Bensalem, Abington, William Tennent, Truman and Hatboro-Horsham were winners in SOL soccer action. Check out the recaps. Bensalem/CB South photos provided by Jon Sklut. Check back for a gallery of photos.
HATBORO-HORSHAM 2, COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 0
By Ben Winderman
The Hatters improved their record to 1-0-1 with a hard fought win over visiting Council Rock South. Both teams have been busy in the season’s early days, and the players demonstrated admirable enthusiasm throughout this close contest.
H-H jumped to an early lead as Nick Hatzenballer (Ryan Cole assist) scored his second goal in as many games in the third minute of play.
"Nick is a very elusive and dynamic player, and we're happy to let him create opportunities for us," explained Kyle McGrath. "He ends up drawing extra attention which creates space for our other playmakers.”
One of those playmakers cashed in for the first time of his sophomore season, as JD Malinder scored a beautiful goal with an assist from Colin Bateman to make it 2-0 Hatters.
"JD played in the back for us last season, but he's a multi-talented athlete, and given the chance to attack tonight, he really made the most of it," McGrath said of his sophomore stud.
The Hatters had a few chances to add a third goal, but the score remained 2-0 at the half.
CR South coach Alan Nicholl moved Joe Santos up to the midfield, and that changed the game's dynamic. South began to create opportunities and apply pressure, but Hatters’ GK Zack Kim stood on his head several times preserving the shutout.
McGrath praised the play of Will Kemp and his core of defenders for their "heroic and fearless performance."
"It was a really close game,” said the Hatters’ coach. “We were fortunate to score early and withstand their pressure.”
CRS hit the post in the second half, and Kim came up big time and again for the home side.
"Ultimately, we got out with a shutout and a win," smiled McGrath, whose Hatters travel to Springfield Township Wednesday afternoon to open up American Conference play.
Springfield has shown well in the preseason, so it figures to be an excellent game for these familiar divisional foes. Miles away Wissahickon will be hosting Q'town, and along with Upper Dublin and PW, the pool of those teams should produce an American Conference title.
Council Rock South (1-2) will host Abington in Wednesday’s SOL National Conference opener. Buckle up for soccer excitement!
Council Rock South 0-0 0
Hatboro-Horsham 2-0 1
BENSALEM 2, CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 1
The Owls saved their best for last, rallying for a pair of goals in the final 10 minutes to escape with an impressive non-league win.
“I couldn’t be happier with the way things went,” coach Lew Mladjen said. “Honestly, what I think a lot of it came down to was the fitness side of things.
“Over the summer, we had really stressed to the boys – I knew they had the skill but we weren’t sure where their fitness level was, so that’s really been our main focus. Early in the season with the heat, we wore them down as the game went on.
Chris Giffiin spotted the Titans an early lead when he scored an unassisted goal in the fifth minute. That 1-0 lead stood until the 70th minute when German Contreras turned a Robbie Montero pass into a goal.
“German has come in and just his work rate – he understands the game well, his soccer IQ is very high,” Mladjen said of the Father Judge transfer. “The goal he scored was literally something we were doing in practice yesterday.
“We were crossing balls in the box, and I was actually asking guys to run through the ball and finish in the goal – literally, I need to see you hitting the net. It was one of those things where we could see what we did in practice – he literally just ran through the ball. It was an effort goal, and he got on the end of it. I could just see how happy he was to show he’s now part of the program.”
Three minutes later, it was Montero setting up the game winner, this time with a pass to Dylan Molina for the score.
“We did have our fair share of the ball for the game,” Mladjen said. “As the game wore on, I was able to get guys in that were pretty fresh. We have a lot of pace up top, so it just kept putting their back line under pressure.
“With about 20 minutes to go, I felt pretty good that an opportunity would come. I just didn’t know if we were going to finish. As soon as we got that one at the 70-minute mark, we really had the ball for the final 10 minutes. It was just about the bounce coming the right way and someone actually getting the end of one.
“We were ecstatic with the results because I think the boys worked hard – 1-1 could have been a fair result, but fortunately, we were able to get a second.”
Things won’t get any easier for the Owls (1-0), who will travel to Pennsbury for Wednesday’s opener and then will host Neshaminy on Friday. Central Bucks South (0-1-1) will be on the road at Souderton.
Bensalem 0-2 2
Central Bucks South 1-0 1
ABINGTON 4, LANSDALE CATHOLIC 3 (OT)
Nevin Baer scored a goal that spotted the Ghosts a 3-0 second-half lead. His second goal – this one four minutes into overtime – propelled the visitors to the dramatic non-league win.
“We play Council Rock South (Wednesday) afternoon, so I was trying to rest legs because it was hot,” coach Randy Garber said. “We have 25 players and 23 of them played.”
Sean Touey scored a pair of goals to send the Ghosts into halftime with a 2-0 lead. Then it was Baer’s turn to get into the act.
“Those two both played well,” Garber said of Touey and Baer. “David Mellozo, our sweeper, did a great job in the defense, and Blair Barber, also on defense, did a great job.”
Abington (2-0) will be at Council Rock South for Wednesday’s SOL opener.
Abington 2-1-1 4
Lansdale Catholic 0-3-0 3
HARRY S TRUMAN 2, ACADEMY PARK 0
CJ Weed put the visiting Tigers on the scoreboard in the 24th minutes, and Badr Fask found the net with an insurance goal in the 47th minute.
“We were unlucky not to get a third (goal), hitting the post twice and the crossbar once,” coach Jack Kinloch said.
The Tigers coach went on to acknowledge the strong outings of several players.
“Diego Rodriguez, Ilyas Nashid and Edwin Teach were dynamic throughout in the midfield,” Kinloch said. “Kevin Buckland kept the defense organized.”
Harry S Truman (1-0) will host Council Rock North in Wednesday’s SOL opener.
Harry S Truman 1-1 2
Academy Park 0-0 0
WILLIAM TENNENT 5, ROMAN CATHOLIC 0
Five different players tallied goals in the Panthers’ season opener at Roman Catholic. Finding the net for the Panthers were Max Schulz, Billy Hanratty, Jack Forbes, Dennis Grabert and Bryan Mehaffey.
In goal, Jarrod Sebdza and Brandon Hefele combined for the shutout. Coach Nick D’Andrea credited center back Brandon Layer for turning in a great performance defensively for the Panthers.
William Tennent (1-0) will host Central Bucks West in Wednesday’s SOL opener.
SPRINGFIELD-DELCO 4, UPPER MORELAND 2
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