RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Lewisburg's Isaac Ayres, shown in the District 4 final, had an assist in Saturday's PIAA Class AA quarterfinal against Devon Prep as the Green Dragons beat the Tide, 2-0, to advance to the state semifinals.

DILLSBURG –Regardless of whether or not Lewisburg holds a lead in a game, the Green Dragons and their coaching staff approach every half the same way: it’s a 0-0 game and go out and execute.

So, while Lewisburg went into the break up by a goal, the Green Dragons battled as if it was a scoreless game for the final 40 minutes. Lewisburg kept pressing and put in a second-half goal in the final minute to defeat Devon Prep, 2-0, and head to the PIAA Class AA semifinals after Saturday’s win at Northern High School in Dillsburg.

“(I told guys at halftime) it was 0-0 and we needed to work hard for 40 minutes, don’t have any regrets and the other team made some adjustments,” Lewisburg coach Ben Kettlewell said. “I thought they controlled the second half, we didn’t give up anything dangerous, Gabe made a couple saves, but we had to defend really hard, especially the last 15 minutes. They started to really press us and we weren’t getting what we wanted.”

Lewisburg’s second-half goal came in the closing seconds when Jack Johnson was able to put away a goal for the 2-0 victory. The Green Dragons went ahead 1-0 in the first half with 16:51 to play until halftime when Isaac Ayres found Dylan Vogel for a goal.

“It was huge. Dylan Vogel, he comes off the bench and put one in on the far post off Isaac Ayres,” Kettlewell said. “It lifted us. We were kind of in control a little bit at that moment, but it kind of proved like hey what we’re doing is the right thing and it really helped.”

And getting that spark off the bench was something Kettlewell was glad to see.

“It’s always good when your bench kind of gives you a lift knowing when you put guys in, your level of play can get better,” Kettlewell said.

Lewisburg out-shot Devon Prep, 11-8, as Gabe Pawling ended the game with five saves for the Green Dragons, who improve to 21-0-1. In the first half, Devon Prep was limited to just two shots on goal as the Green Dragons kept possession and didn’t allow the Tide to get looks at the goal to attempt to tie it.

“That was really huge. I think Gabe really only had to make one save on a really good shot that Gabe had to make a stop on, but we really limited their shots to make stuff Gabe could see and set his feet,” Kettlewell said. “That’s him just organizing our defense to limit what they wanted to do.”

The shutout is the 18th of the season for Pawling and 41st of his career.

Plain and simple, the Green Dragons are happy to be moving on and keeping their season going in November.

“We’re extremely proud that we were able to get a win,” Kettlewell said. “Any win is a good win.”

Following the shutout win against District 12 champion Devon Prep, Lewisburg will be set for a matchup against District 1 champion Faith Christian, who knocked off No. 1-ranked Northwestern Lehigh in the quarterfinals, 2-1, in overtime. Northwestern Lehigh, the District 11 champions, were the defending state champions as well.

“Any game in the state semifinals is going to be a hard one,” Kettlewell said. “We’re expecting hopefully a good match that we can come out and find our moments to make a couple plays and stay organized and be relentless.”

Lewisburg 2, Devon Prep 0

(PIAA CLASS AA QUARTERFINALS)

L–Dylan Vogel (Isaac Ayres), 16:51. L–Jack Johnson, 0:02.

Shots: L 11, DP 8. Saves: L 5 (Gabe Pawling), DP 5.

Records: Devon Prep (13-5-1), Lewisbug (21-0-1). Next game: Lewisburg vs. Faith Christian, Tuesday, TBD.