Check out the recaps for SOL girls’ soccer teams in action Wednesday. CR North/Truman photos provided courtesy of John Geeson. Check back for a gallery of photos.
Rain hit Wednesday's SOL schedule hard, causing half of the 10 slated games to be postponed to Thursday.
SOL American
Quakertown 3, Wissahickon 0
Last season, when newcomer Quakertown won the SOL American title, the Panthers saw the value of organization.
With a host of players taking bigger roles or getting their first share of varsity experience, it's a lesson Quakertown is re-learning this fall. The Panthers saw it in their opening loss to Perkiomen Valley, then started to apply it in Wednesday's conference opener.
"All credit to Perk Valley, they played really well and their goalkeeper, who is a Division I goalkeeper, played fantastic, but for us Haley Pursel was hurt and she's really our engine," Panthers coach Mike Koch said. "Our takeaway from that and part of what helped us win last year was staying organized. We lost a lot of seniors, we just happened to have some depth to replace them, but it's still a learning piece for us on how to stay organized."
Pursel was back in the fold Wednesday and wasted little time making herself known by scoring the game's first goal before three minutes had expired. Koch called it a "tremendous goal" and said it set the tone for the entire match.
Quakertown continued to push and was rewarded when Ashley Gluck found the net about five minutes before halftime.
"We were knocking at the door the rest of the half and Ashley finally converted," Koch said.
Wissahickon, which graduated a lot of its own seniors, is trying to find its identity early on, but Koch expects the Trojans will be much improved by the team's second meeting. The Panthers were also able to open things up a bit more by not having to account for Maddie Elwell, the former Wissachickon standout now playing at Vanderbilt.
"With players like Haley and like Ashley, we have players who can really get dangerous," Koch said.
Koch has had a lot of players stepping up so far. Whether it’s players like Gluck and Sam Barholz moving from reserve to starting roles or newcomers like Brenna Foster, Haley Hangey and Cori Pursel, the Panthers again seem to have a lot of depth.
"Brenna and Haley were JV players last year and Cori is a freshman, but all three were integral in what we were doing today," Koch said.
Quakertown (1-1, 1-0 SOL) continues conference play with Upper Dublin on Friday. The Cardinals' game against Cheltenham on Wednesday was postponed back a day due to the weather.
"I think it's going to be quite a challenge," Koch said. "I watched (Upper Dublin) against Conestoga last week and was really impressed with them."
Wissahickon (0-2, 0-1) will host Plymouth Whitemarsh Friday.
QUAKERTOWN 2 1 – 3
WISSAHICKON 0 0 – 0
Goals: Q – Haley Pursel (Sam Barkholz) 2:37, Ashley Gluck (Becah Fox) 34:55, Maddy Spadafora (Haley Pursel) 71:43.
SOL National
Pennsbury 2, Bensalem 0
It's only been two games, but Evie Ciaccia is off to a promising start with Pennsbury.
The sophomore got her first varsity time in last week's opening draw with CB East, then followed it up with her first goal in the second half of Wednesday's SOL National opener.
"Evie Ciaccia had another solid outing for the Falcons. It was nice to see her find the back of the net for her first varsity goal," Pennsbury coach Kaitlyn Battiste said. "She's created multiple opportunities for us in both games and had a shot hit the post in each game, so it was important for her to get a hustle goal today. She followed up a rebound and made it count."
While Ciaccia is only just making a name for herself, the Falcons' other goal came from a veteran in Dani Cady, who put Pennsbury on the board in the first half.
"Sophomore Rosie Bostian collected the ball on the end line and was able to find Dani on the far post," Battiste said. "She stayed composed in front of the goal to put it away."
With the weather sometimes as much of a foe as Bensalem, Pennsbury also needed some solid play in the back.
"Kerry Phillips in goal played well to preserve the win," Battiste said. "She didn't have to be very active, but the weather sent one or two shots on swerve and she saved them cleanly and gave up very few rebounds."
After generating some chances but failing to score against CB East, Battiste is hoping Wednesday's tallies get the Falcons going.
"We still have a lot of work to do in the final third. We have a very selfless team so we're still looking for the player that wants the ball at her feet when the game is on the line," Battiste said. "Those were two quality goals, and it looked like we almost had a third, so I hope we start to see some more confidence in front of the net."
Pennsbury (1-0-1, 1-0 SOL) will host Abington on Friday, and Bensalem (1-1, 0-1) will be on the road at Neshaminy.
PENNSBURY 1 1 – 2
BENSALEM 0 0 – 0
Goals: P – Evie Ciaccia, Dani Cady (Rosie Bostian)
Council Rock North 5, Harry S Truman 0
The weather wasn't able to slow down the Indians' attack to start conference play.
Meredith Hill scored just two minutes into the match to start up North's offense with Alison Zingaro netting the first of her two goals at the 28-minute mark for a 2-0 lead at the break. While North owned the scoreboard, Indians coach Gavin Flannigan noted Truman's defending.
"Truman was organized and defended their space well. Their goalkeeper made a number of good saves," Flannigan said. "I was reasonably happy with our build-up play and our possession in general."
Zingaro finished her brace in the 67th minute, set up for the second time in the game by Anna Cairone. It was a solid early season game for the pair of freshmen.
"They played with a little confidence," Flannigan said. "They are both freshmen so it's a new experience for them. The more time they spend on the field, the better they seem to perform."
Abby Schroeder, Holland Moriarty and Sarah Khantzian combined to make four saves while keeping the clean sheet.
"Holland made a good save in the second half during a scramble after a corner kick," Flannigan noted.
Alyssa Lanigan scored in the 61st minute while Claudia Falch closed out the account in the 77th minute.
North (2-0, 1-0 SOL) travels to archrival Council Rock South on Friday while Truman (0-1) resumes play next week.
COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 2 3 – 5
HARRY S TRUMAN 0 0 – 0
Goals: CRN – Meredith Hill (Julia Ugras), Alison Zingaro (Anna Cairone), Alyssa Lanigan (Caroline Erlandsen), Alison Zingaro (Anna Cairone), Claudia Falch (Chloe Hill)
SOL Continental
Central Bucks West 2, William Tennent 1 OT
The Bucks didn't taste victory at all during SOL play in 2016.
It took a few extra minutes Wednesday, but CB West assured that wouldn't happen again this fall. Alex Craine's winner three minutes into overtime lifted the Bucks to a win in their conference opener.
"Strong games from Allie Walsh and Sam Lubin, and Alex Craine really stepped up her play in the OT to secure the victory," West coach Chris Fehrle said. "It was not the best game we have played this year, but I expect every game in the conference to be a hard-fought battle."
Trish Hauck put CB West on the board in the 42nd minute off Tori Albrecht's assist. Albrecht also had the helper on Craine's winner in the 83rd minute, where she had her choice of options.
"We won the ball in the middle third of the field, Tori picked the ball up and both our forwards, Trish and Alex, made good runs off the ball," Fehrle said. "Tori found Alex about 25 yards from goal and Alex hit a bullet into the upper corner."
Walsh and Lubin, both senior co-captains, have been playing at a high level through CB West's three games to open the campaign.
"I think they have both stepped up their level of leadership and ownership of this team as they are both seniors and captains," Fehrle said. "Their level of play and work ethic has always been extremely high, but it's their team this year and I think that is the biggest difference."
After going without a winning result last fall, the Bucks didn't want to let their conference losing streak last any longer.
"I'm just happy to come out on top and get our first win in conference," Fehrle said. "The girls dug deep this game and really raised their level in OT to secure the win. I could not be more proud of the resiliency of this group."
Gabby Sowers scored for William Tennent in the second half to equalize after Hauck's goal.
CB West (3-0, 1-0 SOL) travels to North Penn on Friday. William Tennent (1-1, 0-1) is off until next week.
CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 0 1 1 – 2
WILLIAM TENNENT 0 1 0 – 1
Goals: CBW – Trish Hauck (Tori Albrecht), Alex Craine (Albrecht); WT – Gabby Sowers
North Penn 1, Central Bucks East 1 2OT
The Patriots have already played four extra periods of soccer just two games into the season.
Wednesday, East had to rally back after North Penn struck first, but neither team could find a tiebreaker. The Knights got a set piece goal from Amelia Eshraghi and some stout goalkeeping to earn a point from the match.
"The ladies worked very hard, and some great saves by our captain Ashley Schmidt kept us in it," North Penn coach Steve Whitby said.
An East foul set up what Patriots coach Paul Eisold called a "well-executed" set piece about 20 minutes into the opening half. CB East was able to level the game 13 minutes later when Riley Kane set up a goal by Brooke Zarzycki.
"NP played extremely well possessing the ball, they were well organized and moved the ball well," Eisold said.
East got a number of strong performances across the field.
"Katie Bloom played a great defensive game and gave us opportunities for finishing up top," Eisold said. "Julie Beedle continued to dominate the midfield with Kate Schlotter and Delaney Kennedy working the midfield and front line as well."
The Patriots have been able to generate chances, they just haven't been able to finish most of them.
"We did a nice job in the second overtime but were unable to convert several good opportunities," Eisold said.
North Penn (0-0-1) hosts CB West on Friday while CB East (0-0-2, 0-0-1 SOL) visits Souderton.
CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 1 0 0 0 – 1
NORTH PENN 1 0 0 0 – 1
Goals: CBE – Brooke Zarzycki (Riley Kane); NP – Amelia Eshraghi
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