With a chance to qualify for the L-L League playoffs, the Pioneers traveled to Ephrata Tuesday, Oct. 11 but fell short in sweeping the series. With all the scoring coming in the first half, the Mounts, who lost to L-S 2-0 in their first meeting, pulled out a 3-1 victory.

"That was a big game," said head coach Chris Garraffa. "We needed a win to get in. It's always tough to play at Ephrata. They're a very good side."

Dan Marcroft, assisted by Landon Rice, opened the scoring in the 14th minute. The Mounts, who led 7-1 in corners, knotted the score eight minutes later and then scored twice in a two-minute span to take the lead.

In non-league action Friday, Oct. 7, L-S battled Octorara, and needed a strong second half to pull out a 3-0 road win.

Jack Frego opened the scoring with a goal in the 58th minute. Van Dietrich assisted. Rice found Marcroft once again for a goal nine minutes later while Jack Kelly, on a pass from Connor Kouterick, made it 3-0.

FIELD HOCKEY

With the post-season here, every game is a big game. The field hockey team not only battled for a chance at the league playoffs but fought to stay in the hunt for districts as well. The Pioneers worked a 2-2 tie against Manheim Central on Oct. 6, added a crucial 1-0 win over Ephrata Monday, Oct. 10 and then earned a must-win over Donegal, 2-1 Wednesday.

The final score against Ephrata does not come close to explaining the tempo of the game. "We were in their circle almost the entire first half," said head coach Katrina Swarr.

Maggie Swarr, on a cross from Lyndi Wall, gave L-S the cushion they needed.

"Maggie had an awesome game," lauded Swarr. "A goal, two defensive saves, awesome aerials, and several critical defensive plays. And Brooke Zuber was outstanding in goal. She stopped first, second and third shots," she continued. "Marissa Rise handled the ball all over the field, Lyndi and Tori Heiserman had several breakaways and Breigh Bauer also came up with some big plays in the backfield."

The excitement was just as obvious in Lampeter's 2-2 tie against the Barons. "Nobody expected us to stay with them," said Swarr. "We clearly dominated and are clicking as a team right now, which is the perfect time for that to happen."

A first quarter goal by Rice gave L-S an early advantage. The Barons, however, converted a penalty stroke with 1:43 left in the second to knot the score. L-S regained the lead in the third on Kara Scranton's goal, giving L-S momentum. But the hockey Gods were looking over the Barons that day as they scored on a corner with no time on the clock.

Wednesday LS hosted Donegal for senior night in their last league game. A win, coupled with an E-town loss to Ephrata, would put LS in the league playoffs. The Pioneers took care of business, winning 2-1 but the Mounts tied E-town forcing a second place tie with LS. The Bears advanced on the third tiebreaker, a higher district power ranking (9th vs 14th).

Senior Valeria Franco scored her first goal of the season before Donegal knotted the score minutes later in the first quarter. Heiserman's second quarter tally proved to be the game-winner, leaving LS at 6-3-1, 9-7-1 overall.

CROSS COUNTRY

In their last dual meet in New Holland, the boys' cross country team swept Donegal and Garden Spot Tuesday, Oct. 11 to wrap up the section title. Seniors Ben Devine and Parker Stoner tied for first place (17:29) and capped another undefeated regular season (7-0). Colin Whitaker and Luke Smith followed in third and fourth place respectively and Owen Witmer (13th) rounded out the top five.

"This is our fifth year of section titles," said head coach Mari Cunningham. "Five years ago, we tied with Central as section champs. We each had one loss that season. None of the boys on the team currently have had a regular season loss."

The girls' team picked up a solid win over the Spartans but gave up the first four places to Donegal in a 19-36 loss. They finish at 4-3 on the year.

Keira Smecker, Merin Kauffman and Morgan Wright finished 5th, 6th, and 7th respectively with Abigail Welchans (9th) and Jocelyn Wolff (11th) rounding out the top five. Mikayla Coe settled for 15th.

FOOTBALL

The Pioneer football team scored five straight touchdowns in a 30-7 victory over Berks Catholic Friday, Oct. 7, keeping pace with Wyomissing (7-0 overall) who also sits at 4-0 in Section Four.

"Our defense has been playing very well," said head coach Victor Ridenour. "Garry Morrison, our DC, has done an amazing job preparing our kids. The kids do their job, trust their teammates and it shows. We have been able to limit big plays," he added. "Our defensive unit, Luke Hines and Ezechiel Lukusa (defensive ends), linebackers Jackson Heeter, Julian Lopez, Harry Jay Wolgemuth, and Drexton Frank along with defensive backs Jack Groff, Hunter Hildenbrand, Ian Bender and Damoj Gray and Landon Coronado (nose) has been very good lately."

Carson Coleman (97 yards on 22 attempts) opened the scoring with a 3-yard run in the first quarter and capped Lampeter's scoring with a 5-yarder in the third. Trent Wagner, who completed five of 11 attempts (3 to Hildenbrand) for 99 yards, added a 1-yard keeper midway through the second quarter. Peter Fiorello's first field goal of the year with a 37-yard boot with one second left in the first half, leaving L-S in front 16-0.

Hildenbrand (79 rushing yards), hauled in a 45-yard TD pass from Wagner early in the third frame, setting up Coleman's final tally.

VOLLEYBALL

With the end of the season approaching, the volleyball team is keeping a close watch on the district rankings. They currently sit 8th in a field of 16 with three games left in the regular season.

In their only match over the last week, the girls dug out a 3-0 win over visiting Cocalico Tuesday, Oct. 11.

After a 25-19 first set win, the Pioneers were challenged in the second set and pulled out a 27-25 'overtime' if you will, victory. That sparked a commanding 25-10 final set win.

Emily Mullin was at the top of her game, dishing out 21 assists, serving up three aces and hustling for four digs on the night. Grace Schonour and Chloe Nolt provided a strong presence at the net with three blocks each while Jenna Hoover was on the receiving end of Mullin's sets, putting down a match-high nine kills.

GOLF

At the District Three Golf Championships at Briarwood Golf Club, Oct. 7-8, Lampeter's Ben Wilson carded a 77-76 and finished tied for 15th place with a 153 two-day total, making the cut for states.

"Ben was six over after the first two holes on the second day but came back to finish one under over the next 16 to qualify for states," said head coach Mike Chiodo. "He's the first kid in L-S history to get to states twice."

Morgan Smith, also a senior, missed the cut by just four strokes while senior Jason Long, in his district debut fired his average, 80, on the first day but missed the cut for day two by one stroke.

Sophomore Drew Smith was the final Pioneer to compete. He carded an 88 and gained valuable experience.

TENNIS

Also in the post-season, the tennis team competed in the L-L League Flight tournament over the last week but were dealt early exits.

Kylie Gerhardt, seeded fourth, picked up a 6-0, 6-1 round one win over Juliet Lamichane (LC) but fell in the second round with a 1-6, 6-2, 6-2 loss to Maggie Auman (LCD).

"Unfortunately, Kylie had to withdraw after continuous arm pain," said head coach Mark Trach. "That means no possibility of No. 1 singles or doubles advancing to districts."

Rowan Kimmel, at No. 2, also went 1-1 defeating Solanco's Adrienne Dolan in straight sets before bowing out against CV's Paula Valverde Gomez.

Fourth seed Katie Finn (No. 4) defeated Hannah Bruce (Co) and Madeline Kase (CC) before dropping a 6-1, 6-3 semifinals set against Central's Sydney Peters.

In doubles play, Kimmel and Miller advanced with an 8-6 nod over Elco's Wolfling and Shaak but lost 8-2 against Central's Miller and Peters. Young and Hess followed the same path, earning an 8-5 first round win before dropping an 8-6 match against LCD's Edwards and Philip.