Tuesday, March 19, 2024
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Big first half carries Eagles past Ephrata


ImageThe Cocalico girls lacrosse team doubled up Ephrata in the first half Tuesday in Denver and rode the lead out for a 17-10 victory over the Lady Mounts.

Cocalico (1-1 section, 1-3 overall), which slightly outshot Ephrata, 26-24 for the game, outscored Ephrata 10-5 in the pivotal first half to key the victory.

Kaitlyn Mitchell and Caribeth Shappell each scored four goals for the Eagles to lead the way. Courtney Reinhold added three scores while Xeni Barakos and Leah Stoner each added two goals for the winners. Allie Koser and Megan Leach rounded out the Eagles' scoring.

On the Ephrata side, Kira Shelley led the way with three goals while Morgan Hosler, Hannah Hess and Jamie Gerhart each added two goals apiece. Tonya Rutt rounded out the Ephrata scoring.

Ephrata fell to 0-1 in league play (1-3 overall).

Winning its pre-season scrimmage against Cedar Crest two weeks ago set the stage for a milestone in the history of Ephrata Girls Lacrosse. Now in its third season as a PIAA/L-L League sport, the program continued to move forward last week as the team recorded its first varsity win against Lower Dauphin 17-6 on Thursday afternoon.

Ephrata had 30 shots while allowing the Falcons only 14. Scoring for the Lady Mounts were Hosler six goals, two assists, Shelley six goals, three assists, Rutt three goals, one assist, Gerhart one goal, one assist and Steph Martin one goal. Hess also added an assist. Ephrata goalies Carly Reddig and Kelsey Radcliffe each had four saves on the day.

On Wednesday, March 28 the team came up short against a veteran Warwick squad losing 11-6 in its season opener. Hosler (3), Rutt (2) and Shelley (1) tallied goals for Ephrata. Hess (2), Rutt and Shelley assisted in the effort.

The Lady Mounts ended the week on a disappointing note at Lampeter Strasburg. Their 17 shots and four goals were no match for the Pioneer offense which recorded 39 shots and 12 goals. Hosler (2), Rutt (1) and Shelley (1) scored goals. Gerhart and Martin added assists.

After playing one season at the University of Albany, Meagan Rinier, a Conestoga Valley grad and former L-L All Star, has taken over the helm at Ephrata. Amber Wiley has returned for her 7th season as assistant coach. Home games are played at the Ephrata Middle School Athletic Field Complex.