The boys' cross country team did not miss a step last Tuesday, Sept. 6, in a home meet against Solanco and Ephrata. The Pioneers, who went 11-0 last year, earned two more wins, topping the Mules (19-39) and the Mounts (16-44).

"We did lose a number of seniors, but this year's group continues to be motivated," said head coach Mari Cunningham.

Colin Whitaker (16:38) and Ben Devine (16:52) led the pack. Solanco's Anthony Solis snuck in for third before Parker Stoner (4th) and Luke Smith (5th) crossed the line. Owen Witmer's eighth place finish secured the final spot with Andrew Cramer rounding out the top ten place winners.

With five runners back, the girls' squad was also looking to sweep but the determined Mounts, and a first-place finish by Madison Kimmel, led to a 23-33 defeat of the hosts. L-S did place four runners in the top ten and defeated Solanco 26-31. Keira Smecker finished 5th with Merin Kauffman, Morgan Wright and Jaclyn Martin taking 7th, 8th, and 9th respectively. Abby Welchans (15th) was the final counter with Mikayla Coe (17th) and Jocelyn Wolff (18th) challenging for that spot.

TENNIS

Despite losing half of their varsity roster to graduation, the L-S girls' tennis team has reloaded and is off to a 5-0 start. "A surprising addition is senior Rowan Kimmel, a standout lacrosse player," said head coach Mark Trach. "She will be in the starting lineup somewhere and, with a little help, we still have a good shot at another section title."

Lampeter's early run includes four shutouts and three straight over Warwick, Penn Manor and most recently Donegal, 4-0 on a wet Tuesday, Sept. 6.

After sweeping doubles play, Lauren Leaman defeated Corrine Watson to end the match early against visiting Donegal. Leaman also teamed with Kimmel for an 8-3 No. 2 doubles win. Kylie Gerhardt and Katie Finn (No. 1) and Eve Miller and Jess Salgado (No. 3) also secured 8-3 wins.

Playing a 3-2 format against the Comets on Sept. 2, the Pioneers won a tighter battle. Finn and Bryn Young won 6-1, 6-1 at No. 1 doubles while Salgado and Emma Williams fought for a 1-6/6-7 (6-8 tiebreak) win.

In singles action, Gerhardt won 6-1, 6-2, Leaman secured a 6-3, 7-5 result and Kimmel settled for a 6-4, 6-2 win.

GOLF

Sitting at 15-0 with just three matches left, the golf team has pretty much clinched another section title. Elco is second at 11-4 and Central is a distant third (9-6).

"If we don't shoot ourselves in the foot, we should be OK," said head coach Mike Chiodo. "We control our own destiny. We're not as deep as last year but we have four sophomores (Addison Rosa, Drew Wilson, Brady Weichler and Charlie Westerlund) fighting for starting spots so that keeps things competitive."

Ben Wilson, a senior, has been the front runner for L-S, winning all three matches. He fired a season-low 69 at Honeybrook where the Pioneers carded a 317 as a team, topping Central's 339.

LS recorded the four lowest scores of the day at Iron Valley with Wilson (73), Morgan Smith (87), Weichler (88) and Jason Long (88).

Wilson, Long and Smith were joined by Kenny Finn at Honeybrook while Addison Rosa replaced Long for a top four finish in a rain-shortened outing at Pine Meadows.

FIELD HOCKEY

After opening the season with a solid 4-1 win at Annville-Cleona on Sept. 2, the Pioneers did an about face four days later, suffering a 5-0 defeat at Warwick.

"I was happy with how we adjusted to playing on the grass," said head coach Katrina Swarr. "We had some excellent passing combinations and showed overall grit in the circle. Marissa Rice, Tori Heiserman and Lyndi Wall should be a great combo in the circle."

Tied at 1-1 in the first quarter, L-S finished strong, scoring three unanswered goals, two by Rice, to grab the victory. Heiserman scored the first goal and Maggie Swarr added a goal in the second frame.

"With seven returning starters, I have high hopes. But we will be challenged in every game we play," added Swarr.

That challenge started last Tuesday in Lititz. The Warriors scored in every quarter and outshot the Pioneers 23-3 for the victory.

"I think we played defense for 60 minutes," said Swarr. "They were wildly fast. It was disappointing."

BOYS' SOCCER

The Section Two Pioneers got off to a great start, blanking Penn Manor 2-0 in the season opener Sept. 2. Dan Marcroft tallied a first-half goal and Jack Frego scored in the 57th minute. Landon Rice and Jack Kelly were credited with assists.

"Love beating those 4A and Section One schools," lauded head coach Chris Garaffa. "Our center backs did a good job controlling their dangerous attack players. The team chemistry is high, we're confident on the ball and willing to take risks in the right moments to make things happen. But we always have things to work on. Our veteran players are doing a tremendous job of leading by example."

At home on Sept. 7, L-S escaped with a 2-1 win over Central. Marcroft finished a feed from Chase Lauver and Rice scored an unassisted goal to lift the hosts.

FOOTBALL

After a disappointing loss to Solanco, the gridiron team went back to work and Friday, Sept. 2 went to work against Penn Manor. The result: a 35-0 blowout.

"I think the kids knew we made too many mistakes against Solanco," said head coach Victor Ridenour. "They worked hard to correct those mistakes."

Mistakes gave L-S momentum. Comet mistakes that is. L-S blocked a punt and recovered a fumble in a span of less than two minutes and converted with a pair of touchdowns, giving the hosts a 14-0 lead in the first quarter. They never looked back. Jackson Heeter scored on an 8-yard toss from Trent Wagner and Carson Coleman's (79 yards rushing, 5 receptions) one-yard run accounted for the early lead. Hunter Hildenbrand added a 60-yard scramble in the second frame and Wagner (12-15 for 175 yards, 3TDs) hit Damoj Gray for a 16-yard strike that pushed the lead to 28-0 at the half. Wagner's 67-yard bomb to Dean Herr wrapped up the scoring in the third quarter. Peter Fiorello successfully booted five PAT's.

Jack Groff and Harry Wolgemuth anchored the defense with seven total tackles each with Tre Spahr and Jackson Heeter each credited with a sack.

"Our defense played extremely well," said Ridenour. "Trent had a good night throwing, and the line protected him well.

GIRLS' SOCCER

With just one scrimmage prior to their first game of the season, the girls' soccer team suffered an 8-0 result against a Penn Manor squad that was playing their fifth game.

"It was a tough start, but I am confident that this experience will be an important chip on our shoulder to motivate us throughout the season," said first year head coach Taylor Garraffa, last year's assistant coach. "Only up from here."

In a game that literally see-sawed back-and-forth, L-S dropped a 4-3 heartbreaker at Manheim Central Sept. 7. Clinging to a 3-2 lead on Ally Brenneman's goal in the 55th minute, the Barons scored twice in a six-minute span to escape with the win.

Kali O'Connor and Madison Weichler scored the first two goals and Lexi Wetting notched a hat trick in the assist department.

VOLLEYBALL

The volleyball team opened its season with a 3-2 marathon win over visiting Garden Spot, Sept. 6. The Pioneers won the first two sets 25-17, 25-17 before dropping the second two sets 25-17, and 25-20 and then pulled out the win with a 15-9 third set result. Stats were unavailable at press time.