The Lancaster Bible College Field Hockey team is set to continue their record-breaking 2026 season in the United East Field Hockey Championship, earning the #3-seed to set the stage for their first-ever home playoff match here in Lancaster, Pa. on the Donald H. Funk Field at Willis & Martha Herr Stadium. The Chargers will play host to #6-seed Cedar Crest on Tuesday, October 27 at 7:00 p.m. for a United East First Round face-off, with the winner advancing to the conference Semifinal round this Saturday, October 31.
 
Season Recap
The Chargers have had a historic season on the turf in 2026 as they've earned a DIII program-record five victories this year, boasting a 5-9 overall record with a program-best 3-3 United East finish for the third overall seed in the playoffs. LBC Field Hockey notched their first-ever wins over programs like King's (Pa.), Immaculata, and Gwynedd Mercy this year including a three-game win streak from September 30 through October 7, tying their longest win streak in Division III program history. On the field itself, Lancaster Bible had a historic offensive campaign with a program-record 27 goals scored across their 14 games, averaging 1.93 goals per game and scoring multiple goals seven times, their most in a single season all-time. In the conference, the Chargers are third in goals per game on just the fifth-most shots per game (10.9) in the conference, adding the second-most assists per game (1.14) in the United East behind only #1-seed Penn St. Harrisburg in that category.
 
The Chargers have been led by Riley Danko (Sr.) as the spearhead of the LBC offense, leading the team and ranking third in the United East with 18 total points. Riley is tied for the team lead with seven goals including a career-high four goals against Gwynedd Mercy on October 13, adding four total assists as she adds to her all-time program record of 14 career assists for the Chargers. Also tying for the team lead in goals is Gracie Hoffman (So.), scoring seven times in her first season with the Chargers including a three-goal performance in a 5-2 win over Immaculata on October 7 for her first career hat-trick. Mallie McNatt (Fr.) has also been an important offensive contributor with five goals and one assist this season, as well as Bailey Simmons (So.) who is tied for the team lead at four assists with two goals as well. On the defensive end, Amelia Huey (Gr.) has led the Chargers with 55 total saves in goal, tying the single-season program record with four victories including one shutout while Lauren Stup (Fr.) has also held it down in goal with a 1-1 record and 34 total saves.
 
Previous Matchup (2026)
The Chargers met Cedar Crest earlier this season on October 3 in Lancaster, Pa. for a United East matchup, with the Chargers prevailing 3-1 after a pair of goals in the first five minutes and a third in the third quarter to help seal the deal over the Falcons for their first UEC win of the season. Ayla Zwally (So.) had the opening goal for the Chargers less than two minutes into the game, then Mallie McNatt scored off an assist by Riley Danko about two minutes later for an early 2-0 LBC lead. The Falcons notched a score before the first half ended to trail 2-1 at halftime, but a goal off a corner by Bailey Simmons put the Chargers back up by two goals as Grace Barnett (Jr.) had the assist, with three saves by Amelia Huey in goal helping LBC hold on.
 
Postseason History
- 1st meeting in Postseason all-time between Cedar Crest and Lancaster Bible
          - LBC postseason record (UEC): 0-2
          - CCC postseason record (UEC): 1-1
 
The winner of Tuesday's First Round playoff matchup will advance to the United East Semifinals on Saturday, October 31 to take on #2-seed St. Mary's (Md.) on the road in St. Mary's City, Md. at 12:00 p.m.
 
How to Follow Contest
Tickets for Tuesday's home contest can be found using the link here (Tickets) or by clicking the link under the contest listed on the Field Hockey Schedule page. Follow along with the game by tuning into Chargers Sports Network to view the live stream using the link provided or follow the live statistics in support of the Chargers!