Lancaster Bible College Athletics

The Lancaster Bible College Field Hockey team had their first away game in United East play this season on Tuesday afternoon as they traveled to Gwynedd Valley, Pa., scoring a program-record eight goals in an 8-3 road victory and clinching their spot in the postseason. The Chargers improve to 5-7 overall and 3-1 in the United East while the Griffins drop to 0-13 overall and 0-3 in the United East.
 
How it Happened:
The Griffins had the first shot of the game that was saved by Amelia Huey (Gr.), then on a penalty corner a few minutes later, the Chargers put two shots on goal as Riley Danko (Sr.) and Ayla Zwally (So.) each had shots narrowly saved. After a pair of penalty corners, the Chargers broke through as Riley Danko (Sr.) elevated a shot off a touch from Mallie McNatt (Fr.) for a 1-0 LBC lead. In the final minute of the period, Danko took a deflection and punched in her second score, doubling the Chargers' lead to 2-0 after 15 minutes.
 
Gwynedd Mercy had an early score in the second quarter to half the deficit to 2-1, then the Chargers drew a pair of corners soon after. About halfway through the quarter, Abby Olver (Fr.) connected with McNatt to add another goal, then Olver had a shot soon after that was saved. Off a corner around the 26-minute mark, the Griffins got another goal to go in as they came back within one at 3-2, but the Chargers held onto that lead heading into the halftime break.
 
The Chargers' defense held early in the third quarter as goalkeeper Lauren Stup (Fr.) made a save despite four corners from Gwynedd Mercy, then McNatt collected a rebound and scored her second goal of the game to extend the LBC lead to 4-2. After another Stup save, the Chargers scored two goals in the final two minutes, starting at the 43-minute mark as Gracie Hoffman (So.) received a cross from Bailey Simmons (So.) for the score. Then with less than a minute left, Danko notched a hat-trick with her third goal of the game to help the Chargers carry a 6-2 advantage into the final period.
 
The teams traded possession in the early portion of the fourth quarter with two shots from the Griffins held off, then with five minutes to go, it was Danko once again with the score off an assist from Grace Barnett (Jr.), giving her four goals for the game and a 7-2 lead to the Chargers. The Griffins fired in another score less than a minute later to negate that advantage, but the Chargers added one final score as Olver received a pass from Lily Wood (Fr.) to set a new program record with eight goals to cap a dominant victory and clinch the postseason.
 
By the Numbers:
Team Stats
- Shots: Lancaster Bible 26, Gwynedd Mercy 19
- Shots on Goal: Lancaster Bible 13, Gwynedd Mercy 12
- Corners: Lancaster Bible 8, Gwynedd Mercy 10
 
Scoring Summary
13' LBC – Riley Danko (4) [Mallie McNatt (1)]
15' LBC – Riley Danko (5)
18' GMU – Allyssa Seifert (1) [Gianna Radcliffe (3)]
23' LBC – Mallie McNatt (3) [Abby Olver (1)]
27' GMU – Morgan Hoban (2) [Ayva Anspach (1)]
39' LBC – Mallie McNatt (4)
44' LBC – Gracie Hoffman (7) [Bailey Simmons (3)]
45' LBC – Riley Danko (6)
54' LBC – Riley Danko (7) [Grace Barnett (2)]
56' GMU – Lillie Uttenreither (2) [Taylor Reynolds (1)]
59' LBC – Abby Olver (2) [Lily Wood (2)]
 
Goalkeeping
- Amelia Huey (Gr.) (LBC): 2 Saves, 2 GA, WIN (4-7)
- Lauren Stup (LBC): 7 Saves, 1 GA
- Kelly Weaver (GMU): 5 Saves, 8 GA, LOSS (0-12)
 
Information to Know:
This was the first matchup all-time between Lancaster Bible and Gwynedd Mercy in Field Hockey. The Chargers have now set a new program record with their fifth win of the season, their highest single-season win total in Division III program history (since 2018). The Chargers are also guaranteed at least a .500 record in United East play after improving to 3-1, securing their spot in the playoffs at the earliest point in program history with two games remaining. The Chargers' three conference wins are their most in a single season all-time. Lancaster Bible set a new Division III program record with eight goals scored today, with Riley Danko becoming just the second player all-time to score four goals in a single game, joining Molly Gray in 2021. Danko also moved into 2nd-Place in DIII program history in total goals with 14, passing Alexis Gilbert (2021-24) and trailing only Molly Gray in total goals. Riley also became the Chargers' all-time leader in game-winning goals for Division III history, netting her fourth today and breaking a tie with Molly Gray and Hannah Hoffman (2021-23) for the all-time lead. The Chargers' 24 goals this season also set a Division III program record, besting 22 goals from the 2019 season. Mallie McNatt recorded her first career multi-goal game with two goals today and five different players recorded an assist, the most in a single game in program history. Gracie Hoffman moves into the top-5 in program history in scoring in just her first season, tallying her seventh goal of the season today to tie for the team lead with Danko. Amelia Huey earned her fourth career win and fourth of the season, moving into sole possession of 2nd-Place in program history in Wins and tying the single-season record for goalkeepers in Wins with four (Amanda Hoover, 2023).
 
Up Next:
The Chargers remain on the road as they travel to Chambersburg, Pa. on Saturday, October 17 to face Wilson in conference play at 10:00 a.m.