Four SOL girls’ soccer teams advanced to the District One AAA semifinals and also earned state berths. To view photos of the CB West/OJR, CR South/Great Valley and CB East/Conestoga games, please visit the Photo Gallery.
It’s been a magical postseason for four SOL girls’ soccer teams.
Pennsbury, Central Bucks East, Central Bucks West and Council Rock South squared off against teams from the Central League, Ches-Mont and PAC-10 in Tuesday’s District One AAA quarterfinal round, and when the dust had settled, the final score read something like this: SOL 4, PAC-10 0, Central League 0, Ches-Mont 0.
It will be an all-SOL district semifinal on Thursday night with top-seeded Pennsbury taking on 13th-seeded Central Bucks West, and second-seeded Central Bucks East battling 14th-seeded Council Rock South.
#1 PENNSBURY 2, #8 SPRING-FORD 0
Megan Engeland and her teammates know all too well what it feels like to make an early exit from the district tournament.
“My freshman year we actually lost in the first round of the tournament,” the Falcons’ senior captain said. “We didn’t even get our feet under us in the playoffs.
“The last two years, we made it past the first two rounds, but then we lost and had to go to the playback round, which really takes the momentum away from the team. Each of those years we lost in the first playback round, so that was just devastating. I remember everyone being upset, knowing your season’s over”
There are none of those feeling this time around. Tuesday’s impressive win not only propelled the Falcons into Thursday’s district semifinals but also punched the team’s ticket to the state tournament.
“It’s incredible,” Engeland said. “We have never been able to clinch that state tournament position. It’s exciting, and we’re all wondering what we should expect. Everybody is looking forward to the next few weeks and the games we’ll have. We’re really looking forward to seeing good competition and coming out and playing our best.”
It took just four minutes for the Falcons to get on the scoreboard, setting the tone for the impressive win when Caroline Foley turned a pass from Uche Onuoha into a goal that turned out to be the game winner.
“Uche had a great run through the defenders, and she played a ball across,” coach Kaitlyn Battiste said. “We had actually moved Caroline Foley forward. Our defense has been playing so well, and we gave an opportunity for her to play up top, and she just buried it.
“They had a very agile keeper who was in a lot of good places, but the girls came out firing and put Spring-Ford on their heels.”
Eight minutes later, Engeland scored – using a Foley assist – to put the Falcons on top 2-0 just.
“That was huge,” Battiste said. “Megan had an exceptional game for us. She owned the middle of the field. She probably had 15-20 headers in the game today. She was winning every ball in the air for us and really set the pace.
“She was going forward, and it was awesome to see everyone playing at that same level to start the game. It wasn’t just one person.”
Engeland acknowledged that her team’s quick start was a key.
“It was definitely a confidence booster,” she said. “Going up 2-0 was incredible, especially in that big of a game knowing it could take us to the state tournament.
“Knowing we had the lead from the beginning helped us stay together and keep our heads in the game the whole entire time.”
The team’s quick start may have been the result of the mindset they brought into the contest.
“We knew that Spring-Ford – being the state runner-up last year – would have a lot of momentum coming off a really big win against Strath Haven (5-1),” Engeland said. “From the minute we stepped on the field, we knew we had to bring our ‘A’ game, and we had to play as tough as we could. Every single player out there gave it their all, gave their entire heart to that game, and everybody just really wanted to win, and it paid off.”
“We told them going into it that we had to play with the mentality that we were down two goals,” Battiste said. “We couldn’t wait 20 minutes into the game to play our game because we knew what they were capable of.
“Since yesterday’s practice, all the girls were focused in and really bought into that, and they were excited. There was definitely that excitement going into the game.”
The win sets up a semifinal date with 13th-seeded Central Bucks West and gave the Falcons their first state berth since 2006.
“It’s everything,” Battiste said of her team’s trip to states. “These girls have been working – not since August 11 – they’ve been working since last year’s loss at Strath Haven. It’s always been on their mind. They know they’re a top team, and they deserve to be out there.
“Their goals today didn’t come by luck. Their goals today came because they’ve been working hard and because they executed the game plan as a team.”
The Falcons upped their record to 17-0-3 overall (11-0-3 SOL).
“This was a big win,” Battiste said. “There was some pressure, but at the same time, the girls weren’t playing with that pressure. They were just going out there to play. We wanted them to play with confidence. We’re used to kind of being the underdog, so it’s a different mindset, a different mentality going into it, and I think the girls have stepped up to that challenge, and they’re really owning it. They’re enjoying it.”
Spring-Ford 0-0 0
Pennsbury 2-0 2
#2 CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 4, #10 CONESTOGA 1
Conestoga struck first 12 minutes into the game only to watch the Patriots answer with four straight goals.
“It wasn’t as one-sided as it would appear,” coach Paul Eisold said. “We missed three terrific opportunities in the first five minutes, and we didn’t finish anything.
“They scored on a free kick about 35 yards out, and we were down 1-0.”
But not for long.
Freshman Kate Schlotter (Hannah Zach assist) scored the equalizer in the 33rd minute, and four minutes later, Emma Loving turned a Kristen Murphy pass into a goal that gave the Patriots a lead they would not lose. Another Loving goal – again with a Murphy assist – capped a dazzling run of three goals in six minutes for the Patriots, who took that 3-1 lead into halftime.
The Pioneers battled in the second half, but it was Loving connecting for her third goal to complete the hat trick, this one with a Danielle DeMichael assist.
“They really put the pressure on the entire second half,” Eisold said of the Pioneers. “They were the better team in the second half.
“I’m very pleased that we were mentally and physically tough enough to see it through tonight. We were really back on our heels for the majority of the second half. They could have done some damage on us, but defensively, we were solid.”
The win vaulted a young Patriots squad that had just three returning starters into the district semis and also gave the team its third berth in states in as many years.
“They’re doing everything they can to make themselves successful,” Eisold said.
The Patriots’ coach went on to credit several players for their performances.
“I thought Paige Weiss was really a key in the center back position, and then we moved her into the center midfield position, and she really did a lot of very unnoticeable quality things,” Eisold said. “Hannah Zach played left back, and she got involved in the goal scoring with an assist. She did some really nice things serving the ball out.
“Kate Schlotter, as a freshman, really stepped up and gave us a timely goal. It was 1-0, and we were down. Things weren’t clicking, and she was able to maneuver herself in a position to get a good shot, and she finished. That really opened up a lot for us.”
The second-seeded Patriots will face 14th-seeded Council Rock South in Thursday’s district semifinal.
Conestoga 1-0 1
Central Bucks East 3-1 4
#13 CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 3, #28 OWEN J ROBERTS 0
The Bucks brought the Wildcats’ string of postseason upsets to an abrupt halt, seizing early control of the game on their way to the big win to keep their remarkable postseason run alive.
“It’s kind of like a West soccer tradition – we always turn it on in the playoffs,” said senior Shae McCarty. “We’re kind of doing that this year.
“We have 13 seniors, and coming into the season, we were ranked as a team to beat. I think everyone is so pumped up because at the beginning of the season our goal was to win a district title.”
It took just three minutes to get on the scoreboard when Sophie McKnight found the net on a corner kick by Carmen Telesco.
“Set pieces are something we’ve been working on a lot, and to be able to capitalize three minutes into the game was huge,” coach Jorge Rodriguez said. “I thought Sophie McKnight’s play was key, and she has been a key player in the playoffs since we started.”
McCarty connected on her first of two goals in the 14th minute, using a Kelly Cramer assist. The Bucks took that 2-0 lead into halftime.
“Scoring early is really big for us because we seem to be more of a second half team,” McCarty said. “Even today, we picked it up in the second half even though we weren’t scoring, but scoring early definitely helped us because it’s a rare occurrence for our team.”
McCarty (Devin Dickinson assist) tacked on an insurance goal in the 77th minute for the 3-0 final.
“I thought it was our defensive shape and our ability to counter,” Rodriguez said when asked the key to the win. “We did not possess as well as we could have and should have, but we did take advantage of the opportunities going forward.”
Another key was the Bucks’ ability to contain freshman forward Mahogany Willis, who has been on a tear in the playoffs.
“One of Owen J Roberts’ strongest threats was their speedy freshman forward,” Rodriguez said. “I thought Carmen Telesco, who played right back, anticipated the game and really shut her down. She didn’t let her get into a rhythm at all at any point in the game. She was one of our best players today.”
Also stepping up defensively, according to the Bucks’ coach, has been center back Mackenzie Carroll.
“She has been an absolute stud,” Rodriguez said. “She’s been consistent all year, and she’s doing even better now in the playoffs.
“Having Grace (Bendon) in goal is a huge plus, but she hasn’t had to make a lot of incredible saves that we relied on her to make last year, and I think it’s a credit to Sophie, Mackenzie and Carmen.”
When the Bucks earned an opening round win over Mount St. Joseph last Thursday, the seniors thought they had played their final home game, but on Tuesday, they were back at War Memorial Field.
“After the Mount game, it was really emotional,” McCarty said. “When we were at Boyertown, we realized if we won that game there was a strong possibility we would be playing at home again, and that was a lot of motivation.”
The win vaulted the Bucks into Thursday’s semifinal round where they will face top-seeded Pennsbury. They also ensured themselves a berth in states.
“It’s an awesome feeling because last year we lost in the second round of districts, so we didn’t have a chance to go to states,” said McCarty. “We call it the ‘big dance,’ and we’re in the big dance right now. It is a really big deal for us.”
“We talked about this at the beginning of the year – we said we wanted to get to states,” Rodriguez said. “We thought that winning the conference was a reachable goal, and once we weren’t able to do that, we set our sights in this direction.
“Right now we’re focusing on districts, and we’re taking it one step at a time. The fact that we’re in states definitely takes the pressure off a little bit, and we can just focus on Thursday, but this is huge for them. A lot of the players haven’t won any titles or any conference championships. Having 13 seniors is motivation for them to get some kind of hardware.”
Grace Bendon was forced to make just one save in the shutout.
Owen J. Roberts 0-0 0
Central Bucks West 2-1 3
#14 COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 1, #22 GREAT VALLEY 0
Julie Rebh – looking anything but the part of a freshman – turned an Emily Discavage cross into a goal early in the second half, and that was all the Golden Hawks would need to earn the big win.
“Julie Rebh had a gorgeous finish – textbook,” coach Kimmy Francis said. “She has been a consistent outside mid for us this year and has had some key finishes against quality opponents.
“She’s come up huge for a freshman.”
Tuesday’s goal might well have been the biggest of Rebh’s short varsity career for it not only vaulted the 14th-seeded Golden Hawks into Thursday’s district semifinal but also guaranteed the team a spot in states.
“When we went into playoffs, I thought that if we played the way that we know we can that we could go pretty far, and we are doing that right now,” senior Nikki Caffey said. “I’m so excited to be in states.
“We haven’t been there since my freshman year. Right now we want to try and win districts, and then I’m going to worry about states after that.”
The Golden Hawks – fresh off their upset of third-seeded Bayard Rustin – dominated play in the first half but found themselves locked in scoreless tie at the intermission.
“We had way more opportunities,” Caffey said. “We just couldn’t finish. I know that I get really frustrated with myself when I miss, and when games go on that long without scoring when we have so many opportunities, it gets all of us nervous.
“I was just really glad that at least one went in. It doesn’t matter how many, at least one.”
The Patriots began to generate some pressure of their own in the second half, but the Hawks’ defense and goalie Allison Taub (eight saves) stood tall.
“We had a very strong first half but couldn’t seem to convert any of our chances,” Francis said. “Our second half was slower, but we still generated enough attack to come away with the win.”
According to Caffey, the turning point of the season came when the Hawks battled Pennsbury to a 1-1 tie in their regular season game. The tie followed a tough stretch that saw the Hawks drop three straight games.
“When we tied Pennsbury, they’re the number one seed, and we figured if we could tie them, we could play with anyone,” Caffey said. “I think that something just started to click.
“We realized that we had to start stepping up if we wanted to win because we did go through a little rough spot, but when we started beating these really good teams, we realized if we could beat them we could beat anyone. We’ve been playing as a collective group, and it’s been really working for us.”
Francis echoed similar sentiments.
“I just think that our team is in a good place right now,” the Hawks’ coach said. “The girls are putting out a united effort and are working with each other.
“I think our struggles at the end of the season have motivated them. I’m not exactly sure what it is, but something has clicked with the group, and it is happening at a clutch time.”
The Golden Hawks (14-6-1, 7-6-1 SOL) will face second-seeded Central Bucks East in a district semifinal game on Thursday.
“It’s nice to know we have at least three more games with my team- I love playing with them,” Caffey said. “
Great Valley 0-0 0
Council Rock South 0-1 1
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