Pennsbury and Neshaminy advanced to Wednesday’s District One 4A semifinals. Council Rock South, Souderton & Quakertown are vying for the final state berth.
#3 Pennsbury 1, #6 Council Rock South 0
The Falcons were starting to think the first Saturday of the postseason had something against them.
It had been tough going for Pennsbury in the quarterfinal round in recent years and this season wasn't much different as the Falcons faced the one team they hadn't been able to beat this season. For the third time, Council Rock South and Pennsbury met and for the first time, Pennsbury walked away the winner.
"This Saturday was a big hurdle for us, we couldn't get beyond this point the last two years," Falcons coach Kaitlyn Battiste said. "We still get to focus on the next game, but you don't have the end of your season on the line. This gives them the opportunity they've earned. They know it's not going to get any easier, but they know they still have more within them if they continue to work for the opportunities."
While the No. 3 Falcons hosted the game and were the higher seed to the No. 6 Golden Hawks, Battiste felt the advantage going in was CR South's.
"We felt like the underdogs since this was a team we weren’t able to defeat during the regular season," Battiste said. "Both teams left our second meeting disappointed with a tie. They were relentless today, determined to get a result."
CR South won the first meeting 2-0, then the teams played to a 1-1 draw in the second meeting. While Pennsbury was disappointed to not get a win, it did open the door to the Falcons eventually finishing in a tie with the Hawks for the SOL National title.
The two previous matches also served as learning experiences for Saturday.
"The first meeting, we weren't prepared for what South was going to bring. The second time, we wanted it, but we had a few injuries and just didn't have anything left in the tank," Battiste said. "Getting everyone healthy again, experience from our seniors and confidence in building our underclassmen have us getting better each game."
CR South's defense again proved tough to crack and the Falcons weren't taking any chances with the Hawks' dangerous attacking threats.
"I’m very proud of the team performance today. Again, our midfield did a great job of possessing the ball, however South has a standout goalkeeper (Emily Helmich) and (we) weren't able to get anything past her," Battiste said. "Another great effort from our defense. Gabby Zalot did a great job neutralizing Paige Mikula in the middle and our defense – Riley Young, Ella Palmieri, Hope Drewes and Taylor Muller – did a nice job of keeping everything in front of them. Kerry (Phillips) only had to make one save, but she stayed active, came off her line to scoop up some dangerous crosses and restarts. It was great to have another clean sheet for our defense."
Pennsbury has gotten contributions from underclassmen all season and Saturday was no exception.
"Sophomore Rosie Bostian had a great game today. She came off the bench and did everything we asked her to do," Battiste said. "She's finding a rhythm and making an impact on the game. She's another fighter and works hard every minute she's out there."
The breakthrough goal came in the 65th minute. Pennsbury had been pressuring the Hawks' back line when Helmich came out to get the ball. It took an odd bounce and Jenna Peters saw a chance.
"She's been working her butt off for us all year and finds herself without a voice and sucking on cough drops before today's game. She is a talented player and yet she's always eager to learn and consistently asks how she can get better," Battiste said. "Aside from her technical skill, she just has the right attitude every time she steps out on the field. She loves the game."
While the seniors have been an integral part of the Falcons' success the last four seasons, for four of them, this year marks the first time they will get to play in a state playoff game.
"We keep bringing up how these seniors wanted the opportunity to win four league championships and four didn't play Pennsbury soccer their freshman year," Battiste said. "Jenna and Kelsey (Butler) had injuries that year and Dani (Cady) and Hope played field hockey. The success they heard about or witnessed their freshman year was something they wanted to be a part of and they wanted the opportunity to leave their mark. We've been fortunate to have a program of exceptional players that understand the balance of work and fun."
Pennsbury (17-1-2, 10-1-1 SOL) will travel to No. 2 Owen J Roberts in Wednesday's semifinal round. CR South (16-3-1, 10-1-1) will host Souderton in a playback elimination game on Wednesday.
PENNSBURY 0 1 – 1
COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 0 0 – 0
Goals: P – Jenna Peters
#12 Neshaminy 1, #4 Unionville 0
It seems like a given that Neshaminy will be playing November soccer, given the program's recent run of success at the district and state levels.
But not even a month ago, Neshaminy was barely clinging to a district playoff spot, and it seemed like maybe the run was going to end. Now, after topping a team that had trounced them in the season opener, the Redskins are going back to states and one win away from their second straight district title game.
"I think it's just starting to sink in," Neshaminy coach Chelsea Lovelace said. "Going into the second Pennsbury and CR South games we knew we had to win one of the two to stay in the top 24, so at that point, that's all we focused on – getting into districts. Once we beat South and we saw how far we jumped in the rankings, it was rewarding. From there, we just kept pushing and wanting more from the girls because we knew they have what it takes."
It kicked off a remarkable late season surge that has Neshaminy looking like, well, Neshaminy.
"Now seeing how far we have come from the middle of the season when we were still trying to get everyone to gel together the way we knew they were capable of, it's something we as coaches and the girls themselves can be proud of," Lovelace said.
Way back in the season opener, Unionville erupted in the second half to win 4-0. Both teams have changed a lot since then, but there were still enough lessons that Neshaminy was able to carry into Saturday's match.
"It definitely helped. They were our first game, so a lot has changed since then like formation, lineups and so on," Lovelace said. "We knew of the things they did well that hurt us, so we wanted to make sure we didn't make those mistakes again."
Emily Tantala scored the winning goal in the 60th minute. A shot by Michaela Boyd deflected off a Unionville player and fell to Tantala, who volleyed it into the upper 90 of the net.
It was fitting the goal came after halftime given that Neshaminy was on its heels in the first half.
"They are fast and athletic and they dominated the first half," Lovelace said. "Our midfielders and defenders couldn't allow them too much time on the ball and the ability to see the field. They also looked to play a lot of balls over the top behind our back line so we had to make sure we had enough coverage from our backs and (goalkeeper) Riley (Spingler) played a big role in that, helping with balls in the box."
Spingler was among many standouts for Neshaminy, making six total saves with the biggest undoubtedly a stop of a penalty kick in the 73rd minute.
Getting to the break at 0-0 was almost a win in itself.
"Considering the way we played the first 40, it was," Lovelace said. "We were lucky to get out of the half 0-0. We deserved to win out the second half with our effort and determination to find a goal."
Lovelace also cited the play of Brooke Mullin and Kristin Curley.
Neshaminy didn't have to change anything tactically in the second half, it just had to channel what had gotten it to the quarterfinals.
"It was just our effort. We had 40 minutes to decide our own fate and our girls clearly showed states and another trip to the district semifinals is something they really wanted," Lovelace said.
Even though Neshaminy was in states last year, the difficulty involved with getting there is still cause to celebrate.
"Of course, it's a huge accomplishment and they are definitely very excited and ready to put in the work to finish out districts and start the state tournament," Lovelace said.
Neshaminy (15-5-1, 8-3-1 SOL) will travel to Spring-Ford on Wednesday for the semifinals, pitting two of the districts' top programs against each other.
NESHAMINY 0 1 – 1
UNIONVILLE 0 0 – 0
Goals: N – Emily Tantala
#2 Owen J Roberts 4, #7 Souderton 1
A quick start fizzled into an uncharacteristic performance as the Indians were outworked by the No. 2 seed Wildcats.
Allie Trick scored in the sixth minute to put Souderton up first, usually a good sign for the Indians. However, their lead would not last as Owen J Roberts senior Mahogany Willis scored twice in the first half, and an early second half goal put Souderton in chase mode.
"Owen J looked awesome, that's by far the best team we've played all year and it's the first time I can say we were outplayed all year," Souderton coach Chris Felber said. "We were outmatched."
Souderton played a couple different formations after its usual 4-3-3 couldn't stop Owen J Roberts. The Wildcats excelled at beating Souderton to 50/50 balls and coming up with the ball after tackles.
"They were getting to everything, they just turned up to another level," Felber said. "They made it very, very hard for us. I thought we fought back well, we just have to dust it off and try to find another level for ourselves. We have to come out next week and get a couple wins."
Souderton lost Trick to an injury after she collided with the Wildcats goalkeeper following a shot late in the first half. The junior forward did not return to the match.
The Indians (15-5, 8-4 SOL) will travel to Council Rock South in an elimination playback game on Wednesday.
"We can still get to states, it's a little bit longer of a road but we can still do it," Felber said. "We have to come out, win and try to get there."
OWEN J ROBERTS 2 2 – 4
SOUDERTON 1 0 – 1
Goals: S – Allie Trick
#9 Spring-Ford 6, #17 Quakertown 0
The Panthers had no answers for the Rams' depth and offensive options on Saturday. Quakertown will travel to No. 4 seed Unionville on Wednesday for a playback game, needing a win to continue the season.
SPRING-FORD 2 4 – 6
QUAKERTOWN 0 0 – 0
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