Check out the recaps for SOL girls’ soccer teams in action Tuesday. CR North/CR South photos provided courtesy of John Gleeson. Check back for a gallery of photos. CLICK HERE to go directly the SOS galleries.
SOL AMERICAN
Plymouth Whitemarsh 1, Hatboro-Horsham 0
Colonials coach Ryan Zehren had been saving his big motivational halftime speech all season.
He had the chance to break it out Tuesday night.
"I've been saving a good halftime speech for a while, but I don't know if they even needed it," Zehren said. "They knew what they had to do. It's all them, all the players and what they worked for."
A first-minute goal turned to a standout defensive effort as the Colonials held their ground for nearly 79 minutes under pressure from the Hatters.
"Our defense really rose to the occasion and stepped up," Zehren said. "Our defense even scored the goal, Josee Tassoni headed in a ball from Gabby Cooper. It was a great goal, something we read from the film and worked into our game plan."
Of course, PW wasn't expecting to get one in the first minute of play so it put the defensive plan the Colonials had to the test right away. Cooper played a long free kick into the box that Tassoni found off a bounce for the only tally either way.
"The ball was down in our defensive end most of the time, but we still had our opportunities and were able to counter," Zehren said. "They're most dangerous on their counter and they were able to possess the ball on our defensive side but we talked about what to do if that were to happen."
Tassoni and Bella McNew anchored the robust Colonials defense, along with outside backs Cooper and Kaitlyn Flanagan in front of sophomore keeper Devon Skiles. Skiles made every save needed and some other key plays that included a sliding challenge to take the ball away from a Hatters forward coming toward the goal late in the game.
The Hatters adjusted in the second half, sending extra players up in attack and Zehren said they were all solid tactical moves that forced his team to re-adjust on the fly.
Zehren also cited the play of his defensive midfielders like Anni Shula, Natalie Lannie, Ashley Amon and Calie Branscome. Amon and Branscome were effective at winning tackles and challenging for headers.
"It's something we worked on the last couple years, we just haven't been great in the air," Zehren said. "If I showed you film from last year, we might have two headers per game where this year, we may have 20-25. Bella, Josee, Cooper, Flanagan, Natalie Lannon have been strong and Ashley Amon had a great game tonight."
The Colonials are 24th in the latest District One 4A power rankings while the Hatters are ninth.
PW (5-4, 4-3) starts the second half of SOL American play against Wissahickon on Thursday while Hatboro-Horsham (6-3, 5-2) hosts Upper Dublin on Thursday afternoon.
PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 1 0 – 1
HATBORO-HORSHAM 0 0 – 0
Goals: PW – Josee Tassoni
Upper Moreland 2, Wissahickon 1
It was a win that was a long time coming for the Golden Bears.
Since 2009, when girls' soccer was still a spring sport, Wissahickon owned a 17-0-2 record against Upper Moreland, which included a 14-match winning streak between a draw on Sept. 22, 2010 and a tie last fall on October 16.
"It was a solid team effort today for Upper Moreland," Bears coach Lisa Benvenuto said. "We won the majority of 50/50 balls and were able finish when we needed too."
Sarah Veneziale staked UM to an early lead by converting a penalty kick in the 10th minute. The Bears gave it back on an own goal late in the half, but were still tied 1-1 at the break.
Kathryn Morrow, on an assist by Madison Zachwieja, scored the game-winner in the 74th minute.
Like most of the area, the match was contested in a steady and challenging rain.
"We played simply, looking to switch the field when we could," Benvenuto said. "When the rain really started falling, we became more aware of the field conditions and the importance of getting to the ball first."
The difference maker to Benvenuto was the play of her defensive unit.
"Chloe Leiter, Kaiya Herb and Maddie Gerlach have been solid for us on the defensive end," Benvenuto said. "They have shown grit and determination in winning the ball and containing offensive advances."
Bears keeper Jaclyn Martino was also a key contributor.
"She has been commanding her back line and reading her angles well," Benvenuto said. "Today's game really tested Jac and she was able to keep the ball in front of her and deliver her clearances to our girls. She was tremendous for us today."
Wissahickon (3-6, 3-4 SOL) visits Plymouth Whitemarsh on Thursday while Upper Moreland (4-4, 3-4) is at Cheltenham as the second half of SOL American play begins.
UPPER MORELAND 1 1 – 2
WISSAHICKON 1 0 – 1
Goals: UM – Sarah Veneziale, Kathryn Morrow
SOL CONTINENTAL
Souderton 1, Quakertown 0 OT
Campbell Power found herself at the right place in overtime to hand the Indians a hard-fought win.
"Souderton continued their good run of form at Quakertown on Tuesday evening with a 1-0 victory," Indians assistant coach Ian Smith said. "The win did not come easy, as a resilient Quakertown defense forced Souderton into overtime despite Souderton's constant barrage of shooting."
Senior co-captains Power and Sara Readinger led the efforts early from their center midfield spots, setting up and taking some early shots to test the Panthers. Power, in particular, made it known she intended to be a presence in the match.
"With 15 minutes left in the first half, Power let loose a long-range effort that forced Quakertown's goalie into a difficult save. The rebound was pushed wide of the net as sophomore Averie Doughty crashed forward, but she was unable to apply the finishing touch and forced the ball just wide of the net," Smith said. "At the end of the first half, Souderton had outshot Quakertown 17-1, with eight of those shots coming from Power."
Quakertown's defense and goalkeeping have been beyond solid all season and the Panthers held their ground in the second half, limiting Souderton to mainly long-range shots.
"Souderton's frustration intensified, as Readinger pushed forward on an impressive solo run through the midfield, culminating in a shot that rocked the crossbar with 18 minutes left in the half," Smith said. "From that point forward, Quakertown seemed to gain momentum, as Souderton resorted to throwing the ball forward without much purpose."
After 80 minutes, the game remained scoreless and Souderton was able to re-establish some of its control early into the extra time.
"With two minutes left in the first overtime period, senior Erin O'Keefe was able to control the ball in Quakertown's half and play a smart through ball to sophomore Hannah Alderfer as she made a run in behind Quakertown's defense," Smith said. "Alderfer was through on net with a defender trailing her as Quakertown's keeper came out to stop the ball. The sliding save found the goalkeeper on the ground while the ball rolled away to an onrushing Power, who was able to pass the ball through the traffic of bodies for the game winning goal."
Souderton posted a 34-5 advantage in shots.
The Indians (5-1-2, 3-1-2 SOL) – eighth in the latest District One 4A power rankings – travel to North Penn on Thursday while the Panthers (0-6-2, 0-5-1) take a trip to CB South as both begin the second half of SOL play.
SOUDERTON 0 0 1 – 1
QUAKERTOWN 0 0 0 – 0
Goals: S – Campbell Power
Pennridge 3, North Penn 2
A pair of Abby Groff goals matched the Knights' output while Lindsey DeHaven delivered a winner for the Continental-leading Rams.
"I thought we worked really hard as a team to get the win," Rams coach Audrey Anderson said. "Lindsey had an amazing goal to put us out in front. She was super-composed when she volleyed the ball over the keeper into the goal."
Groff has scored five goals in the team's last two games after burying all three Rams goals in a 3-1 win over CB East on Sept. 20.
"Abby had another great game going to goal," Anderson said of the senior.
The Knights' organization and effort has been strong all season and Pennridge needed a full team effort to pick up the three points.
"My backs and midfielders were great out of the air again today," Anderson said.
Pennridge (8-1, 6-1 SOL) is idle until Friday when it travels to CR South for a nonleague contest while North Penn (4-6-2, 2-4-1) hosts Souderton to start its second half of SOL Continental play.
PENNRIDGE – 3
NORTH PENN – 2
Goals: P – Abby Groff 2, Lindsey DeHaven
SOL NATIONAL
William Tennent 5, Harry S Truman 0
The Panthers won a rain-shortened match Tuesday, scoring all five of their goals in the first half.
"We ended with about 18 minutes left and the turf field started to flood," Panthers coach Bill Tennent said.
Per PIAA rules, games become official after one full half of play is completed.
Caroline Weir's 12th minute score started a four-goals in six-minute spree for Tennent. Gabby Sowers, Olivia Miller and Jess Jara all netted goals by the 18th minute while Danielle Moss added a tally in the 39th minute.
While the Panthers picked up a conference win, they also had to battle heavy rains prior to the game getting called.
"It was brutal with the rain coming down," Hontz said. "I couldn't see across the field at one point."
Truman (0-8, 0-6) visits Council Rock South on Thursday. Tennent (5-4, 3-2) is off until Saturday, when it hosts Nazareth Academy in a nonleague game.
WILLIAM TENNENT 5 0 – 5
HARRY S TRUMAN 0 0 – 0
Goals: WT – Caroline Weir, Gabby Sowers, Olivia Miller, Jess Jara, Danielle Moss.
Council Rock North 0, Council Rock South 0 (incomplete)
The Indians and Golden Hawks got through 80 minutes of scoreless soccer on Tuesday, but still have to contest the overtime sessions at a later date.
"Both teams had a couple chances. Both goalkeepers did well in terrible conditions," CR North Gavin Flannagan said.
CR South (4-2, 2-2 SOL) hosts Harry S Truman on Thursday while the Indians (4-5, 2-4) host Pennsbury.
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