MILLVILLE - It took some time for them to get started, but once Warrior Run and Southern Columbia did, they put on a show worthy of two programs that have been to the state finals in three of the past four years.
After a somewhat slow first half, in which Warrior Run took a 1-0 lead on a goal which somehow eluded Tiger goalie Blair Johnston after she had it seemingly lined up, Southern came out with fire in the second half.
Sophomore Christina Podpora scored two goals within less than six minutes of each other, the first a header off a corner kick by Kristin Kremser, and the second on a wonderful breakaway half the length of the field after a steal.
That gave Southern a 2-1 lead with 29:18 remaining, but the Defenders came right back. Rachel Grow kicked in a rebound after a shot by Gabby Heiss hit the pole.
Southern, after taking just two shots in the first half, shot six times in the second half but failed to get a shot off in overtime. A disputed push call against Southern's Jess Adamski set up a final flurry of shots by Warrior Run, with Grow scoring the gamewinner again.
The loss ended an eight-game winning streak for Southern (13-7-2) , which came from a game under .500 late in the season to this point.
"It was a battle. They're a good team. We're a good team," said Southern coach Derek Stine.
Southern, last year's state runnerup, will play the District 3 champ in the first round of states. Warrior Run (18-2-2) state champs in 2010, 2011, will host the District 2 champ.