Township shows its strength

Manheim Township coach Kyle Wimer has many "good" problems in his first season at the helm for the Blue Streaks.

Township's offensive depth is at the point where there's a different leading scorer in every game and the defense is so stingy that the Blue Streaks can choose between two different goalies.

It's a problem that most coaches would love.

Thursday night was much of the same as Township shut out Ephrata, 15-0, in an L-L League contest between two of the top three teams in the league.
 

The Blue Streaks remained unbeaten in the league at 10-0 while the Mountaineers suffered just their second league loss and sit at 9-2.

"Looking at today's game, and the Hempfield game, there is a big difference between the top two teams in the league, and to be honest the district, to anyone below it," admitted Ephrata coach Kevin Pletz. "I am going to use this game to show where we need to get to."

Ephrata was in the game early, holding the Streaks scoreless for the first six minutes. Township ended the scoring drought with a behind-the-back score from Frank Miller V and transition goal by Rob Wertz.

A combination of Brian Neff (13 saves) in goal for Ephrata and Township committing four penalties led to the low scoring half.

"That didn't allow us to have the ball much on offense," Wimer said about four man-down infractions MT committed. "Once we did get the ball offensively we were able to put pressure on them by scoring and kept it coming."

Alex Bradbury exploded for four consecutive goals to start the second quarter and give the Streaks at 6-0 lead. Miller ended the half with back-to-back scores, one on a shorthanded goal, and sent MT into the half with a commanding 8-0 lead. Bradbury and Miller tied for a game-high with five goals.

"It makes my job a lot easier," Wimer said of his multiple scoring threats. "It's been fun because you do stuff for certain guys. Each guy has a certain strong suit.

"It's a good problem to have."

Miller netted two more shots in the second half for Township and Mark Stratton, Michael Rivera, Tyler Karpinski, Jake Weber and Bradbury scored one each.

Township's defense was equally as impressive in its third shut out of the season. Chad Neiss, who usually platoons with Alex Ready, stuffed eight shots while the rest of the defense put up a steel wall around the cage.

"Their goalie played great. He made some really nice saves," Pletz said. "Defensively, they were strong and we didn't step up and take some of opportunities we had."

Township has one more game before its May 5 showdown against Hempfield (10-0 L-L) in likely battle of L-L unbeatens. After Thursday's game, Wimer is pleased with where his team is as it heads into the final week of the regular season.

"We still have some things that we need to work on and we'll correct them," Wimer explained. "We'll keep doing what we did well and I think we're really starting to hit our stride."