Check out the results for SOL boys’ and girls’ soccer teams who saw action Friday. Photos from the Abington vs William Tennent can be viewed in the photo gallery.
Boys
Continental Conference
CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 0, CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 0 (2 OT)
The Bucks are out to make a statement at the end of the season as they continue their run for a spot in the district playoffs. The Bucks were coming off a 2-0 win over Pennridge on Wednesday, and although they had some good chances, they were unable to find the net in a 100-minute battle against the Titans.
“It was a rainy day game,” said Bucks coach Stefan Szygiel. “In the first half, both teams were kind of low on energy.”
The Bucks turned it around in the second half and started dominating possession and testing the Titans.
“I couldn’t be more proud of my boys in the second half,” said Szygiel. “We came out with so much energy.”
Even with a momentum surge in the second half, the Bucks were unable to score and neither were the Titans, sending the match into overtime. With three minutes left in the second overtime, the Bucks were on a counter attack when the ball was released to Jared Kelly who played the ball back to Steven Warner, setting him up for a solid shot into the left corner. Titans keeper Matt Weigner had other plans, however, and was able to deflect the ball off the crossbar, leaving his defenders to sweep up the Bucks’ best chance at a goal.
“It was an unbelievable save,” said Szygiel. “The first time we played them we lost 2-1 (2 OT), but we had a better day today. We are starting to hit our stride. “We’ve seen arguably the best teams around. We have a strong out-of-league schedule, and there are no slouch games in our conference. If we make districts, we are going to be dangerous.”
As the season winds down, CB South (7-4-1 SOL) prepares for a game under the lights on Monday at Souderton while the Bucks (7-2-3 SOL), who are just one point above the Titans and just below North Penn in the standings, face the Knights on Monday in a key Continental Conference matchup.
“Monday is a big one,” said Szygiel. “We tied (North Penn) 2-2 the first time, and it was a real exciting game, so I would expect the same this time around.”
CB SOUTH 0-0-0-0 0
CB WEST 0-0-0-0 0
NORTH PENN 4, HATBORO 0
The Knights upped their record to 8-2-2 when they nabbed a key conference win over the Hatters (3-8-1), a win that allowed them to jump into second place. The victory over the Hatters was their second of the week as they downed Quakertown on Wednesday as well.
“We played very well the last couple of games,” said Knights coach Paul Duddy. “We had back-to-back losses last week, which goes with the territory in our conference.”
The Knights got on the scoreboard midway through the first half when Drew McMenamin registered the helper on a Dylan McMahon goal. The Hatters held the Knights scoreless for the next 40 minutes before freshman Mike Kohler sent a pass to Nick Miller, who upped the lead to 2-0. Kohler had a standout performance as he scored unassisted a few minutes later for the second varsity goal of his career.
“Kohler had an assist and a great goal on a header,” said Duddy. “It’s nice to see a young guy step up and contribute as we head down the stretch.”
Brad Deckel (Abdul Mohamed assist) closed out the scoring in the shutout for the Knights, who are positioning themselves heading into the postseason.
“East has earned a great position to win the league,” said Duddy. “So we need to win our last two games. Everyone is fighting for those top spots for seeding.”
Duddy commended the play of central midfielder Tyler Johnston in the victory.
“He played a great game both on the attack and especially defensively,” said Duddy. “He worked real hard and he made a difference.”
The Knights contend with CB West on Monday. The game will undoubtedly be interesting as the two teams are fighting for one of the top spots in the league. Their last matchup ended in a 2-2 tie. The Hatters travel to Quakertown for a 7pm game and the Panthers’ senior night on Monday.
NORTH PENN 1-3 4
HATBORO 0-0 0
SOUDERTON 1, PENNRIDGE 0
The Indians used a second half goal by Dan Sullivan to eke out a win over their neighboring rival, and as coach Matt Benner knows all too well, no win ever comes easily in the Continental Conference.
“We know that year-in and year-out – no matter who teams lose and who they have to replace, games are always going to be tight,” the first-year coach said. “That’s just life in our conference.
“Especially a crosstown rival like Pennridge, we always have very, very heated and close games, no matter who’s on the team.”
The win came on the heels of a 5-0 loss to conference-leading Central Bucks East.
“It was really, really good for us to get a win,” Benner said. “It was a good reward for all the hard work that the seniors and the rest of the players have been putting in lately.
“To score a goal on a set piece like we did in the second half was really rewarding.”
Sullivan’s goal came in the 58th minute of play with an assist from Andres Silva.
“We worked really hard to go out and create opportunities in the second half,” Benner said. “We had a corner kick and played a ball low across the near post that got deflected and just found its way to Dan Sullivan.
“He did a really nice job of staying composed and putting it by the keeper nice, low and hard.”
Benner went on to laud the performances of several players.
“I thought everybody on our back line had a really, really good game - guys like DJ Rostron, Jordan Rawa and Chad Ziegler,” he said. “Dan Sullivan, the eventual goal scorer, bounced back and forth between the midfield and defense, but I thought our whole back line did a really nice job.
“Pennridge is a team that has a lot of speed up top. They’re very, very dangerous if they can get in behind you, and I thought our defenders did a really nice job of keeping them there.
“We got solid contributions once again from Nick Stulb in the midfield. He really has stepped up and shown a lot of senior leadership of late and plays hard to the end.”
The Indians (4-9-2, 3-8-1 SOL) will host Haverford on Saturday at 2 p.m. The Rams (6-8-2, 3-7-2) will travel to Central Bucks East on Monday.
SOUDERTON 0-1 1
PENNRIDGE 0-0 0
National Conference
BENSALEM 5, COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 4 (2 OT)
The Owls won a double overtime thriller over the Indians, rallying from a 3-0 halftime deficit for the dramatic win.
“The win was a huge factor,” Bensalem coach Joe Leone said. “It was very windy, and the wind was pretty much blowing from one goal into the other goal.”
In the second half, the Owls had the wind at their backs, and they capitalized. Chris Jorgenson scored a pair of goals, both with assists from junior Elan Fingles on free kicks. The Indians answered with a goal to go back on top 4-2.
Goals by Fingles and Jimmy McDowell knotted the score.
“It was a big come-from-behind,” Leone said. “When it was 3-0, I told the kid, ‘Stick in there. We have the wind at our backs in the second half. Take shots – get a deflection in there, and who knows what’s going to happen with the wind.’
“They did that in the first half, and we did in the second half, so it worked out.”
The Owls scored the golden goal midway through the second overtime.
“It was a throw-in, and it looked like their defender hit it into the net,” Leone said. “I’m not sure if it was a head or if it deflected off of somebody, but none of my kids took credit, saying they got a piece of it, so it must have went off one of their players. It was kind of a scramble.”
The overtime goal capped a remarkable comeback by the never-say-die Owls.
“This is huge,” Leone said. “I told them after the game – it shows a lot, not necessarily about their skill at that point but their character as players to not give up, not throw in the towel and just keep working and keep believing they could win.
“The team had that belief it could come back and win, so that’s a good trait for us.”
Leone lauded the standout efforts of Fingles, McDowell and Jorgenson. He also tipped his hat to Rock North’s keeper.
“He was excellent,” Leone said. “He did a great job.
“He had pretty much a game-saving save right at the end of regulation, and he made a lot of saves on us. We were getting a little bit frustrated because we were taking some good shots on him, and he was making amazing saves – diving side to side and getting his finger tips on the ball and keeping it out of the goal.”
The Owls (10-3-0, 7-3-0 SOL) will host Harry S Truman on Monday night while the Indians (4-8, 4-7) will travel to Neshaminy.
BENSALEM 0-4-0-1 5
COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 3-1-0-0 4
ABINGTON 0, WILLIAM TENNENT 0 (2 OT)
American Conference
PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 2, NORRISTOWN 1
Norristown sophomore Joe Morello connected for a goal to knot the score 1-1, but the Colonials answered with a goal of their own to eke out the win.
The Colonials (12-2, 11-1 SOL) will travel to Upper Dublin on Monday for a key American Conference showdown while the Eagles (5-11, 3-9) will travel to Wissahickon.
UPPER DUBLIN 6, SPRINGFIELD 0
The scoring started early for the Flying Cardinals when Zach Arnold connected in the third minute, and they led 2-0 after a goal by Nick Browndorf in the 27th minutes. Upper Dublin took that two-goal lead into halftime, and then blew the game wide open with four goals in the final 16 minutes of the game. A goal by Alex Demchick in the 64th minute opened the floodgates, and Sam Ecker followed with back-to-back goals in an eight-minute span, the first with an Alex Browndorf assist and the second with an Andy Quan helper. Zach Arnold closed out the scoring with a goal in the final minute of the game.
Upper Dublin keepers Scott Wexler (five saves) and Charlie VanOrden combined for six saves. Springfield's Kevin Sykes had 11 saves.
The Flying Cardinals (11-3, 11-0 SOL) host Plymouth Whitemarsh in an American Conference showdown on Monday. The Spartans (3-12, 3-9) will host Upper Moreland.
Girls
Continental Conference
PENNRIDGE 3, SOUDERTON 0
The Rams played their third game in as many days on Friday afternoon at Souderton and came away with their third shutout of the week. Jackie Stevens found herself with an opportunity to score in the 32nd minute, but it was Lindsay Sheehan who cleaned up Stevens’ rebound and connected for the goal.
In the second half, the Rams, now used to the Indians’ off-sides trap, penetrated the defense and added to their lead in the 60th minute when Ashley Butcher sent a shot across the cage that Stevens headed in. Eight minutes later, Andrea Caya scored another header off a Julia Rufe corner to close out the scoring in the shutout victory, their tenth of the season.
Rams keeper Amanda O’Hara stopped six shots and Brittany Smith had one save. Jackie Parry turned away nine shots for Big Red. The Rams’ record is still identical to CB East’s at 9-0-3 in the league, Pennridge hosts East on Monday night (7 pm) in a showdown for sole possession of first place.
PENNRIDGE 1-2 3
SOUDERTON 0-0 0
HATBORO HORSHAM 2, NORTH PENN 0
The Lady Hatters continued to play well as they defeated North Penn 2-0 Friday afternoon. The first half displayed stylish passing and a balanced attack, but the Hatters’ best chances missed the frame. The rain intensified at halftime, and so did the Maidens’ attack.
"We came out for the second half a little cautious," said Hatters coach Ben Winderman. “We are fortunate to have defenders like Kelly Griffin, Emily Sheehan, and Mikaela Malofiy. They weather the lulls for us and keep us in contention."
Eventually the Hatters did get on the scoreboard, and both goals were set up by corner kicks. In the 54th and 65th minutes, Jordan Plummer laced a ball into the box, and senior defender Maggie Leisch got on the end of it.
"She (Maggie) knows how to time a run and meet the cross with power and precision,” Winderman said. “Jordan served up two excellent balls, and Maggie found the back of the net! She has helped us so much as of late and is really one of the reasons we have improved. She played field hockey previous to this year, but we are thrilled she decided on soccer this season."
Leisch, whose older brother Karl played for Winderman several years ago, has stepped into a defensive role and stepped up the Hatters game.
"We tried her first back there against CB East and she was solid, but then she sprained her ankle,” the Hatters’ coach said. “She has shown a lot of toughness and heart coming back so quick, and today she helped her team in every category."
With the win, the Hatters moved into legitimate playoff contention, and with league opponents Quakertown and CB West scheduled next week, the Hatters like where they have placed themselves.
"We got gritty contributions from a variety of kids today," said Winderman "and demonstrated maturity under tough conditions. This team won this week in the face of pressure, weather, injury, and fatigue. They are beginning to establish themselves as formidable.
“We have a great test Tuesday night up at Quakertown, and then a chance to celebrate our awesome seniors Wednesday night at home. Girls like Anna Portelli, Katie Suman, Brianna Cummins, Annette Desipio, Lauren Brophy, Cait Smith, Maggie Leisch, Emily Butler, and Emily Sheehan have elevated this program through friendship and hard work. They are a special crew."
The Hatters will face CB West for their senior night Wednesday at 7:00 pm at Hatters Stadium.
HATBORO HORSHAM 0-2 2
NORTH PENN 0-0 0
CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 2, QUAKERTOWN 0 (Thursday, Oct. 10)
Emma Loving opened the scoring in the 70th minute for the Patriots in their shutout win over the Panthers on Thursday night at Alumni Field. Loving’s goal was quickly followed by an Abby Emmert attack that scored the insurance goal two minutes later. Neither team scored the rest of the way.
Paige Marcinkowski recorded the shutout in goal for the Patriots, who now have eight shutouts for the season. Emily Horn and Holly Moyer were given the task of containing Panthers’ dangerous scoring weapon Shannon Gibat, and they were successful. Coach Paul Eisold also praised the play of Paige Weiss and Xan Patella in the midfield as well as Kristen Murphy and Shaun Kane offensively. Eisold also commended the Panthers on an organized performance that provided them several good opportunities.
The Patriots outshot the Panthers 16-10 as they upped their record to 9-0-3 (13-0-3 overall). The Panthers evened their league record at 6-6 (8-7 overall), and they host Hatboro Horsham on Tuesday night. The Patriots will travel to Pennridge on Monday for a matchup under the lights that will likely determine first place in the Continental Conference.
CB EAST 0-2 2
QUAKERTOWN 0-0 0
PENNRIDGE 2, HATBORO HORSHAM O (Thursday, Oct. 10)
The Rams hosted the Hatters on a rainy Thursday night, but from the first to last whistle, it was a miraculously dry game. The Rams kept Hatters keepers Brianna Cummins and Miranda Royd busy, flooding them with 21 shots as the Hatters were held to only five shots. In the 24th minute, Kennedy Peace raced down the flank and fired a shot on goal that was deflected by a Hatter defender but still found its way into the net. Ten minutes later, Peace again exploded on a fastbreak and sent a cross to Lindsay Sheehan, who put it in the back of the net to record the shutout win.
PENNRIDGE 2-0 2
HATBORO HORSHAM 0-0 0
CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 2, CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 0 (Thursday, Oct. 10)
National Conference
COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 1, BENSALEM 0
The Indians upped their league mark to 6-3-3 with a 1-0 win over the Owls, finishing off a stellar week that included three shutouts over league opponents. The Indians and Owls were deadlocked at the half until Delaney Smith converted a Madison Attanasio pass into the game-winner in the 58th minute. The Owls saw their record drop to 2-7-2 in the league and prepare to host Truman on Monday while the Indians, now in third place, face off against the number one team in the league Neshaminy.
CR NORTH 0-1 1
BENSALEM 0-0 0
PENNSBURY 5 , TRUMAN 0
The Falcons downed the Tigers 5-0 under the lights at Truman on Friday night. Uche Onouha and Mary Webb scored to the give the Falcons a 2-0 lead at the half. Second half goals were scored by Megan Engeland, Caroline Foley and Jadyn Peto. The shutout victory upped the Falcon’s record to 6-2-4 (9-2-4 overall). They are tied with Council Rock North for third place in the competitive National Conference. The Falcons host Abington on Monday for their “Kick Out Cancer” game at 7pm at Macclesfield Park in Yardley. The Tigers saw their record drop to 1-11 (4-12 overall) and they continue their season at Bensalem on Monday.
PENNSBURY 2-3 5
TRUMAN 0-0 0
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