Ephrata and Cocalico are considered two of the top contending teams in Section Two field hockey this year. And both squads got off to sizzling starts this past week.

The Lady Mounts, who return nine starters from their District team of a year ago, opened the season with a pair of wins against teams that qualified for Districts last year.

Friday morning at home, the Lady Mounts jumped all over Conestoga Valley early and cruised to an eventual 5-1 Ephrata victory.

Senior Moriah Pfautz, who scored 20 goals a year ago, tallied three first-half goals to give her team a commanding 3-0 half-time lead. Kirsten Ueberroth and Mackenzie Ruth added early second-half scores as the Lady Mounts impressed in their debut.

CV did out shoot (16-11) and out corner (18-4) Ephrata, but sophomore keeper Katie Hammaker stood tall in goal, registering 15 big saves.

Pfautz and fellow senior Hannah Reimel added assists in the big win.

Ephrata followed up that victory with an impressive 3-2 come-from-behind victory over host Wilson Saturday morning in West Lawn.

Trailing 2-0 at the half, Ephrata scored three unanswered goals in the second half to steal the win. Pfautz registered a pair of goals, including the gamewinner with about 12 minute remaining. Nicole Wilkerson scored the other Ephrata goal while Brooke Overly (two assists) and Ueberroth added helpers.

Hammaker was stellar in goal once again, registering 20 saves as Ephrata was out shot, 22-6.

Ephrata will open Section Two play Thursday evening at home (7 p.m.) when the Lady Mounts host Cocalico in what should be a very key match in regard to the standings.

Speaking of Cocalico, the four-time Section Two champs opened the season Friday morning in Lancaster with a very impressive 3-2 non-league victory over a tough Lancaster Mennonite squad.

Emily Johnson scored a pair of goals and added an assist while Carrie Sensenig also found the cage in the win. Freshman Amanda Enck added an assist for the winners.

Cocalico was out shot (14-8) and out cornered (13-2) but freshman keeper Emily Stauffer was strong in goal, registering 12 saves on the day.

Cocalico also was in action Tuesday night in a non-league match at Tulpehocken where the Eagles scored a 1-0 victory.

Janelle High scored the game’s lone tally at the 11:27 mark of the first off an assist from Johnson.

It remained scoreless the rest of the way as Stauffer saved all four shots she faced to pitch a shutout.

Cocalico held a slight advantage in shots (5-4) and had nine corners to Tulpehocken’s four. More FIELD HOCKEY, page B-2