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Booters Fall in District Quarters, Tie Most Wins

BY MONA STEINHAUER

While the goal at the start of the season is to qualify for the post-season, it doesn’t really hit you until you’re there that, unless you win it all, your season will end with a loss. Solanco’s girls’ soccer team realized that scenario Thursday, October 26th as they dropped a 3-0 result in the District 3A quarterfinal against the top seed Blue Devils of Greencastle-Antrim.

“They were one of the best teams I have seen in a long time,” said head coach Ken Yoder. “They were super quick all over the field.”

Solanco, seeded ninth, ended its season one win short of the program’s first trip to the state tournament. Their 14-5 mark tied the school record for most wins in a season set in 2019. This was their second trip to the district tournament.

The Blue Devils took the lead six minutes into the game on a Courtney Andruczk’s shot from 30 yard out. And that stood until halftime.

“We just had trouble finishing in front of the net,” said Yoder. “If one of our shots goes in, I feel it would have changed things.”

G-A was awarded a penalty kick seven minutes into the second half but the shot went wide and Solanco had new life. Unfortunately, Andruczk made it 2-0 at the 31:06 mark. Just over two minutes later, they made it 3-0.

“Those early second half goals took the wind out of our sails a bit,” Yoder said. “Still, despite not being able to possess the ball for long periods of time, I felt we played OK. We played relentless defense. They were just the better team, but we never gave up.”

Solanco’s best opportunity to score came with 21:05 left to play. Meg Bailey went one-on-one with the keeper but her shot went wide.

The loss closes the door for five seniors - four year starters Maya Dolan, Kendal Janssen, Rilyn Sander and Hannah Wood along with goalie Caroline Drumm who were again one win away from states.

“Two years ago, only three went to states and we lost the play-in game,” Yoder recalled. “We tied our record with wins, but I would have liked to have that cancelled Kennett game back.

“At the end of the day, we didn’t win a section title or a league title, but we accomplished more than winning those titles,” he continued. “The girls just play their hearts out and have such great attitudes. I will miss it,” Yoder, who is stepping down and moving to Florida, added. “We had a sendoff in front of Rite Aid and had tremendous support from the community. We beat Elco in double overtime, we beat LS in brutal weather. And I never dreamed that when I took over this is how far we would go. I finally feel like we expect to win soccer games.”

CROSS COUNTRY

The cross country team’s hard work this season paid off when they qualified for the District Three Championships held at Big Spring High School, Saturday, October 30. And while they did not round up the hardware, they did exceed expectations and ended the season on a positive note.

Projected to finish in 24th place, the boy’s team, led by Avery Jacobson, settled for 22nd place. The senior saved his best for last, posting a personal best 17:18 for 46th place.

“Avery continued to improve right up to his last race,” said head coach Andrew Musselman. “He missed qualifying for states by 20 seconds.”

Anthony Solis, Solanco’s only district returner from last year, was close behind. The junior ran his fastest time of the year, a 17:31 and finished in 68th place. Sophomore Wyatt Tomison clocked an 18:09 for 110th place while Jimmy Hartigan (169th, 18:56 PR) and senior Joey Hartigan (200th, 19:27) rounded out the scoring five.

“This was a tough one for Wyatt but he’s anxious for another shot,” Musselman said. “Jimmy had a great race and an amazing finish. Joey was close to his PR for the season and finished his career with a strong race.”

Curtis Hills (20:57) and Michael Eisenberger (22:48), both underclassmen, gained valuable experience as they competed.

“Curtis is our only freshman this year,” said Musselman. “He continues to learn and got himself a PR, as did Michael.”

Representing the girls’ squad was Christine Wagner and Emma Baxter.

“The girls were expected to barely break the top 100,” noted Musselman. “Thanks to the impressive amount of work they put in this summer and fall, they blew those expectations away. Christine ran a career best 20:56 for 54th place. She was 12 places and 17 seconds from a state qualification. Next year!

“Emma also ran an amazing race,” the coach continued. “She finished just behind Christine in 58th place with a 21:02.

“All in all, it was a great day and I couldn’t think of a better way to end the season. I’m extremely proud of these runners. The seniors finished their careers on a high note despite having a new coach and the underclassmen worked hard to get where they did,” Musselman said. “Next year, we set the sights a little bit higher and continue improving. We are heading in the right direction.”

FOOTBALL

On a wildly wet and windy Friday night, October 30th, Solanco’s football team dropped its final game of the season at Elizabethtown, 32-14, leaving the Mules with a 3-7 record.

Solanco committed six turnovers. The Bears converted three. If it wasn’t for a 20-0 second quarter that favored the hosts, the score would have been closer. Solanco punted on the game’s first possession and E-town countered with a 12-play drive and a 31-yard scoring strike for the lead.

The Mules quickly answered. Quarterback Bradley Weder (91 passing yards) hit Elijah Cunningham (3 catches) for a 45-yard TD pass and Trent McDowell’s PAT gave the visitors their only lead of the night, 7-6.

Four minutes into the second quarter, Etown went in front for good on a 39-yard pass play and just over a minute later, they returned a fumble 43 yards to paydirt. The two-point conversion made it 20-7. Another passing TD pushed the lead to 26-7 at the break.

McDowell recovered his own onside kick to start the second half, but a fumbled pitch ended the opportunity. The hosts countered with their fourth straight TD, a 27-yard run.

Solanco capped the scoring with Robert Castagna’s (32 rushing yards) five-yard run with 1:55 left.

Brian Coleman finished with 41 rushing yards and Elijah Reimold added 33. Josiah Forren and Colton Stoltzfus recorded eight solo tackles with Aden Herr adding seven. for more photos, visit www.townlively.com

FIELD HOCKEY

Solanco’s Kate Underwood and Rebecca Bruno received Section Three all-star recognition with Underwood being named to the second team while Bruno was an honorable mention. “Kate netted her first varsity goal this season on a stroke,” recalled head coach Whitney Hawkins. “She is my center mid. She is strong, aggressive and has great vision of the field.

Bruno, a senior, finished with six goals and five assists. “She is a team player,” said Hawkins. “I will miss her passion for the game and her team.”

Photo by Cheri Sine

Mules Trent Henry (17) and Colton Stoltzfus team up to tackle Etown’s Logan Lentz for a loss in Solanco’s 32-14, Section Two loss at E-town on October 29.

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photo by Mona Steinhauer

Members of the Solanco cross country team that competed in the District Three Championships at Big Spring High School Saturday, October 30 included: front row (left to right): Emma Baxter and Christine Wagner. Back row (left to right): Curtis Hills, Liam Barry, Michael Eisenberger, Jimmy Hartigan, Anthony Solis, Joey Hartigan and Avery Jacobsen. Missing: Wyatt Tomison.

LancasterHistory has announced two events.

C. Emlen Urban: Lost & Found will be held via Zoom on Thursday, Nov. 18, at 7 p.m. The speaker will be architect Gregory J. Scott. In 2010, there were 104 architectural commissions attributed to C. Emlen Urban. Recent research, however, has increased that number to well over 350 commissions representing 45 building types in 21 different architectural styles. In this lecture, Scott will reveal many commissions that have been lost or unaccounted for since Emlen’s passing in 1939, such as the Summer Theater at Rocky Springs Amusement Park, the Captain Peoples’ Skating Rink, the Hershey Cow Barn and the 1909 Lancaster County Fair Grand Stand.

The program is free and open to the public but requires advance registration. To register, visit www.lancaster history.org/events or call 717-392-4633.

Yuletide at Wheatland will be held on Wednesdays to Saturdays from Wednesday, Nov. 24, to Thursday, Dec. 30. Tours will begin every half hour, with the first tour at 10 a.m. and the last tour at 3 p.m. LancasterHistory will offer additional Yuletide tours on Mondays, Dec. 20 and 27, and Tuesdays, Dec. 21 and 28, only.

A historically costumed guide will take visitors through both floors of the decorated mansion, sharing stories and histories of Buchanan’s public and personal life through the lens of Yuletides past. From gift giving to trimming the tree, visitors will find out how Yuletide traditions developed over the course of the mid-Victorian era in America. Yuletide at Wheatland general admission tickets also include self-guided access to LancasterHistory’s museum exhibitions.

Tickets are available online or by calling 717-392-4633. Separate ticket fees have been set for people age 14 and up and for children ages 6 to 13. Admission is free for children age 5 and under. Family passes are available as well. For more information, visit www.lancaster history.org/yuletide.

President James Buchanan’s Wheatland will be closed to the public on Sunday, Nov. 14, to Tuesday, Nov. 23, in preparation for Yuletide at Wheatland. All operations of LancasterHistory will be closed on Thursday, Nov. 25, for Thanksgiving.

LancasterHistory is open on Wednesdays to Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tours of Wheatland are available on Wednesdays to Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Capacity is limited, and reservations are recommended. To learn more, visit www.lancaster history.org.

Visitors should review the health and safety protocols at www.lancasterhistory.org/ visit/visitor-covid-guidelines.

Strasburg Seniors To Meet

The Strasburg Senior Citizens will hold their November meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 17, from 1 to 3 p.m. in the activity hall at the Strasburg Fire Company, 203 W. Franklin St. The meeting will feature musical entertainment by Glenn’s One-Man Band.

The club was founded in 1966 and has served the community since then. It provides entertainment programs, bus trips, an annual picnic, a Christmas banquet, and other social activities.

Its goal this year is to rebuild membership. For the balance of this year, free memberships will be available. Member cards are good for dining discounts at Strasburg Pizza and Strasburg Creamery. Visitors are welcome.

For more information, readers may call Bill or Ann at 717-687-9072.

The Lancaster County Bird Club (LCBC) will meet on Thursday, Nov. 11, at 7 p.m. in the auditorium of the Farm and Home Center, 1383 Arcadia Road, Lancaster. Len Eiserer will present “Tree Treasures of Lancaster County,” which will describe special trees in the county, including those that are special because of their size, age, rarity, beauty, unusual shape, or historical interest.

A short business meeting will precede the program. The public is invited to attend free of charge. For more details, call 717-9842738. To learn more about the club, visit www.lancaster birdclub.org.

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