The Lady Comets were well represented in the L-L League Championships on Thursday, Oct. 21. The field hockey team was facing Manheim Township at Conestoga Valley and the soccer team, playing at Manheim Central, was also battling it out with the Blue Streaks. And when the final whistles sounded, the Comets came home with not one, but two trophies.

The field hockey team was up against a team they had already defeated three times this season, all via the shutout. Thursday night, though, it was the Streaks that took the early lead, scoring in the ninth minute. Unfazed, it took the Comets less than one minute, 53 seconds to be exact, to score the equalizer. Isabelle Thatcher's cross found Riley Robinson, who found the back of the cage for the ninth time this season.

"We beat them in overtime in the Hershey tournament early in the season," recalled head coach Rachel Suter, who is believed to be the first head coach to win the L-L League Championship in their first season of coaching. "It is definitely not ideal to play a team four times in one season, especially when they are the caliber of Manheim Township. We tried to focus on ourselves and control what we could. It was a total team effort."

The Comets went on to score the game-winner with no time left on the first quarter clock. Avery Bradburn inserted the corner to Tristan Groff who one-timed a shot past the MT keeper.

As time ticked on, the Streaks seemed to gain momentum and pinned the Comets in the backfield for the bulk of the third quarter. With 5:42 left CC Charles made two quick stops off a MT corner and two minutes later recorded two more saves to preserve Manor's lead.

"CC and Annie Bibus have been our defensive anchors all season," pointed out Suter. "They did not fall short in their duties this time either, however, I am proud of our whole defensive unit. They all had major moments and stepped up to the challenge."

GIRLS' SOCCER

Under the lights in Manheim, the girls' soccer team was also vying for a title. The Comets and the Streaks were battling for the third time this season. And, for the first time since 2011, Penn Manor rose to the top, upending the defending champs 2-1.

"This was ten years overdue," said an elated head coach Keith Renner. "It's very difficult playing the same team twice yet alone three times."

The Comets, who split the regular season series against the Streaks, drew first blood in a game that featured a struggle in the midfield. They cashed in on their first shot on goal with 1:47 left in the first half. Lily Sugra intercepted a Blue Streak clear, sent a pass through the defense to a charging Carly Keene who zipped a shot past MT keeper Marianthi Saxinger for her 15th goal of the season.

The second place Streaks knotted the score in the 65th minute on a goal by Ava Byrne, making the tussle even tighter.

And with the minutes ticking by, and overtime looming, Sugra, off a throw-in, collected a pass from Lauren Stoner, beat one defender and sent Manor's second shot of the game to the back of the net for the game winning goal.

"Yep, two shots, two goals," said Renner. "Works for me.

"We came in focused on what we had to do to beat them. When you start to change too much you can get yourself in trouble," he added. "The defense and our goalkeeper, Allison Burkholder (7 saves), played great once again. We have only allowed 12 goals this entire season. They have done a remarkable job and exactly what is needed to win championships and make a post season run."

That run continued last Tuesday night, Oct. 26 in the opening round of the District Three girls' soccer championships where the fifth seed Comets hosted and defeated Northeastern (12-4-2) 3-1.

Manor got off to a quick start, scoring twice in the first 15 minutes to take control. A balanced attack featured Carly Keene scoring the first goal in the 11th minute. Four minutes later it was Carolyn Hinkle finding the back of the net. The Bobcats, seeded 12th, out cornered the hosts 6-1, and cut that lead in half six minutes before intermission. But that was as close as they would get.

Manor got an insurance goal early in the second half when persistence resulted in a Lauren Stoner tally. The Comets, with a 14-9 shots-on-goal advantage, were inches away from extending that lead with multiple opportunities sailing just wide, or just high, and ten shots right at Bobcat keeper Katie Shearer. Allison Burkholder recorded eight saves as the Comets improved to 17-3.

FOOTBALL

Fresh off a 21-17 come-from-behind thriller over McCaskey, the Comets were looking for a second straight win when they hosted Cedar Crest Oct. 22 for their homecoming game. The Falcons, however, could not be slowed. Jay Huber threw for four first half touchdowns and Nolan Groff hauled in five catches for 205 yards and two scores as the visitors hung a 40-15 loss on the Comets.

"That was a little disappointing," said head coach John Brubaker. "I thought we did a nice job stopping the run, but we did not defend the pass very well. Maybe I put too much emphasis on their running game."

Crest got out in front early scoring a 73-yard touchdown down the sideline on their second possession. The Comets got on board in the second frame with a 26-yard field goal by Peter Skiadas, but the visitors exploded for 20 unanswered points, running away with a 27-3 first half advantage.

The second half was closer with Crest holding a slim 13-12 lead, but the damage was done. The Falcons opened the third quarter scoring before the Comets worked back-to-back scores. Eli Warfel (70 passing yards, 41 rushing yards) hit Quay Hanna with an 11-yard strike in the third and Ethan Adleman, who obtained 76 of Manor's 169 rushing yards, scored on a 52-yard scamper in the fourth.

"It was nice to have Ethan back," Brubaker noted. "He did a nice job."

Erik Hinkle and Will Stover combined for 14 solo tackles and Jonathan Osman and Ty Grassel were both credited with interceptions. Deshawn Stanley chipped in with four receptions for 40 yards as the Comets slipped to 5-4 overall.

"Six wins would probably keep us in the hunt for playoffs," said Brubaker. "We have another opportunity. Hopefully we can rise to the occasion. We're sitting 11th right now."