Soccer fans at Pequea Valley High School had the opportunity to see both of the Braves varsity squads play on Saturday, October 16 as the Lancaster-Lebanon League playoffs got underway in girls' and boys' soccer.

Both teams claimed the Section Four championship and earned the right to host in the quarterfinals - the boys' team hosting Manheim Central in the 2:00 PM game and the girls' team hosting Lampeter-Strasburg in the later afternoon contest. Both the Central boys and the L-S girls were the second-place team in their respective section standings.

"It was neat because the boys also won their section - both teams got to play at home," said Steve Morris, the Pequea girls' coach.

"We got to both host the first round of the playoffs," said boys' head coach Peter Bennett, referring to his squad as well as the girls' team. "It was a good occasion. We were just hoping for better results."

The results of the matches were not favorable for the Braves, however. In the boys' game, Manheim Central scored early and forced Pequea to play catch-up, eventually defeating the Braves 4-1. Pequea fell to 13-5-1 on the year.

Gabe Redcary scored two of Central's four goals. Dylan Ratjavong scored Pequea Valley's goal off an assist by Devin Stoltzfus.

"I think the biggest thing to recognize is that speed of play increases as the competition gets better," Bennett remarked. "Manheim Central was moving the ball quickly, especially in front of our goal.

"We need to get off to a good start," he added.

The Braves look forward to starting the District Three Class 2A playoffs, a postseason stage that likely will begin with a match at third-seeded Boiling Springs on Saturday, October 30.

"They are an attack-minded team," Bennett said. "We've struggled against fast teams. We might need to move some pieces around, so we don't end up playing on our heels that much."

Having everyone back healthy will be crucial to the Braves' success.

"We had a couple injuries toward the end of the season," Bennett pointed out.

GIRLS' SOCCER

In the girls' game, Section Two runner up Lampeter-Strasburg pulled ahead in the 52nd minute and held on for the 2-1 victory.

"We knew we would be facing a very good team," Morris said, crediting the Pioneers. "They scored 22 minutes in. We tied it eight minutes into the second half with Deena Stoltzfus scoring off a corner kick.

"It bounced around the box a little bit," continued the coach. "She got a clean look and took it."

Senior goalkeeper Maddy Weaver recorded six saves as the Pioneers out-shot the Braves 8-4.

Pequea fell to 12-5-1 on the year and as of this loss, did not appear to have made it to the District Three Class 2A playoffs.

"Even though we won our section and finished 12-5-1, we might not make the district playoffs," Morris lamented. "This year we had the most wins in program history."

Contributing to the success of the Braves was a senior class that included Stoltzfus, Weaver, Sierra Fisher, Emily Diller, Liana Rogers, Jenna Rishel, Caroline Fisher and Maria Weaver.

"Maria Weaver played all over the place," Morris said. "Maddy Weaver had a great high school career. We will miss her. Caroline Fisher was third on the team in scoring."

Diller was the starting center midfielder and Stoltzfus the center back. Sierra Fisher was the right outside back.

The Braves went 9-1-0 in section play, losing only to Annville-Cleona, to secure their first section championship in team history.

CROSS COUNTRY

In the L-L League Championship race, which took place at Ephrata Middle School on Tuesday, October 19, Caleigh Vincent finished 49th for the Braves, posting a time of 22:21 in the girls' race. Victoria Beiler clocked in at 24:18.7.

In the boys' race, Cam Beiler crossed the finish line in 86th place. He posted a time of 19:13.5 while Donovan Landis ran at a 20:23.0 clip. Sophomore Adam Reber registered 20:57.1 on the clock.

Manheim Township won the girls' race with 54 team points while Hempfield was first in the boys' race with 43 points.