CB West clinched the program’s first title in 16 years on Friday. Check out the results for all the SOL field hockey teams in action.
Continental Conference
CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 2, CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 1
The Patriots had all the momentum, drawing one corner after another while their fans – which included East’s entire football team – cheered their every move.
Surely something had to give.
Goalie Macella Molenari and the Bucks’ defense had other ideas, relentlessly fighting off every Patriot surge to keep a 1-1 tie intact, and when Cadera Smith – after some impressive stick work – found herself free the top of the circle to fire a shot that found the cage, the Bucks had a lead they would not lose with 7:49 remaining.
The SOL Continental Conference title belonged to the Bucks, bringing an end to Central Bucks South’s eight-year reign as champions and giving West’s hockey program its first SOL title since 1999.
“Sixteen years is the last time CB West won our league,” coach Courtney Lepping said. “We took a moment yesterday, and we went into the gym as a team, and we looked at all the banners in the gym.
“It was 1999, it was 1991, and it was 1981 for the state championship. The kids get it. They get how important what they’ve done this year is. They understand and want to be part of history. They have so much pride for their school. That’s what makes it so significant. Every one of these kids that are playing a part – they have bought into the program. They have bought into what we’ve been doing. It’s just amazing to see what they’re been able to do.”
The giddy celebration when the final horn sounded was a long time coming for the Bucks, who appropriately converged around goalie Macella Molenari in the defensive end of the field.
A smiling Molenari, whose nine-save effort was crucial, admitted that the second half felt like a lifetime.
“I’m pretty sure it’s still going on,” she said. “It was a very, very long second half.”
Molenari was quick to credit her defense for keeping the ball out of harm’s way as the Bucks rarely – if ever – allowed the Patriots a follow-up shot.
“Even the best of goalies – they’ll get a great initial save, but if their defense doesn’t step up, it’s going to go right in, and that’s something I really credit to our defense,” she said. “Every time they are going hard to the ball and just to whip it out.”
The Patriots held a 13-3 advantage in corners – 8-2 in the second half, and a West squad best known for its explosive offense threw some serious defense at the fired-up Patriots.
“All four of my defenders played really well, and we were talking about Emily (Halderson) and Liv (Fitzgerald) in the timeout – how they were able to slow the play down and really didn’t let up,” Lepping said. “We stayed strong.
“They were putting a lot of pressure on us. I was really, really proud of our defense. Our goalie did well with those couple of hard shots and hard stops, stepping out to the ball. You also have Casey Reichwein, who’s a freshman, – with some of her step ups, she just did a fantastic job, and on the right side, a senior, Rachel (Loux), who was just consistent the whole game.”
The Bucks took an early 1-0 lead when junior Bryn Boylan fired a rocket into the cage from the top of the circle three minutes into the game. A nifty goal line save by East defender Theresa Haug kept the Bucks from adding to their lead. The Patriots capitalized on their third of five corners in the half when Cailey Lever redirected Riley Donnelly’s drive from the top of the circle into the cage, knotting the score 1-1 with 10:32 remaining in the first half.
The Patriots controlled play in the second half, but the Bucks’ defense held, setting the stage for Smith’s goal with 7:49 remaining.
“(Cadera) and Bryn (Boylan) and on the other side Riley (Donnelly) are so dangerous when they get that space,” Lepping said. “What they have and what they can do in open space – all they need is a step and out comes magic.”
It was Smith’s second game winner of the week. The junior forward – committed to Richmond – scored the game winner in Tuesday’s 2-1 win over Neshaminy in a battle of SOL undefeated squads. She admitted there was a different environment at Friday’s showdown with East’s vocal fan support.
“That was definitely a challenge that we have only ever seen against Pennridge, and even against Pennridge, it wasn’t that big,” Smith said. “We really had to block it out and just laugh it off and say, ‘You know what, it doesn’t matter.’”
The Patriots battled to the end, drawing a pair of late corners. Molenari put the finishing touches on a clutch performance, turning away a strong shot by Reilly Finegan on the first of the two corners.
“We need to get somebody on the pads to follow those balls,” East coach Michelle Finegan said. “Their goalie did do a nice job. She got the ball out, and I also thought their defenders did a nice job, but we need to have a second and third attack in there.
“It just seemed we didn’t finish in the circle, but otherwise, I thought they played great.”
Central Bucks West (16-0, 12-0 SOL) has two games remaining with Central Bucks South, the first on Monday. Central Bucks East (13-4, 9-4) will travel to Souderton on Tuesday for a 6:30 p.m. contest.
Central Bucks West 1-1 2
Central Bucks East 1-0 1
QUAKERTOWN 3, CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 0
The Panthers avenged a Sept. 25 loss to the Titans (3-2), opening up a 1-0 halftime lead and going on to earn the shutout win. The foundation for the strong performance, according to coach Diane Molinaro, might well have been set in Wednesday’s loss to Central Bucks East.
“In our game against East, we had some really nice moments,” the Panthers’ coach said of her team’s 7-3 loss. “We had a lot of nice passing, and certain things started to really click.
“There were times in that game where we felt in control at points. The girls believed in themselves, they believed they could actually win, and they started really believing in each other playing as a team and one unit.
“Today during the warm-up – nothing special, nothing different, but you could just tell they felt quiet and confident. When they got on the field, they immediately dominated. That sort of kicked them into high gear.”
Although they had the better of play, the Panthers didn’t get on the scoreboard until 2:11 remained in the first half when Emma McLaughlin scored an unassisted goal.
“In the past, I think when we were ahead, I could feel that there was a lot of tension on the field – ‘We’ve got to win, we’ve got to win,’” Molinaro said. “We talked a lot about that throughout the season, so I’m glad to see what we talked about the girls finally started executing.”
That 1-0 lead stood until 10:37 remained in regulation when Becky Gerhart scored a highlight reel goal.
“She scored a goal that was just brilliant,” Molinaro said. “She never gave up.
“She got the ball at the top of the circle, pulled right, went around the defender, pulled right again and basically willed the ball in the cage because as she was pulling right, she was falling, and she just put the ball in the far corner. That was an awesome goal.
“She really stepped up, and that individual effort was great because her enthusiasm inspired everyone else on the team to keep trying really hard.
The Panthers put the finishing touches on the shutout win when Gerhart connected for her second goal, this time using a McLaughlin assist.
“What was nice – we held our composure,” Molinaro said. “In the past, I think some of the girls would work almost too hard to force it, and they never did that. They had poise, they had patience, they were passing, using both sides of the field. It was beautiful hockey.”
Molinaro credited the efforts of several players.
“I think Hillary (Scott) moved the ball around the midfield really well today,” the Panthers’ coach said. “Mel Olivieri again had two goal-line saves in the first half, and that was huge.
“They had a series of corners with three minutes left in the game, and (goalie) Rylee Lawler made some phenomenal saves, so that was great.
“I gave Julia Ely a new position today, and she played wonderfully. She did exactly what she needed to do. She was aggressive, and she executed, so that was big too.”
The Panthers held a 21-12 advantage in shots while the Titans held an 11-9 edge in corners. Lawler was credited with seven saves in the shutout.
“The passing today was beautiful, the support that all the girls had for each other was great,” Molinaro said. “There wasn’t any time where I felt we really lapsed.
“After having the season we had and to actually be winning and doing well, they started really believing in themselves and could taste the win.”
Quakertown (5-12, 3-10 SOL) will host Pennridge on Tuesday night at 7 p.m. Central Bucks South (3-11-1, 3-8-1) will host Central Bucks West on Monday.
Central Bucks South 0-0 0
Quakertown 1-2 3
SOUDERTON 4, NORTH PENN 3 (OT)
The suddenly streaking Indians picked up their fourth win in five days, earning a dramatic win when sophomore Jessie Gabriel (Nina Disco assist) scored on a corner with 12:11 remaining in overtime. The Indians’ late-season tear began last Friday when they upset Central Bucks East on its own turf.
“Exciting and amazing doesn't even begin to describe the feeling of winning this game,” said coach Lauren Whiteside, whose team lost a 3-2 heartbreaker to the Maidens earlier this season. “This is our fourth overtime this year, and this was our first win, and to do it against a very competitive North Penn team just sweetens the deal.
“In other games this year, we are always head to head with our opponents, and we just end up falling short by one goal or in overtime, so to be able to prove that we have what it takes feels so good. We have been playing so well together and having so much fun.”
Brianna O’Donnell put the Maidens on the scoreboard when she tipped a Jenn DeLongis corner shot into the cage four minutes into the game. Gabriel answered with a similar goal, tipping in a corner shot by Liz O’Hara to knot the score. O’Hara’s unassisted goal with 11:32 remaining in the half put the Indians on top 2-1, but Emma Herb redirected an O’Donnell cross into the cage for the 2-2 halftime score.
O’Donnell (Herb assist) and Disco (Gabriel assist) exchanged goals in the second half, setting the stage for OT.
“We have had several back-to-back games and haven't been able to practice, but we have remained focused and worked hard mentally in between games to get where we are now,” Whiteside said. “Most importantly, we have always believed in each other on the field. North Penn was competitive tonight and aggressive to the ball.
“We knew we have to be first to the ball, deny their shots and work the passing game. They scored early on us which could have deflated us and put the momentum in their direction, but I could see by the girls' body language that they were not giving up. We evened out the score and took the lead on two beautifully executed corners, which is always so exciting to see your strategy executed on a corner play.
“The whole game it was like we were mimicking each other's goals. We scored on a corner then North Penn did, then they scored on a cross ball from the right side and we did the same. It was a back and forth game and was very intense. I am so proud and pumped for the girls to be playing so well and connecting for some well deserved big wins!”
The Indians held a 14-10 advantage in corners and a 9-7 edge in shots.
Souderton (7-8-1, 4-8-1) will host Central Bucks East on Tuesday night (6:30 p.m.), and North Penn (8-9, 7-6, will travel to Hatboro-Horsham on Tuesday for a 7 p.m. game.
Souderton 2-1-1 4
North Penn 2-1-0 3
American Conference
SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP 2, UPPER MERION 0
The Spartans opened up a 2-0 halftime lead on their way to the shutout win.
Marley Berger connected for the hat trick to lead the Spartans, and Meredith Giordano and Allison Yoder both added single goals.
The Spartans held a decided advantage in shots (10-2) and corners (9-0). Goalie Isabelle Boles was not forced to make a save in the shutout.
Springfield (8-8, 6-6 SOL) will host Upper Merion (2-13, 1-11) on Monday in a rematch of Friday’s game.
Norristown 0-0 0
Springfield 2-3 5
WISSAHICKON 4, UPPER DUBLIN 1
Jess Waite connected for the hat trick while teammate Sammi Pak had three assists to lead the Trojans to the big win.
Sam Scoma (Pak assist) broke a scoreless tie when she found the back of the cage with 11:29 remaining in the first half. Waite turned a Kara Miles pass into a goal with 38 seconds remaining to send the Trojans into halftime with a 2-0 lead.
Upper Dublin cut that lead in half when Alex Thompson scored, using a Marlee Siegel assist at the 16:45 mark of the second half, but Waite answered with back-to-back goals in a three-minute span – both with Pak assists – to secure the win for the Trojans.
Wissahickon held an advantage in shots (16-12) and corners (13-4). Trojan goalie Claire Tarzia was credited with 10 saves in a winning effort. UD’s Marlowe Gardner had six saves, and Thompson was credited with a stick save at the goal line.
Wissahickon (12-4, 11-2 SOL) will host Cheltenham in its regular season finale Tuesday, and Upper Dublin (5-11, 5-8) will travel to Springfield.
Wissahickon 2-2 4
Upper Dublin 0-1 1
UPPER MORELAND 5, NORRISTOWN 0
Maura O’Leary and Jess Flanagan each scored a pair of goals to lead the Golden Bears. Flanagan also had a pair of assists. Jenna Getz added a goal and two assists.
It was O’Leary (Getz assist) putting the Bears on the board just over two minutes into the game. A goal by Getz (Flanagan assist) made it a 2-0 game with 19:31 remaining in the half, and that 2-0 lead stood until halftime.
In the second half, O’Leary scored an early goal, using a Flanagan assist, and Flanagan closed it out with back-to-back goals, the second assisted by Getz with 18 seconds remaining in the contest.
Norristown goalie Lauren Whitley kept her team within striking distance, turning away 16 shots. UM’s Melissa Barber made just one save in the shutout.
Upper Moreland (12-4, 10-3 SOL) will host Lower Moreland on Monday and will close out its regular season against Upper Merion at home on Tuesday. Norristown (1-16, 1-12) will travel to Plymouth Whitemarsh for a 7 p.m. game on Tuesday.
Upper Moreland 2-3 5
Norristown 0-0 0
PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 3, CHELTENHAM 0 (Thursday, Oct. 15)
The Colonials clinched a share of the conference crown with Thursday’s shutout win over the Lady Panthers.
Kerin Bechtel scored the only goal PW would need when she found the cage at the 25:15 mark of the first half, using a Jess Dixon assist. A goal by Sophie Kolkka (Frankie O’Brien assist) midway through the half made it a 2-0 game.
Julia Fiddler tacked on a goal at the 16:57 mark of the second half – benefitting from an Aurora Mills assist – for the 3-0 final.
The Colonials’ dominance is underscored by their advantage in shots (22-1) and corners (12-3).
PW goalies Claire McAllister and Victoria Byrne were in goal for the shutout.
Plymouth Whitemarsh (13-2, 12-1 SOL) will close out its regular season at home on Tuesday against Norristown (7 p.m.). Cheltenham (6-10, 5-8) will travel to Wissahickon on Tuesday.
Plymouth Whitemarsh 2-1 3
Cheltenham 0-0 0
National Conference
COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 1, PENNSBURY 0 (OT)
The Golden Hawks assured themselves of a second place finish in the conference standings, thanks to their hard fought win over the Falcons in overtime.
Tori Wright scored the game winner with 12:52 remaining in OT to propel the Hawks to the important win over their neighboring rival.
The Falcons held an 8-7 edge in shots. CR South goalie Julia Pero was credited with six saves. Pennsbury’s Kaitlin Faulcon turned away four shots in the shutout win.
Council Rock South (12-5, 11-2 SOL) will host Neshaminy on Tuesday while Pennsbury (10-7, 8-5) will travel to William Tennent.
Council Rock South 0-0-1 1
Pennsbury 0-0-0 0
COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 7, ABINGTON 0
Eight players put their names in the scoring column in Friday’s decisive win. Bridget Thompson led the way with two goals and one assist while Julianne Mangano had one goal and two assists. Danielle Nelson contributed one goal and one assist. Scoring one goal each were Claire Jarema, Devon Mela and Camille Quigley. Jennica Jonovich had a pair of assists, and Anna Lehman added one assist.
Council Rock North (11-5, 9-4) will close out league play by hosting Bensalem on Tuesday. Abington (6-10, 4-9 SOL) will travel to Lower Merion on Saturday and will close out its regular season on the road at Truman on Tuesday.
ABINGTON 2, WILLIAM TENNENT 0 (Thursday, Oct. 15)
Sophomore Grace Hopkins converted a pass from Brianna Jameson into a goal with 11 minutes remaining in the first half to spot the Ghosts a 1-0 lead. The Ghosts led 2-0 after Kaila Brown redirected a Jameson crossing pass into the cage. Abington led 2-0 at the half and neither team scored the rest of the way.
The Ghosts dominated play, drawing 10 corners to three for the Panthers.
“Defenders Bridget Cichon, Evangeline Wang, Sarah Boches and Jackie Kizel did a solid job defending Tennent’s big hit play from Panther senior Kalisi Taufalele by shutting down their forwards high offensive opportunities,” Abington coach Amanda McMahon said.
Alyssa Herman earned the shutout, turning away all five shots she faced.
Abington 2-0 2
William Tennent 0-0 0
NESHAMINY 9, HARRY S TRUMAN 0
The Redskins (16-1, 13-0 SOL) clinched sole possession of first place in the National Conference with Friday’s win. They will close out the regular season on Tuesday at Council Rock South. Truman (0-15-1, 0-12-1) will host Abington on Tuesday.
WILLIAM TENNENT 1, BENSALEM 0
William Tennent 1-0 1
Bensalem 0-0 0
Thursday, Oct. 15
NORTH PENN 6, UPPER DUBLIN 1
The Maidens opened up a 5-1 halftime lead on their way to the non-league win on Thursday.
Brianna O’Donnell (Abbie Roberts assist) scored 90 seconds into the game, and the Maidens led 2-0 after Mikayla Barrow turned an Emma Herb pass into a goal at the 26:26 mark of the first half. O’Donnell (Barrow) and Herb scored within a three-minute span to give the Maidens a 4-0 lead less than 10 minutes into the game. Katie Swanson (Emily Crawford assist) connected to up that lead to 5-0 midway through the half. The Flying Cardinals got on the scoreboard when Anna Gouveia turned a Jess Grodsky pass into a goal with 3:55 remaining in the first half.
Crawford (Laryn Fahey assist) scored at the 17:36 mark of the second half for the 6-1 final.
The Maidens held an advantage in shots (12-3) and corners (6-2).
Upper Dublin 1-0 1
North Penn 5-1 6
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