Manheim Township boys top Penn Manor, clinch record 14th PIAA lacrosse berth

The Manheim Township boys lacrosse team is going back to states. Again.

The Blue Streaks clinched their record 14th PIAA Tournament bid with a 15-7 victory over Penn Manor in Tuesday’s District Three Class 3A quarterfinal at Neffsville.

The veteran trio of Bennett Parmer, Peyton Moritzen and Simon Bowen accounted for 12 goals and six assists for the Blue Streaks.

“It’s everything,” Parmer said of making states. “We just found out we’ve qualified for the most PIAA tournaments ever, so it’s awesome.”

Top-seeded Manheim Township (16-3) will host No. 4 Hempfield in a district semifinal on Thursday, time to be announced. The Black Knights (13-5) also earned a berth in states by defeating No. 5 Central York 11-4 Tuesday at Landisville.

Township wasted little time taking control against eighth-seeded Penn Manor (12-7).

Parmer (five goals, two assists) scored his first goal a minute into the opening quarter. He later dished to Moritzen for a nifty underhand shot and a 2-0 Township lead.

Moritzen finished with four goals, all in front of the crease.

“He can finish the ball like crazy,” Parmer said. “He’s got great hands.”

Manheim Township vs. Penn Manor - District 3 Class 3A boys lacrosse quarterfinals [photos]

More than elite scorers, Parmer and Bowen spent much of the first half calling out plays and adjusting the game plan, along with Township coach Dan Lyons.

“We have a bunch of experienced guys at attack,” Lyons said, “so they see things on the field that they want to try and we trust them to do that.”

Bowen scored all three of his goals in the second quarter and contributed four assists as the Streaks built a 10-2 halftime lead.

“(Bowen) was throwing some good passes and getting open,” Parmer said.

The Comets refused to go away quietly.

Senior goalie Nick Hollinger played out of his mind in the third quarter with eight of his 16 saves, and senior midfielder Aidan Gerlach scored a pair of goals to help Penn Manor win the frame 2-1.

“We have a program with an amazing culture and you can’t do it without great seniors,” Comets coach Connor Rowe said. “They’ve done such a great job leading these guys.”

After Grant Bradburn (three goals) added back-to-back scores to open the fourth, the Comets trailed just 11-6 with nine minutes left.

“We talked about it at halftime,” Rowe said. “We got knocked in the mouth. Were we going to sit down or were we going to come out in that third quarter and come right back after them?”

Township responded with a run of its own. Parmer scored off assists from Jake Arcudi and Bowen, and Mason Lyons set up Brock Meglic for a 14-6 lead.

Penn Manor’s Mikey Hollister and Township’s Charlie Hill added late goals for the final margin.

Township goalie Brady McCracken finished with seven saves.