Manheim Central field hockey headed to L-L League final for first time since 1993

There are three pieces of sandpaper attached to the backpacks of Manheim Central’s field hockey players. They go with the team’s theme: grit.

Four games into the season, things were looking pretty rough. The winless Barons needed to use the heavy duty piece.

These days, it’s all going much smoother. The players are refining the edges. They have produced the Lancaster-Lebanon League’s great turnaround story.

Central knocked off Elizabethtown 1-0 in the L-L semifinals at Warwick Tuesday night. The Section 2 runners-up earned their first trip to the title game since 1993.

At some point during this memorable ride, Central asked itself a powerful question.

“Why not us?” coach Morgan Briggs said. “We can play with the best of them.”

The first two rounds of this tournament are proof. Central took down Penn Manor, which beat the Barons 7-1 in the season opener. Then they ousted E-town, which won 5-0 and 4-0 in two regular-season meetings.

Central (14-6) has won 14 of 16 games since its 0-4 start. It has flipped expectations upside down. Few thought the Barons would be here.

“That’s what we loved,” senior Caroline Hondru said. “We love that people were like, ‘Manheim Central, they’re out. They’re an easy game.' We love that people are underestimating us.”

Up next is a date with Warwick, which eliminated Hempfield 2-0 in the other semifinal. Those two will meet at Conestoga Valley Thursday at 7 p.m.

Central finally broke through against E-town (15-4-1), the Section 2 champion, midway through the third quarter.

Alexx Rada took an insert from Makenna Hess, dodged the initial defender and buried a shot into the cage. It was Central’s first goal against E-town in more than 156 minutes.

It wasn’t surprising that Rada, a technical marvel and the team’s top goal scorer, was the one who delivered.

“She’s extremely gifted and she’s an extremely hard worker,” Briggs said. “I love to see her in the circle because you know she’s gonna make something happen.”

Added Hondru: “She’s a powerhouse on the field. A difference maker for sure.”

E-town scrambled for the tying goal and created a series of corners in the fourth quarter. One in particular was dangerous.

Goalie Eve Bushey made a diving save with about 5:30 left in regulation. Bushey denied Madelyn Bradley’s bid on the doorstep. The shot, the goalie said, was about six inches from crossing the line.

“I’d be really disappointed if I didn’t try everything I could,” Bushey said. “I’m proud of myself that I did that. Thankfully, we got the result.”

Hondru felt like that save was the clincher.

“I was so hype and over the moon,” the senior said. “I was like, ‘We’re winning.’"

E-town, which hadn’t been shut out since the season opener against Central Dauphin on Aug. 28, was unable to put together another chance.

Central had a few pep talks during its up-and-down journey. When the Barons were 0-4, the seniors pulled the underclassmen together and told them everyone needed to step up.

Prior to the start of the league tournament, athletic director Scott Govern met with the players and assured them they could beat Penn Manor. The AD was right.

What has changed for Central since early September? “Our heart, our effort, our mindset,” Hondru said.

One obstacle remains. If Central can find a way past Warwick, the Barons will bring home the school’s first league championship since 1976.

Do they have another surprise in them?

“Hopefully at this point,” Bushey said, “it’s not a surprise.”

It might be for everyone else. It won’t be for the girls from Manheim.

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