The Donegal soccer team poured on the offense in consecutive Lancaster-Lebanon League matches, shutting out Cocalico 4-0 on Thursday, September 8 and doubling up Lebanon 4-2 on Monday, September 12. The Indians improved their mark to 6-0-0.

The Cocalico contest came with a hat trick, courtesy of senior striker Tye White. He put Donegal on the board three minutes into the match. The teams went into intermission with the Indians up 2-0 thanks to a 16th minute goal by Aiden Weber, assisted by Aiden Dickinson. White scored two more goals late in the game - four minutes apart.

Junior midfielder L.D. Hanes was credited with assists on all three of White's goals.

The three assists were impressive on the part of Hanes, who came back for a four-goal performance against Lebanon. He made it 2-0 with his second goal of the game - one minute after making it 1-0. He notched the hat trick in the 47th minute and tacked on one more four minutes later.

Travis Zimmerman and Dominic Folmer provided assists.

FOOTBALL

With the multiple go-to guys for their ground game, the Indians bulldozed through the Palmyra defense on Friday night, September 9, recording their first win of the season.

Quarterback Landen Baughman, who completed four short passes for 34 yards and no picks, handed off to Noah Rohrer, Ruben Mumper, De'Andre White or Cooper Miller on a night that the Donegal ball carriers churned up 251 yards of real estate, helping lead their team to a 30-13 win at Palmyra. Donegal improved to 1-2 on the year.

"It was a team win," head coach Chad Risberg remarked. "We had a great week of practice and the kids prepared themselves for the win."

The preparation included playing as close to mistake-free as possible. The Indians were only penalized three times for a total of 20 yards while the Cougars (1-2) were penalized for 91 yards.

Miller did the scoring in the first half, dashing 31 yards for the endzone in the opening period and scoring on a two-yard TD in the second quarter. Rohrer, who had a team-leading 90 yards on 14 carries, kicked both extra-point attempts for a 14-0 halftime lead.

The Cougars were denied any points until the third quarter. Despite the lead being cut to 14-7, the Indians responded on a drive capped by Rohrer's rushing touchdown. His PAT made it 21-7 early in the fourth quarter. Rohrer's 29-yard field goal and 30-yard interception return to paydirt capped the scoring.

"We scored on offense when we needed to," said Risberg. "Our defense stepped up this week in a big way."

White finished with 42 yards on nine carries. Miller gained 41 on four carries, plus the two TD's. Mumper compiled 52 yards on the ground on nine attempts. Rohrer also caught two passes for 11 yards while Zeke Amaro caught two passes for 13 yards.

GIRLS' TENNIS

Emily Frownfelter and Janelle Kingsboro staged an incredible comeback win at their number two doubles match on Thursday, September 8 in a Section Two tennis match at Solanco. Their victory helped propel Donegal (2-2) to a 5-2 victory.

"They made an outstanding comeback," head coach Trent Hoffmaster noted. "They were down 5-1 in games and won five straight before winning 8-6."

The win was sandwiched between Donegal victories at first and third doubles as well. The day began with a convincing 8-1 victory at number one doubles.

"Corrine Watson and Kensington Edmond played their best match together," said Hoffmaster.

Hannah Slobozien and Andrea Hess won the third doubles 8-4.

Edmond cruised to 6-1, 6-2 straight set wins at number one singles followed by Kingsboro's 6-2, 6-0 victories.

"Janelle and Kensington were both outstanding in their singles victories," Hoffmaster added.

CROSS COUNTRY

With Molly Myers and Kathryn Fernald as its leading runners on Tuesday afternoon, September 13, the girls' cross country team competed in what turned out to be a very close Section Two race. Elizabethtown edged Donegal 25-32 while the race against Ephrata was even closer with the Mountaineers winning 27-30.

Myers took third in the race with a time of 20:21 with Fernald (20:32) finishing fourth.

Marleigh Ballard gained 10th place (21:24) followed by Addison Houck (21:31) in 11th place.

The boys' team defeated Ephrata 25-31 but came up short against E-town in a 15-49 decision. Both teams went to 2-2 on the year.

GIRLS' SOCCER

Each team had seven shots on goal and each goalkeeper made seven saves.

Thus, the result of the Section Three girls' soccer match at Cocalico on Thursday, September 8, ended in a scoreless draw.

Donegal goalie Hailey Sideman and Eagles goalie Madison Rogers each turned away seven scoring attempts as the Indians improved to 1-2-1 on the year (0-0-1 league).

FIELD HOCKEY

The Donegal field hockey team ran into a scoring buzz saw called Warwick on Thursday, September 8. The Warriors scored three first-period goals, two of which came off the stick of Faith Bollinger, and went on to defeat the Indians 5-0.

With the loss, the Indians fell to 2-2 overall.

Sarah Gainer put Donegal on the scoreboard in a non-league match two days later at home. But it was the only offense the Indians could muster in a 4-1 setback to Conestoga Valley.

Alaina Culbert and Mikayla Rineer each tallied two goals for the Buckskins.

Manheim Township's potent offense posted six goals in a league game at Donegal on Wednesday, September 14. The Blue Streaks won 6-0.

The loss dropped Donegal to 2-4-0 overall.