Check out the recaps for SOL boys’ soccer teams in action Wednesday. CR North/Pennsbury photos provided courtesy of John Gleeson. Check back for a gallery of photos.
SOL National Conference
Council Rock North 2, Pennsbury 1 (OT)
Council Rock North needed a win and the Indians got a big one on a sweltering Wednesday as they toppled Pennsbury 2-1 in overtime in the conference opener for both teams.
The defending SOL National Conference champs had started the season 0-2 and were pushed to the limit by the Falcons before prevailing.
Pennsbury, on a goal from Matt Tennant (assisted by Javier Sosa), took a 1-0 lead into halftime before Sean Finneyfrock tied things up for the Indians after intermission.
Things stayed deadlocked into extra time before Ed Long gave the Indians the win with a clutch tally.
Both teams are 1-2 overall.
Up next for CR North will be a game at Harry S. Truman on Friday (3:45 p.m.) while the Falcons travel to Bensalem next Wednesday (3:30 p.m.).
CR North 0-1-1 2
Pennsbury 1-0-0 1
Neshaminy 2, Bensalem 0
Neshaminy used a pair of second-half goals on the way to a 2-0 win over host Bensalem in the conference opener for both teams.
Christian Rodgers, off a throw-in from Gavin Rowan, put the Redskins on the board early in the second half.
"He (Rodgers) broke down the left side, cut it back in, and hit a bullet past the goaltender," Neshaminy coach Tom Foley said.
Mike Thomas then sealed things with three minutes left on an unassisted goal to cap the scoring.
"They were trying to get forward, and he stole the ball, beat the guy and hit one off the post and in," Foley said. "It was a very nice shot.
"Bensalem had a couple of chances in the late minutes of the game. They hit the crossbar once, and one of our guys cleared one off the line. But, for the most part, our defense was able to keep them bottled up most of the day.”
Anchoring the Redskins’ defense were senior Kais Jawawdeh, junior Alex Daeche, sophomore Lou Salmi, sophomore Ryan Schoeneman and sophomore Ian Swinski.
“All five kids played great in the back today,” Foley said. “Vincent McGlynn was all over the field and had a solid game for us.
"It was a good effort for us. We have a nice sprinkling of seniors, but we're very, very inexperienced. We had two freshmen and four sophomores on the field at the same time today, so we’re young. It was very encouraging to see we did a nice job today.”
The Redskins host Council Rock South on Friday (7 p.m.) while the Owls play at William Tennent on Friday (3:30 p.m.).
Neshaminy 0-2 2
Bensalem 0-0 0
Council Rock South 3, Harry S. Truman 1
The Golden Hawks rallied with three second-half goals to net their first win of the season in Wednesday’s SOL opener.
The Tigers held a 1-0 lead at halftime, but Sean Armstrong found the net with the equalizer. Oliver Buynevich connected for a goal that turned out to be the game winner, and Dylan Bennett added an insurance goal. Zach Shefsky and Andrew Rosenfeld picked up assists.
Keith Charlton, according to coach Alan Nicholl, led a strong defensive effort for the Golden Hawks. Drew Bresnan earned the win in goal.
The Golden Hawks (1-3) play at Neshaminy on Friday (7 p.m.) while the Tigers (0-1) host Council Rock North on Friday (3:30 p.m.).
Harry S. Truman 1-0 1
Council Rock South 0-3 3
SOL Continental Conference
Central Bucks South 6, Quakertown 1
Central Bucks South used a balanced attack to post a 6-1 win over Quakertown in the conference opener for both teams.
Five players had goals for the Titans with senior R.J. Visco leading the way with a pair. Seniors Kyle Bethel and Chris Griffin also netted goals as did junior Jake Heilig and sophomore Shane Landue.
Adam Wunsch had the lone goal for the Panthers.
The Titans (1-0) play at Central Bucks East on Friday (4:45 p.m.) while the Panthers (0-2) host Pennridge on Friday (3:15 p.m.).
Souderton at North Penn (Postponed)
SOL American Conference
Hatboro-Horsham 1, Upper Dublin 1 (2 OT)
In a fitting early season matchup between conference powers, visiting Upper Dublin and Hatboro-Horsham played to a 1-1 tie in which both sides played well.
"Obviously, you want to win every league game, but a draw against Upper Dublin, who’s perennially right at the top at the end of the season, is a good way to start the league season,” said H-H coach Kyle McGrath, whose team won the SOL American title last year.
The Flying Cardinals, who won the SOL American Conference in 2015 and 2016, struck first in this one when Matt Yoon connected on a free kick from 25 yards out just 10 minutes into the game.
Things stayed that way until early in the second half when Andrew Hurrell, off a feed from Brandan Mallon, drilled a one-timer from just outside the 18-yard line to knot the score.
“Upper Dublin was the better team in the first half, for sure,” said McGrath. "Once we scored the tying goal we were able to take the pressure to them for a bit, but once we scored, it raised our energy level, and we were on top of it. We created some opportunities off of restarts that Upper Dublin defended pretty well.
“In the beginning of the first overtime, Andrew (Hurrell) had another really good chance. He was probably 14 yards out, and Upper Dublin’s goalkeeper made a really great save and didn’t allow the rebound. From there, it was just kind of tired legs and not too much offensively that was super dangerous – just balls into the box from both teams, and you could see that the boys were fatigued.”
The Hatters’ coach credited the play of several of his players.
“Ryan McMorris came in as a substitute and played really well in the center midfield,” McGrath said. “JD Mallinder played well in the center midfield as well. My back four played well.
“Fran Moio came in late in the second half and did very well. He’s only a sophomore, and he stepped up and filled in for one of our guys who was cramping. It was good to see him play a big role.”
Upper Dublin (1-1-1) hosts Cheltenham on Friday (3:30 p.m.) while Hatboro-Horsham (1-1-1) plays at Wissahickon on Friday (3:30 p.m.).
Upper Dublin 1-0-0 1
Hatboro-Horsham 0-1-0 1
Abington 4, Springfield Township 0
Abington opened up play in its new conference with a solid win over Springfield Township.
The Ghosts, who led 1-0 at halftime, received two goals from Sean Touey and single tallies from Nevin Baer and Toni Dietrich.
The Ghosts (3-0, 1-0 SOL) play at Upper Moreland on Friday (3:30 p.m.) while the Spartans (1-1, 0-1) host Plymouth Whitemarsh on Friday (3:30 p.m.).
Springfield Township 0-0 0
Abington 1-3 4
Cheltenham 2, Upper Moreland 2 (2 OT)
Cheltenham and Upper Moreland battled to a 2-2 tie in two overtimes in the conference opener for both.
The Panthers jumped out to a 2-0 halftime lead on goals from Drew Moreland and Findlay Peet before the Golden Bears roared back after the break to tie things thanks to a pair of tallies from Chris O'Donnell. Dylan Swedberg had the assist on O'Donnell's first goal and Mateo Infante added the helper on the second goal.
"We played pretty badly in the first 30 minutes, and give Cheltenham credit because they took advantage of it and scored two quick goals on us," UM coach Matt Duffey said. "Then we were able to turn things around and tie the game in the second half with Chris scoring the tying goal with eight minutes left. And Greg Wiley had a very solid game in goal for us and made a great save in overtime to keep it tied."
Upper Moreland, now 1-0-2, hosts Abington on Friday (3:30 p.m.) while the Panthers (1-0-1) play at Upper Dublin on Friday (3:30 p.m.).
Upper Moreland 0-2 2
Cheltenham 2-0 2
Wissahickon at Plymouth Whitemarsh (Postponed)
Non-league
Pennridge 4, Northwestern Lehigh 0
Pennridge picked up an impressive win over two-time defending PIAA Class 3A runner-up Northwestern Lehigh.
"They were 24-1 last year with their only loss coming in the state final," Pennridge coach Pete Valimont said. "We were aware of how good of a team they were, and our guys really played well. We had four different goal scorers and really did a nice job."
The Rams jumped out to a 1-0 lead midway through the first half on a goal from freshman Aiden Castle before blowing things open after intermission.
Tallies from Matt Stevenson, Jack Gillespie, and Pat Coughlin sealed the verdict. Aiden Link, and Bob Brashear added assists in the victory.
Ryan Mayhew, and Matt Sheldon split time in goal in recording the shutout.
"Both goalies did a great job and had a clean sheet," Valimont said. "It was really hot, and we went deep into our bench, and everybody came through for us."
The Rams (2-0) play at Quakertown on Friday (3:15 p.m.).
Northwestern Lehigh 0-0 0
Pennridge 1-3 4
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