The Donegal girls' soccer team remained unbeaten in Lancaster-Lebanon League play thanks to a 1-0 shutout of McCaskey on Thursday, September 22.

The first half goal by Gina Phillips, which came off an assist from fellow senior Laken Merchant, provided all the offense Donegal needed for the win.

Donegal improved to 5-2-3 overall with a 4-1 victory over Eastern York two days later.

"After a slow start, I felt we got going and put pressure on Eastern York, enabling us to get our midfield further up the field," head coach Adam Morris commented. "Gina Phillips scored on two long-range efforts.

"Once we were ahead, we were able to rest a few of the senior players," continued the coach. "I was happy overall. We just need to start games quicker and with better fluidity."

The team stayed unbeaten in L-L League play with a 10-0 defeat of Lebanon on Wednesday. Donegal improved to 4-0-3 in the league

GIRLS' TENNIS

It was Senior Night on Monday, September 26, for the Donegal girls' tennis team. The Indians posted a 7-0 victory, improving to 4-3 in L-L League play (6-4 overall).

"We've played some tough matches, but the team has been playing well," head coach Trent Hoffmaster stated.

Kensington Edmond and Corrine Watson teamed for an 8-3 number one doubles win. Janelle Kingsboro and Emily Frownfelter were a winning duo (8-0) at number two doubles with Hannah Sloboien and Andrea Hess taking the third match 8-1.

Edmond also came through with straight set win at number one singles (6-4, 6-0) followed by straight set wins by Kingsboro, Watson and Frownfelter.

"All of the girls have been improving," Hoffmaster commented. "Janelle Kingsboro has the best singles record on the team. Hannah Slobozien is rushing the net well. Hannah and Andrea are steadily improving at the net."

Donegal was coming off a 7-0 defeat of Lebanon at home on September 22.

Edmond and Watson were 8-3 winners and the twosomes of Wallace/Kingsboro and Slobozien/Hess each won 8-1.

Edmond dominated the number one singles 6-1, 6-0 - the same scores for Kingsboro at number two and Watson at number three. Frownfelter blanked Aggy DiScuillo 6-0, 6-0 at fourth singles.

FOOTBALL

Berks Catholic and Donegal went head-to-head in a defense-dominated Section Four battle on Friday night, September 23. The Saints limited the visiting Indians to only a first-half field goal and a Noah Rohrer touchdown in the third quarter as they held on for a 21-9 victory.

"We had the ball inside the 10-yard line two times and came away with only three points," head coach Chad Risberg explained. "That hurt us."

Offensively, the difference proved to be Josiah Jordan. The senior tailback led all rushers with 106 yards on 16 carries, which included two touchdowns from inside the Donegal five-yard line.

Heading into the fourth quarter, it was a six-point game with the Saints up 15-9. Jordan's 56-yard punt return gave the Saints their 21-9 advantage.

Donegal drew first blood, going up 3-0 on Rohrer's 28-yard field goal in the second stanza. The Saints gained a 7-3 advantage before halftime on Jordan's one-yard plunge and a PAT by Andrew Kurtas.

Donegal regained the lead on Rohrer's rushing touchdown, making it 9-7 in the third quarter. But Donegal did not maintain the lead into the final period thanks to the second Jordan score and a two-point PAT.

"The kids played hard," Risberg said. "We are getting better each week."

FIELD HOCKEY

With a solid performance at Cedar Crest on Monday, September 26, the Indians claimed their first league win of the year (3-7-0 overall).

A second-period goal by Kate Page put Donegal on the winning path. Marie Gehman, who also had an assist on the day, made it 2-0 in the third period. Makayla Ober capped the scoring for her team at the 6:41 mark of the fourth. Natalie Coldwell also chipped in with an assist.

Ella Miller grabbed one save. Her teammates out-shot the Falcons 15-2.

"The girls are working hard at practice as well as in games," said head coach Gina Allessie. "We have been working on finishing the scoring opportunities provided - framing up the goal, sticks down and being aggressive inside."

The Indians lost to Ephrata 2-0 the previous Thursday.

BOYS' SOCCER

The Indians fell to 3-3-0 in league play with a loss at Cocalico on Monday, September 26. The Eagles scored twice in the first half and held the 2-0 lead for the eventual margin of victory. Managing only four shots on goal was the famine after the feast Donegal's soccer team had enjoyed in its two previous matches where the squad scored 14 goals, featuring two hat tricks by L.D. Hanes.

The first of these matches came in a 7-3 victory over league rival Solanco on the road, Thursday, September 22.

The Indians already had built a 3-0 lead by the time the Mules got on the scoreboard. Hanes scored six minutes into the match and doubled the lead three minutes after the midway point of the opening half. Brody Bonham and Tye White provided those assists.

Josh Ledich assisted Emiliano Santos Bernaldez for goal number three.

Bonham made it 4-1 Donegal as Hanes returned the favor with an assist of his own.

White had a goal and two assists in the second half, scoring off an Aiden Dickinson assist in the 59th minute while aiding Travis Zimmerman on his goal and feeding Hanes for the goal that completed the hat trick.

Keegan Cote had three saves for Donegal.

The Indians improved to 8-2-0 with their 7-0 shutout of Eastern York on Saturday, September 24. Along with his hat trick Hanes had two assists.

Aiden Weber, who netted one goal, and White each recorded two assists. Bonham (1 g, 1 asst) and Travis Zimmerman (2 goals) also contributed.

Wednesday the Indians posted a 10-0 shutout over Lebanon. White, and freshman Jacob Melleby and Hanes each scored twice. Pierce Gohn, Collin Donough, Koen Kreider and Dickinson also scored. Leidich led with three assists.

CROSS COUNTRY

The Donegal girls outran Solanco 21-36 at home in a Section Two race on Tuesday, September 27.

The Indians (3-2) placed four runners among the top five finishers, including the winner of the race, Molly Myers. She posted a time of 20:09.5 - a blink of an eye ahead of Rayahna Clerico (20:09.7).

Taking fourth for the Indians was Marleigh Ballard. Addison Houck (5th), Emma Myers (9th) and Bailey Shoaf (10th) rounded out the top 10.

The boys improved to 4-1 out-running Solanco 24-37.

Solanco's Wyatt Tomison won the race in 17:58, ahead of Donegal's John Spackman (18:18) in second place.

Braden Bistline, John Hinkle, Brandon Marcelo, Micah Brydon, Dylan Lenhart and Cadel Barber finished fourth through ninth, respectively.