After a dominating 8-3 victory over Lampeter-Strasburg, the Comets found the going a bit tougher when they hosted undefeated Wilson Saturday morning, Sept. 17. The hosts worked 11 corners, scored in two quarters, and pulled out a 2-1 non-league thriller.

"They're the No. 1 team in the district," said head coach Rachel Suter. "It was a big win. After a scoreless first quarter we talked about taking care of the things we can control, our offense, our attitude."

The Comets scored on their first corner. Avery Bradburn inserted the corner and Tristan Groff's hit from the top of the circle was good for a 1-0 lead. Wilson returned the favor with 11:46 left in the third frame.

Both teams battled with midfield play in the fourth before the Comets, with under two minutes remaining forced a pair of corners. The second coming with 48 seconds left. Groff received the insert at the top of the circle, dished a pass to Caity McGough who beat the keeper and provided the game-winning goal.

"It was a well-played game by both teams," said Suter. "Tristan played well as did Annie Bibus on defense. She's a rock back there.

"We are taking things one game at a time," said Suter. "The girls are working hard."

In a wildly entertaining back-and-forth affair last Tuesday night in Lititz, McGough notched her second goal of the game, the game-winner, at 9:08 in overtime to provide a 4-3 victory by the Comets (6-1 overall).

McGough scored the only goal of the first quarter, but Warwick responded with a pair in the second frame. Chloe Hook knotted the game at 2-2 in the third and both teams traded fourth quarter tallies with Avery Bradburn sending the game into overtime.

GOLF

In their only home match of the season, the golf team finished with two wins against two losses. Jesse Shue continued to lead the way, carding his average, 75. Aiden Doyle (80), Seb Elias (84), and Cole Beakes (91) rounded out the counters.

Manor wrapped up the season with another third-place effort at Four Seasons GC last Wednesday. Shue's 74 was the second lowest score of the day. Doyle (77), Elias (83) and JP Radwanski (86) accounted for the 320 team score that followed Cedar Crest (299) and Township (308).

BOYS' SOCCER

The Comets suffered its third straight one goal loss Thursday, Sept. 15, in a 2-1 result against Warwick. A goal by Tyler Hostetter, assisted by Jonathan Harthon, in the 24th minute tied the game at 1-1 but just four minutes later, Warwick struck again, scoring what proved to be the game-winner.

"Our goal was the result of a great build up through the midfield from Gavin Roberts and Garret Cortez ending in a cross from Jonathan to Tyler," recalled head coach Paul Taylor. "Their goals were the result of our mistakes."

Drew Lebo recorded ten saves.

"Our back line of Lucas Victorio, Tommy Lebo, Logan Greenawalt, Thatcher Kratz and Peyton Landis along with stellar performances from our keeper Drew Lebo, has kept our games close."

Last Monday the Comets suffered a 3-0 result at Manheim Township. Last Wednesday they gave up five second half goals in a 6-1 loss to Hempfield. Tyler Hostetter scored the first goal of the game.

GIRLS' SOCCER

After an 8-0 victory over CV, the Comets secured its second one-goal victory of the season, edging Warwick 4-3 in overtime on Thursday, Sept. 15. Seven different players contributed to that four-goal effort.

"It was a pretty even game and a crazy second half," said head coach Bill Zapata whose team held a 1-0 lead on a goal by Carolyn Hinkle, assisted by Lilly Rineer, in the first half.

It was back-and-forth after that with Lauren Stoner, assisted by Carly Keene, notching the game-winner in the 84th minute.

"Our goal was to double team their best player, Olivia Shertzer, and we did that," said Zapata. "She worked for the two goals she scored. We expected a tough game, and it was."

Caroline Hinkle, Izzy Kligge and Rineer scored the first three goals with Rineer, Hinkle, Kerrigan Thompson and Keene providing setups.

Saturday night the Comets hosted Bishop McDevitt and picked up a 3-0 shutout. "We had two defenders (Kelly Wall and Annaliese Mann) and a sub (Kerrigan Thompson) score. It's great to have a bunch of different players contributing to the offense."

That offense, unfortunately, hit a wall last Monday as visiting Manheim Township scored twice in the second half to secure a 3-1 victory. Rineer's assist to Stoner tied the game at 1-1 in the first half. Allison Burkholder recorded 13 saves as the Comets seven game win streak ended.

Wednesday's outing was another tough one. Hempfield scored what proved to be the game winner in the 45th minute.

VOLLEYBALL

Behind 9 kills from Cassidy McCollumn and seven more from Brianna Lee and Lezlie Nguyen, the Comets earned its second straight victory with a 3-0 thriller (25-23, 25-15, 25-23) over Manheim Township, Thursday, Sept. 15.

Maya Sugra and Jordan Bailey added to the offense with 3 aces each and Eliana Knaub (9 digs) dished out 19 assists. Taylor Long provided a pair of blocked shots while McCollum and Janelle Bowmaster chipped in with 7 digs each.

"Township was missing a key player on offense," noted head coach Tim Joyce. "But we were winning the serve and pass battle, and that helped us. Although Lezlie and Brianna registered only one official block, they were getting their hands on many of Township's attacks and slowing them down," he added. "Eliana did a nice job distributing sets evenly."

The Comets played in the Hempfield tournament on Sept. 17. "It was an opportunity to gain experience for our bench," said Joyce.

In another battle Tuesday, the Comets suffered a 3-0 loss to CV dropping the first and third sets by two points each, 26-24 and 25-23 respectively.

FOOTBALL

Eli Warfel passed for 134 yards and rushed another 68 while Dahmir Wesley caught three passes for 48 yards and a touchdown as the Comets defeated Cedar Crest 14-9 in the Section Opener in Millersville Friday, September 15. Wesley also batted down a third-and-11 pass from the Comets 25 with ten seconds remaining and DeShawn Stanley added a fourth down interception at the two that sealed the Falcons' fate.

The Comets held the Falcons to 85 yards rushing on 24 attempts. They did manage 187 passing yards but that included three interceptions and 35 attempts.

After a scoreless first quarter, Manor took the lead on Warfel's 21-yard strike to Wesley in the second quarter. A high punt snap on the Comets' first possession after intermission led to Crest's Nolan Groff tackling Peter Skiadis in the end zone for a safety.

On the ensuing kickoff Manor marched to the Falcon one before a fumble ended the threat. After an exchange of punts, Osman's interception led to Warfel passes to Wesley and Kyle Furnier and a five-yard keeper for the winning TD. Skiadis booted the second of two successful PATs.

Kyle Schmidtke, Jimmy Keck, Spencer Stuart, and Jonathan Osman combined for 12 solo tackles and 15 assists to lead the defense.

TENNIS

A 4-3 loss at Conestoga Valley Monday, Sept. 19, was Manor's (5-4 overall) fourth one point match this season and the first time they came up short.

With Catherine Rabatin and Erin Shipley securing the only doubles win, the Comets entered singles play down 2-1 but only managed a split. Rabatin dominated with a 6-1, 6-0 win at No. 1 while Autumn Kirkley battled for a come-from-behind 2-6, 6-3, 10-4 win.

Wednesday in Manheim, Rabatin's 6-0, 6-0 win at No. 1 prevented a shutout against the Barons.