Division flag football's Abigail Lahn has late pick-6 for lone score in win over Bellmore-Merrick

Division's Abigail Lahn left the crowd at Calhoun High School stunned Saturday.

In a scoreless game with 27 seconds left, Lahn was backpedaling in coverage before stepping up and intercepting a pass.

She returned the pick 74 yards for a touchdown with 11 seconds left to give Division the lead in a 6-0 win over host Bellmore-Merrick in non-league flag football. 

“Our rushers got to the quarterback, so I took advantage of that,” Lahn said. “I got in front of it and caught it. Then I was just like, I have to run as fast as I can. It was great. We all had a great game. We all worked together and picked each other up."

Division (3-4-1) went three-and-out, and Bellmore-Merrick got the ball back with two minutes left in the game. Erini Ballis connected with Katelyn Kuhl for a 26-yard gain. Two plays later, Ballis found Victoria Olson for an 18-yard completion with 38 seconds left, putting them 13 yards from the end zone. Three plays later, Lahn’s pick-6 ended the Chargers’ two-minute drill.

“Defensively, for the last four years, we’ve just connected,” Division coach Victoria Piscitelli said. “I’m proud of my girls, especially against a really good team. My girls knew where to be and knew what they had to do. Their resilience and their dedication is something I love to watch.”

Division’s first play from scrimmage resulted in an interception by Bellmore-Merrick’s Lily Ednick. It was the 27th interception of the year for Bellmore-Merrick (6-3-1), tied for the most in the five-year program history for a single season. The pass rush was also active, as Olson had three sacks.

“We covered well and our pass rushers were in the backfield,” Bellmore-Merrick coach Matthew Moody said. “It’s a tandem thing. You don’t get 27 picks with just your DBs covering well — it’s putting pressure on the quarterback. I was happy with the defense, but offensively we just left our defense on the field too much.”

Division’s defense forced three three-and-outs to start the game. The final three drives for Bellmore-Merrick reached Division territory, but they couldn’t convert.

Division's cousin duo of Kasey Parada and Shirley Zhirzhan consistently applied pressure to the quarterback. The last Bellmore-Merrick two drives ended in interceptions. Gianna Pellechia grabbed one with 3:54 left. Bellmore-Merrick attempted a hook-and-ladder on the final play of the game but gained only three yards.

“This felt amazing,” Division senior quarterback Ava Hunt said. “Our defense has been unstoppable this whole season. Our rushers are amazing, our safeties are amazing — everyone put their all into it today. And obviously Abby Lahn is an amazing player. She read that play so well.”