Solanco's Logan Wagner carded a 74 and finished fourth in the L-L League Championships Monday, Sept. 26 at Fairview Golf Course and qualified for districts for the fourth straight year. Joining him in the post-season will be fellow senior teammate Anna Sexton who fired a 101 in the girls' competition.

The boys finished 6th with a team score of 339. Warwick, with a 331, was fourth.

"It was a very windy day, and the pin placements were very tough," note head coach Greg Minnich. "I thought the kids did well. Fourth for Logan is his highest career finish."

Brayden Herr (83), Hudson Brown (90), and Wyatt Landis (92) rounded out the top four. Luke Herr (95) and Nathan Tucker (99) also competed.

Districts will be held at Briarwood on Oct. 7-8.

GIRLS' VOLLEYBALL

The girls' volleyball team got off to a slow start in Lampeter Thursday, Sept. 22, and though they picked up the pace after a 25-7 first set loss, the momentum was with the Pioneers who went on to win 25-13, 25-15.

"They served extremely well, and we struggled to receive that serve," said head coach Dillon Costrello. "You can't get the offense going if you can't receive the serve. Their short serve was very effective."

Marissa Cannizzaro charted 8 digs and Alaina Herr put up 1 block and put down 3 kills. Martha Weaver was credited with 1 assist and both Addison Boyd and Sophia Stoltzfus each dished 3 assists.

Solanco struggled on Monday as well, bowing out 25-17, 25-20, 25-16 at Linville Hill Christian School. Cheyenne Henry stepped up to lead with 3 aces and 5 kills. Madison Boyle (3 aces), Boyd (5 assists) and Cannizzaro (13 assists) also contributed.

GIRLS' SOCCER

After starting the season with seven straight wins, the girls' soccer team suffered its fifth straight loss, a 4-1 loss to Cedar Crest Saturday morning. The visitors knocked in three goals in the first 17 minutes to gain early momentum.

"We make a few mistakes here and there and a few breaks haven't gone our way," said head coach Matt Janssen. "I am confident we will get back on track," he continued. "We have to trust our abilities and capitalize on our chances."

The visitors scored three first half goals over the first 17 minutes. Solanco prevented the shutout when Josie Janssen scored on a one time shot from just outside the penalty area off an assist from Mia Daniel-Morales.

"Josie has been getting her chances," said Janssen. "She, Meg Bailey and Alyssa Harpe are doing a nice job of creating opportunities, but the opposing defense and goalkeepers have made some big plays to keep us from finishing."

Solanco got back on track with Tuesday's 8-1 victory over Garden Spot. It was their second highest goal total of the season. Bailey led the charge with a hat trick. Harpe, Alanna Brown, Sarah Landis, Kara Peace, and Abby Landis, with her first goal of the season, rounded out the scoring.

FIELD HOCKEY

The field hockey team slipped to 3-8-1 overall with a pair of back-to-back losses. At home Thursday, Sept. 22 Elco slipped in the game winner late in the fourth quarter despite Solanco holding an 8-4 advantage in corners.

At Octorara on Friday the hosts found the back of the net twice en route to a 3-1 final. Sadie Cook, assisted by Kate Kauffman, made it a 2-1 game in the second quarter but the Braves notched an insurance goal in the third frame.

Solanco again held a 5-1 edge in corners and was about even in shots on goal, 8-7. Caitlin Bennethum (4 saves) and Kinsey Rhoades (1 save) shared time in goal.

Last Tuesday Kate Underwood and Cassandra Bruno scored a pair of third quarter goals in a 7-2 loss to Cocalico.

BOYS' SOCCER

The boys' soccer team is working hard to snag that first win of the season but came up empty over the last week. Solanco suffered losses to Donegal (7-3) on Sept. 22, and Cedar Crest (2-0) on the 24th

Those seven goals against Donegal were the most Solanco has given up this season. The Indians lead Section Three with 33 goals scored and took a 4-0 first half lead over the Mules.

"We took a chance and made some changes," said head coach Remy Wright of the second half. "I moved my wingbacks up as midfielders and got more aggressive and took my top center back and used him at striker."

The second half proved to be a 3-3 ball game with Brady Janssen notching a hat trick for the Mules.

"Brady scored on a penalty kick, a set piece at the 18 and on defense of pressure on the keeper," recalled Wright.

At Cedar Crest Saturday morning, the Falcons took control with 13 corners and 16 shots while holding the Mules to 1 and 3, respectively. They scored once in each half to earn the shutout. Ben Drumm (11 saves before being injured) and Giovanni Piscitelli (3 saves) shared time in goal.

TENNIS

The tennis team ran into the second-place team in Section Two on Friday, Sept. 23 and dropped a 7-0 result on the road. Despite the shutout, the game scores were competitive, especially Adrienne Dolan at No. 2 singles. She dropped a marathon match to Kathryn Barraclough 7-6, 5-7, 11-9.

CROSS COUNTRY

Before the harrier teams traveled to Maytown last Tuesday to take on the Donegal Indians, they competed in the Carlisle Invitational. Anthony Solis-Morales was the top finisher for the boys, claiming 47th place in a field of over 300 runners. He was the only Mule to place in the top 100. With 46 teams competing, Solanco finished 35th.

Emma Baxter was the top placer for the girls, finishing 52nd and was also the only one to break the top 100. Daria Neaves was close, finishing 117th. A total of 251 runners and 38 teams competed. Solanco was 31st.

The girls' team placed four runners in the top 10 against Donegal but the Indians had six and pulled away with a 21-36 victory. Baxter finished 3rd. Neaves (6th), Olivia Singleton (7th), Christine Wagner (8th) and Anna Linde (12th) rounded out the top five.

Wyatt Tomison raced to a first-place finish in 17:58 and James Hartigan was 3rd overall but a pack of seven Donegal runners sealed Solanco's fate and a 24-37 loss. Ian Althoff (11th), Curtis Hills (12th), Rusty Armstrong (14th) and Dominic Arbogast (16th) accounted for the scoring.

FOOTBALL

Brody Mellinger passed for 69 yards and two TDs and rushed for 91 yards and three TDs to lead Solanco past Conestoga Valley 41-21 Friday, Sept. 23. Eljah Cunningham added 94 rushing yards, snagged one TD pass, and picked off another as the Mules improved to 5-0 overall.

"Elijah had a heck of a game, his best this year," lauded head coach Tony Cox. "The defense did a great job and we cut down on the special teams' mistakes. And a lot of kids got Friday night lights action. That's always good."

Cole Harris (53 rushing yards) scored the only TD of the first quarter, a six-yard run. Mellinger's one-yard keeper made it 13-0. After a 56-yard score by CV, Noah Baber hauled in a 45-yard strike from Mellinger, followed by Aden Herr's two-point run, and Cunningham was the recipient of a 24-yarder that made it 28-7 at the half. Josiah Forren's (7 tackles) interception set up Cunningham's score.

Mellinger's one-yard keepers in the third and fourth quarters maintained Solanco's lead as the Bucks also found the endzone twice. Nick Defrancesco, Landon Steele, and A. Herr combined for 19 tackles