Check out the results for SOL girls’ soccer teams in action Thursday. To view photos of the Tennent/Abington game, please visit the Photo Gallery.
National Conference
NESHAMINY 0, PENNSBURY 0 (2 OT)
Neshaminy and host Pennsbury played to a scoreless tie after 100 minutes, the second tie between both teams this year, as they had played to a 1-1 deadlock Monday, Sept. 15.
The tie helped the Falcons remain undefeated this season and clinch the SOL National title. The tie enabled Neshaminy to remain in second place just ahead of Council Rock North, who defeated Council Rock South.
For Neshaminy (8-5-3, 7-3-2 SOL), Holly Bowser made six saves and earned a shutout.
For Pennsbury (14-0-2, 10-0-2 SOL), sophomore goalkeeper Nany Santiago and senior Kayla Kunde combined for four saves for the shutout. Santiago played regulation time, and Kunde handled both overtime periods.
With the SOL American and Continental conference champions still to be determined, Pennsbury head coach Kaitlyn Battiste was glad that the Falcons could be the first team to clinch a conference title.
“It was a goal from the beginning of year to win our first league title on the girls’ side,” Battiste said. “It was such as big deal, because they have been playing at a high level on such as consistent basis. They were excited and fired up from game one. It has been different people stepping up all season.”
Still being undefeated is a pleasant, if unexpected, reward for the team, Battiste said.
“We weren’t planning to be at this point of the season and not have any losses,” Battiste said. “Our goal was to get better each game, and we knew that if we were getting better each game and continuing to play at a high level, then the score would take care of itself.”
For now, the Falcons will continue focusing on what got them to the title.
“We’ve said all along we just want business to keep business as usual, and we want them to play at that high level—excited to play with energy,” Battiste said. “At the same time, we’re not asking them to try harder: they have the tools, they have the skills, and making sure they can execute. Over the next week, it’s really about continuing to play that team soccer and to keep up the speed of play.”
Battiste said she wouldn’t mind giving some reserves extra playing time and giving some starters additional rest ahead of the PIAA District One Class AAA playoffs. The priority, however, is for the team to remain sharp, especially with a challenging final week of the regular season, at William Tennent on Wednesday and hosting Council Rock South on Friday.
“We’re going to take it on a game-by-game basis,” Battiste said. “The season is not over, and we’re not looking to make wholesale changes. At this point, we’re playing for a first-round bye. If we can continue to give (some) girls rest, if they need to, OK, but Tennent and South are good competition for us, and we want to make sure we go into the playoffs playing our best soccer.”
Neshaminy 0-0-0-0 0
Pennsbury 0-0-0-0 0
COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 2, COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 1
The Indians got goals from Michaela Finneyfrock and Kayla Robinson in a comeback victory over the host Golden Hawks.
After a scoreless first half, South (11-5, 7-5 SOL) opened the scoring in the 44th minute, as Nikki Caffey got the goal with an assist from Becca Davey.
North (11-4-1, 7-4-1 SOL) responded in the 53rd minute, as Kayla Robinson scored with an assist from Kiki Glatz. In the 58th minute, Michaela Finneyfrock scored the game-winner unassisted with a hard shot from about 30 yards away, North head coach Wendell Beres said.
The victory moved North past South into third place in the SOL National and narrowly trailing Neshaminy for second place.
In noting the performances of seniors Lara Grazilli and Grace Meinster, Beres also gave credit to all the players for their resilience.
“Every time this team gets down, it seems as if the players come together even more than they’ve ever done before,” Beres said. “A coach doesn’t come across this everyday. They’re still finding ways to surprise me with that little bit of extra energy, when I feel as if there shouldn’t be anything left.”
CR North 0-2 2
CR South 0-1 1
WILLIAM TENNENT 3, ABINGTON 1
Senior midfielder Kelly Burns scored a pair of goals, and Shannon McGuinn added another, as the Panthers continue to build a case for a District One Class AAA playoff berth.
After a scoreless first half, Tennent (10-5-1, 7-4-1 SOL) took a 1-0 lead four minutes into the second half.
The Lady Ghosts (4-11-1, 2-10 SOL) later tied the score at 1, as Toni Washington had a long throw-in that Mary Gene Mugnier headed into the net.
But the Panthers responded with a pair of goals to seal the win.
Abington 0-1 1
William Tennent 0-3 3
BENSALEM 2, HARRY S TRUMAN 0
The Owls got a first-goal from Destiny Rodgers and a second-half, unassisted goal from Sarah Smith in their shutout victory over the Tigers.
For Bensalem (6-9, 5-7 SOL), Kayla Ryan assisted on Rodgers’ goal.
Owls goalkeeper Alayna McSeed earned the shutout over Truman (0-14-1, 0-12 SOL).
Bensalem 1-1 2
HS Truman 0-0 0
American Conference
SPRINGFIELD (MONTCO) 5, PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 0
The Spartans pulled off the stunner of the day with their upset of conference-leading PW.
“My girls wanted to win,” coach Suzette Wolf said. “They played like they wanted to win.
“Every single player on my team played like this was the last game they were ever going to play. We won every 50-50 ball, we gave them no room to do anything, and it was completely them. They determined they wanted to do this, and they did it. It was a very nice win.”
The win was the first over PW in Wolf’s four-year tenure at the helm and avenges a 6-1 loss at the hands of the Colonials earlier this season.
“We haven’t even been a competitive game for them ever,” Wolf said. “This is huge.
“I have a lot of seniors, and I said to my assistant coach today – it was a battle of strength. My whole midfield and all my forwards were seniors. Seven of my 11 players were seniors.”
Katelyn Gilinger, who finished with the hat trick, spotted the Spartans a 1-0 lead, heading a corner kick by Caroline Pape into the net and serving notice that the Spartans meant business. Two minutes later, Gilinger was taken down in the box, and the Spartans were awarded a penalty kick. The Spartans’ senior striker drilled it, giving the Spartans a 2-0 lead.
“She takes all our penalty kicks,” said Wolf of Gilinger. “She doesn’t miss. She’s so right on with it. She takes a really controlled penalty kick.”
The Spartans took a 2-0 lead into halftime but knew the game was far from over.
“If you know PW, they came out really strong in the second half, incredibly strong,” Wolf said. “We countered it. We didn’t let up for a second.”
The Spartans benefitted from a PW ‘own goal’ after a Pape cross to go on top 3-0.
“I think that was deflating for them, but they did not give up,” Wolf said. “I give them a lot of credit. They did not give up, not for one second.”
The Spartans’ lead grew to 4-0 after Pape connected from long range, and Gilinger put the finishing touches on a marvelous individual performance with her third goal of the day.
“Katelyn just won the ball on the 18 and placed it right in the net,” Wolf said.
The Spartans’ coach tipped her hat to her defense.
“My four defensive players played the best I have seen them play ever,” she said.
That foursome included freshman Lindsey Smith.
“She is incredibly good,” Wolf said. “She was just completely under control, never mis-touched the ball.
“Plymouth Whitemarsh was kicking the ball out of bounds every time their defense got it. Our defense was moving the ball outside really well, really under control.”
Bailey Krewson played left defensive back.
“She was incredibly strong coming across the field,” Wolf said. “She’s really strong in the air.”
Playing defense on the right side was sophomore Emily Giampietro.
“She made all-league last year and is a very versatile player,” Wolf said. “I can put her anywhere, and she’s every bit as strong.”
Ally Evans was the final member of the Spartans’ defensive four.
“I moved her up from jayvee in the Upper Moreland game,” Wolf said. “She’s been a force.
“She’s taking Brianna Littlepage’s place because Brianna was injured, but she is a force, and she has won a position.”
The Spartans are 7-4-1 in conference play (8-6-1 overall) while the Colonials, who find themselves deadlocked with Wissahickon atop the standings, are 10-2 in league play (11-2 overall).
Plymouth Whitemarsh0-0 0
Springfield 2-3 5
WISSAHICKON 7, NORRISTOWN 1
Maddie Elwell scored five points (three goals, two assists), and Krysta Memis added a pair of goals to help lead the Trojans to a solid victory that, combined with Plymouth Whitemarsh’s shutout loss at Springfield (Montco), pulls them into a first-place tie with the Colonials.
For Wissahickon (12-2-1, 10-2 SOL), Meghan Guzewicz opened the scoring at 4:03 off a cross from Elwell.
After Norristown (2-13, 1-11 SOL) tied the score at 35:29, Wissahickon regained the lead less than a minute later, as Elwell again crossed a pass into the middle, where Memis volleyed the ball into the net at 36:27.
In the second half, Elwell scored a natural hat trick with goals at 44:56, 46:07 and 69:27. Alyssa Ryan assisted on Elwell’s second goal of the contest, and Emily Vervlied assisted on Elwell’s last goal.
Ryan added her own goal at 72:52 off a penalty kick.
Memis closed out the scoring at 77:57 off a beautifully lofted cross from Keanna Haney, who was able to play a different position, other than goalkeeper, against the Eagles.
Kara Ciaccio got the start at goalkeeper and recorded one save in earning the victory.
Norristown 1-0 1
Wissahickon 2-5 7
UPPER MORELAND 2, CHELTENHAM 1
The host Golden Bears got an early goal from Christina Kane and a goal just before halftime from Sam Acuna in their victory over the Panthers.
For Upper Moreland (3-11-1, 3-8 SOL), Sydney Bachmayer got an assist on the opening goal, as her cross from the left side found Kane open, and Kane finished at 2:22.
The Bears scored five seconds before halftime on a similar play, as Acuna settled Taylor Valera’s cross before converting for a 2-0 lead at 39:55.
Cheltenham (4-10-2, 3-7-2 SOL) responded at 50:15, as Dana Shelton scored off a breakaway.
The Bears held off Cheltenham’s late push to earn the victory.
Cheltenham 0-1 1
Upper Moreland 2-0 2
UPPER DUBLIN 1, UPPER MERION 0.
Paige Lawton scored the only goal of the contest to lift the Flying Cardinals (9-5, 9-2 SOL) to a shutout victory over the host Vikings (2-13-1, 2-9-1 SOL). With a week left in the regular season, the win also leaves Upper Dublin within striking distance of SOL American leaders Plymouth Whitemarsh and Wissahickon.
Continental Conference
PENNRIDGE 2, NORTH PENN 1
The host Rams got first-half goals from Jess Milligan and Olivia Fernandez in a victory that kept them in first place ahead of Central Bucks East, who won at Quakertown.
For Pennridge (11-1-3, 9-1-2 SOL), Milligan opened the scoring at 14:33 with an assist from Katie Fischer.
North Penn (7-6-2, 4-6-2 SOL) tied the score on Ally King’s goal at 24:11 off a direct free kick.
Less than a minute later, the Rams responded, as Fernandez scored the game-winner at 25:05 off a corner kick by Erin Stevenson.
North Penn 1-0 1
Pennridge 2-0 2
CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 2, QUAKERTOWN 0
The Patriots got goals from Hannah Zach and Kristin Murphy in the first and second halves, respectively, and goalkeeper Lauren Burrell posted the shutout victory over the host Panthers.
For East (11-2-2, 8-2-2 SOL), Emily Horn assisted on Zach’s goal in the 29th minute.
After intermission, Danielle DeMichael assisted on Murphy’s goal in the 46th minute.
East head coach Paul Eisold complimented Quakertown (3-11-1, 2-9-1 SOL) on their defensive performance and the play of senior goalkeeper Erinne Finlayson.
“(Finlayson) made terrific saves, and the Panthers’ defense was organized,” Eisold said. “Their offense also had a great scoring opportunity in the last 10 minutes.”
CB East 1-1 2
Quakertown 0-0 0
CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 1, SOUDERTON 0 (2 OT)
Freshman defender Mackenzie Ehresman scored the game-winner with about two minutes left in the second overtime to lift the Titans over the host Indians.
For South (7-4-3, 5-4-3 SOL), Ehresman’s powerful shot off a set play deflected off a Souderton player into the net, South head coach Betsy Bullock said.
Against Souderton (5-8-1, 5-7 SOL), South senior goalkeeper Kelliann Bolash earned her second shutout this season, needing extra time to complete it.
CB South 0-0-0-1 1
Souderton 0-0-0-0 0
CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 2, HATBORO-HORSHAM 1
(Submitted article)
The Bucks of Central Bucks squared off against The Lady Hatters of H-H Thursday afternoon and earned a hard fought 2-1 victory. Lindsay Morgan and Kelly Cramer scored for the visiting Bucks, who took a 2-0 lead into the half. Both goals were set up by well played balls from midfielder Taylor Burke, and in both instances Morgan and Cramer accelerated towards Hatters keeper Miranda Royds and converted the opportunity with poise. With Grace Bendon imposing her consistent will and with her team in the lead, things looked bleak for the hosts.
But it was a more relaxed and confident Hatters side in the second half, and in the 65th minute, after working the ball out to Rachel Kaplan in the right slot, the Hatters’ captain turned the corner towards goal, beat the West defense, and was fouled in the box.
"Rachel makes a savvy play there," said Hatters coach Ben Winderman. "She had a head of steam and there was contact…"
Kaplan's teammate Sarah Theurer blasted the PK into the twine, and the final fifteen minutes were charged with courageous competition. Both coaches expressed admiration for the sacrifice their players demonstrated.
The Hatters best chance to draw even came with six minutes remaining as freshman Erica Paluszak broke in clean on Bendon, but the senior keeper launched herself into action and blocked the shot. The rebound, however, bounced to Madison McNutt, who off a great game vs Quakertown continued her Maddy-on-the-spot play against West. Bendon however once again was up to the task. and this time she cradled the ball for victory.
"My sense is that for fans of both squads these girls provided an exciting and rugged game, but for the second time this season, they were 2-1 better," Winderman commented.
For the Bucks, coach Jorge Rodriguez has another West team positioned for a strong finish and a district playoff berth. And with Grace Bendon and her Women-in-Black, they are one of the Continental squads preparing to orbit district one competition.
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