Weaver, Daniel score to lift MC girls over L-S, 2-1

With each passing game, Manheim Central field hockey coach Becca Keener likes the way her squad is improving.

With Section Two contenders Ephrata and Cocalico coming to Elden Rettew Field on Wednesday and Friday, respectively, that is certainly good news for the Lady Barons.

The Central girls started their busy week on Monday night, getting goals from Jess Weaver and Paige Daniel on their way to a 2-1 Section victory in Manheim.

"The girls continue to play better each game," said Keener, whose squad improved to 2-2 in L-L play (4-3 overall). "Tonight, the girls put forth a great effort to come away with the ‘W.’ The crowd was roaring and Baron Nation was on their side to win."

Keener said that although much of the game was played on their left side of the field, they were able to get the job done.

"We continued to play better left side defense with our improving footwork," Central’s skipper said. "Our goal is to continue to find our strong side, the right side of the field for our offensive attack."

Weaver and Lampeter-Strasburg’s Erin King traded first-half tallies, making the score 1-1 at the break. Weaver scored at the 10:49 mark, redirecting the ball past L-S keeper Rachel Wolpert after Jillian Wolgemuth lifted a shot onto the cage.

That was the start of a two-point night for Weaver, who also assisted on Daniel’s game-winner at 17:51 of the second. On a give-and-go on one of MC’s five corners, Daniel took a pass from Weaver and scored into the cage to put the Lady Barons up 2-1.

"The senior class really stepped up tonight with a goal and an assist from Jess Weaver and a goal from Paige Daniel," Keener remarked. "Jillian Wolgemuth, a freshman, also stepped up with an assist."

For the game, Central outshot the Lady Pioneers, but both teams had five penalty corners and L-S didn’t go quietly. But MC keeper Corissa Landis (one save) and the Lady Barons’ defense was equal to the challenge.

"My defense played a better game tonight as well," Keener said. "They still allowed a goal by L-S and had some frantic moments, but they are also continuing to improve each game. Abi Weaver, a senior has really stepped up as my center back and is a commanding force, along with senior keeper Corissa Landis. Seniors in the outside back positions also are contributing to the improvement of the defense."

Last Friday in non-league action, Lancaster Mennonite took a 2-0 lead and held on to defeat the Lady Barons 2-1 in Lancaster.

The Lady Barons got within a goal on Daniel’s tally at 20:20 of the second on a penalty corner, connecting off the insert from Katelyn Grazan, but the Lady Blazers were able to hold on for the win.

LMH outshot Manheim Central 9-2 and they held a 7-3 edge in corners. Landis finished with six stops to help keep it close.

"Best game I’ve seen them put together so far," Keener said. "They put it all out there and played like a team. Unfortunately, the score doesn’t show how hard they played and how well they did. As a coach, I cannot even be mad about losing a game like this. All the pieces were there. We just need to capitalize on our chances and shut down the other teams chances. If we do that, we’ll be golden."

Last Wednesday, Sept. 12, Manheim Central snapped a scoreless halftime time by getting two goals in the opening nine minutes of the second half, leading them to a 2-0 shutout of Solanco in a Section Two game at Elden Rettew Field in Manheim.

Wolgemuth recorded the game-winner with 3:15 elapsed and then Rachel Lapp added an insurance tally on a transition play. Daniel set up Wolgemuth’s goal by giving her a flat pass on a free hit outside the dotted line.

Landis notched the win in goal behind a Manheim Central attack which outshot the Mares 13-0. More LADY BARONS, page B-3