Looking at the scoreboard at halftime, it showed Emmaus 6, Parkland 7. It was just a one-goal game in favor of Parkland, which was unusual for the Trojans girls lacrosse team this year. They've had most games in hand by hafltime. But this rivalry always brings out the best in both teams.

A back-and-forth first half, with a couple of lead changes saw the score at 7-6 at intermission. But an offensive outburst from Parkland, with 13 goals scored in the second half gave the Trojans a much more relaxed victory, 20-9 last Tuesday night in the rainy conditions at Emmaus High School's Memorial Field.

The loss was the third straight for the Hornets who dropped to 1-3 overall and 1-1 in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference. It also marked the eighth straight time dating back to the 2012 season that Emmaus has lost to its biggest rival.

"We've been in all of our [losses] in the first half," said head coach Nancy DeBellis. "So we have to figure out how to play for a full game. We need to be able to finish strong, and we will be able to win more games."

Staggard, along with senior Sophia Castillo paced Parkland offensively. And they each had to step up even more with the absence of senior midfielder Mackenzie Galli, one of the team's leading scorers. Galli was injured one game earlier against Easton.

"We know she's a threat and they try to get her the ball," said DeBellis of Castillo. "She gets the ball and she gets good looks on net, and she makes them count. We have some young girls out there, so as the season moves along I think there will be improvements."

Staggard had a season-high five goals and three assists, and Castillo also tallied a season-best eight goals and an assist.

Castillo opened up the scoring just 40 seconds in, and was followed by Lexi Rice to give the Trojans a quick 2-0 lead. But that didn't last long.

Emmaus got two back from Paige Weaver and Destanee Watkins. Then Staggard and Cathleen Gaffney helped to bring another two-goal advantage, but once again the Green Hornets tied it back up with Mikelle Wills and Madalyn Dorn finding the back of the net.

There would be one more lead change, and just as it looked like Parkland was going to hold more than a goal edge into the second half, Tara Tracchio scored with just 19 seconds left to make it 7-6 at halftime.

In the second half, the Trojans wasted no time. Shannon Bushinsky, Castillo, Gaffney and Staggard hit four straight for a five-goal lead. Emmaus would get three back to make it tight once again, but then Parkland scored the final ten goals, as two freshman, Camryn Barnett and Abby Pope got onto the score sheet.