When the temperature rises, tempers flare.
The Conestoga Valley boys lacrosse team kept its cool on Tuesday at Lititz, defeating Warwick 9-4 in an otherwise chippy, nonsection game between Lancaster-Lebanon League teams.
Isaiah Sensenig scored three goals, Noah Harrison dominated at faceoff and the Buckskins (8-7) doubled down on defense in the second half to defeat the Warriors (6-8).
The win keeps Conestoga Valley in the hunt for a District Three playoff berth in Class 3A. The Bucks have been hanging just inside the cutoff line for much of the season and went into Tuesday holding the final spot — the top 12 qualify — with two games to play.
“We’ve got to take it one game at a time,” CV coach Bill Neal said. “If we can get in, we’d love to see some of the teams that we lost to earlier this year and right the wrongs.”
CV and Warwick traded a series of goals in the first quarter Tuesday. The Buckskins outshot the Warriors 11-5 in the period but Warwick goalie Jackson Shelby stood tall to keep the game tied at 2-2 entering the second quarter.
Shelby (16 saves) also helped set the tone with a clean hit on CV attacker Noah Nolt behind the net. The two engaged in some friendly banter.
“I think they showed a lot of poise,” Neal said of his squad. “I was pretty proud of them. Everyone is all about the wins and losses, but I think these guys showed a lot of character and growth as young men.”
Warwick took its only lead at 3-2 on a bouncing shot by Gavin Sturgis early in the second quarter. Sensenig tied it for Conestoga Valley off an assist by Caedon Ulrich.
The game turned following a pair of Warwick penalties. Tyson Zwaska assisted to Sensenig on a man-up goal to give CV the lead for good.
An off-balance shot by Ulrich found its way into the net, and Seth Frankford scored after the ensuing faceoff for a 6-3 Buckskins lead at the half.
Frustration mounted for the Warriors in the third quarter. Shelby made a series of early saves but Warwick was unable to capitalize at the other end.
CV’s Elijah Tlumach rattled a goal just inside the post, and Nolt pushed a loose ball through traffic and into the open net for an 8-3 lead entering the fourth.
“We do a good job with transition and those guys did great,” Neal said. “But more than that, we were patient, let our defense rest and took good shots, and I think that made a big difference for us on offense.”
Harrison opened the fourth with a quick goal from a faceoff, and the Buckskins were on their way.
“Noah is a great faceoff player but he is an amazing young kid, he really is,” Neal said. “Maybe the nicest kid I’ve ever coached.”
Soren Stoltzfus finished with five saves for Conestoga Valley, which visits Cocalico on Thursday.
Warwick, which got goals from Nate Skidmore, Anthony Hummel, and Kian Oehme, travels to Exeter on Thursday.
