BOILING SPRINGS — Kelby Dings bobbed her legs with eagerness from the chair on the Penn Manor field hockey sideline. The sophomore was counting down the seconds on her penalty time, ready to sprint back into action once the clock expired.
The impatience was natural, but it had an underlying layer in Saturday’s tussle with Boiling Springs at Ecker Field. The Comets were nursing a one-goal lead despite controlling all facets of the game. Dings wanted to make up for lost time, the chances that slipped away as she watched on.
And she did.
Dings scored two goals in the final six minutes, 26 seconds of regulation, completing a hat trick and lifting Penn Manor to a 4-0 season-opening shutout over the defending PIAA Class 1A runners-up. The underclassman snapped the stalemate between the strongholds with 10:33 to go in the second quarter.
“I think they were just really motivated and wanted to seal the deal,” Comets coach Rachel Suter said. “They had been working so hard the whole game. They wanted to finish it off and make sure they were coming away with a W.”
Close
Solanco’s Kaitlyn Fulton, left, Corrine Foulk and Lucy King during theLancaster-Lebanon League Field Hockey Media Day in Lancaster on Monday August4, 2025.
Solanco head coach Whitney McGinn during the Lancaster-Lebanon League Field Hockey Media Day in Lancaster on Monday August4, 2025.
Warwick’s Karys Craver during the Lancaster-Lebanon League Field Hockey Media Day in Lancaster on Monday August4, 2025.
Warwick’s Calli Martin during the Lancaster-Lebanon League Field Hockey Media Day in Lancaster on Monday August4, 2025.
Manheim Central’s Cali Inthavongsa and Paige Garner during the Lancaster-Lebanon League Field Hockey Media Day in Lancaster on Monday August4, 2025.
Manheim Central head coach Morgan Briggs during the Lancaster-Lebanon League Field Hockey Media Day in Lancaster on Monday August4, 2025.
Garden Spot’s Aliyah Zimmerman, left, and Alyssa Swatski during the Lancaster-Lebanon League Field Hockey Media Day in Lancaster on Monday August4, 2025.
Ephrata’s Marie McCracken during the Lancaster-Lebanon League Field Hockey Media Day in Lancaster on Monday August4, 2025.
Lampeter-Strasburg’s Jordan Weaver, left, Dezibelah Frank and Maddie Frego during the Lancaster-Lebanon League Field Hockey Media Day in Lancaster on Monday August4, 2025.
Lampeter-Strasburg head coach Samantha Snyder during the Lancaster-Lebanon League Field Hockey Media Day in Lancaster on Monday August4, 2025.
Ephrata head coach Joy Rice during the Lancaster-Lebanon League Field Hockey Media Day in Lancaster on Monday August4, 2025.
Ephrata’s Campbell Shelley and Marie McCracken during the Lancaster-Lebanon League Field Hockey Media Day in Lancaster on Monday August4, 2025.
Conestoga Valley’s Ellen Buckwalter, left, Jane Younger and Emily Lapp during the Lancaster-Lebanon League Field Hockey Media Day in Lancaster on Monday August4, 2025.
McCaskey’s Lydia Frey, left, Makayla Ressel and Maggie Olenik during the Lancaster-Lebanon League Field Hockey Media Day in Lancaster on Monday August4, 2025.
McCaskey head coach Meagan Groff during the Lancaster-Lebanon League Field Hockey Media Day in Lancaster on Monday August4, 2025.
Annville-Cleona’s Savannah Kleinfelter and Lois Carey during the Lancaster-Lebanon League Field Hockey Media Day in Lancaster on Monday August4, 2025.
Annville-Cleona head coach Carrie Gingrich during the Lancaster-Lebanon League Field Hockey Media Day in Lancaster on Monday August4, 2025.
Cocalico’s Elise Swann, left, Kate Brunick, Taylor Hanna, Maggie Weaber and Izzy Rios during the Lancaster-Lebanon League Field Hockey Media Day in Lancaster on Monday August4, 2025.
Cocalico head coach Katie Hammaker during the Lancaster-Lebanon League Field Hockey Media Day in Lancaster on Monday August4, 2025.
Lancaster Catholic’s Ava Swartz, left, Constance Billis and Kinzley Miller during the Lancaster-Lebanon League Field Hockey Media Day in Lancaster on Monday August4, 2025.
Lancaster Catholic head coach Megan Kramp during the Lancaster-Lebanon League Field Hockey Media Day in Lancaster on Monday August4, 2025.
Warwick’s Calli Martin, left, Karys Craver and Lilly Bromirski during the Lancaster-Lebanon League Field Hockey Media Day in Lancaster on Monday August4, 2025.
Warwick head coach Ron Stief during the Lancaster-Lebanon League Field Hockey Media Day in Lancaster on Monday August4, 2025.
Manheim Twp. head coach Jess Shellenberger during the Lancaster-Lebanon League Field Hockey Media Day in Lancaster on Monday August4, 2025.
Manheim Twp.’s Addison Landis, left, Oly Sponaugle and Rhylee Givens during the Lancaster-Lebanon League Field Hockey Media Day in Lancaster on Monday August4, 2025.
Cedar Crest’s Kate Poorman, left, Mikayla Weber and Estella Sanchez during the Lancaster-Lebanon League Field Hockey Media Day in Lancaster on Monday August4, 2025.
Cedar Crest head coach Alicia Arnold during the Lancaster-Lebanon League Field Hockey Media Day in Lancaster on Monday August4, 2025.
Hempfield’s Talia Leber, left, and Nikholina Conrad during the Lancaster-Lebanon League Field Hockey Media Day in Lancaster on Monday August4, 2025.
Hempfield head coach Melissa Schimp during the Lancaster-Lebanon League Field Hockey Media Day in Lancaster on Monday August4, 2025.
Elco head coach Kelsey Thorley during the Lancaster-Lebanon League Field Hockey Media Day in Lancaster on Monday August4, 2025.
Elco’s Ava Bird, Addie Weiler and Alexa Shanaman during the Lancaster-Lebanon League Field Hockey Media Day in Lancaster on Monday August4, 2025.
Penn Manor’s Molly Hufford, left, Allison Provanzo, Alison Smith, Lily Howry, Kelby Dings and Kayla Streets during the Lancaster-Lebanon League Field Hockey Media Day in Lancaster on Monday August4, 2025.
Penn Manor head coach Rachel Suter during the Lancaster-Lebanon League Field Hockey Media Day in Lancaster on Monday August4, 2025.
Donegal’s Kate Page during the L-L League field hockey media day in Lancaster on Wednesday August 6, 2025.
Donegal’s Jocelyn Yoder, left, Kate Page and Makenna Collins during the L-L League field hockey media day in Lancaster on Wednesday August 6, 2025.
Solanco’s Kaitlyn Fulton, left, Corrine Foulk and Lucy King during theLancaster-Lebanon League Field Hockey Media Day in Lancaster on Monday August4, 2025.
Solanco head coach Whitney McGinn during the Lancaster-Lebanon League Field Hockey Media Day in Lancaster on Monday August4, 2025.
Warwick’s Karys Craver during the Lancaster-Lebanon League Field Hockey Media Day in Lancaster on Monday August4, 2025.
Warwick’s Calli Martin during the Lancaster-Lebanon League Field Hockey Media Day in Lancaster on Monday August4, 2025.
Manheim Central’s Cali Inthavongsa and Paige Garner during the Lancaster-Lebanon League Field Hockey Media Day in Lancaster on Monday August4, 2025.
Manheim Central head coach Morgan Briggs during the Lancaster-Lebanon League Field Hockey Media Day in Lancaster on Monday August4, 2025.
Garden Spot’s Aliyah Zimmerman, left, and Alyssa Swatski during the Lancaster-Lebanon League Field Hockey Media Day in Lancaster on Monday August4, 2025.
Ephrata’s Marie McCracken during the Lancaster-Lebanon League Field Hockey Media Day in Lancaster on Monday August4, 2025.
Lampeter-Strasburg’s Jordan Weaver, left, Dezibelah Frank and Maddie Frego during the Lancaster-Lebanon League Field Hockey Media Day in Lancaster on Monday August4, 2025.
Lampeter-Strasburg head coach Samantha Snyder during the Lancaster-Lebanon League Field Hockey Media Day in Lancaster on Monday August4, 2025.
Ephrata head coach Joy Rice during the Lancaster-Lebanon League Field Hockey Media Day in Lancaster on Monday August4, 2025.
Ephrata’s Campbell Shelley and Marie McCracken during the Lancaster-Lebanon League Field Hockey Media Day in Lancaster on Monday August4, 2025.
Conestoga Valley’s Ellen Buckwalter, left, Jane Younger and Emily Lapp during the Lancaster-Lebanon League Field Hockey Media Day in Lancaster on Monday August4, 2025.
McCaskey’s Lydia Frey, left, Makayla Ressel and Maggie Olenik during the Lancaster-Lebanon League Field Hockey Media Day in Lancaster on Monday August4, 2025.
McCaskey head coach Meagan Groff during the Lancaster-Lebanon League Field Hockey Media Day in Lancaster on Monday August4, 2025.
Annville-Cleona’s Savannah Kleinfelter and Lois Carey during the Lancaster-Lebanon League Field Hockey Media Day in Lancaster on Monday August4, 2025.
Annville-Cleona head coach Carrie Gingrich during the Lancaster-Lebanon League Field Hockey Media Day in Lancaster on Monday August4, 2025.
Cocalico’s Elise Swann, left, Kate Brunick, Taylor Hanna, Maggie Weaber and Izzy Rios during the Lancaster-Lebanon League Field Hockey Media Day in Lancaster on Monday August4, 2025.
Cocalico head coach Katie Hammaker during the Lancaster-Lebanon League Field Hockey Media Day in Lancaster on Monday August4, 2025.
Lancaster Catholic’s Ava Swartz, left, Constance Billis and Kinzley Miller during the Lancaster-Lebanon League Field Hockey Media Day in Lancaster on Monday August4, 2025.
Lancaster Catholic head coach Megan Kramp during the Lancaster-Lebanon League Field Hockey Media Day in Lancaster on Monday August4, 2025.
Warwick’s Calli Martin, left, Karys Craver and Lilly Bromirski during the Lancaster-Lebanon League Field Hockey Media Day in Lancaster on Monday August4, 2025.
Warwick head coach Ron Stief during the Lancaster-Lebanon League Field Hockey Media Day in Lancaster on Monday August4, 2025.
Manheim Twp. head coach Jess Shellenberger during the Lancaster-Lebanon League Field Hockey Media Day in Lancaster on Monday August4, 2025.
Manheim Twp.’s Addison Landis, left, Oly Sponaugle and Rhylee Givens during the Lancaster-Lebanon League Field Hockey Media Day in Lancaster on Monday August4, 2025.
Cedar Crest’s Kate Poorman, left, Mikayla Weber and Estella Sanchez during the Lancaster-Lebanon League Field Hockey Media Day in Lancaster on Monday August4, 2025.
Cedar Crest head coach Alicia Arnold during the Lancaster-Lebanon League Field Hockey Media Day in Lancaster on Monday August4, 2025.
Hempfield’s Talia Leber, left, and Nikholina Conrad during the Lancaster-Lebanon League Field Hockey Media Day in Lancaster on Monday August4, 2025.
Hempfield head coach Melissa Schimp during the Lancaster-Lebanon League Field Hockey Media Day in Lancaster on Monday August4, 2025.
Elco head coach Kelsey Thorley during the Lancaster-Lebanon League Field Hockey Media Day in Lancaster on Monday August4, 2025.
Elco’s Ava Bird, Addie Weiler and Alexa Shanaman during the Lancaster-Lebanon League Field Hockey Media Day in Lancaster on Monday August4, 2025.
Penn Manor’s Molly Hufford, left, Allison Provanzo, Alison Smith, Lily Howry, Kelby Dings and Kayla Streets during the Lancaster-Lebanon League Field Hockey Media Day in Lancaster on Monday August4, 2025.
Penn Manor head coach Rachel Suter during the Lancaster-Lebanon League Field Hockey Media Day in Lancaster on Monday August4, 2025.
Donegal’s Kate Page during the L-L League field hockey media day in Lancaster on Wednesday August 6, 2025.
Donegal’s Jocelyn Yoder, left, Kate Page and Makenna Collins during the L-L League field hockey media day in Lancaster on Wednesday August 6, 2025.
Persistence persevered for the visitors. But to say the Bubblers tested the Comets’ mettle would be an understatement.
Boiling Springs goalie Olivia Wickard loomed as the largest headache. The freshman stymied 10 Penn Manor shots, including six in the first half.
The Comets’ first attempt lodged underneath Wickard’s right foot. The second nicked the fingertips of her left pad. The third misfire, before Dings erased the whitewashing, was waived off after being deemed dangerous by the officials.
With each shortcoming, a bigger hunger began to boil.
“It’s definitely a motivator,” said Penn Manor junior Sophie Geiter, who supplied two assists and a goal. “Just to know we’re right there, eventually one will get in. And then more will come.”
The Comets buried their three fourth-quarter goals as the clock cascaded below eight minutes. Geiter galvanized her counterparts by gathering a recovery on the right side and slipping her shot into the corner pocket of the cage.
Dings delivered with 6:26 remaining, unleashing a line drive that was slowed by Wickard’s stick before trickling in. Her first and last goals absorbed deflects from Geiter.
“It just hypes us up, makes us way more energetic,” Dings said. “And once we score one, I feel like we work together more as a team.”
Saturday marked the second straight year the Comets bounced Boiling Springs in its season opener. Last season’s game resulted in a 6-3 decision in which the Bubblers deposited two goals on penalty strokes.
The offensive display wasn’t of the same caliber, but the Comets maintained an identical tenacity. Maybe moreso, having been dealt a hand of adversity.
“I talked to the girls about (keeping with it),” Suter said. “We were able to sustain the level of play and capitalize when it mattered.”
The eagerness — to the point of impatience — never left. It channeled from the blows on the field to the penalty chair on the sideline.
There was no lost time.
“This just showed how good we work as a team,” Geiter said.
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