Check out the results for SOL boys’ soccer teams in action Friday.
American Conference
Cheltenham 1, Wissahickon 0
It was a win that was a surprise to everyone in attendance, even the coaches.
"I wasn't expecting that. It was awesome. Where to start?" Cheltenham coach Chuck Gesing said after his Panthers went into Wissahickon High School and escaped with a shutout victory in a conference meeting.
Thanks to a goal from junior Josh Ryan in the 44th minute – his first of the season – as well as another shutout from senior goalkeeper Tom Hipwell, the Panthers were able to even their conference record to 3-3-1 thanks to the upset victory.
"It was a hard win,” Gesing said. “We have been in a lot of close games this year, but we finally got the result.
"We seemed to put together two halves and we played great defense. We really bottled up their best player (Cole Kropnick) and it was a scrappy, tough and physical game. We just came out on the right side this time."
Ryan's second half goal came thanks to a pass from Abe Austin.
Hipwell, who has now recorded four shutouts this season, stopped 10 shots in the winning effort for Cheltenham (3-5-1).
"Tom has been solid in net for us," Gesing said. "He's a big kid and he's very vocal. He's strong in goal, and it just seemed like every shot went right to him today. He was in a great position and quick off the line and he earned it.
“Wissahickon comes at you, and they don't back down. I have a lot of respect for them, but today, we put the ball in the net and they didn't."
The Panthers got strong defensive play from Owen Deitcher, Jonah Cohen, Matt Fitzsimmons and R.J. Margallanas.
"We don't score a ton, but we keep it close,” Gesing said. “We played good defense and we play tough. It's always tight with us, and we know that going into it. Coming off our loss to PW, I think the guys were a little upset because they thought we were better than that.
“We showed that and came out today, and we locked them down and didn't let them get any clean looks. We kept on rolling and putting the pressure on and finally got one. The loss in the last game really motivated the guys to not roll over and to show that they were better than what we showed last time."
Wissahickon outshot Cheltenham 20-9. John Carrozza stopped six shot in net for the Trojans, who fell to 7-2-0 overall and 5-2-0 in conference play.
Cheltenham 0 1 1
Wissahickon 0 0 0
Springfield 2, Upper Dublin 1
Something that may have not seemed possible just a few short years ago happened on Friday when Springfield pulled off an impressive feat, going into Upper Dublin High School and leaving with a win over the Cardinals.
Juan Castro assisted on a pair of goals by Riley Woron and Corey Cottone to help the Spartans (6-4-0, 4-3-0) to an important win.
Kevin Sykes stopped five shots in net to earn the win for Springfield.
Upper Dublin (3-4-2, 3-3-1) got its lone goal from Jamie Wheatley.
Plymouth Whitemarsh 2, Norristown 0
Plymouth Whitemarsh is a perfect 7-0-0 after one go-round in conference play, thanks to Friday’s shutout win over visiting Norristown. The Colonials, who have a two-game lead over second place Wissahickon, are 8-1-0 overall.
Mark Melvin and Dom Wldarczyk each scored once and each added an assist to take care of all the scoring for the Colonials. PW goalkeeper Shane Smith was credited with two saves in net to earn yet another shutout.
The Eagles now sit at 1-4-2 overall and in conference play following the loss.
Continental Conference
North Penn 2, Hatboro-Horsham 1
Despite being shut out the first 60 minutes of Friday’s game, North Penn was able to come up with a pair of late goals and left Hatboro-Horsham High School victorious with a 2-1 win. Kevin McKenna scored around the 60-minute mark to knot the score 1-1, and 10 minutes later, Mike Kohler connected for the game winner.
Eduardo Romero scored the lone goal for Hatboro-Horsham (1-6-2, 1-4-2). With the win, the Knights sit at 7-2-0 overall and 6-1-0 in conference play.
North Penn 0 2 2
Hatboro-Horsham 0 1 1
Central Bucks West 3, Central Bucks South 0
Junior Joel Acaster scored Central Bucks West's first two goals and helped lead the Bucks to a shutout victory over visiting Central Bucks South.
Acaster's two goals came in the game's opening minutes, and CB West never looked back.
"Those early goals just kind of set the tone for us," CB West coacH Stefan Szygiel said.
Senior Nick Marella scored in the second half to make it 3-0 in favor of CB West. Bryan Van Eekelen drew an assist, while senior goalkeeper Daniel Merritt made five saves in net in the shutout.West is 3-3-1 in conference play (4-3-2 overall) while the Titans are 3-4 in the conference (4-4-1 overall).
Central Bucks South 0 0 0
Central Bucks West 2 1 3
Pennridge 4, Quakertown 0 (Thursday, Sept. 18)
Pennridge jumped out to an early lead and eventually came out victorious in shutout fashion with a one-sided victory over host Quakertown on Thursday night.
The win was the first of the season for Pennridge, which had only scored one goal all season before the game against the Panthers.
Senior Danny Williams scored the first and third goals of the game, with the first coming on a penalty kick. His second goal was a direct kick from midfield which went in past the Quakertown goalkeeper. Casey Giblin also scored on a pass from Ethan Aigeldinger, while Dylan Henry scored the fourth goal for the Rams (1-4-3, 1-4-2).
"Quakertown works hard and they're a young team, but I was proud of the way we performed," Pennridge coach Pete Valimont said. "It feels great. The kids are happy. It's frustrating because we're playing in a tough conference, but our defense has been great, and it was nice to get this win. I think we have a good shot to creep up and get some wins later on."
Pennridge goalkeeper Brody Giblin stopped one shot in net in the first half to earn the win.
Pennridge 4 0 4
Quakertown 0 0 0
National Conference
Council Rock North 3, Bensalem 0
Council Rock North got a huge game from Nick Guarna, who scored two goals to help the Indians to an all-important win over visiting Bensalem in a conference affair.
The Indians (3-5-0, 3-4-0) also received one goal from Brett Miller who scored on a penalty kick. CR North goalkeeper Billy Storm made five saves en route to the shutout victory.
The loss dropped the Owls to 3-4-0 overall and 2-3-0 in conference play.
Pennsbury 2, William Tennent 0
Pennsbury's Alex Kardos and Zach LoBasso each scored goals in the second half to break a scoreless tie.
“Alex was dominant in the midfield,” coach Tom Stoddart said of his senior midfielder
LoBasso and Colin Marks both added assists for Pennsbury, which improved to 5-3-2 overall and 5-2-0 in conference play.
Eric Gagliardi recorded his third shutout of the season while earning the win for the Falcons.
“Eric was solid when he had to be in goal,” Stoddart said.
Tennent fell to 4-4-0 and 3-4-0, respectively.
Pennsbury 0-2 2
William Tennent 0-0 0
Neshaminy 2, Council Rock South 1
Neshaminy remained perfect in conference play with a victory over host Council Rock South.
The Redskins (8-1-0, 7-0-0) received goals from Kenny Herrmann and Kevin Getz en route to the victory. Herrmann's goal was scored in the 45th minute and was assisted by Getz, while the Getz’s goal was scored in the 60th minute and was assisted by Herrmann.
Neshaminy goalkeeper Chris Rush stopped five saves in the winning effort.
CR South fell to 4-4-1 overall and 3-4-0 in conference play with the loss.
Neshaminy 0 2 2
Council Rock South 0 0 0
Abington 0, Harry S. Truman 0 (OT)
Abington and host Harry S. Truman played to a scoreless draw in a conference battle.
The tie leaves the Ghosts 5-2-1 overall and 4-2-1 in conference play, while the Tigers sit at 0-4-1 overall and in the conference.
About the Author
