The Lancaster-Lebanon League boys lacrosse playoffs are set to begin Friday with a pair of semifinal contests at Warwick.
Section Two champion Lampeter-Strasburg takes on Section One runner-up Hempfield at 5 p.m. followed by Section One champion Manheim Township versus Section Two runner-up Cocalico in the nightcap.
Friday’s winners will advance to the championship final May 14 at F&M’s Shadek Stadium at 7 p.m. following the girls’ championship. This will be F&M’s first time hosting the league finals.
Both semifinal games qualify as rematches. Hempfield defeated L-S 8-7 in overtime on April 27, while Manheim Township defeated Cocalico in last year’s league championship game by a score of 15-6.
Manheim Township is aiming for a third consecutive L-L title — and its ninth overall. The Blue Streaks have played in every league final since 2009, when boys lacrosse became an official PIAA sport.
Bears nab first win
It’s been a difficult season for Elizabethtown boys lacrosse, but a great group of seniors have done their part holding the team together.
Fittingly, the Bears broke out last week with a 17-1 victory over Cedar Cliff on Senior Night. It was their first win of the year.
“They were making the right passes, and seeing the next pass,” Elizabethtown coach Cassidy Bender said. “They weren’t being selfish. Just proving that if they do what they’re supposed to do then good things will happen.”
Seniors Holden Haver and Wyatt Wawrzyniak finished with four goals apiece for the Bears. Fellow seniors Carson Nyesmith (one goal, two assists), Bryce Kauffman (one goal) and Carter Ketchum also had outstanding games as Elizabethtown cruised past the Colts.
“Their positive attitude and wanting to get better has helped the younger guys out,” Bender said.
Despite a disappointing campaign, the Bears continue to lay a foundation for the future.
Junior attack Christian Robinson had two goals and three assists against Cedar Cliff. Meanwhile, sophomore defenders Colin Bomboy and Aaron Van Tassel contributed a number of ground balls and defensive clears.
“With their experience moving forward, I’m hoping they’ll lead us,” Bender said. “Our goalie, Josiah Erb, has had a great year. Offensively, we have a couple sophomores who have gotten better throughout the year.”
Buckskins stay hot
Who’s hotter than Conestoga Valley? After going 3-7 in league play, CV went a perfect 7-0 against nonleague competition to finish the regular season with a 10-7 overall record.
Last week, the Bucks defeated Warwick, Cocalico and Chambersburg to state their case for a District Three Class 3A playoff spot.
“We have an opportunity to right some wrongs and we’re convinced that if we do the right things, we can have a whole new season,” CV coach Bill Neal said. “We’re going to take it as far as we can go.”
District Three playoffs
The District Three playoffs are scheduled to begin May 17.
Regular season games played through May 13 count toward the playoff rankings. The top 12 teams in each class make the postseason. The top four teams in each class earn a first-round bye.
L-L teams currently inside the playoff bubble as of May 5 are: In Class 2A, Lampeter-Strasburg (No. 2) and Cocalico (No. 4).
In Class 3A, Manheim Township (No. 1), Hempfield (No. 5), Penn Manor (No. 8), Conestoga Valley (No. 9), and Ephrata (No. 12).
