Check out the recaps for SOL girls’ soccer teams in action Saturday.
Plymouth Whitemarsh 2, Lower Merion 1
On the road, on a growingly hot day and down at the half, Ryan Zehren knew who his PW players would be looking to.
She doesn't often show up on the score sheet, but senior Victoria Betterly has been an instrumental part of what the Colonials are building. She's the leader of the team, and her leadership helped PW rally in the second half to snag a win.
"She is the rock of our team," Zehren said. "She is very vocal and there is no hesitation in her voice when she talks to the girls. With her, it's 'This is what we need and this is how we're going to do it.'"
Lower Merion led 1-0 at the half, but PW tied it up on a goal from Alyse Caffery assisted by Sarah Putsch. Ali Diamond provided the winner on a feed from Emma Rosenberger.
Betterly is a three-sport athlete, playing basketball in the winter and lacrosse in the spring, and is also a teammate with Diamond in each of the three seasons. Zehren said Betterly seems to absorb every little thing she learns in each sport and applies it to her leadership qualities.
"I think gravitate is the right word," Zehren said. "On the field, she is a tank. She's hard to bring down physically and mentally. Victoria is very focused and determined to be successful at everything she does. The girls feed off the energy she brings to the midfield."
Zehren, who is in just his second year coaching PW, knows the value a player like Betterly provides, even if it isn't often with goals.
"As a coach, I can't thank her enough for everything she has committed to this program," Zehren said.
Plymouth Whitemarsh (6-2, 4-1 SOL) will be on the road at Cheltenham on Tuesday.
PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 0 2 – 2
LOWER MERION 0 1 – 1
Goals: Alyse Caffery, Ali Diamond
Central Bucks East 2, Emmaus 0
The Patriots certainly had to earn their win on the road Saturday morning.
Emmaus kept the net clear of goals for three-quarters of regulation until East's Julie Beedle's drive paid off with a 65th minute goal. Beedle was able to control a rebound after a corner kick and power it into the net.
"The goal was unassisted but it came from a great service by Ashley Balderson," East coach Paul Eisold said.
Ali Lapoli added a late insurance goal after a hard-fought battle in front of the net after Kate Schlotter fed her the ball.
Kristen Obetz picked up the win and kept a clean sheet in goal for East.
“(We got a) well played game from Izzy Hunter, Anna Bound and Brooke Zarzycki," Eisold said. "Ali Hamilton was instrumental on offense."
Central Bucks East (4-3-2, 2-2-1 SOL) will host Abington in a non-league game Monday at 3:30 p.m.
CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 0 2 – 2
EMMAUS 0 0 – 0
Goals: CBE – Julie Beedle, Ali Lapoli
Central Bucks South 3, Great Valley 0
The Titans kicked off early to avoid the heat, but still turned to their depth plenty on Saturday.
"The heat wasn't too bad since we played at 10 but we had plenty of support from the reserves," South coach Betsy Bullock said. "Lauren Ewell played well at outside back and Brianna McPeak and Kendall Zerman gave us quality minutes as outside midfielders."
Margot Centofanti delivered the winner in the 18th minute when she hammered home a direct free kick. Morgan Hilton made it a 2-0 lead at the break when she kept after a play and poked the ball home after the Great Valley keeper bobbled it.
Brooke Steigerwalt finished the scoring with a 58th minute goal on an assist from Kayla Luteroty.
Maddie McShane made five saves to preserve the shutout win.
Central Bucks South (4-1-1, 2-1-1 SOL) will host Neshaminy on Monday in a non-league contest at 3:30 p.m.
CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 2 1 – 3
GREAT VALLEY 0 0 – 0
Goals: CBS – Margot Centofanti, Morgan Hilton, Brooke Steigerwalt
Souderton 3, Boyertown 2 (2 OT)
The Indians overcame the heat and some missed scoring opportunities – they took 10-plus shots on net – to earn the overtime win. Campbell Power turned an Aleah Kramer pass into a goal for the game winner in the second overtime period.
Earlier, Power put the Indians on the scoreboard, using an Ali Trick throw in. Then it was Erin O’Keefe scoring with an assist from Tori Dowd.
Souderton (6-2, 2-2 SOL) will travel to Central Bucks West on Tuesday for a 7 p.m. contest.
Council Rock North 2, St. Hubert 1
The Indians had plenty of opportunities in Saturday’s non-league game, taking 20 shots but finding the net just twice.
“It was a solid performance and win this morning,” coach Gavin Flannigan said.
Heather McLaughlin set up the first goal with a great cross to Kaleigh O’Donnell on the far post.
“She was able to volley it in,” Flannigan said.
O’Donnell connected for her second goal of the game in the second half – this one on a free kick to give the Indians some breathing room.
“They scored soon after, but I felt we were comfortable overall,” Flannigan said. “Everyone contributed in tough conditions, but I thought Elle Ratcliffe, Claudia Falch and Anna Cairone gave us a little spark in the second half to push us over the line.”
Abby Schroeder had four saves in goal, and Holland Moriarity had a pair.
Council Rock North (6-3-1, 3-2-1 SOL) will host Pennsbury on Tuesday.
ST. HUBERT 0 0 – 1
COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 1 1 – 2
Goals: Kaileigh O’Donnell 2.
Council Rock South 2, Archbishop Wood 0
The Golden Hawks remained perfect on the season, notching their seventh win without a loss.
Jordi Rubakh opened the scoring for South, and Sammy Jones added an insurance goal to lift the Golden Hawks to the non-league win.
Council Rock South (7-0, 4-0 SOL) will host Bensalem on Tuesday at 3:30 p.m.
North Penn 10, Wyoming Valley West
The Knights took a 2-0 lead into halftime and then exploded for eight second-half goals. Olivia Jerome (Cynthia Sheehy assist) and Emma Dickson (unassisted) scored first-half goals.
In the second half, Olivia Urban started the scoring barrage with back-to-back goals, both with Grace Sacchetti assists. Then Urban returned the favor, assisting on a goal by Sacchetti, who followed that with an unassisted goal of her own. Then Zoei Baines got into the scoring column, finding the net with a Jerome assist. Sacchetti scored to complete the hat trick, using a Sheehy assist. Josie Ruzek found the net with an unassisted goal, and Ashley Schmidt (Belle Hughes assist) connected to close out the scoring for the Knights.
North Penn (3-4-1, 1-2-1 SOL) will host Central Bucks South on Tuesday at 7 p.m.
WYOMING VALLEY WEST 0 0 – 0
NORTH PENN 2 8 – 10
Pennsbury 5, Hershey 0
The Falcons exploded for four first-half goals on their way to a no-doubt-about-it non-league win. Evie Ciaccia scored with an assist from Lizzy Kirk to put the Falcons on the board in the 12th minute, and eight minutes later, Dani Cady scored, using an Ella Palmieri assist. The Falcons led 3-0 when Kirk turned a pass from Hope Dewes into a goal in the 29th minute, and a goal from Kasey Kowal in nine minutes later gave the Falcons a commanding 4-0 lead at the intermission.
Cady connected for her second goal in the 74th minute, using an assist from Jenna Peters.
Pennsbury (7-1-1, 3-1 SOL) will travel to Council Rock North Tuesday for a 3:30 p.m. game.
HERSHEY 0 0 – 0
PENNSBURY 4 1 – 5
Goals: Dani Cady 2, Evie Ciaccia, Lizzy Kirk, Kasey Kowal.
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