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Following last season’s CCAC Championship, the New Covenant Flames entered 2025 with high expectations. However, repeating success in high school sports is never easy—especially when key players graduate. Among those they would have to replace were Miracle Hershey and Keira Kantner, both of whom played major roles during last year’s title run.
The new campaign got off to a slow start, as the Flames went 1-2-1 through their first four games. But they never lost faith in themselves. They regrouped, refocused, and went on a nine-game win streak that vaulted them up both the standings and the District 3 Power Rankings. New Covenant ultimately finished the regular season 12-4-1, earning the #3 seed in the 1A rankings—and another shot in the CCAC Playoffs.
Their first postseason test came on Tuesday, October 14th, in the CCAC semifinals against High Point. Behind a pair of goals from Qynne Demler, the Flames claimed a 2-1 victory to punch their ticket back to the conference title game.
That set up a return to Lancaster Bible College on Saturday evening, where New Covenant faced Mount Calvary in a rematch of last year’s championship.
The Flames struck first when Hannah Hubbard found the back of the net in the first half off an assist from McKenna Kantner. Mount Calvary responded before halftime to even the score at 1-1. After a scoreless second half and a quiet first overtime, the match moved to double overtime. In the extra, extra frame, Kai Hershey delivered the golden goal, assisted by Adrianna Yeagley, to lift New Covenant to its second straight CCAC Championship.
Following the thrilling victory, Coach Cody Kantner reflected on what made this group special.
“Taking the CCAC Championship for a second year in a row against a tough team like Mount Calvary shows how tough and strong these girls were this year. The girls had a special kind of magic, unity as a team, and tenacity that took them beyond their athletic talents—and they are all extremely talented.”
He continued:
“This team was one of the most delightful to coach—they had great attitudes and were very coachable. They had a mission and they focused and made it happen. Every member of the squad did their part to make this championship happen, but a special shout out to the captains Kai Hershey, Raena Kilmer, and Lily Rohrer. This championship doesn’t happen without their leadership, focus, and encouragement.”
As if her game-winning goal wasn’t memorable enough, the moment was even more meaningful for senior Hershey, who with that score became New Covenant’s all-time career points leader.
Next up, the Flames will turn their attention to the District 3 Playoffs, where they will host Brandywine Heights in a quarterfinal matchup on Wednesday evening at Lebanon High School.
Best of luck to the Flames as their postseason adventures continue!
District 3 Playoff Tracker – Fall 2025
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