The Pequea Valley squad served up a 5-2 L-L League victory over Northern Lebanon on Monday, September 27. It was the Braves' first league victory (1-3) as they improved to 1-5 overall.

Kyleigh Jarvis not only cruised to a 6-0, 6-0 victory at number one singles, she and Sanjurjo battled to a 9-7 win at number one doubles. Sanjurjo was also a 6-0, 6-0 winner at number two doubles.

Kylie Stoltzfus helped win another team point. She and Denny were 8-1 winners at number three doubles.

FOOTBALL

The Braves' offense was unable to put any points on the board in Friday night's loss to Garden Spot in non-league gridiron action. In a 56-0 victory on September 24, the Spartans claimed their first win of the year (1-4). The Braves, who had picked up their first win the previous week, fell to 1-3.

A defensive touchdown and another score had the Braves trailing by only two touchdowns after the first quarter. But a dominant rushing game - 284 yards on 45 attempts - helped Garden Spot dominate time of possession and subsequently the scoreboard. The Spartans put 35 more points on the board before halftime.

GOLF

The L-L League Championships took place on Monday, September 27, at Honeybrook Golf Club. Matt Lapp of Pequea Valley finished in a tie for eighth place as he shot a 6-over-par 76. Senior Kyle Ebersol shot an 82 and ended the day in a six-way tie for 20th on the leaderboard.

The scorecard for Manheim Township's Emmett Kappesser featured a 1 under 69, earning him the boys' individual title.

In the team standings, Lampeter-Strasburg ended Township's 11-year reign by edging the Blue Streaks 308 to 309.

BOYS' SOCCER

The Braves defeated Dayspring Christian Academy in a non-league afternoon game on Wednesday, September 29. The win improves the Braves' mark to 9-1-1 overall.

In the 2-0 victory, the Braves started out slow yet patient, according to head coach Peter Bennett.

"They were a very defensive minded team," he said of Dayspring. "We were playing on a grass field, which was slower for us. We needed to stay persistent.

"I'm glad that we stayed persistent and were rewarded," continued the coach. "I was glad to see us try some different things - taking what we talked about at halftime and putting it to work."

The Braves scored the game's first goal on a laser off the foot of Dylan Ratjavong from right inside the 18 (Regan Thomas assist). Nevin Stoltzfus took a feed on a breakaway, taking an assist from Ratjavong, and touching it past the goalkeeper.

Speaking of goalkeepers, Jazae Itegi had to only make two saves to claim his fourth shutout of the season.

"We've had seven shutouts," Bennett explained. "In three of those, Jazae split time with Gabe McDonald."

The Braves' prior game was a 2-1 triumph over Octorara on Saturday, September 25.

Jamison Castor of Pequea and J.D. Mickel of the Octorara Braves both scored a goal in the first half, making it 1-1 at intermission.

Castor scored the game-winning goal in the 77th minute.

"It was fast-paced and exciting," Bennett said. "We were fortunate enough to get a second goal with about three or four minutes left in the game.

"Every time we play them, it's a tough match," Bennett said of Octorara. "For as long as I've coached, this backyard rivalry has always been hard-fought end-to-end games."

The Braves are sitting atop the Section Four standings - tied with Annville-Cleona at 2-0-0 in league play.

"We have had a good strong defense and good goalkeeping all year," Bennett said. "We've been fortunate to have some good goal scorers too. In the second half of the season, word gets out and teams make adjustments. I'm glad we are able to try different things."

GIRLS' SOCCER

Following back-to-back 1-0 matches, the Pequea girls' soccer team broke through with three goals in a 3-1 non-league victory at York Suburban on Monday night, September 27.

That offense came alive in the first half as Morgan Graham scored 15 minutes into the match followed by two more goals by Elena Esh. Both goals by the junior came within eight minutes of one another.

Emily Diller, Caroline Fisher and Jenna Rishel were each credited with an assist in the win while on the defensive side, Maddy Weaver made four saves.

The Braves (7-4-0) were coming off a tough 1-0 loss to Octorara. In the home game on Saturday, it was the visiting Braves who left the field victorious, defeating Pequea 1-0 in overtime. Sidnie Althouse gave Octorara the win with Gianna Georgette providing the assist.

Weaver showed her usual dependability throughout regulation and into overtime, making six saves.

She had four saves and registered a shutout on Thursday, September 23 in a 1-0 L-L League win at home over Lancaster Catholic. The Braves out-shot the Crusaders 10-4 with Esh scoring off a Diller assist in the first half.