Penn Manor Girls’ Lacrosse Ready to Push On, Despite Close Loss

The Penn Manor Girls’ Lacrosse team was left disappointed, heartbroken, and frustrated after their 16-15 loss to Hempfield in their regular season finale, Tuesday May 10.

This game was at home and on Penn Manor’s Senior Night, which added to the pain of losing to Hempfield, the first time in five years and missing the L-L League championship game for the first time in four years.

Senior, defensive player, Kerri Althouse commented on the disappointment of missing leagues.

“It really hurts not being able to play in leagues this year,” said Althouse.  “It will be my only year without a league medal. It’s a disappointing way to end my high school career.”

The Comets went into the game tied with Hempfield for second place in Section 1. The winner of this nighttime showdown at Turkey Hill Venue Field would move into sole possession of second place and claim the final spot in the league playoff bracket.

This year marks the first year of the new league system. Under the new system, the top two teams in each section get the chance to contend for the league title. Senior, attack player, Julie Falk said she does not like the new league system.

“I think it’s very stupid because our section [section 1] has the top four teams in the league. So, by adding this new system, you cut two great teams out of the league championship contention. It’s just not fair,” Falk said.

The Comets flew out of the gate against the Black Knights en route to a 10-8 first half lead in which they never trailed.

Hempfield did not have an answer on defense for Falk, who scored four times in the opening half.

Black Knights coach, Liz Hockley, must have given a great halftime speech because her team came out of the locker rooms with determination written all over their faces.

Hempfield opened the second half with a 6-1 run, took the lead (16-9), and never trailed after.

Falk, who is on her way to Old Dominion University to play Division I lacrosse, tried to analyze the close  game, “I was doing great in the first half. I felt good and my game was really flowing. I don’t know what happened in the second half but they just completely shut me down and our team play as a whole followed.”

Although, the Comets are disappointed and frustrated with their loss and missing the league tournament, they are still ready to get get back into district contention. Last year, the Comets came in second in districts, losing to rival Manheim Township, and lost in the first round of states to Strath Haven, a team from the Philadelphia Area.

Althouse said she’s looking forward to districts, “This year looks good for us in districts. We got a good seed and one of the best routes, if not the best route, to the finals.”

Falk added to that by saying, “We are looking for gold this year. We really want another chance at [Manheim] Township. I want to show them what it feels like to get second in districts.”

The girls are pumped and ready for the playoffs to start. They took the field against Wilson at home Tuesday, May 18.

They were hungry to start their playoff run, trashing the Bulldogs, 15-5. They now move on to the second round of district contention to play three seeded, Kennard-Dale.

They will clash on May 22 with the venue and time still to be announced. Pay attention to the place and time for this game and clear your schedules to come support and cheer your Comets on to victory. Go Get ‘Em Girls!

by Josh Brown