SOL Field Hockey Wrap (10-1-13)

Check out the results for SOL field hockey teams in action on Monday and Tuesday.

National Conference

BENSALEM 0, PENNBURY 0 (OT)
The Owls might well have turned in the defensive performance of the season in Tuesday’s shutout of the Falcons. Pennsbury had 28 shots on goal to just two for Bensalem and also held a 17-2 advantage in corners, but still, the Falcons were forced to settle with a scoreless tie.
Bensalem goalie Stevi Butler played a major role in Pennsbury’s inability to finish, collecting 22 saves in the shutout.
“She did amazing,” coach Amanda Tu said. “She had saves left and right – in the air, all over the place. She did a great job and so did the rest of the team.
“Today they played together as a team. They hustled back and forth. They were positive, they communicated well with one another, and they never gave up.”
In addition to Butler, Tu lauded the performances of sweeper Alyssa Dalrymple as well as Breanna Buechner and Madison Kubik.
Earlier this season, the Falcons earned a 5-1 win over the Owls.
“It was a huge turnaround from the first half of the season, having so many goals scored against us,” Tu said. “Especially playing a good team and shutting them out, it definitely builds their confidence. They understand what we’ve been telling them all season – they have talent, and they finally put it together and are seeing it work.
“It’s not a win, but a tie is better than a loss.”
The Falcons (4-5-3 overall, 3-3-2 SOL) will travel to William Tennent on Thursday while the Owls (0-9-1, 0-7-1) will host Neshaminy.

COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 5, ABINGTON 0
The Golden Hawks sprinted to a 4-0 halftime lead on their way to the win. Kristen Meihofer put the Hawks on the board, using a Kristin Donohue assist. Then it was Sam Olsen connecting for her first of two goals (Mollie Sheehy assist). Goals by Sheehy (Meihofer assist) and Katie Rafter (Sheehy assist) made it a 4-0 game. Olsen (Donohue assist) closed out the scoring in the second half.
The Golden Hawks (8-3 overall, 7-1 SOL) will travel to Harry S Truman on Thursday. The Ghosts (4-8, 2-6) will host Council Rock North.
Abington         0-0   0
Council Rock South     4-1   5

NESHAMINY 10, HARRY S TRUMAN 0
Abby Alexis got the ball rolling for the Redskins, turning a pass from Emily Alexis into a goal. Marlena Koellner (Erin Bedesem assist) made it a 2-0 game, and another Abby Alexis goal (Koellner assist) put the ‘Skins on top 3-0. Maria Palmieri (Amanda Blum assist), Blum (Josafinne McIlvaine assist), Kenzi Tucchi (Palmieri assist) and McIlvaine (Jamie Renman assist) each added single goals to send the Redskins into halftime with a 7-0 lead.
In the second half, Palmieri (Amanda Blum assist), Blum (Abby Alexis assist) and Abby Alexis (Christen Pennington assist) each scored for the 10-0 final. Abby Alexis led the ‘Skins with three goals and one assist.
The Redskins (8-4 overall, 7-1 SOL) will travel to Bensalem on Thursday while the Tigers (3-7, 1-7) will host Council Rock South.
Harry S Truman         0-0   0
Neshaminy                  7-3   10

COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 3, WILLIAM TENNENT 0
The Indians opened up a 2-0 halftime lead and never looked back on their way to the shutout win. The Indians received a pair of goals from Madison Gouza while Jennica Jonovich added a goal and assist. Devon Mela and Anna Lehman each had an assist for the Indians, who upped their league mark to 7-1 (9-2 overall) and will host Abington on Thursday. Tennent (3-6-1, 3-4-1) will host Pennsbury on Thursday.
William Tennent         0-0   0
Council Rock North     2-1   3

Continental Conference

CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 3, PENNRIDGE 2
For a while, it looked as though the Rams might be able to do what no team had done so far this season when they opened up a 2-0 lead on the undefeated Titans, but looking the part of the champions they are, the Titans rallied from that early deficit to earn the hard-fought win.
“We were really impressed with the resiliency of the team today,” co-coach Jeff Harding said. “Getting home late last evening from an OT win (2-1 over Cardinal O’Hara) showed the level of fitness and mental toughness they have, playing two games and an OT in less than 24 hours.”
The Rams started off strong and got on the scoreboard just over three minutes into the game when Melissa Herd turned an Addison Marshall pass into a goal. That lead grew to 2-0 when Kari Moyer (Kelly Wolff assist) connected at the 17:22 mark of the opening half. Both goals came during corner play.
“We worked on our corners a lot because we haven’t been capitalizing,” coach Brieann Wolfe said. “I was really proud that two of our goals came on corners.”
South’s Megan Hamilton (Corrine Kenney assist) put the Titans on the board with just over four minutes remaining in the half to make it a 2-1 game at the intermission. Two quick goals within a four-minute span early in the second half – the first from Rachel Gorman (Mackenzie Harding assist) and the second from Jessica Schmidt – gave the Titans a lead they would not lose.
The Rams had six penalty corners – three in each half – while the Titans had 16. Ten of those came in the first half.
The Titans (12-0 overall, 8-0 SOL) will host North Penn on Thursday while Pennridge (8-3, 5-3) will travel to Quakertown.
Central Bucks South   1-2   3
Pennridge        2-0   2

NORTH PENN 3, SOUDERTON 0
The Maidens brought to a welcome end a four-game losing skid, exploding for three second half goals to earn the important win.
“Once we got the one goal – it was almost like a sigh of relief because we’ve been having a little trouble finishing the last couple of games, and it just gave the girls a boost of energy,” coach Shannon McCracken said.
Casey O’Donnell, who had a hand in all three goals, broke a three-game scoreless drought for the Maidens six minutes in the second half. Five minutes later, O’Donnell connected again, this time using a Shannon Talbot assist. For good measure, Talbot (O’Donnell assist) added an insurance goal with two minutes remaining in regulation.
“Casey and Shannon played well,” McCracken said. “Casey went to goal with speed tonight, and that made a huge difference.
“The midfield line played a really nice transition game between the backs and the forwards. We were relentless in the circle until the ball went in.”
The Maidens held an advantage in shots (13-5) and corners (15-5). Maiden keeper Chessa Kownurko was credited with five saves in the shutout while Souderton’s Shelby Landes turned away 10 shots.
“We controlled play, but we just couldn’t put the ball in the cage in the first half, which is what we’ve been having a problem with the last couple of games,” McCracken said.
While the Indians, who were shut out for the fifth straight game, saw their record drop to 0-8 in league play (1-9 overall), the Maidens upped their mark to 3-5 in the SOL (5-6 overall).
“This (win) was so important,” McCracken said. “We had two overtime losses and then played CB South, so we were a little down from those losses. It was just big to come out tonight and put a full game together.
“We played well against Pennridge last week (a 1-0 loss). It was a well-played game on both sides, so it was important to come out tonight and just stick to North Penn field hockey.”
Souderton will host Hatboro-Horsham on Thursday while the Maidens will travel to Central Bucks South for a battle with the undefeated Titans.
“There’s no room to breathe in our league,” McCracken said. “It’s a competitive league, and it’s exciting every game. Every day it’s like prepping for a playoff game.”
Souderton       0-0   0
North Penn     0-3   3

HATBORO-HORSHAM 1, CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 0
The Hatters sent 20 shots on goal but managed to convert just one of those shots into a goal.
Kelsy Hopkins broke a scoreless tie, turning a Jenna Cutilli pass into a goal during corner play at the 21:12 mark of the second half. That goal stood the rest of the way.
“We need to put the ball in the cage,” Hatters’ coach Laura Swezey said. “With 20 shots, we need to score.”
Playing no small role in the Hatters’ inability to find the cage was East goalie Sarah Grzegorczyk, who was credited with 15 saves.
“She had a great game,” Swezey said. “Maggie Stella also played well in the field with nice hits to transition the ball for CB East.
“We controlled the ball through most of the game in the midfield by Casey Swezey, Jenna Cutilli and Kelsy Hopkins.”
Swezey also lauded the strong defensive performances of Jane Henry, Keeley Henry, Brenna Reilly and keeper Emily Braunewell, who turned away four shots in the shutout.
East also received defensive saves from Sydney Badger (three), Stella (two) and Gabby Hieber (one).
The Hatters (7-3 overall, 5-3 SOL) will travel to Souderton on Thursday while the Patriots (3-9, 1-7) will host CB West at War Memorial Field at 7 p.m.
Central Bucks East     0-0   0
Hatboro-Horsham      0-1   1

CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 5, QUAKERTOWN 1
The Panthers extended the Bucks to overtime before falling 1-0 in the initial meeting between the two teams. That wasn’t the case this time around as the Bucks scored early and often on their way to the win.
Erick Fiorelli, who led the Bucks with four goals, put the Bucks on the board less than five minutes into the game, turning a Bryn Boylan pass into a goal after – according to coach Courtney Hughes – some ‘picture perfect passing combinations.’ Fiorelli’s second goal was a rocket from the top of the circle, and he completed the hat trick by tipping a Kim Hitchcock pass into the cage with 13 seconds remaining in the first half to send West into halftime with a 3-0 lead.
Fiorelli’s final goal came midway through the second half, again with an assist from Bryn Boylan – this time on a pass towards the front of the cage. Hitchcock connected for the Bucks’ final goal, beating several defenders and finding the back of the cage.
“The game featured incredible team play and aggressiveness all over the field,” Hughes said. “Bryn Boylan was instrumental in creating space through the middle, allowing the attackers an opportunity to get free in the circle.”
The Bucks (10-1 overall, 7-1 SOL) will face Central Bucks East at War Memorial Stadium on Thursday at 7 p.m. The Panthers (6-6, 3-5) will host Pennridge.
Quakertown    0-1   1
Central Bucks West    3-2   5

American Conference

UPPER MERION 3, NORRISTOWN 1
The suddenly surging Vikings won for the second time in as many outings, scoring three unanswered goals to earn the win. The Vikings led 1-0 when Dasia Araujo scored on a breakaway with just under 10 minutes remaining in the opening half. They took that 1-0 lead into the intermission.
Mia DiBella upped that lead to 2-0 when she converted another breakaway into a goal midway through the second half, and it was DiBella scoring the third goal for the Vikings, turning a cross from Araujo into a goal. Norristown’s Diamond Rahatt broke up the Vikings’ shutout bid by scoring with just over 11 minutes remaining.
Upper Merion coach Angie Yanocha credited several players in the win.
“Our defense – including Laura Persofsky, Krysta Zadroga and Katie Schauble – made several key plays in the end of the second half that prevented Norristown from scoring more goals,” the Vikings’ coach said. “Kaitlyn Lutz also played very strong in the midfield.”
The Vikings held a 13-11 advantage in shots while the Eagles had a 4-3 edge in corners. Upper Merion keeper Devyn Antonucci was credited with six saves while Norristown’s Sierrah Slaughter had nine saves.
The Vikings (3-8-1 overall, 3-4-1 SOL) will travel to Upper Moreland on Thursday while the Eagles (4-7, 4-4) will host Upper Dublin.
Norristown     0-1   1
Upper Merion2-1   3

PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 6, UPPER MORELAND 0
Courtney Konowal connected for the hat trick to lead the high flying Colonials to the win. It was Konowal opening the game with three consecutive goals – two in the first half to send PW into halftime with a 2-0 lead. Her third goal, assisted by twin sister Rachel, put the Colonials on top 3-0. Back-to-back goals by Rachel Konowal, both assisted by Allison Spinelli, made it a 5-0 game, and when Spinelli turned a Rachel Konowal pass into a goal during corner play, the Colonials had their final margin of victory.
Bridget Meade turned away 15 shots for the Golden Bears while Tori Byrne and Claire McAllister combined for the shutout in goal for PW.
The Colonials (11-1 overall, 8-0 SOL) will travel to Cheltenham on Thursday while the Golden Bears (1-10, 0-8) will host Upper Merion.
Upper Moreland         0-0   0
Plymouth Whitemarsh           2-4   6

WISSAHICKON 1, UPPER DUBLIN 0 (OT)
Angela Virtu scored with 5:01 remaining in overtime to propel the Trojans to the dramatic win. Senior Melanie Fry assisted on the game winner.
Upper Dublin goalie Sara Weinberg was credited with 15 saves while Wissahickon’s Claire Tarzia had four saves in the shutout.
The Trojans (7-4 overall, 7-1 SOL) will host Springfield on Thursday while the Flying Cardinals (4-7, 4-4) will travel to Norristown.
Wissahickon   0-0-1   1
Upper Dublin  0-0-0   0

SPRINGFIELD 3, CHELTENHAM 1
First half goals by Katherine McVeagh and Julie Cardamone gave the Spartans a lead they would not lose. Allison Yoder added a second half goal to seal the win.
The Spartans (5-5 overall, 4-4 SOL) will travel to Wissahickon on Thursday while the Lady Panthers (1-9-1, 1-6-1) will host Plymouth Whitemarsh.
Cheltenham     0-1   1
Springfield      2-1   3

Monday, Sept. 30
MARPLE NEWTOWN 5, NORRISTOWN 2
The Tigers took a 2-0 lead midway through the opening half, but a goal by Delzayah Culbreath (Vanessa Fosco assist) cut that lead in half heading into the intermission. Marple Newtown went on top 3-1, but Fosco (Emma Hagel assist) made things interesting with a goal midway through the second half. The Tigers closed it out with a pair of unanswered goals for the 5-2 final.
Norristown held an advantage in shots (22-18) and corners (19-3). Norristown keepers Sierrah Slaughter and Lauren Whitley combined to make nine saves with Slaughter collecting six.

CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 1, WILLIAM TENNENT 1
Maggie Stella scored with 4:05 remaining in overtime to propel the Patriots to the non-league win. It was the first goal of the season for Stella, who leads the team in assists. Freshman Reilly Finnegan was credited with the assist on the game winner.
East held a decided advantage in shots (24-8) and corners (16-2).
East keeper Sarah Grzegorczyk was credited with eight saves in the shutout while her counterpart had 23 saves.

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