Wyoming Seminary has put together many streaks during its recent run of field hockey success.
One of the most impressive reached a baker’s dozen Saturday at Selinsgrove.
Ella Barbacci produced her second straight state tournament hat trick as the Blue Knights ran their streak of state tournament wins to 13 with a 5-1 victory over Boiling Springs in the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association Class A semifinal.
Since losing to Greenwood, 2-1, in the 2017 state final, Wyoming Seminary has won three straight state championships and 13 straight PIAA state tournament games.
Add in three District 2 playoff games in each of the last four seasons and the Blue Knights have won their last 25 playoff games.
Barbacci scored three goals and Maddie Olshemski had the other two during the latest victory in which the Blue Knights opened a 5-0 lead before allowing a late goal.
Laine Cabell made five saves in the win.
Barbacci got the scoring started in the first quarter by ripping a hard shot from the left wing on a penalty corner play.
Olshemski then worked the ball past goalie Eva Hancock from close range on the right side for a 2-0 lead in the second quarter.
Barbacci scored again from nearly the same spot on the left side and the Blue Knights were off and running.
Both players scored one more time before Alex Bandura scored the only goal for Boiling Springs, a 20-win team from District 3.
Wyoming Seminary advances into the state semifinal at 4:30 Tuesday at Whitehall against Line Mountain, a 1-0 winner over Greenwood in double overtime in the first game of the Saturday doubleheader at Selinsgrove.
Crestwood, Lake-Lehman and Wyoming Area, all Wyoming Valley Conference rivals of Wyoming Seminary, have shut out Line Mountain this season during the team’s ambitious non-league schedule.
