Check out the results for SOL field hockey teams in action Tuesday.
National Conference
NESHAMINY 2, COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 1
The Redskins knocked the Indians from the ranks of the undefeated, opening up a 2-0 lead and holding on for the important win.
“The girls came out super excited to play, and it was a whole team effort,” coach Caitlin Koczynski said. “It was offense connecting up top, and our defense was solid in the back.
“I can’t say enough about our corner defense. The four of them played phenomenal.”
The ‘Skins corner defensive unit is comprised of Amanda Blum, Marlena Koellner, Christen Pennington and Emily Alexis as well as goalie Haile Sheppard.
“They played phenomenal in the back, and our offense was connecting today,” Koczynski. “It was a whole team effort from the goalie to our forwards.”
Abby Alexis converted a penalty stroke at the 27:35 mark of the first half.
“That definitely gave us a little boost,” Koczynski said. “They knew they had to get that second goal, but that first goal was definitely key.”
The Redskins led 2-0 after Maria Palmieri turned a Pennington pass into a goal early in the second half. The Indians broke up the ‘Skins’ shutout bid with a goal by Julianne Mangano (Gigi Tutoni assist) with 2:35 remaining.
With the new power rankings determining district seeding, Tuesday’s win was a big one for the Redskins.
“It’s late in the season, and it’s all on us at this point,” Koczynski said. “North is very strong, so it was good to get this win to help us in later games and to build confidence.
“They hustled. They never gave up. If they lost the ball, they won it right back. We talk about it all the time – you need to play a full 60 minutes, and they did.”
Rock North goalie Julia Singer had three saves while Sheppard had two. The Redskins held a 7-5 advantage in shots.
As a result of Tuesday’s win, Neshaminy (11-5, 10-2 SOL) trails Rock North (14-1, 10-1) by just one game in the loss column.
Council Rock North 0-1 1
Neshaminy 1-1 2
ABINGTON 4, BENSALEM 1
Junior Rebecca Markham connected for the first hat trick of her career to lead the Ghosts to the win over the Owls under the lights at Schwarzman Stadium.
It was Markham putting the Ghosts on the scoreboard with 8:39 left in the first half, using a Brianna Jameson assist. The Ghosts took that 1-0 lead into halftime.
Jameson (Grace Terrizzi assist) scored a goal that turned out to be the game winner with 18:50 remaining in the half, but five minutes later, the Owls cut that lead in half when Breanna Buechner (Madison Kubik assist) scored to make it a 2-1 game.
The Ghosts answered less than two minutes later when Markham scored her second goal of the night, this time using a Jess Moretti assist. Markham completed her hat trick with 9:15 remaining in regulation, connecting during corner play with an assist from Moretti.
Coach Amanda Deering credited Jameson for helping to set up the offense throughout the game.
“Bri worked hard to come back to the ball tonight and looked for the outlet pass to her wings,” the Ghosts’ coach said. “She fought hard and took some great shots.
“She may have only had one goal, but her play helped set up several of the goals.”
Alyssa Herman earned the win in goal for the Ghosts.
Abington is 3-7-1 in league play (4-9-1 overall) while the Owls are 0-11 in the league (2-12 overall).
Bensalem 0-1 1
Abington 1-3 4
COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 3, WILLIAM TENNENT 0
Katie Bagdon scored a pair of goals to lead the Golden Hawks to the win. Bagdon turned a Jackie Schragher pass into a goal six minutes into the game. The Hawks took that 1-0 lead into halftime.
Another Bagdon goal – this one on a penalty stroke 10 minutes into the second half – made it a 2-0 game, and six minutes later, Caroline McGovern scored an unassisted goal for the 3-0 final.
The Hawks held a 15-3 advantage in shots.
Tennent goalie Trish McCoy was credited with 11 saves while her counterpart, Anna Sternberg, had three saves.
The Golden Hawks are 9-2 in league play (10-4-1 overall) with a huge showdown against Council Rock North looming on the horizon on Thursday. The Panthers are 3-7-1 in league play (3-9-1 overall).
Council Rock South 1-2 3
William Tennent 0-0 0
PENNSBURY 6, HARRY S TRUMAN 0
The Falcons are 8-3 in league play (8-7 overall) while the Tigers are 1-11 (3-11 overall).
Harry S Truman 0-0 0
Pennsbury 3-3 6
NESHAMINY 10, HARRY S TRUMAN 0 (Monday, Oct. 6)
Christen Pennington scored an unassisted goal one minute into the game, and a minute later, Maria Palmieri (Amanda Blum) connected to make it a 2-0 game. Abby Alexis scored back-to-back goals, the first with a Blum assist, and when Pennington connected for her second goal (Josaphine McIlvaine assist), the Redskins led 5-0. Casey McDonald (Mackenzie Turchi assist) scored with six minutes remaining, and two minutes later McDonald returned the favor, assisting on Turchi’s goal that sent the ‘Skins into halftime with a 7-0 lead.
In the second half, Pennington (Blum assist), Palmieri (Pennington assist) and Jamie Renman (Emily Curran assist) scored for the 10-0 final.
Neshaminy 7-3 10
Harry S Truman 0-0 0
Continental Conference
NORTH PENN 2, CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 1
The O’Donnell sisters provided an effective one-two scoring punch for the Maidens, who avenged their heartbreaking 5-4 overtime loss to the Bucks in the initial meeting between the two schools. In that game, the Maidens watched a 4-1 lead disappear in the final nine minutes of the game.
“This helps make up for that a little bit,” North Penn coach Shannon McCracken said.
Revenge aside, there’s no mistaking the significance of the win for the Maidens, who got on the scoreboard when freshman Brianna O’Donnell turned an Amanda Laessig pass into a goal with 6:32 remaining in the first half.
“Amanda Laessig cut around the end line,” McCracken said. “The ball was bouncy, and for a freshman to score a goal like that when it’s bouncing in – she made some great contact with the ball.”
The Maidens took that 1-0 lead into halftime and upped that lead to 2-0 a minute and a half into the second half when Casey O’Donnell (Jennifer DeLongis assist) scored on a penalty corner. Three minutes later West senior Kim Hitchcock scored an unassisted goal. The Maidens’ defense – sparked by the 10-save effort of goalie Marissa Elizardo – held the rest of the way.
“Marissa had a great game in goal for us,” McCracken said. “She came up with some key saves that could have changed the direction of the game at any point.
“It was really a team effort, but Marissa came up with some key saves.”
The Maidens, according to McCracken, changed their formation on the field for Tuesday’s game.
“I think that made an impact because it was different than the last time we played them,” the Maidens’ coach said. “I think we really controlled the ball in the midfield well, and we also applied a lot of pressure. As soon as they got a touch on the ball, someone from our team was pressuring the ball. I think we forced them to make some mistakes, and we capitalized on that.”
The Bucks held a 12-10 advantage in shots. Both teams had nine corners.
“It was a really even game,” McCracken said. “It was a fun game to coach and watch. My girls really stepped to the ball well tonight.
“They had some fire in them. I’m sure they remembered the last time we met. I’m sure they had that in the back of their minds. The girls were excited to play tonight. This is a huge win.”
While the Bucks fell to 9-2 in league play (12-2-1 overall), the Maidens upped their record to 7-4 in the league (9-6 overall).
“We have an awesome non-league schedule this year,” McCracken said. “Sometimes it’s tough for the kids to swallow.
“We lost to the Mount in overtime. If we could have turned that into a win, that would have been a great win for us. We’re playing some great teams on our non-league schedule.”
Central Bucks West 1-0 1
North Penn 1-1 2
CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 1, CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 0
The Titans – by merit of their win and CB West’s loss – need just one more win to clinch at least a share of their eighth consecutive conference title.
Lauren Zakrewski scored the game’s lone goal at the 23:10 mark of the first half, using an assist from Emily Cliggett. That 1-0 lead stood the rest of the way.
Although her team came up just short, East coach Brittany Kocis was pleased with the performance of her squad.
“Goalie Betty Wesney had an outstanding game, coming up with a few major saves,” the Patriots’ coach said. “Rachel Fife had a phenomenal performance putting pressure on CB South’s attackers and crisp passing up the field.
“Riley Donnelly and Gabby Hieber’s stickwork was close to flawless as they carried the ball up the field. Sydney Badger and Sarah Sheehy had major defensive stops for us today.”
The Titans are 11-0 in conference play (13-2 overall) while the Patriots are 4-7 in league play (7-8 overall).
Central Bucks South 1-0 1
Central Bucks East 0-0 0
SOUDERTON 2, PENNRIDGE 1
The two teams exchanged goals in the first half, but the Indians won it when Erin Saybolt (Tara Maloney assist) scored at the 22:09 mark of the second half.
Earlier, Gabby Sedares (Saybolt assist) put the Indians on the scoreboard with a goal midway through the first half, but the Rams came back to knot the score on a goal by Kari Moyer (Victoria Arnold assist) with 16.9 seconds remaining in the half.
“Although we scored first, we came out flat,” Souderton coach Lauren Whiteside said. “It was evident that Pennridge was stepping to the ball faster than us.
“We got lucky on some of Pennridge’s shots that just narrowly missed our goal cage. Pennridge had some great attacking advances, but we have been practicing some defensive strategies, and my defense was able to use them.”
Giving up a goal in the closing seconds of the half could have been a game changer, but the Indians didn’t let that happen.
“At halftime, we needed to change our game plan, focus on better passing and really motivate each other and pick each other up,” Whiteside said. “It can be really deflating when a team scores on you with such little time on the clock, especially going into halftime.
“I’m proud of the girls for digging deep, staying motivated and finding it inside of them to come up with a ‘W.” It’s a good feeling, and we are hoping it will propel us forward for good things this week.”
Souderton is 3-8 in league play (5-9 overall) while the Lady Rams are 0-11 in the league (1-13 overall).
Souderton 1-1 2
Pennridge 1-0 1
HATBORO-HORSHAM 2, QUAKERTOWN 2 (OT) Monday, Oct. 6
In a classic conference battle on the turf of Alumni Field, the two teams exchanged goals and then battled through a scoreless overtime, settling for the 2-2 tie.
“It was an exciting game,” Hatboro coach Laura Swezey said. “They did well, we did well. It was fun to coach and fun to watch.”
The Hatters struck first when Amy Rusnak deflected a pass from Kelsy Hopkins into a goal at the 28:31 mark of the first half. The Hatters rallied to knot the score with 3:45 remaining in the first half on the first of two goals by Emma McLaughlin.
The Panthers took a 2-1 lead at the 27:45 mark of the second half when McLaughlin turned a Becky Gerhart pass into a goal. That lead held until midway through the half when Syd Rausa (Casey Swezey assist) connected for the equalizer. The Hatters continued to threaten, drawing five corners in the second half, but the Panthers’ defense held.
“Hatboro came out really fast paced, and I think our girls – after that first goal – stepped up and matched that same intensity,” Quakertown coach Alyssa Maltese said. “They definitely caught us on our heels, but I thought our girls did a good job of keeping themselves composed and together and coming back to tie it up.”
In overtime, the Panthers had the better of play and appeared to win the game when McLaughlin connected on a corner shot, but the goal was waved off with the officials ruling the ball had never left the striking circle. The Panthers drew three corners in overtime but came up empty. Defensively, Hillary Scott made sure the Hatters never generated a serious offensive threat in OT.
“Hillary (Scott), Emma (McLaughlin), Megan (Thompson) and Becky (Gerhart) have been pretty much the core of our team the entire season, and it shows how hard they work in practice and how much they want it,” Maltese said. “They definitely have something to prove this season, and I think they’re going out and making a statement. I couldn’t be more proud of them.”
While the Hatters are 5-5-1 in league play (7-5-1 overall), the Panthers are 4-6-1 (7-6-1 overall).
“I think our transitions tonight were a lot better than they have been,” Maltese said. “We definitely still have more to work on like giving up corners in the circle, but for the most part, I think our transition from defense to offense was improved this game.”
Hatboro-Horsham 1-1-0 2
Quakertown 1-1-0 2
American Conference
CHELTENHAM 2, NORRISTOWN 1
The Eagles got on the scoreboard first when Caitriona Fox turned a pass from Nahje McClure into a goal at the 10:02 mark of the first half. Norristown took that 1-0 lead into halftime.
Cheltenham’s MaryCait Dorley singlehandedly erased that deficit, connecting for a pair of goals within a five-minute span in the second half. The first – an unassisted goal – came at the 23:20 mark to knot the score, and Dorley scored the game winner with 18:47 remaining, using a Madison Gianelle assist.
“Norristown challenged many times in the Cheltenham circle in the second half,” Cheltenham coach Elaine McGoldrick said. “(Natalie) Mitchell carried the ball down the field repeatedly in the second half with excellent skill and speed.”
The Lady Panthers’ coach went on to laud the strong performance of her defense, including fullbacks Carrie Morgan and Tito Badejoko and midfielder Sasha Narine.
“Forwards Madison Gianelle, Meg Rominiecki and MaryCait Dorley continued offensive pressure on Norristown throughout the second half,” McGoldrick said.
Cheltenham goalie Tegan Dorley was credited with three saves while Norristown’s Lauren Whitley was credited with seven saves.
The Lady Panthers are 2-9 in league play (3-11 overall) while the Eagles are 0-11 in the league (0-14 overall).
Norristown 1-0 1
Cheltenham 0-2 2
PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 2, UPPER DUBLIN 2 (OT)
The Flying Cardinals battled the league-leading Colonials to a 2-2 tie. While it wasn’t a win, it was a whole lot better than the 4-2 loss the Cards absorbed at the hands of PW earlier this season.
“We were very, very pleased with the effort,” Upper Dublin coach Heather Boyer said. “When you get to a certain point and you see how hard both teams are playing, you almost don’t want anybody to lose in a game like that.”
The Colonials got on the scoreboard first when Aurora Mills (Alison Spinelli assist) connected at the 20:28 mark of the first half. Cyndey Christian scored the equalizer midway through the half, and with time expired on the clock, the Cardinals connected for the go-ahead goal on a corner shot by Kristen Jones.
Kerin Bechtel (Jess Dixon assist) scored the equalizer at the 15:59 mark of the second half. Neither team scored the rest of the way.
“PW never let up at all,” Boyer said. “They came out fighting in the second half, and that’s what we were expecting. They were not going to be denied.”
UD goalie Mikaylah Johnson was credited with 12 saves, and Kristen Jones also had a pair of defensive stick saves.
“Kristen Jones played unbelievably today,” Boyer said. “She had an amazing stick save in the first half of the first half. She just played so consistently well for us the whole game.
“She scored on a corner at the end of the half, and in overtime, she was just everywhere and had a huge save. I don’t know how she saved it, I really don’t, but she had a tremendous game for us.”
The Colonials held an advantage in shots (22-5) and corners (13-8).
“PW definitely had more opportunities than we did,” Boyer said. “It was pretty even in overtime. It went back and forth.
“PW is very aggressive. They have some skilled players. We lost to them 4-2 the last time, so to hold them to a 2-2 tie was pretty exciting.”
The Flying Cardinals are 7-3-1 in league play (7-6-1 overall) while the Colonials are 9-1-1 in league play (10-4-1 overall).
“We created a lot of scoring opportunities in both halves but didn’t finish well at all,” PW coach Marianne Paparone said. “On the defensive end, we did a good job at limiting their opportunities but gave up two goals on those opportunities.
“Upper Dublin played good defense, but we also stopped ourselves too many times. Playing teams the second time around is difficult as everyone has improved, but I would definitely like to see us play harder and smarter.”
Plymouth Whitemarsh 1-1-0 2
Upper Dublin 2-0-0 2
WISSAHICKON 3, UPPER MERION 2
The Trojans, who led 2-0 at the intermission, received single goals from Sam Scoma (Rachel Zimmerman assist), Ashley Laskowitz (Kara Miles assist) and Rachel Zimmerman (Jess Wiatel assist).
For the Vikings, Maggie Noonan and Kaitlyn Lutz each scored a goal.
Wissahickon goalie Clair Tarzia was credited with nine saves while Upper Merion’s Devyn Antonucci had one.
Coach Lucy Gil lauded the strong performances of Brianna Miles, Lauren Marolla and Ashley Laskowitz.
The Trojans are 7-3-1 in conference play (7-6-1 overall) while the Vikings are 4-8 in the SOL (5-10 overall).
Wissahickon 2-1 3
Upper Merion0-2 2
UPPER MORELAND 1, SPRINGFIELD 0
For the second time in as many meetings this season, the Golden Bears edged the Spartans 1-0.
Jessica Flannigan turned a pass from Delaney Smith into a goal at the 25:37 mark of the second half. The Bears’ 1-0 lead held the rest of the way.
Springfield held a 14-5 advantage in corners but could not capitalize.
Upper Moreland goalie Allison Felicetti was credited with four saves, and her counterpart, Molly Bauer, also had four saves.
The Golden Bears are 7-3-1 in league play (9-4-1 overall) while the Spartans are 7-5 in the league (8-6 overall).
Springfield 0-0 0
Upper Moreland 0-1 1
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