Sports

8- ADVERTISER - Penn Manor Edition - April 6, 2022 SPORTS Conestoga Valley • Donegal • Elizabethtown Garden Spot • Hempfield Lampeter-Strasburg • Manheim Central Penn Manor • Pequea Valley • Solanco MORE SPORTS PICTURES and other high school sports news at

Girls’ Lacrosse Team Rebuilding Defense

BY MONA STEINHAUER

The Comets opened their 2022 season with a home game against South Western on Saturday, March 26 but did not have an answer for Katie Yocum who scored seven goals and sparked a 16-8 Mustang victory.

“We lost six senior defenders, one midfielder and one attacker from last year,” said head coach Anneli Starry, “so our defensive squad has been working hard.”

The visitors jumped out to a 10-2 lead in the first half. The Comets regrouped at the break and scored the first three goals of the second half. They played even with the Mustangs as both squads tallied six goals.

“The second half was a much better representation of Penn Manor lacrosse,” said Starry.

Senior co-captain Keegan Dings, who paced the Comet attack with 29 goals last year, led the charge with a hat trick. Mia Jones and Jarliah Ferko each scored twice, and Erin Shipley added one.

Last Tuesday, in a 19-2 loss to visiting Hempfield, the Comets fell to 0-2. The Knights led 13-1 at the break and outscored their hosts 6-1 down the stretch. Dings and Jones each scored once. Keepers Mackenzie Nafziger and Brooklyn Ayala combined for nine saves in the two games. “Our goalies will compete every day for varsity time,” said Starry. “We are lucky to have these two, working hard and making each other stronger players.”

TENNIS

Looking for a second straight win, the Comets faced CV on Friday, March 25 but came away with a 6-1 defeat. PJ Fahey and Suren Clark secured the lone point of the match, defeating Wenger and McQuate 8-5 at No. 1 doubles.

The going was tougher Tuesday as the Comets fell 7-0 to an undefeated Hempfield squad. William Steltz put up the biggest numbers for the Comets, battling Eric Jordan to a 6-3, 6-4 No. 2 loss.

“The matches were more competitive than the scores looked,” said head coach Amanda Pryzbylkowski, “many of them went to deuce regularly. They made Hempfield earn the win.”

Their tough luck continued with Wednesday’s 7-0 loss to Cedar Crest.

BOYS’ LACROSSE

The boys’ lacrosse team opened its season with a victory, even if it did take a couple extra minutes. Down three goals with under seven minutes left the Comets rallied, eventually knotting the score when Isaic Nafziger set up Adam Hollinger (3 goals) for the tying goal with 41 seconds left.

Erik Hinkle, after winning the first faceoff in overtime, scored the game-winner.

“He is the ultimate competitor,” said first year head coach Connor Rowe, a Comet assistant since 2016. “Overall, the guys never gave up.”

The Eagles led 8-6 heading into the fourth quarter.

“Nick Hollinger really stepped up and made some great saves,” noted Rowe. “He kept encouraging his teammates and is becoming a leader on our team.

“We have a few starters back that are eager to make another run (the Comets lost a one-goal game to Cumberland Valley in the District 3 quarterfinals) but we have a lot to work on if we want to be playing into May again. We also have the most competitive group of freshmen I’ve seen in my time in the program. The future looks bright.”

Adam Hollinger’s three goals fueled the win. Eli Warfel added two while Dylan Keene (3a), Isiac Nafziger (2a), Benedict Flinchbaugh and Colin Eby each scored once.

Some of that work may have been evident in Tuesday’s 18-6 loss to Hempfield. The Knights outscored the Comets in each quarter, including 6-2 in the second.

Nafziger led with three goals. A. Hollinger, Keene, Hinkle (1a) and Flinchbaugh (1a) also scored.

SOFTBALL

It was a chilly start to 2022 but the Comets prevailed, topping Lancaster Catholic 14-2 in four innings last Tuesday. Clinging to a 6-2 lead after two innings, Manor exploded for eight runs in the fourth to seal the Crusaders fate.

photo by Mona Steinhauer

In non-league play against South Western Saturday, March 26, Keegan Dings defends Lexi Plesic at Comet Field.

photo by Mona Steinhauer

Penn Manor’s Jarliah Ferko carries the ball up the field as South Western’s Morgan Schneider defends.

See Sports pg 10

photo by Mona Steinhauer

Penn Manor’s Mia Jones splits a pair of South Western defenders in non-league action at Comet field Saturday, March 26.

rain or shine

Presented by WHERE & WHEN PENNSYLVANIA

Calvary Church Campus (rear), 1051 Landis Valley Rd., Lancaster

What is the PA Family Travel Fair?

Exhibitors from attractions and destinations in Pennsylvania will have information and goodies available so you can plan your next getaway in PA with no pressure to buy anything!

Amazing getaways and prize drawings throughout the day! One lucky attendee will win an all-inclusive family vacation! Free fun for kids, including our Passport To PA activity, a balloon artist, magic shows, mascots, KPETS Therapy animals and more!