SPORTS
4 - ADVERTISER - Solanco Edition - November 10, 2021
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Booters Fall in District Quarters, Tie Most Wins
BY MONA STEINHAUER
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. While the goal at the start of the The loss closes the door for five season is to qualify for the post-seaseniors - four year starters Maya son, it doesn’t really hit you until Dolan, Kendal Janssen, Rilyn Sander you’re there that, unless you win it and Hannah Wood along with all, your season will end with a loss. goalie Caroline Drumm who were Solanco’s girls’ soccer team realized again one win away from states. that scenario Thursday, October “Two years ago, only three went 26th as they dropped a 3-0 result in to states and we lost the play-in the District 3A quarterfinal against game,” Yoder recalled. “We tied our the top seed Blue Devils of Greenrecord with wins, but I would have castle-Antrim. liked to have that cancelled Kennett “They were one of the best teams game back. I have seen in a long time,” said “At the end of the day, we didn’t head coach Ken Yoder. “They were win a section title or a league title, super quick all over the field.” but we accomplished more than Solanco, seeded ninth, ended its winning those titles,” he continued. season one win short of the pro“The girls just play their hearts out gram’s first trip to the state tournaand have such great attitudes. I will ment. Their 14-5 mark tied the miss it,” Yoder, who is stepping school record for most wins in a seadown and moving to Florida, added. son set in 2019. This was their sec“We had a sendoff in front of Rite Aid ond trip to the district tournament. 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. Photo by Cheri Sine “Avery continued to improve right Mules Trent Henry (17) and Colton Stoltzfus team up to tackle E- up to his last race,” said head coach town’s Logan Lentz for a loss in Solanco’s 32-14, Section Two loss Andrew Musselman. “He missed at E-town on October 29. 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 Dinner Rolls & Baked Goods 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 experiFresh Locally ence as they competed. Raised Turkeys “Curtis is our only freshman this Pre-Order year,” said Musselman. “He continYours Today! ues to learn and got himself a PR, as did Michael.” Representing the girls’ squad was 1955 Beaver Valley Pike, just N. of Quarryville Christine Wagner and Emma Baxter. www.mecksproduce.com (717) 786-4713 “The girls were expected to bareMon.-Fri. 8am-6pm, Sat. 8am-4pm ly break the top 100,” noted Mussel-
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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.
man. “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
Solanco’s Josiah Forren eludes E-town’s Drew Hitz on a kickoff return in the Mules’ 32-14, Section Two loss to the host Bears on October 29.
