Check out the recaps for SOL field hockey teams in action Monday. Neshaminy/CR South photos provided courtesy of Jesse Garber (http://JSGarber.zenfolio.com/p443495091)
SOL National
NESHAMINY 2, COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 1 (OT)
Abby Geissler turned a crossing pass from Anna Skrot into a goal with 11:13 remaining in overtime, propelling the Redskins to a dramatic win over the Golden Hawks in a key conference battle.
“Peyton Ritchey brought the ball down the right side, and Anna Skrot was backing her up,” coach Jamie Pinto said. “Anna recovered the ball, dribbled to the end line, sent it across and Abby Geissler finished it on the stroke (mark). It was beautiful shot.”
The win keeps the Redskins – who trail conference-leader Pennsbury by one game – in the hunt for a conference crown.
“This was a huge win for us for the league itself,” Pinto said. “We’ve been playing tough, we’ve been playing hard. We just haven’t been winning our non-league games.
“We’re playing well. The only thing we couldn’t do in those games was finish. The girls have been working really hard, and everything kind of came together today. They were communicating well, they were working hard cutting to the ball. Our midfielders – Jamie Pennington, Kayla Connelly and Anna Skrot – played well. They were hustling up and down the field.”
The Redskins’ coach also acknowledged the strong play of Sophie Schardt.
“We just moved her in the back, and she really stepped up and played great today,” Pinto said. “She was playing mid and was doing a good job there, but she played defense for us last year, and we really needed her back there.”
The Redskins got on the board just over nine minutes into the game on a goal by Sophia Perillo with an assist from Peyton Ritchey. They took that 1-0 lead into halftime.
The Golden Hawks knotted the score, thanks to a goal from Bridget Doherty with a Shannon Lind assist, setting the stage for overtime.
The Redskins held an advantage in shots (15-6) and corners (10-7).
“It’s good to get a good win under our belts,” Pinto said. “Council Rock South is always a good game, and for our girls to have the lead – Council Rock scored and to go into overtime – you never know what’s going to happen.
“It was a good win, and hopefully, the girls will keep building on that.”
The Redskins were coming off a stretch that saw them drop two of their last three games to Great Valley and Gwynedd Mercy – both non-league contests.
“We’ve been having really good practices,” Pinto said. “The morale was never down, but it was just disappointing for the girls because they’ve truly been working hard.
“They’re a younger group. We only have three seniors that play, and they’ve been doing a good job of leading the girls, but it’s just tough. We lost those games, but it wasn’t because we weren’t playing well. We just couldn’t finish. We were outshooting the teams, but we just couldn’t find the back of the net. Today was a good boost. We needed this win.”
Neshaminy (7-4, 6-1 SOL) will host Owen J. Roberts in a non-league game on Friday, and Council Rock South (4-5, 3-3) will host Abington on Wednesday.
PENNSBURY 4, HARRY S TRUMAN 0
(Submitted article)
If the Pennsbury field hockey team thought it was in for an easy day against Truman Monday afternoon after Kate Chesney set up Olivia Mauro less than five minutes in, well, then the Falcons were wrong.
Truman fought hard for 60 minutes and never let Pennsbury get completely in its rhythm, forcing the Falcons to earn everything they would get. Despite that, Pennsbury would get goals from four different players, including two late ones to finally put away the Tigers 4-0.
"Truman had a lot of spirit," Pennsbury coach Jamie Parell said. "We needed to stay focused, because we knew they were never going to give up. They pushed us hard, but in the end, we got a win we needed. It's like I've been telling them. We can never take anything for granted. Every team in our league is good, and we have to be ready every minute for every game."
Pennsbury is now 7-2 overall and more importantly 6-0 in the Suburban One National Conference after playing every team in the league once.
Chesney's run down the right side freed her up for a cross to Mauro, who was alone in front to make it 1-0 4:29 into the game. Truman would pressure Pennsbury for much of the rest of the first half, forcing Falcon's goalie Michelle Deodati to make all four of her saves, and it was 2-0 at the break after Bev Bozarth tapped in a pass from Samie Hackman with 12:37 left.
It stayed that way through the first 17 minutes of the second half, before Chesney crossed one to Nell Webber and the Boston College commit lifted it into the upper corner of the cage. Maya Geller's blast from the right side with 9:05 left set up the final score.
Pennsbury, who outshot Truman 34-5, hosts Bensalem Wednesday on Senior Day. Harry S Truman (0-8, 0-6) will host Council Rock North.
Harry S Truman 0-0 0
Pennsbury 2-2 4
ABINGTON 8, BENSALEM 1
Natalie McNamara erupted for four goals and an assist to lead the Owls to the decisive win.
“After four days off due to the holiday last week, we came out a bit slow and sluggish,” said coach Katie Small. “For the first 15 minutes, the game was back and forth until we were able to control their passing game and became patient on defense. The team then erupted on offense, putting eight goals in the net.”
The Ghosts, who led 4-0 at the intermission, received a goal and an assist from Paige Doyle while Grace Hopkins, Alaina Swift and Grace Terrizzi each added a single goal. Aileen Hughes chipped in an assist.
Angelina Lee scored Bensalem’s goal.
Abington (5-4, 3-3 SOL) will travel to Council Rock South on Wednesday, and Bensalem (3-10, 1-8) will be on the road at Pennsbury on Wednesday.
Abington 4-4 8
Bensalem 0-1 1
SOL Continental
CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 2, CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 0
The Patriots had some opportunities but didn’t get on the scoreboard against a stingy Titans’ defense until Riley Donnelly scored on a reverse sweep from the top left of the cage with 2:43 remaining in the first half.
East added an insurance goal midway through the second half when freshman Phia Mannino tipped a Donnelly corner shot into the cage for the 2-0 final.
“Central Bucks South is a much improved team from last year and had some very strong play from Kasey Dietzel and Casey Reilly, but they couldn’t get through to the cage,” East coach Michelle Finegan said. “They are strong and never give up.
“We had some breakdowns when they broke into the circle and had a few corners. Emily Bullard, our goalkeeper, had a terrific save when it was 1-0 to keep the lead. Our defensive team was solid again today with good communication and strong tackles.”
The game –played at CB East – was called with 2:29 remaining due to darkness.
East held an advantage in shots (14-3) and penalty corners (13-3).
“CB South played a hard-fought game against a very strong, well-coached and highly skilled CB East team,” South coach Pat Toner said.
Central Bucks East (9-2, 6-0 SOL) will travel to North Penn on Wednesday for a 3:45 game, and Central Bucks South (5-4, 3-3) will be on the road at Souderton for a 7 p.m. contest.
Central Bucks South 0-0 0
Central Bucks East 1-1 2
NORTH PENN 6, PENNRIDGE 1
The visiting Knights found themselves locked in a 1-1 tie with the Rams at halftime but then exploded for five unanswered goals in the second half on their way to the big win.
Abby Ludlow (Maddie Pennie assist) scored at the 22:14 mark of the first half to spot the Rams the early lead. That 1-0 lead held until just 4:19 remained in the half when Emily Crawford turned a Mikayla Barrow pass into a goal.
“The first half we really set the pace, and play was fairly even,” Pennridge coach Becky Spahr said. “After halftime, North Penn really stepped up their play, and they were able to dominate both possession and scoring.”
Barrow scored an unassisted goal three-and-a-half minutes into the second half, and the floodgates were opened. Bri O’Donnell (Crawford assist) scored two minutes later, and the Knights closed out the game with three goals in the final 12:48. Varilla scored an unassisted goal, and then it was O’Donnell (Erica Kelly assist) scoring her second goal. Crawford closed out the scoring with a goal, using a Barrow assist.
North Penn goalie Anissa Gardizy recorded three saves in the win. Pennridge’s Mackenzie Bross had a busy afternoon in the cage.
“North Penn has a very fast and skilled forward line, and they were able to get behind our defensive line and put pressure on our goalie,” Spahr said. “Mack did a great job stopping a lot of the pressure with 28 saves off of 34 shots on goal.
“We are practicing our defensive clearing and outletting the ball, and we will continue to work on these skills.”
North Penn (5-4, 5-1 SOL) will host Central Bucks East on Wednesday at 3:45 p.m., and Pennridge (2-6, 1-5) will host Quakertown in a non-league game Friday at 3:30 p.m.
North Penn 1-5 6
Pennridge 1-0 1
SOUDERTON 3, WILLIAM TENNENT 0
Randi Hess scored a pair of goals and Liz O’Hara added a single goal to lead the Indians to the shutout win over the visiting Panthers. Anna Gwiazdzinski had an assist on O’Hara’s goal.
Souderton (4-5, 2-4 SOL) will host Central Bucks South on Wednesday at 7 p.m., and William Tennent (2-7, 0-6) will host Central Bucks West Wednesday.
William Tennent 0-0 0
Souderton 2-1 3
SOL American
SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP 2, WISSAHICKON 0
The Spartans and Trojans entered Monday’s game with identical 5-1 records in conference play, both trailing conference leader Plymouth Whitemarsh by one game. It was the Spartans remaining within striking distance of the top spot with a shutout win of the visiting Trojans.
“We’ve been up and down, getting better and better, and it was nice that the kids all brought their best game today,” coach Linda Nixon said. “We’re young and inexperienced, especially with the speed of our field right now – it’s flying.
“I was pleased with the way we played. We weren’t perfect. We didn’t do everything that we know how to do, but they really showed up. We didn’t do anything spectacular, but some of the kids played really well.”
The Spartans took a 1-0 lead midway through the first half when Ellie Hamilton scored during corner play with an assist from Hannah Grothusen.
“We scored on them, and I don’t think they were expecting that,” Nixon said. “We didn’t score right off the bat, but when we did score, then they had to play from behind, and it was so hot.”
At almost the identical time in the second half, Hamilton found the cage for her second goal, this time using assists from Charlotte deKerrillis and Maddie Yoder.
“We played Gwynedd on Friday, and the results of that game were not what you would have liked to have had,” said Nixon of her team’s 5-0 loss to GMA. “Our goalkeeper and another player were out sick. Gwynedd is very fast.
“Two different days, two different teams. It was just fun to watch the kids play really hard today. They really worked, and it was really, really hot.
“Our field is very short grass or no grass, and it’s kind of like playing like turf, but it’s not smooth. The ball hops all over the place and you just hope for the best.”
Both teams took five shots on goal. The Trojans held a 10-6 advantage in penalty corners.
Spartan goalie Emily Henry recorded five saves and made key stops, and Ciara Cox and Gracie Woron recorded a pair of defensive saves for the Spartans.
“Maddie Yoder and Ella Marino were using their speed down the sidelines,” Nixon said. “Seniors Ellie Hamilton and Hannah Grothusen proved their leadership skills and offensive prowess in the circle.”
Springfield Township (7-2, 6-1 SOL) will host Hatboro-Horsham on Wednesday, and Wissahickon (5-3, 5-2) will host Quakertown Wednesday.
Wissahickon 0-0 0
Springfield 1-1 2
HATBORO-HORSHAM 3, CHELTENHAM 0
The Hatters broke a string of five straight shutouts to score three goals and, more importantly, earn their first win of the season.
Kaitlyn Gehlhaus scored six minutes into the contest, and the Hatters led 2-0 when Lizzy Theurer found the cage with just over a minute remaining in the first half.
Theurer scored her second goal of the game with 9:45 remaining to give the Hatters their final margin of victory.
HH goalie Liz Wilburn recorded six saves in the shutout win. Cheltenham’s Nimi Badejoko kept the Lady Panthers in it with a 22-save effort in the cage.
“Cheltenham's goalie Nimi Badejoko had a heck of a game,” Hatters’ coach Laura Swezey said. “She had 22 saves and protected the post. Today we had a better day with getting the ball into the circle and taking more shots on goal.
“Our girls really kept trying to keep the ball alive with each kick off of the goalie’s pads. We were aggressive in the circle but Nimi kept positioning perfectly, making it difficult to score. I was pleased with the whole team and their consistent pressure and efforts today.
Hatboro-Horsham (1-8, 1-6 SOL) will travel to Springfield on Wednesday, and Cheltenham (0-10, 0-7) will be on the road at Upper Dublin.
Cheltenham 0-0 0
Hatboro-Horsham 2-1 3
UPPER DUBLIN 3, UPPER MORELAND 1
The visiting Flying Cardinals took a 3-1 lead into halftime and went on to win by that score as neither team found the cage in the second half after combining for four goals in the first 30 minutes.
Maisie Hanson put the Cardinals on the scoreboard at the 26:30 mark, using an assist from Molly Lunney. Three minutes later, the Golden Bears tied it up when Claudia Zanine scored with an assist from Jess Flanagan.
Maddie Templeton’s goal with a Ryann Kullman assist gave the Cardinals a lead they would not lose with 9:14 remaining in the half. Lydia Casey tacked on an insurance goal four minutes later, and that score held up the rest of the way.
The Cardinals held an 18-13 advantage in shots on goal. Both teams had nine penalty corners.
UD’s Sarah Hirchenroder recorded six saves in goal, and Meghan Muth had three saves for the Cardinals. UM goalie Cassidy Murphy was credited with 11 saves.
Upper Dublin (5-3, 4-3 SOL) will host Cheltenham on Wednesday, and Upper Moreland (4-5, 3-4) will host Plymouth Whitemarsh Wednesday.
Upper Dublin 3-0 3
Upper Moreland 0-1 1
PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 7, QUAKERTOWN 0
The Colonials received goals from six different players on their way to Monday’s shutout. Kennedy Reardon scored a pair of goals while teammates Julia Fiddler, Kaleigh Missimer, Jess Dixon, Sam Spera and Ava Borkowski each added single goals. Dixon, Sophie Kolkka and Lily Hanlon both had an assist.
“PW played a strong game and received offensive contributions from nine different players,” said PW coach Charise Halteman, whose team led 5-0 at halftime. “Julia Fiddler scored the first goal of the game on a beautiful tip. Kennedy Reardon added two more, both on corners plays.”
PW goalie Katherine Houghton recorded two saves in the shutout win.
Plymouth Whitemarsh (9-1, 7-0 SOL) will travel to Upper Moreland on Wednesday, and Quakertown (2-6, 2-5) will travel to Wissahickon Wednesday.
Quakertown 0-0 0
Plymouth Whitemarsh 5-2 7
Non-league
CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 2, SPRING-FORD 1
Taylor Mason scored on a breakaway with 2:25 remaining in regulation, breaking a 1-1 tie and propelling the visiting Bucks to the non-league win. Earlier, a goal by Caitlin Mulligan (Eva Altadonna assist) spotted the Bucks a 1-0 lead, but the Rams rallied to knot the score 1-1 at halftime.
“It was back and forth with each team having periods of dominance,” coach Courtney Lepping said. “For most of the second half, it looked like whoever scored next would win the game.”
The Rams held a 10-4 edge in corners with eight of those coming in the second half while the Bucks had just one second-half corner.
Peyton Fischer came up big in goal for the Bucks, recording nine saves.
“Fischer had some beautiful saves to keep Spring-Ford from finding the back of the cage again,” Lepping said. “Anya DeAngelis had a good game as she was hustling all over the field and had several near breakaways of her own.”
Central Bucks West (7-3, 4-2 SOL) will begin the second go-round in conference play on the road at William Tennent on Wednesday.
Central Bucks West 1-1 2
Spring-Ford 1-0 1
COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 4, CARDINAL O’HARA 0
The Indians used single goals by Rebecca Ripans, Lindsey O’Brien, Celie Burke and Anna McQuarrie in their shutout of the Lions in Monday’s non-league game.
Council Rock North (6-4, 4-3) will travel to Harry S Truman on Wednesday.
Saturday, Sept. 23
CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 2, GREAT VALLEY 0
Kaitlyn Barnhart scored the only goal the Titans would need midway through the first half, using an assist from Casey Reilly. Reilly found the cage 14 minutes into the second half with an assist from Megan Weeks to give the Titans their final margin of victory.
“Great Valley had some very skilled and dangerous players, and CB South’s defense was able to shut them down behind the excellent defensive play of Dakota Hurwitz, Anna Gillard, Megan Gillard, Annie Brady and Sarah Duimering,” coach Pat Toner said.
CB South goalie Jillia Heilig stopped all seven Great Valley shots to preserve the shutout.
Great Valley 0-0 0
Central Bucks South 1-1 2
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