When Shields began hitting three-pointers in rapid-fire fashion for Archbishop Carroll in a PIAA Class AAA quarterfinal playoff against Mount St. Joseph yesterday, it was a familiar sight, painful this time, for Hagedorn.

"I don't know how many she made," Hagedorn said. "It felt like a million, though. We were trying to keep that from happening."

The Boston College-bound Shields nailed five of six attempts from beyond the arc in the second half as the Patriots pulled away from the Magic and posted a 56-35 victory at Villanova. She netted 19 of her game-high 23 points after intermission.

Shields, a senior point guard, made only 1 of 6 field-goal tries in the first half. "At halftime, [Carroll coach Chuck Creighton] told me to be confident with my shot," she said. "Luckily, they started going in."

Late in the third quarter, with the Patriots ahead by 35-28, Shields drained back-to-back treys to give her team a 13-point cushion. Then, in a three-minute span of the fourth quarter, she drilled three more bombs to make it 51-35 with 4 minutes, 27 seconds to play.

"I've been struggling with my outside shot recently," Shields said. "I think it was more mental than anything. Now, I feel better."

Carroll, 28-1 overall and ranked No. 1 in Southeastern Pennsylvania by The Inquirer, will face District 3 champion Trinity (22-8) in a semifinal on Wednesday at a site and time to be determined.

Overall, Shields made 8 for 15 from the field (5 for 10 from three-point range) and 2 for 3 from the line. In the second half, after missing a three-point try, she went on a 7-for-8 tear.

Kaitlin Cole also played a big role for the Patriots. The Holy Cross recruit registered 17 points, five rebounds (four on offense), and one block.

Hollie Mershon, who guarded Hagedorn most of the way, contributed eight points, five assists, three rebounds, and two steals. Erin Shields, Kerri's sister, chipped in five rebounds and two assists.

Hagedorn paced No. 6-ranked Mount (28-2) with 12 points, eight rebounds, four steals, and two blocks. The Magic made 28.9 percent (11 for 38) from the field and committed 18 turnovers,

"I thought we played aggressively and attacked them," Mount coach John Miller said. "We just didn't make enough shots. We had to shoot a very good percentage to stay with them."

Mount St. Joseph 7 12 11 5 - 35

Archbishop Carroll 14 12 16 14 - 56

MSJ: Jen Sabia 5, Mary Jo Horgan 8, Steph Smith 8, Elle Hagedorn 12, Shannon Bridges 2.

AC: Kerri Shields 23, Erin Shields 3, Kaitlin Cole 17, Hollie Mershon 8, Emily Fazzini 1, Jennifer Carney 2, Meghan Creighton 2.