District 3 Field Hockey: 8 Sentinel-area teams advance to 2024 tournament
The brackets are set, and the chase for District 3 championship hardware begins.
The 2024 District 3 field hockey tournament opens Wednesday with first-round games across all three classifications, and eight Sentinel-area teams have solidified their spot.
Here's a look at the local District 3 playoff contingent, with dates, times and notes into each local matchup.
To view the District 3 playoff brackets, click here.
Class 3A
Schedule: First round, Wednesday; Quarterfinals, Oct. 26; Semifinals, Oct. 30; Final, Nov. 2.
Number of teams that qualified:
First-round matchups featuring local teams: No. 12 Hempfield at No. 5 Cumberland Valley, 6 p.m.; No. 13 Governor Mifflin at No. 4 Mechanicsburg, 7 p.m.
Notes: The Eagles (12-4-2) seek redemption when they host the Black Knights in first-round play. CV was knocked out by Cedar Cliff in overtime last fall and aims to reach the quarterfinals for the fourth time in the last five years. The Eagles have won seven of their last 10 games and tossed in a pair of ties against Mechanicsburg and Penn Manor.
The Wildcats (13-4-1) are making their first 3A tournament appearance since 2015 after spending the last eight seasons in the 2A classification. Mechanicsburg exited the 2A first round last fall with a 2-1 loss to Manheim Central. The 'Cats clawed to a 9-1 start this go-round and have won four of their last six.
Class 2A
Schedule: First round, Wednesday; Quarterfinals, Oct. 26; Semifinals, Oct. 30; Final, Nov. 2.
Number of teams that qualified:
First-round matchups featuring local teams: No. 12 East Pennsboro at No. 5 Spring Grove, 6 p.m.; No. 9 Manheim Central vs. No. 8 Shippensburg at Big Spring, 4 p.m.; No. 10 Twin Valley at No. 7 Northern, 7 p.m.
Notes: The Panthers (12-6) return to the District 3 playoffs following a three-year absence. East Penn, under the direction of first-year head coach Jen Burns, strung together five victories over its last seven to clinch its postseason bid.
The Greyhounds (12-4-1) have punched their District 3 ticket for the second straight year. Ship took Elizabethtown to the wire last fall but dropped a 2-1 first-round decision. The 'Hounds howled to seven wins across their last nine to earn home-field advantage.
The Polar Bears (16-2) enter the District 3 dance as the reigning 2A silver medalists. Northern forged a historic run in 2023, advancing to its first title tilt in program history, where it suffered a 1-0 setback to Palmyra. The 'Bears' two losses this season came against the Cougars.
Class A
Schedule: First round, Wednesday; Quarterfinals, Oct. 26; Semifinals, Oct. 30; Final, Nov. 2.
Number of teams that qualified:
First-round matchups featuring local teams: No. 10 Biglerville at No. 7 Camp Hill, 3 p.m.; No. 14 Bishop McDevitt at No. 3 Boiling Springs, 7 p.m.; No. 16 Octorara at No. 1 West Perry, 6 p.m.
Notes: The Lions (15-2-1) have secured their second consecutive District 3 tournament entry and angle for their first playoff triumph since 2015. Camp Hill cruised to seven wins and a tie in its final eight regular-season contests.
The Bubblers (14-4) haven't missed the District 3 postseason since 2020 and have reached the quarterfinals each fall in that stretch. Boiling Springs boomed to 13 victories following a 1-2 start and captured the Mid-Penn Capital crown.
The Mustangs (16-0) are one of two undefeated teams in all of District 3. West Perry surged to the semifinal round last year before losing a 1-0 overtime scrap to Susquenita. The Mustangs raised the Colonial title for the second straight season.
Christian Eby is a sports reporter for The Sentinel and cumberlink.com . Love
