GIRLS SOCCER: Elco falls to Donegal in section showdown, 4-2

It's still a little early in the season for first-place showdowns, but the Elco and Donegal girls soccer teams engaged in one on Thursday night nonetheless.

It went Donegal's way, as the Indians broke open a 1-1 game at the half with three second-half goals en route to a 4-2 victory under the lights in a battle of Section Three unbeatens at Elco High School.

Alice Fernad's second goal of the night at 43:34 put Donegal (5-0, 4-0 Section Three) ahead to stay and began rthe second-half onslaught, which included an own goal.

Ryelle Shuey scored both goals for Elco, which fell to 4-2 overall and 3-1 in the section.

ANNVILLE-CLEONA 3, LANCASTER CATHOLIC 2 >> In Annville, A-C used a Reagan Hess hat trick as the catalyst for its third win of the week.

Now 4-2 overall and 2-2 in Section Three, the Little Dutchmen received goals from Hess in the 13th, 18th and 45th minute and never trailed en route to the victory.

Sarah Fischer (two) and Julia Soliday added assists for A-C, and Anna Soliday stopped eight shots to earn the win in goal.

LANCASTER MENNONITE 2, NORTHERN LEBANON 0 >> In Lancaster, the Vikings hung tough against perennial power Mennonite but couldn't escape their fourth straight loss .

Holly Rittle had three saves in goal for Northern Lebanon, now 1-4 overall and 1-3 in Section Three.

PEQUEA VALLEY 3, LEBANON CATHOLIC 0 >> In Kinzers, the Beavers fell behind four minutes in on the first of Leona Stoltzfus' two goals and never recovered from the early deficit.

Alaina Kline kept the Beavers (2-4, 0-4 Section Three) in the game with 13 saves.

MANHEIM CENTRAL 4, LEBANON 0 >> At Lebanon High, the Cedars continued to search in vain for their first win after the Barons jumped out to a 3-0 first-half lead and never looked back.

Vanessa Valentin was a bright spot for Lebanon with 21 saves in goal.

MECHANICSBURG 5, PALMYRA 1 >> At Mechanicsburg, the Cougars surrendered four second-half goals that turned a tie game into a lopsided loss.

Sophia Wagner posted the lone goal for Palmyra, now 2-3 overall and 1-3 in the Mid-Penn Keystone Division.