Solanco's football team posted a lopsided 56-12 victory over Fleetwood Friday, Oct. 21 and the girls' soccer team suffered a heartbreaking 2-1 loss in their District opener Monday at Cocalico as the only Mule teams in action last week.

Elijah Cunningham rushed 115 yards on just three carries, grabbed a pair of Brody Mellinger passes, intercepted one pass, and scored once. Josiah Forren scored two touchdowns and rushed 112 yards on five carries while Mellinger snuck in for three short scores, rushing 14 yards on four carries. Cole Harris chipped in with 84 rushing yards on 12 carries as the Mules out rushed the Tigers 355-57 to remain perfect on the year (5-0 in Section Two, 9-0 overall). The win sets up a section title showdown against Garden Spot (4-1) in the season finale. Solanco has never won a section title outright or has gone undefeated during the regular season.

"Everyone did their job. Everyone played and that's always a bonus," said head coach Tony Cox. "The defense played well, and the offense executed, and we didn't turn the ball over. That's another key."

Solanco needed less than a minute to start the rout as Cunningham raced 54-yards to paydirt on the second play from scrimmage. Mellinger chipped in with a pair of one-yard keepers with Forren converting the two-point conversion on the second to push the lead to 21-0 in the opening quarter.

Forren scored from 16-yards out in the second quarter and Noah Baber booted his second successful PAT (he finished with five on the night) before the Tigers got on the board. Fleetwood's QB Jack Riffle finished an 80-yard drive with an eight-yard TD pass. Forren then blocked the extra point attempt and Cunningham returned the ensuing kickoff to the house to extend the lead.

The Mules scored twice in the second quarter for a convincing 49-6 lead at the half. Forren scored on a 21-yard run, and Mellinger added a three-yard keeper.

Mellinger (2-for-2) found Cunningham with a 52-yard touchdown pass to start the third quarter and then the substitutions got in on the action with Luis Burgos adding 16 rushing yards and Johnny Garcia netting 13.

Aden Herr and Landon Steele highlighted the defense with five tackles each with Cunningham and Nick Defrancesco combining for eight.

GIRLS' SOCCER

The girls' soccer team opened District Three 3A action Monday, October 25 against a familiar foe. Solanco, seeded 11th in the tournament with an 11-7 record, traveled to No. 6 seed Cocalico (12-4-1). The Section Three champ Eagles defeated Solanco 2-1 on September 17. A pair of first half penalty kicks, one by each team, left the score tied at halftime. Cocalico's Addysin Martin delivered the game winner on a free kick just outside the penalty area.

Ironically, it was Martin again delivering the final punch. The junior midfielder carried the ball down the left alley and, with an open look, lofted a shot toward the far post that was just over Kyleigh Murphy's reach. The goal came with just seven seconds remaining.

"I felt like we had the better of the chances," said head coach Matt Janssen. "We just couldn't quite finish. It was a well-played game. We knew chances would be hard to come by, for both teams, so capitalizing would be crucial."

Solanco did capitalize early on. Meg Bailey, working the ball in the middle, volleyed ahead to Emma Housekeeper. As the junior went to collect, Cocalico's keeper, Madison Rodgers came out to challenge. Housekeeper was a step ahead and headed Bailey's assist over the keeper and into the back of the cage with 17 minutes remaining.

Then, with ten minutes left on the clock and after a pair of Josie Janssen shots were denied, the Eagles knotted the score on a play that started with a corner kick. The initial service was cleared to Chloe Martin who lofted a shot just under the crossbar, setting the stage for sister Addysin Martin's game-winner.

"I thought we played a really great game," said first year head coach Jansen. "We battled a tough team. We faced a little adversity and had some breaks that didn't go our way, but the girls never quit or let it deter them. They just kept pushing forward and fighting for opportunities and that's what makes this group so special," he continued. "They play hard, they play with class, and they play for each other. They want to be successful for each other and that's what makes them a great team."

Solanco finished with three corners on the night and five shots on goal. The Eagles worked a pair of corners and netted three shots. Rogers collected four saves in the win. Murphy was credited with one.

Last year the girls opened with a victory over Lampeter-Strasburg in the opening round and met up with top seed Greencastle-Antrim in the quarterfinals where their season ended.

In the 1920-21 season, Solanco knocked off top seed Lower Dauphin in the opening round and then held off No. 9 seed Fleetwood before falling to eventual District champ Manheim Central. They finished in fourth place overall.