Lancaster Bible College Athletics

The #3-seed Lancaster Bible College Field Hockey team made history at home on Tuesday night as they secured their first playoff victory in program history, shutting out #6-seed Cedar Crest 2-0 in the United East First Round. The Chargers improve to 6-9 overall and advance to the United East Semifinals while the Falcons end their season at 4-11 overall.
 
How it Happened:
The Chargers had a pair of penalty corners in the first three minutes to mount an early attack, mustering one shot by Riley Danko (Sr.) that was saved by the Falcons' keeper. The teams then traded possession back and forth, but none could put together a successful drive as the first quarter ended scoreless.
 
Mallie McNatt (Fr.) had a pass at goal about three minutes into the second quarter that was defended by the goalie, then the Falcons had a shot on the other end in a breakaway that missed wide. After nothing substantial over the next several minutes, the Falcons drew a penalty corner but could not get a shot off on the LBC defense. The Chargers put together an attack in the final minute and drew a penalty corner with less than a second remaining, but were held without a shot as the teams went into halftime locked in a 0-0 battle.
 
Cedar Crest had a shot that went wide early in the third quarter, then several minutes later, Danko put a shot on goal that was saved with Gracie Hoffman (So.) adding one a minute later that also was kept away. Danko then had another shot that was saved by a Falcons defender, leading to a decisive final 15 minutes of the First Round in a scoreless tie between the Chargers and Falcons.
 
The Falcons drove for a shot on goal in the first minute of the fourth quarter, but Amelia Huey (Gr.) made the save for the Chargers to keep Cedar Crest away. McNatt had another shot saved a few minutes later, then the Chargers drew a corner in the 52nd minute that made its way to Bailey Simmons (So.), sending a pass in that was tipped by Rebekah Hoover (So.) into the back of the goal to finally secure the 1-0 lead for the Chargers with less than eight minutes remaining. The Falcons had a shot blocked on the other end before a green card on a Falcons player, putting them down a woman for two minutes as the Chargers went on the attack. LBC drew four penalty corners as Simmons and Hoover each had a shot saved, then on the fourth corner, Grace Barnett (Jr.) and Danko set up a shot into the circle that was redirected by Hoover, cashing in the second goal of the game for the Chargers and Hoover herself to extend the lead with two minutes to go. This was all the Chargers would need as they wrapped up the 2-0 shutout victory for their first playoff win in program history and a record sixth victory of the season.
 
By the Numbers:
Team Stats
- Shots: Cedar Crest 4, Lancaster Bible 11
- Shots on Goal: Cedar Crest 1, Lancaster Bible 11
- Corners: Cedar Crest 1, Lancaster Bible 8
 
Scoring Summary
52' LBC – Rebekah Hoover (3) [Bailey Simmons (5)]
59' LBC – Rebekah Hoover (4) [Riley Danko (5), Grace Barnett (3)]
 
Goalkeeping
- Shelby Heater (CCC): 8 Saves, 2 GA, LOSS (4-11)
- Amelia Huey (LBC): 1 Save, 0 GA, WIN (5-8), SHO (2)
 
Information to Know:
This was the 8th meeting all-time between the Chargers and Falcons and their first postseason meeting ever, with Lancaster Bible improving to 3-5 all-time against Cedar Crest including wins in the past three matchups. Today was the first time the Chargers have scored in a postseason match as Rebekah Hoover had both scores for Lancaster Bible tonight. The Chargers have scored multiple goals for the eighth time this season for a new program record, tying their season-best with their third shutout victory of the year. Both Riley Danko and Bailey Simmons have tied the single-season program record for assists, each recording their fifth of the year tonight and tying Macy Balmer (2019) for the most in a season. Rebekah Hoover recorded her third career multi-goal game tonight and first multi-goal playoff game in Chargers history. Head coach Kevin Hertzog becomes the first head coach in program history with a postseason victory and adds to his Division III program record with six wins this season.
 
Up Next:
The #3-seed Chargers will travel down to St. Mary's City, Md. on Saturday, October 31 to take on the #2-seed Seahawks of St. Mary's (Md.) in the United East Semifinals starting at 12:00 p.m.