Ephrata failed to take advantage of a second opportunity.

 

In the nightcap of Wednesday's semifinal doubleheader at Hempfield, L-L regular-season champion Manheim Township got five goals from Tyler Karpinski and cruised to a 12-1 victory over defending L-L champion Ephrata.

 

It's the fifth consecutive championship appearance for the Blue Streaks, who lost an 8-5 decision to Ephrata in last year's final.

 

Hempfield (14-5), who defeated Penn Manor 12-4 earlier in the evening, will be making its first championship game appearance since capturing back-to-back titles in 2009-10.

 

For what it's worth, Township edged the Black Knights 9-8 on April 11 during the regular season.

 

Not that the storied rivalry between the two programs makes Friday's tilt any more dramatic, according to Streaks coach Kyle Wimer.

 

"We have one goal in mind," Wimer said. "And that goal is to win the L-L League (title). It doesn't matter who we play."

 

Most important for Township at this point is to play the way it did Wednesday against an Ephrata team that was looking for redemption for an 18-5 regular-season drubbing by the Streaks on April 26.

 

Karpinski was the catalyst, netting three goals during a 4-0 game-opening run by Township.

 

Ephrata (12-7) cut the lead to 4-1 on Scott Gordon's blast with 8:09 left in the half, only to have the Streaks respond with scores from Drew Pinkerton, Davis Carr and Karpinski, giving Township a 7-1 advantage at the break.

 

The outcome was never really in question after that.

 

"They're big, athletic and they put a lot of pressure on us," Mountaineers coach Kevin Pletz said of Township. "Fundamentally, they played really well."

 

Evidence of which could be found in the massive 32-10 shot advantage the Streaks had compiled by game's end.

 

Fact is, but for 20 saves from Ephrata goalie Justin Mease, it could have been worse.

 

"We came out a little slow," Wimer conceded. "But we stayed focused on the task at hand, which was burying our opportunities."