After a 3-0 loss to Hempfield Thursday, Sept. 29, the Comets (5-5 overall) hosted Dallastown Monday, October 3 and, despite an eight-kill night from Lezlie Nguyen, lost 3-0 (25-12, 25-21, 25-18). The Wildcats benefitted from Manor's struggle to receive serve, especially early in the match. The hosts jumped out to a 6-0 lead in the second set and after letting Dallastown back in, the rest of the set was a battle and featured four ties. Unforced errors, however, played a role in the four-point loss.

Eliana Knaub (13 assists, 1 ace) and Cassidy McCollum (13 digs) were also stat leaders.

The Comets are 5-3 and sit in third place in Section One behind Hempfield (8-0) and CV (7-1).

GIRLS' SOCCER

Clinging to a 1-0 first half lead at Conestoga Valley, Thursday, Sept. 29, the Comets exploded for six second half goals en route to a lopsided 7-0 shutout, their second over the Bucks and fifth of the year. Carly Keene notched a hat trick to pace an offense that scored four goals in a five-minute span. Lilly Rineer, who delivered a pair of assists, opened that barrage with a goal in the 45th minute. Izzy Kligge followed two minutes later with Keene netting two of her goals in the 48th and 50th minutes to pull away. Carolyn Hinkle and freshman Kylie Collins, with her first goal of the season, rounded out the attack.

After a 4-3 overtime thriller over Warwick back on Sept. 15, the Comets hosted the Warriors last Monday, Oct. 3, but couldn't sweep the series, dropping a 2-1 final. Tied at 0-0 in the first half, Warwick struck first, scoring 12 minutes after intermission. Kligge knotted the score in the 59th minute, making good on Keene's assist. But it was Warwick that had the last say, scoring with five minutes left.

"We had 25 shots but could not finish," said head coach Bill Zapata. "We should have been up 4-0 in the first half. We hit the post, had a ball on the line, and a couple were barely wide. It was frustrating because, that night, we were the better team by far.

"A win probably would have sealed a berth in the league playoffs," he added. "We are currently 7th in the district. So, I'm thinking if we win two of our last three, we should finish in the top eight and host a district playoff game."

The girls are currently ranked 7th in the district power rankings.

FIELD HOCKEY

The field hockey team ran its winning streak to 12 straight games with a pair of Cumberland Valley Tournament victories Saturday, Oct. 1. The girls defeated West Perry 3-1 and the host team 2-0.

A balanced attack led to three goals against West Perry. Tristan Groff, Avery Bradburn, and Izzy Thatcher accounted for the scoring with Bradburn, Chloe Hook and Cait McGough dishing out assists.

In a tighter game against the hosts, Bradburn and Liz Bustillo accounted for goals in the third and fourth quarters, respectively. McGough was credited with both assists. Adeline Arkhurst made a combined nine saves.

Back in Section One action Tuesday, October 4, the Comets found themselves in another overtime battle against visiting Warwick. And for the second time this season, Manor prevailed, this time winning 2-1.

Bradburn's goal with 1:03 left in the third quarter knotted the score at 1-1 while Annie Bibus, scoring just her third goal of the season, provided the game-winner at the 6:12 mark in overtime. McGough and T. Groff were credited with assists.

The girls are ranked first in the District Three AAA power rankings.

CROSS COUNTRY

On a soggy Hempfield cross country course, the Comet harriers were swept by the Black Knights last Wednesday.

Abby Ames and Mackenzi Nafziger finished second and third respectively, but the hosts secured the next eight places to win 23-38. Bethany Hetrick (12th), Alyssa Eby (14th) and Madison Martin (16th) rounded out the top five.

In the boys' race, Hempfield secured eight of the top nine places en route to an 18-45 win over the Comets. Kaleb Kabakjian's third place finish led the visitors. Tristan Weaver, Carter Vinson, and Jack Hightower placed 10th through 12th, respectively and Donavon Landis (14th) rounded out the counters.

"We knew it would be tough competition, but we had a lot of PR's on our teams," said head coach Andrea Kramer.

BOYS' SOCCER

After a pair of road losses, the Comets returned to their home field Thursday, Sept. 29, but the familiar surroundings did not lead to a win. Three goals were scored in less than two minutes and two of them were by Conestoga Valley who slipped out of Millersville with a 2-1 victory.

Thatcher Kratz, assisted by Hunter Evans, provided Manor's lone goal. Drew Lebo was credited with four saves.

At Warwick last Monday, the Comets were looking to avenge a 2-1 first half loss to the Warriors but instead were dealt their second 6-1 loss of the season, the first coming two weeks earlier against Hempfield. Tyler Hostetter's second half goal prevented the shutout.

FOOTBALL

On the road Friday, Sept. 30, the Comets fell to 3-3 overall with a lopsided 34-7 loss to a 5-1, Section One Hempfield squad. The Knights scored three times in the first quarter, including opening the game with a 23-yard fumble recovery.

They picked up their fourth TD in the third quarter and scored again with 5:28 left. The Comets got on board two minutes later when Dhamir Wesley hauled in an 8-yard TD strike from Eli Warfel (10-23 for 143 yards). It was his third catch of the night. Clark Wagstaff caught two passes for 74 yards. Jonathan Osman and Kyle Schmidtke combined for 19 tackles.