SOL Boys/Girls Soccer District Preview (11-1-17)

Check out the preview capsules for the boys and girls soccer teams in action in the District One 4ATournament on Wednesday.

Four SOL soccer teams will be competing in District One 4A semifinal contests – two on both the boys and girls sides. For the boys, Central Bucks West will host Council Rock North at War Memorial Field on Wednesday at 7 p.m. with the winner advancing to Saturday’s district title game. Wissahickon will travel to Lower Merion as it vies for the fifth and final state tournament berth.

On the girls’ side, both semifinal contests pit the SOL against the Pioneer Athletic Conference as Pennsbury will travel to second-seeded Owen J. Roberts Wednesday for a 7 p.m. contest, and Neshaminy will be on the road at Spring-Ford. In playback games, Souderton is on the road at Council Rock South while Quakertown will travel to Unionville.

Boys
DISTRICT ONE 4A SEMIFINAL
#19 COUNCIL ROCK NORTH at #7 CENTRAL BUCKS WEST (Wednesday, 7 p.m.)
Central Bucks West

16-4 overall
9-3 in SOL Continental play, finished second to North Penn
First trip to the state tournament since 1982
Ended regular season on six-game winning streak
Scored 40 goals (2.2) and allowed 17 (0.9) in regular season
Offense is led by Tarin Morris, Reed Sturza, Carson Snyder, Alan Zlotin and Luke Fehrman
Defense is led by CJ Lang, Michael Redfield and Nick Centenera
Goalkeeper Dylan Smith had eight shutouts in regular season
Regular season wins over #3 North Penn (2-1) and #10 CB East (1-0)

How they got here: In a quarterfinal game, Central Bucks West battled #2 Lower Merion to 0-0 tie after two overtime periods. They defeated the Aces 4-3 in penalty kicks with CJ Lang delivering the game winner. Goalkeeper Dylan Smith had seven saves – three in penalty kicks – to record his ninth clean sheet.

In the second round, Central Bucks West – after an opening round bye – defeated #10 Central Bucks East 3-2, using goals rom Tarin Morris, Carson Snyder and Luke Fehrman.

Council Rock North

14-6-1 overall
Suburban One League National Conference champions (10-1-1)
Ended regular season on three-game winning streak
Offense is led by Jon Pugh, Ryan Pave, Connor O’Donnell and Sean Finneyfrock
Defense is led by Akash Shah, TJ Grube, Jeremy Smithline, Zach Saifer and keeper Ed Mancinelli
Regular season win over #18 Abington (4-1)

How they got here: In Saturday’s quarterfinal game, Council Rock North edged Wissahickon 1-0 when Sean Finneyfrock (Ryan Pave assist) scored 90 seconds into OT.

In a second round game, Council Rock North upset #3 North Penn 3-0. Conor O’Donnell scored twice and Ryan Pave had one goal.

In an opening round game, Council Rock North edged #14 Upper Dublin 1-0. Sean Finneyfrock scored the game winner while keeper Ed Mancinelli stopped eight shots.

Playback
#11 WISSAHICKON at #2 LOWER MERION (Wednesday, 3 p.m.)
Wissahickon

14-5-2 overall
10-2-2 in SOL American play, finished second to Hatboro-Horsham
4-1-2 in month of October
Scored 42 goals (2.3) and allowed 21 (1.2) in regular season
Trojans are led by Eddie Fortescue, Christian Vorchheimer, Jacob Cohen, Trey Schwartz, Jacob Kaffey, Blake Geisler and Michael Steitz
Regular season wins over #15 PW (3-1, 3-2)

How they got here: In Saturday’s quarterfinal round, Wissahickon fell to #19 Council Rock North 1-0 in overtime.

In a second round game, Wissahickon earned a 4-3 upset of #6 Spring-Ford when Jacob Kaffey scored off an Eddie Fortescue throw-in with 2.7 seconds remaining. Jacob Cohen and Liam Weiss also scored.

In an opening round contest, Wissahickon defeated #22 Methacton 3-0. Eddie Fortescue, Liam Weiss and Jacob Cohen each scored a goal.

Lower Merion

16-3 overall
10-1 Central League, second place behind Conestoga
Scored 42 goals and allowed eight during the regular season.
Regular season win over #15 Plymouth Whitemarsh (4-0)
11 shutouts during the regular season.

How they got here: In a quarterfinal game, Lower Merion fell to Central Bucks West 4-3 in penalty kicks after battling the Bucks to a scoreless tie after double overtime.

In a second round game, Lower Merion eked out a 1-0 win over #15 Plymouth Whitemarsh, limiting the Colonials to just one shot.

Girls
DISTRICT ONE 4A SEMIFINALS
#3 PENNSBURY at #2 OWEN J ROBERTS (Wednesday, 7 p.m.)
Pennsbury

17-1-2 overall
10-1-1 SOL National, co-champion with Council Rock South
Senior goalkeeper Kerry Phillips and central defender Hope Drewes anchor the back end, with the defense conceding just seven goals all season.
Outside midfielders Jenna Peters and Dani Cady excel at challenging defenders and winning corner kicks or putting in crosses for finishes. Senior Lizzy Kirk is a pace-setting center midfielder.
Junior Christina Cataldo-Smith and sophomores Evie Ciaccia and Gabby Zalot have shown poise and composure in front of goal, scoring a number of game-winning or critical goals.

How they got here: In Saturday’s quarterfinal round, Pennsbury defeated #6 Council Rock South 1-0, thanks to a goal by Jenna Peters in the 65^th minute.

In second round action, Pennsbury – which had an opening round bye – edged #14 Downingtown West 1-0. Christina Cataldo Smith scored the game-winning goal.

Owen J. Roberts

19-1 overall
9-1 Pioneer Athletic Conference Liberty Division, regular season co-champs with Spring-Ford
Led by Pioneer Athletic Conference’s top goal scorer Mahogany Willis, who had 28 goals during the regular season. Sarah Kopec added 12 goals and five assists while Caroline Thompson sets the table for the Wildcats’ big guns with 15 assists to go along with two goals.
Willis, Thompson, Kyle Cahill and Kylee MacLeod were first team all-league selections while Kopec, Julia Dalton and Kenzie Milne earned second team honors.
Split regular season series with #9 Spring-Ford (3-4, 2-1) and defeated #16 West Chester Henderson (3-1).

How they got here: In Saturday’s quarterfinal contest, Owen J. Roberts defeated #7 Souderton 4-1. Mahagony Willis contributed a pair of goals, Kenzie Milne had a goal and two assists, and Caroline Thompson added a single goal.

In a second round game, Owen J. Roberts – after an opening round bye – defeated #15 Haverford 1-0. Mahogany Willis scored the game’s only goal early in the second half.

#12 NESHAMINY at #9 SPRING-FORD (Wednesday, 7 p.m.)
Neshaminy

15-5-1 overall
8-3-1 SOL National, third place
Regular season wins over No. 6 Council Rock South (1-0), No. 8 Central Bucks South (2-1), PCL No. 4 Archbishop Wood (3-0)
Goalkeeper Riley Spingler backs up a tough defense headed by Nicole Palmer, Genna Obringer and Hannah Stonkus.
Service specialist Jackie Ziegler leads a midfield unit capable of spreading the ball around, setting up chances and chipping in goals when needed. Michaela Boyd, Brianna Tobin, Emily Tantala and Gina Sexton also see plenty of time in midfield.
Brooke Mullin and Kristin Curley provide the punch up top, and both can beat defenses in more than one way.

How they got here: In quarterfinal action, Neshaminy upset #4 Unionville 1-0. Emily Tantala scored the game winner in the 60^th minute. Riley Spingler had six saves, which included a stop of a penalty kick.

In a second round game, Neshaminy battled #5 Conestoga to 1-1 tie after double overtime. Deanna Lebotesis (Jackie Ziegler assist) scored in the fifth minute only to watch the Pioneers knot the score late in the first half. The Redskins won 3-0 in penalty kicks. Goalkeeper Riley Spingler recorded seven saves.

In an opening round contest, Neshaminy defeated #21 Strath Haven 4-1. The Redskins, who led 3-1 at halftime, received single goals from Jackie Ziegler, Kristin Curley, Michaela Boyd and Nicole Palmer.

Spring-Ford

16-4-1 overall
9-1 Pioneer Athletic Conference Liberty Division, regular season co-champs with Owen J. Roberts
Led by first team all-league selections Molly McHarg, Gabriel Kane, Kaylie O’Donnell and Laura Fazzini. Receiving second team all-league honors were Claire Sites, Gabriella Curry and Kelly Franz.
Split regular season series with #2 Owen J. Roberts (4-3, 1-2) and defeated #13 West Chester Rustin (4-1).

How they got here: In Saturday’s quarterfinal, Spring-Ford defeated #17 Quakertown 6-0. Gabby Kane scored a pair while Ella Curry, Olivia Yeagle and Ashley Hudak had one each. The Rams also benefitted from an own goal.

In second round action, Spring-Ford edged eighth-seeded Central Bucks South 3-2. Scoring goals for the Rams were Laura Fazzini, Ella Curry and Gabby Kane.

In an opening round contest, Spring-Ford defeated #24 Harriton 3-0 in a game that saw the Rams hold a 15-0 advantage in shots on goal. Lily Nowakowski, Alayna Gairo and Mack Mitchell each scored a goal.

Playback

#7 SOUDERTON at #6 COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH (Wednesday, 3:30 p.m.)
Council Rock South

16-3-1 overall
10-1-1 SOL National, co-champion
Wins over No. 3 Pennsbury (2-0), No. 12 Neshaminy (2-0), AAA No. 1 Villa Joseph Marie (2-0), draw with No. 3 Pennsbury (0-0)
Kiera Flanagan and Julie Rebh pace South's attacking unit. Rebh in particular has had a great season but she and Flanagan often set each other up for scores.
Sammy Jones leads a dynamic and versatile midfield unit with Paige Mikula always finding herself around the ball. Emma Jones, Jordi Rubkah and Sierra Tarantino have also been involved in plenty of action all over the field.
Grace O'Kane, Callie Deola, Emily Kavash and Carley Hickey are a stout back line playing front of a strong keeper in Emily Helmich.

How they got here: In Saturday’s quarterfinal round, Council Rock South fell to #3 Pennsbury 1-0. It was the third meeting between the two teams.

In a second round contest, Council Rock South – which had an opening round bye – edged #11 Central Bucks East 1-0 when Paige Mikula turned an Allie Jones cross into the game winner with 50 seconds remaining.

Souderton

15-5-0 overall
8-4-0 SOL Continental, second place
Wins over No. 8 CB South (4-3 Sept. 7, 2-1 Oct. 2), No. 18 William Tennent (5-1 Sept. 28, 1-0 Oct. 18), No. 15 Haverford (3-0 Oct. 20)
Seniors Cara McCausland and Tori Dowd along with junior Allie Trick form an extremely dangerous front line, mixing speed and technical skill to create and finish goal-scoring opportunities.
The midfield is led by seniors Bre DiRenzi, Hannah Croll and Taylor Moritz and junior Sara Readinger controls the flow of the game from her center midfield spot.
Junior Lindsey Pazdziorko had a solid season in goal as part of a new-look defensive unit. Campbell Power provided plenty of dangerous service from the left side while Kailee Harwick, Hannah Kramer and Aliea Kramer.
Souderton proved its depth by winning four matches in the final week of the regular season, with two going overtime.

How they got here: In a quarterfinal game Saturday, Souderton fell to #2 Owen J. Roberts 4-1. Allie Trick scored in the sixth minute to give the Indians a 1-0 lead. The Wildcats scored four unanswered goals to close out the game.

In a second round game, Souderton – which had an opening round bye – defeated #10 Upper Dublin 1-0 with Allie Trick scoring the game’s only goal in the second half.

#17 QUAKERTOWN at #4 UNIONVILLE (Wednesday, 7 p.m.)
Quakertown15-6-0 overall

11-3-0 SOL American, runner-up
Wins over No. 23 Plymouth Whitemarsh (3-1, 1-0)
Keeper Morgan Small plays much bigger than her height, coming up with at least one highlight seemingly every match. When she's totally locked in, she can keep the Panthers in any match.
Haley Pursel and Ashley Gluck have formed a potent 1-2 punch offensively, often assisting each other's scores.
Katie Moyer, Kyra Handel and Haley Hangey are solid contributors in the midfield. Becah Fox, Melina Jagiello and Sam Barkholz anchor the defensive unit.

How they got here: In Saturday’s quarterfinal round, Quakertown fell to #9 Spring-Ford 6-0. The Panthers trailed 2-0 at halftime and never threatened.

In a second round game, Quakertown pulled off the upset of the tournament, battling #1 Pennridge to a scoreless tie after double overtime and then winning 4-3 in penalty kicks.

In an opening round contest, Quakertown edged #17 West Chester Henderson 1-0. Melina Jagiello headed a corner by teammate Sammy Barkholz into the net in the 31^st minute.

Unionville

17-3 overall
13-0 Ches-Mont American Division regular season champions
Regular season wins over #12 Neshaminy (4-0), #14 Downingtown East (2-0), #16 West Chester Henderson (3-2), #21 Strath Haven (3-0) and #22 Downingtown West (3-1).

How they got here: In a quarterfinal contest, Unionville fell to #12 Neshaminy 1-0.

In a second round game, Unionville – after an opening round bye – defeated #13 West Chester Rustin 3-0. Veronica Hineman, Alex Wilson and Jackie Hug each scored a goal.