIM WEIGHT/For The Express Bellefonte competes against Quaker Valley during Tuesday's PIAA playoff game.

TIM WEIGHT/For The Express Bellefonte players defend against Quaker Valley during Tuesday's PIAA playoff game.

TIM WEIGHT/For The Express Zoey Wilson of Bellefonte scores a goal during Tuesday's PIAA playoff game against Quaker Valley on Tuesday.