Check out the recaps for SOL boys/girls soccer teams in action Friday.
Boys
Non-league
ABINGTON 4, NESHAMINY 1
The Ghosts opened up a 2-0 halftime lead over their visitors en route to their 10th win of the season.
Sean Touey connected for a pair of goals to lead the Ghosts. Reece Biggs and Thomas Spantangelo each added a goal.
Abington (10-6, 6-1 SOL) will host Upper Moreland on Tuesday, and Neshaminy (4-4, 3-2) will be on the road at Council Rock South.
Neshaminy 0-1 1
Abington 2-2 4
Girls
Non-league
PENNRIDGE 2, COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 1
Pennridge might have won, but this was a productive match for both sides involved.
Not only that, but it was a pretty good one as well.
"I enjoyed playing that team," Rams coach Audrey Anderson said. "They were very well coached and they played great soccer. It was nice to see – honestly, we hadn't played them in a few years and to play somebody out of conference that plays the kind of soccer they do was really nice."
Pennridge built a 2-0 lead, but found itself fending off a Golden Hawks team driven to find a result for much of the second half. CR South coach Nick Heim knew in the short term playing Pennridge could hurt his team, but the long term payoff would more than make up for it.
As it stood Friday night, the win moved Pennridge up to No. 4 in the District I 4A rankings while CR South was the first side out at No. 25, but the Hawks have a lot of matches left to play after a rain-soaked first half of the season.
"It was a tough result but we scheduled Pennridge this year knowing it may hurt us immediately but would help playing a team of that caliber down the line," Heim said. "They're well coached, experienced, aggressive and move the ball better than any team we've seen in quite some time. They took it to us in the first half and Emily Hemlich made a few big saves in the first half."
The match was originally scheduled to be played at CR South, but field conditions made that unable to happen. Heim thanked Pennridge for making some last-minute accommodations and hosting the game so both squads could get it played.
"It was a great game to watch and it was exciting to play a team from the Continental," Heim said. "This was the type of game that the SOL provides on a daily basis that makes it the best league in the state. It's no wonder if you can survive in the SOL, you've got a good shot at advancing through states."
Abby Groff provided the opening goal for Pennridge, cashing in on a rebound off a ball from Holly Harbeck.
"It was a good outcome for us and a good result, we played hard in the first half and got a lot of good things going," Anderson said. "I definitely feel it builds some confidence for us going into the second half of the season after playing a team out of conference that was as talented as they are."
Lauren McIntyre scored what would hold up as the game-winner after an assist from Lindsey DeHaven. Anderson noted DeHaven's impact both working back to get the ball and late in the game, taking the ball wide and keeping composure to help burn some time off the clock.
McIntyre continues to fill a variety of roles for the Rams. The senior started Friday's match as a forward and finished it as a defender and Anderson has no qualms about asking McIntyre to plug in either area and excel.
"She's really a threat on the outside offensively and defensively," Anderson said. "She keeps the game simple, she doesn't overthink it. It's the same game for her if she's playing up top or outside back. The fact she keeps it simple and can create scoring opportunities as a forward or a back speaks to her abilities."
The Hawks felt they were in the game and came out pressing hard in the second half.
"We made a few halftime adjustments that really fueled a great second half for us," Heim said. "I think we had the better run of play in the second half. Allie Jones scored on a Sammy Jones assist and we had some serious chances to tie the game. We leave with a loss on the record but we played our best 40 minutes of the season in that second half."
On top of Sammy and Allie Jones, Heim noted the play of midfielders Kimmie Herritt and Karly Wunder. Pennridge's midfield had its work cut out for it, and Anderson felt Maddie Anderson and Nicolette Harrison did well to defend the Hawks in the middle.
"Their midfield is super-dangerous," Anderson said. "When they would get the ball and dribble – it was nice to play against a team like that because it helps us going foward if we play a team that's good at dribbling through the middle."
Heim also tasked one of his youngest players with marking Groff, the Rams' terrific senior forward.
"Freshman Dana DeDominics was tasked with making sure Groff didn't get too many looks at net and she held her own very, very well," Heim said.
Anderson was pleased with the way her team closed out the game while under a lot of pressure. She felt the Rams played a little too panicked in a win over North Penn earlier in the week, but didn't unravel when CR South scored to cut their lead in half.
"We're growing as a team and clearly the girls enjoy playing with each other which I think is huge going into the second half of the season," Anderson said. "They've already spent weeks and weeks with each other and add on another four weeks, so I'm happy they're liking each other. We're going to look at what success means to us as a team in the second half and hopefully build from that. They're playing with a lot of confidence now."
Pennridge (8-1, 5-1 SOL) will travel to Quakertown on Tuesday, and Council Rock South (5-3, 3-2) will be on the road at Neshaminy.
PENNRIDGE 2 0 – 2
COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 0 1 – 1
Goals: P – Abby Groff, Lauren McIntyre; CRS – Allie Jones
UPPER MORELAND 1, MERION MERCY 0
Grace Burns scored on the follow of a Kathryn Morrow shot with 12 minutes remaining in the first half. That 1-0 lead stood the rest of the way.
“Today our mind set was to get on the scoreboard early and keep possession of the ball,” coach Lisa Benvenuto said. “We pressed Merion Mercy and were able to finish. Grace Burns has really stepped up for us this week. She is working hard to get to the ball first and she is delivering, whether on a pass or finishing.”
The Golden Bears went on to laud the efforts of several players on the back line.
“Senior back Maddie Gerlach had a really strong game too,” Benvenuto said. “Between Mad and Jac, our back line knows where to be and who is dangerous. Their communication has been key for us this week. Jaclyn has taken on a more commandive role and it shows. She is playing with confidence and poise.”
The Golden Bears played their third game of the week Friday, notching their third win in as many outings.
“This was a big week for us,” Benvenuto said. “Three games on three different surfaces under all different weather condition and we got three wins.
“It’s great to see the girls coming together as a team. We have another big week ahead of us. This momentum is just what we need.”
Upper Moreland (6-4, 4-4) will travel to Abington on Tuesday.
MERION MERCY 0 0 – 0
UPPER MORELAND 1 0 – 1
Goals: Grace Burns
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