DENVER | In a season of firsts, one more remains for the future for the Regis Jesuit girls lacrosse team — a trip to the state championship game.
Playing as the top seed in the playoffs for the first time and making their way to the semifinals for the first time, the Raiders fell just short of making its debut in the state final as well with a heartbreaking 16-15 loss to fifth-seeded Centaurus Saturday.
The Warriors — who knocked Regis Jesuit out of the playoffs for the third time in the past five seasons — scored 11 goals in the second half and got the game-winner from Sarah Myres with just three seconds left in regulation in the second of two semifinals at Barton Lacrosse Stadium on the campus of the University of Denver.
Centaurus advanced to the state championship game against third-seeded Cherry Creek, which topped No. 2 Air Academy 13-9 in the first semifinal. The final is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. May 22 at Barton Lacrosse Stadium.
Regis Jesuit — which took issue with some questionable officiating — had to play a man down for the last 20 minutes of the game as it tried to hold a lead that sat at 14-9 with just over minutes remaining on the clock.
Coach Billy Corbett’s Raiders (15-3) suffered their only two in-state losses on the season to Centaurus, which also rallied to win 13-11 when the teams played on April 13. Regis Jesuit’s other loss came to visiting Los Alamitos, Calif.
Senior Erin Sungelo scored four goals to lead the way for the Raiders, while senior Erin Schilmoeller added three and senior Kathryn Blumhardt and freshman Kathleen Roe tallied two apiece.
Emma Bohn was credited with 11 saves for Regis Jesuit.
Reach Sports Editor Courtney Oakes at sports@aurorasentinel.com or 303-750-7555
(5) CENTAURUS 16, (1) REGIS JESUIT 15
Score by halves:
Centaurus 5 11 — 16
Regis Jesuit 7 8 — 15
Regis Jesuit goals: Erin Sungelo 4, Erin Schilmoeller 3, Kathryn Blumhardt 2, Kathleen Roe 2, Madeline Ball, Kellen Foster, Courtney Gielow, Nina Kelley. Centaurus goals: Sarah Myres 4, Audrey Brown 4, Sarah Brown 3, Olivia Holmes 2, Katherine Burns 1, Tessa Hannigan 1, Andrea Kim 1. Regis Jesuit assists: Foster 2, Faye Hubregsen 2, Roe, Sungelo. Centaurus assists: Burns 3, Avery McGiboney 2, Sarah Brown 1.