On October 1st, the girls' soccer team pushed out to a 3-0 lead at Lampeter-Strasburg and held on for a 3-2 victory. Flash forward 25 days to the opening round of the District Three Class 3A opener. The Pioneers were hosting Solanco after Monday night's lightning delay pushed things back and were looking to even the score. But on a chilly evening, Solanco prevailed, 2-1.

"This was the first rain game we had all year," said head coach Ken Yoder. "The elements were a bit of a factor, but we asked the girls to focus and take care of what they could control. The first few minutes of the game were sluggish, but they kicked it into gear just in time. It was a brutally windy, rainy night and they rose above all of that."

And the visitors, once again, jumped out to an early lead. Hannah Wood booted a free kick into the box. It eventually found Sarah Landis who shot it past Pioneer keeper Peyton Bachman in the 22nd minute. Just over 14 minutes later, Addison O'Donnell collected a loose ball that found its way through a crowded box and nudged it to the back of the cage for the 2-0 advantage.

"Sarah did a great job of anticipating where the ball would be and ran through people to get to it," Yoder said. "That was huge, once again, for us to get the early lead. Addy scored much the same way. She showed tremendous composure in front of the goal.

"Those were our two best opportunities of the half," he continued.

While L-S did create some opportunities in the first half, they had more in the second.

"I think anyone watching the game was astounded that we did not score more based on our opportunities," Pioneer head coach Emily Lebo said. "But we need to give credit where credit is due. Solanco's goalkeeper (Caroline Drumm) and back line played one heck of a game."

Drumm carried the Mules through the second half, denying shot after shot. All told, 12 for the game. L-S also delivered seven corner kicks that bounced around in the box before being cleared, including a goal-line save by Rilyn Saner. Lampeter's Sophie Rhodes even ripped a shot off the crossbar.

"Caroline Drumm picked a great game to have one of her best games of the season," Yoder praised.

And as the time ticked down, L-S prevented the shutout when a shot by Jenna Daveler slipped through Drumm's wet hands. But Solanco's rowdy student section helped maintain focus with their cheering and countdown.

"When you go on the road and outnumber a rival school two to one with fans, that says a lot," recalled Yoder. "The support has been tremendous.

"These girls have been tremendous. They work so hard and deserve everything they are getting this year in the way of wins."

Solanco, seeded 9th, is currently 14-4 which ties the program record for most wins in a season. The win over L-S was their third district win in the history of the program.

The Pioneers, who end their season at 12-8, were without their senior starting goalie who went out three weeks ago with a hand injury.

FOOTBALL

Conestoga Valley was coming off a 63-0 blowout against Manheim Central. The Mules were coming off a week off. Hungry for action on homecoming night, Solanco (3-6 overall) took charge early and never looked back in a 37-0 Section Two triumph over Conestoga Valley on Friday, Oct. 22.

Quarterback Bradley Weder, taking over for Brody Mellinger (injured), got his first start on Friday and made it count. The sophomore went 3-for-6 for 99 yards and one touchdown. That touchdown, a 26-yard strike to Elijah Reimold (61-rushing yards), put Solanco on the board with 9:16 left in the first quarter.

The Mules scored again on Robert Castagna's one-yard plunge, pushing the lead to 14-0.

Solanco padded their lead in the second quarter with another nine points. A pass play to Elijah Cunningham up the middle and a big run by Reimold set up Josiah Forren who broke free and scooted into the endzone with 7:41 left in the half. A holding penalty, one of many, however brought it back. The hosts shook off the setback when Jon Revolorio, who also recorded a sack, picked off the Bucks and returned the ball 21-yards for a 20-0 lead.

Trent McDowell, who booted four PATs, nailed a 27-yard field goal with one second left in the half.

Brian Coleman sparked Solanco's second half with a handful of carries and a pair of touchdowns. The senior, leading the attack with 107 yards, scored on a two-yard run in the third quarter and a 25-yarder on the first play of the fourth.

Other individual highlights included Revolorio's nine tackles with Cole Gladfelter, who recovered a fumble, and Colton Stoltzfus chipping in with seven each. Cunningham picked off two passes

FIELD HOCKEY

The final record of a season does not always tell the whole story. Solanco's field hockey season is a perfect example. They finished the season with three wins and 15 losses. But that's not the whole story.

"Despite what the record reflects, we had a progressive year," said head coach Whitney Hawkins. "We did have at least three to six players out each game due to covid quarantine, illness, injuries or grades. It was a fun puzzle to piece together. We didn't have the depth we should have but every player stepped up where they were needed to fill in the gaps as they occurred."

Last year Solanco scored 14 goals. This year that number was 19. Last year they recorded 94 shots on goal and this year, 135.

"We did have a freshman goalie, as well as two brand new goalies," Hawkins said, "so we were inexperienced in that department. We take the hit and know we have a committed goalkeeper for the next three years that will only get better and better."

Solanco also went into the season having lost eight starting seniors, so this year's squad was young and inexperienced.

"Our senior forwards Haylee Byers and Rebecca Bruno will be missed with their speed on the line," Hawkins said. "And in the midfield, we lose Hannah Young and Abby Kennedy. Abby dominated in intercepting the ball this year and Hannah actually played JV goalie for us last year in her first year ever playing hockey. She asked to play the field for her senior season and showed great improvement. She was aggressive and fast and a great flyer on the corners with some great steals and break ups," the coach continued. "She was the most improved player on the field this season."

Solanco's top scorer, sophomore Sadie Cook, tallied seven goals and one assist with Bruno recording six goals and five assists.