Check out the recaps for SOL girls’ soccer teams in action Monday.
SOL National Conference
BENSALEM 6, HARRY S TRUMAN 1
After playing just one game in the last 10 days because of wet fields, the Owls were more than happy to play Monday’s home game on Truman’s turf field. They celebrated by scoring early and often.
“The girls put the ball in the net today,” coach Bob Crawford said. “I was really proud of the way the girls responded because they had a game cancelled on Friday, and they had a heartbreaker against Neshaminy where we lost 1-0 and got rained out.”
Taylor Haffner got the ball rolling for the Owls, scoring a pair of goals in a one-minute span – both on breakaways. The first with a through ball from Lexi Cahill and the second- almost a rerun of the first – with a Sydney Miller assist that spotted the Owls a 2-0 lead less than eight minutes into the contest. An own goal – credited to Cahill – sent the Owls into halftime with a 3-0 lead.
In the second half, Miller scored on a head ball off an Alyssa Groves corner kick, and then it was Gianna Paglaiccetti scoring with an assist from Maritza Garcia. Amani White’s unassisted goal put the Owls on top 6-0 before the Tigers scored a late goal on a free kick.
“Today was basically the whole team – I was able to empty the bench,” Crawford said. “Girls that are taking a backseat were thrust into it, and they proved they can do it, which was nice to see.”
The game afforded the first-year coach an opportunity to focus on a point of of emphasis.
“They were really trying to learn how to possess the ball,” Crawford said. “I’m their third coach in four years, and each coach brings a different style and flavor.
“I’m trying to bring a possession style, and they were starting to possess the ball, hold the ball and relax with the ball.”
The Owls’ coach lauded the play of goalie Abby Brunell.
“Abby had a very strong game today,” he said.
Bensalem (4-4, 3-3 SOL) will travel to William Tennent on Tuesday, and Harry S Truman (0-10, 0-8) will host Council Rock North on Wednesday.
Bensalem 3-3 6
Harry S Truman 0-1 1
Non-league
QUAKERTOWN 1, UPPER DUBLIN 0
It must have felt like old times to the Panthers, who found themselves facing a familiar American Conference rival. The two teams have played four times over the last two seasons. Once they battled to a scoreless tie, the other three were one-goal games.
Coming as no surprise, it was another one-goal war, and this one went in the win column for the Panthers, thanks to a late goal by Maddy Spadafora with an Ashley Gluck assist.
“Ashley Gluck got down the flank and actually beat a player – she made a brilliant play getting past the defender and slotted the ball brilliantly across the goal to the right corner, and Maddy Spadafora slid in to finish it,” coach Mike Koch said. “I respect (coach) John Topper and Upper Dublin. I miss that rivalry from the American Conference. I do think they played well and will do good things this year.”
The win was the first of the season for a Panther squad that has been on the short end of three 1-0 losses in Continental Conference play.
“I’m really happy for the kids,” Koch said. “They have worked really hard. Upper Dublin beat us twice last year – both times by a goal. We’re not that much different than we were last year. It’s just the depth of the teams in the Continental Conference makes it difficult.
“It’s been a challenge, no doubt. We’ve lost at least three games in the last five minutes by a goal, so it was nice to win one in the last five minutes by a goal.”
Both teams, according to Koch, had their opportunities.
“Upper Dublin really came at us, particularly in the first 15 minutes or so and then we stabilized,” the Panthers’ coach said. “Tina Haig is a really good player, and she definitely put us under pressure.
“But we kind of composed ourselves. Being in the Continental Conference, we’re used to being tough to get through and defend. Upper Dublin certainly had chances, more than we did early, and then as the game went on, we started to take more risks late, and we were definitely playing more high risk when we got the goal.”
When it was over, Koch had plenty of praise to go around.
“In the back, Melina Jagiello, Cori Pursel and a freshman Kyla Frederick, who has just been gold for us,” the Panthers’ coach said. “On our flanks, it was Brenna Foster and Natalie Reilly.
“Our midfield was really strong with Haley Pursel, of course, and Gianna Monastra – Gianna stepped in for an injury today and was huge. She particularly marked Tina Haig, so I was really proud of her.
“Also the up top combination that got the goal – which was from Haley Hangey to Ashley Gluck to Maddy Spadafora.”
Koch also gave props to senior Emma Geiser, who came off the bench and stepped into goal when – in the closing minutes of the first half - Morgan Sipprell was forced to come out of the game with an injury.
“Emma Geiser, who probably hasn’t played goalie since age 10, went in and played goalie for the last couple of minutes and actually collected two balls nicely,” Koch said. “I was without a goalkeeper, and Emma volunteered. She’s one of those team-first kids that does whatever the team needs. Sometimes she sings the National Anthem before games and will probably do that tomorrow night. That was pretty cool.”
Spirrell returned for the second half to complete the shutout in goal.
“She had a couple of really good saves,” Koch said. “She’s had really good saves every game for us. She came out with not a whole lot of experience playing the position and been tremendous.”
There was no mistaking the significance of getting that first win.
“There’s only so many times you can say after the game, ‘Hey, that’s a great effort. You deserved better,’” Koch said. “It was awesome.
Quakertown (1-7-2, 1-6-1 SOL) will host Pennridge on Tuesday at 7 p.m., and Upper Dublin (6-5, 5-3) will host Cheltenham Tuesday.
Upper Dublin 0-0 0
Quakertown 0-1 1
CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 4, PERKIOMEN VALLEY 1
The Bucks rolled to their eighth straight win, exploding for three goals in the second half after opening up a 1-0 halftime lead.
“We played a very solid game today,” coach Mike Moyer said. “Every single girl on the team got in and played solid minutes.”
Trish Hauck scored the Bucks’ only goal of the first half.
“Taylor Moyer took a ball from Arianna D’Elia, beat a defender and had a great pass to Trish Hauck, who made a great first touch and placed a great left foot shot into goal,” Moyer said.
In the second half, the Bucks seized control of the game. Hauck came up with a ball around the 18 and turned it into her second goal of the game, using a Tori Albrecht assist.
Several minutes later, Ryan Fitzsimmons set up a Moyer goal.
“Ryan Fitz did her thing on the outside and sent a great ball across the box that Taylor hit in on a great one-touch goal,” Moyer said.
The fourth goal was special, according to the Bucks’ coach, because it was the second team that earned it.
“Aubrey Grzywacz won the ball in the 18 and had a great pass to Shea Lubin, who made a great touch and got her first varsity goal to make it 4-0,” Moyer said.
The Bucks’ coach lauded the play of his defense.
“I thought Erika Evan, Keely McGlone, Allie Evan and Gracie Miller played very well in the back,” Moyer said.
The Bucks – seeded third in the latest District One 4A power rankings – have already exceeded their win total for the entire season for each the past three years.
Central Bucks West (10-2, 5-2 SOL) will travel to Souderton Tuesday for a 7 p.m. contest.
Perkiomen Valley 0-1 1
Central Bucks West 1-3 4
COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 3, LOWER MORELAND 1
The Indians erupted for three goals – the most they’ve scored in a game since their 5-1 win over Harry S Truman on Sept. 7. They hope it is an omen of things to come.
“I thought we did a great job tonight controlling possession and the tempo of the game,” coach Gavin Flannigan said. “There was a period in the second half after the Lower Moreland goal, but apart from that, I think we were the better team.”
The scoreboard reflected that, and the Indians took a 1-0 lead when Kaleigh O’Donnell scored after a scramble on a corner kick.
“She did a nice job of staying composed and finishing well,” Flannigan said.
Rock North’s second goal was set up from a long free kick.
“Paige Addis held off the defender before shooting low into the corner,” Flannigan said.
Scoring the Indians’ third goal was Marisa Hsu, who turned a Maddy Nusca cross into the score.
“Our third goal was a back post finish from Marisa Hsu, who was probably the most threatening player on the field tonight,” Flannigan said.
Grace Needham recorded six saves in goal in the win.
“We are pleased with the overall performance – a lot of girls contributed to the win tonight,” Flannigan said. “I thought Chloe Hill did a good job in the first half, and Brooke Strobel defended well tonight.”
Council Rock North (5-6, 2-5 SOL) will be on the road at Harry S Truman on Wednesday.
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