Check out the recaps for SOL girls’ soccer teams in action Tuesday. Pennsbury/Tennent photos provided courtesy of Darryl Rule of J&D Photography. Nesahminy/CR North photos provided courtesy of John Gleeson. Check back for a gallery of photos.
SOL National
Neshaminy 1, Council Rock North 0
Coming off arguably its biggest win of the season, Neshaminy had a stout test on Tuesday.
Thanks to a tweak in the lineup and a quality finish from Kristen Curley, Neshaminy passed its test and gets a few well-earned days of rest before getting back to a packed slate to finish the season.
"I was a little concerned about this one after having the big win last night in a later game at Neshaminy with a quick turnaround," Neshaminy coach Renny Papendick said. "We came out a little sluggish, we had to find our legs for the first five to 10 minutes and Council Rock North wanted the game."
Papendick said it was a very physical match, that while a bit chippy at times, contained itself to hard but clean challenges.
"I feel like I repeat myself every game, but they're a well-coached team," Papendick said. "Gavin (Flannigan) does a great job and Jorge Rodriguez, their assistant, he's great. They had a good plan, they sat back and it took us a while to get going."
In recent games, Curley had been coming off the bench while Brooke Mullin was the lone forward up top. On Tuesday, Neshaminy started the duo – who are also standout basketball players – together.
Curley had a near-buzzer beater for the goal, pouncing on the ball in the box during a scrum following a cross off the outside.
"They're just great athletes and they get it," Papendick said. "They are such great competitors and they just put themselves in the right spots. We switched our formation up a bit so Brooke had a little more support. They played with their back to the goal, they laid the ball off, we had a couple good give-and-go's, one-twos and once we got our legs we were able to control the game."
Papendick said the entire team played well but also cited the vocal energy keeper Riley Spingler provided in helping wake Neshaminy from its slow start.
He also turned again to the center midfielders – Mel Prinos, Michaela Boyd and Deanna Lebotesis.
"Deanna, it was probably the most physical she's been tonight," Papendick said. "She woke up a bit and she can really put together some passes."
Neshaminy got good play from its wide players – midfielders Gina Sexton and Emily Tantala and left back Alex Ziegler – to help open up some scoring chances.
"We had a spark from the bench with Kristen but also Alyssa Porter, who's a senior and a do-everything player, she came in outside and gave us quality minutes," Papendick said. "Our two juniors in Gina Sexton and Emily Tantala give consistent effort. Alex Zeigler was able to get forward and overlap Emily a bit so we got some balls in the box from her."
Neshaminy (9-3, 7-2) goes back to work Friday at William Tennent while CR North (7-7-1, 4-6-1) is off until Monday’s non-league game against visiting Souderton.
NESHAMINY 1 0 – 1
COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 0 0 – 0
Goals: N – Kristen Curley
Pennsbury 2, William Tennent 0
It's easy for a good goalkeeper to get lost in the shuffle.
With the Falcons bursting out of the gates offensively, Alyssa O'Driscoll quietly went about her work in the back. Coming off the team's first conference loss of the season on Monday, she also made sure the losing streak ended at one game on Tuesday.
"Right out of the gate, Alyssa had to make two big saves," Falcons coach Kaitlyn Battiste said. "She made it look routine, but they were not easy. She gave us the opportunity to right the ship and bounce back after last night's match."
Defender Ella Palmieri took the torch from her keeper and spread it around the back as Pennsbury posted its seventh clean sheet of the season. Palmieri also fed Christine Cataldo-Smith for the first goal of the game while Cataldo-Smith returned the favor by assisting Evie Ciaccia's insurance tally.
"Once again, Christine did what we needed her to do on offense while Kelli Hunter, Kasey Kowal and Deann Weir gave us solid minutes in relief," Battiste said. "I was really happy to see all my seniors step up in various roles today."
Battiste said she's even guilty of just assuming O'Driscoll knows how well she's playing but added the keeper has raised her level of play through a lot of hard work and time put into her craft.
"A lot of Alyssa's success can be attributed to how she understands the responsibilities of the position and never gets too high or too low with her emotions," Battiste said. "She's comfortable making a variety of saves and also playing and distributing the ball with her feet.
"Her teammates feel confident with her in goal and other teams really have to earn it if they slip one by her."
Pennsbury sits near the top of the District I 4A table, but like most teams, has a daunting stretch ahead.
"These last two weeks of the season are a grind for all the teams in the league," Battiste said. "We're going to need a total team effort in order to continue to grow."
Pennsbury (10-2-1, 7-1-1 SOL) hosts Council Rock South on Thursday while Tennent (5-8, 3-5) hosts Neshaminy on Friday.
PENNSBURY 1 1 – 2
WILLIAM TENNENT 0 0 – 0
Goals: P – Christine Cataldo-Smith, Evie Ciaccia
Council Rock South 3, Bensalem 0
Senior Night is always a mixed bag for the team hosting the festivities.
The Golden Hawks didn't have to worry about it Tuesday as they came out ready and picked up a result over a surging and confident Owls team.
"I thought our girls came out with intensity from the opening whistle and really dictated the tempo of the game," Hawks coach Nick Heim said. "We found feet and moved the ball well."
Sammy Jones scored a pair of goals while Allie Jones assisted two for CR South. Karly Wunder scored the other goal while Aubrey Hondros stayed impactful offensively with an assist.
"Maddie Ellershaw was solid in the midfield linking play and winning 50/50 balls," Heim said. "Our offense was dangerous throughout the night. Erin McStravock played very well up top keeping possession and finding passing lanes."
Bensalem hasn't been giving up many goals of late, so the Golden Hawks had to work hard for their chances.
"They have a very good combination of center backs and goal," Heim said. "We really stressed playing fast and attacking defenders one-on-one."
CR South honored its seven seniors, including keepers Chelsea Jameson and Emily Helmich, who combined for three saves.
"They're a group that has a ton of pride in wearing South on their jerseys. They're a group that's really stressed the family atmosphere we want and the culture we are trying to build," Heim said. "Most of the seniors started on the JV team together and grew those leadership skills amongst their peers before bringing it up to the varsity level. They were a huge part of getting the league title last year and have been crucial to setting the standards the program has now.
"And most of all, they're great kids with great families that totally buy into what we're trying to accomplish."
Bensalem (5-6-2, 4-4-1 SOL) visits Harry S Truman on Thursday while CR South (9-3-1, 5-2-1) goes on the road to Pennsbury.
COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 2 1 – 3
BENSALEM 0 0 – 0
Goals: CRS – Sammy Jones 2, Karly Wunder
SOL Continental
Pennridge 2, Central Bucks South 0
Rams’ senior Abby Groff gets a lot of plaudits for her work rate and goal scoring, but her twin sister Molly is a very good soccer player as well.
After a scoreless first half, Molly found Abby for a goal and Pennridge was able to see its way to a pivotal win in the very tight SOL Continental title race.
"Molly's been putting time in to practice her corners and when you see a player putting that time in and they get the opportunity to make it matter, you feel so happy for them," Rams coach Audrey Anderson said. "I was happy Abby scored it but Molly is so hard on herself that for her to put in such a dangerous corner and for Abby to be there and finish it, it made it that much sweeter."
Anderson said her team was playing too big in the first half and credited South defender Lauren Ewell for keeping the ball in front of her and not letting it find the Rams forwards. After some adjustments, Pennridge got a lot more dangerous in the second half.
One of South's strengths is playing out to the flanks and getting back inside to score goals, something the Rams tried to take away.
"Our outside backs don't give much to any wide players," Anderson said of the group that includes Holly Harbeck, Maddie Angelo and Lauren McIntyre. "They do a great job of keeping the players out wide. Our midfield was absolutely on the ball tonight as far as winning the ball out of the air so they couldn't put those type of balls in."
Molly Groff's contributions were not limited to one corner kick. The senior defender made a couple of defensive interventions that spurred the Rams on.
"The ball was going in the net and Molly came out of nowhere and stopped it," Anderson said. "It would have made the score 1-1, and that energized us a little bit. The score was 2-0 but it didn't tell the tale as both teams had scoring opportunities."
Titans coach Betsy Bullock called the first half very back and forth but noted a lack of finishes for her side.
"The Lady Titans did have opportunities with six shots offensively but were unable to convert them," Bullock said. "Goalkeeper Shannon Snuder kept South in the game with 10 saves. Pennridge is a very strong side this year with good coaching."
Anderson said her team has started to do a better job managing the game after going up multiple goals.
With about 12 minutes left, the Rams won a free kick in dangerous territory. While there are plenty of players who can take those type of kicks and Molly Groff ready to step over the ball, Anderson had another player in mind.
"Ashley Groeber can hit a ball really, really well, Chance Hendricks can hit a ball really, really well, so I have girls that can hit it but I just felt like Ashley was due," Anderson said. "I felt like at that range, it was something Ashley could do. It was a well-driven ball, really not a savable ball in my opinion, right up over the wall and into the upper 90."
The Rams (11-2, 7-2 SOL) travel to Souderton on Thursday night while CB South (8-4-1, 5-4-1) has a nonleague game with Villa Maria Academy.
PENNRIDGE 0 2 – 2
CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 0 0 – 0
Goals: P – Abby Groff, Ashley Groeber
North Penn 2, Quakertown 0
The Knights had a predicament for their Senior Night with 14 seniors and only 11 starting spots.
"This was a must-win for us and while Quakertown has not shown a good record, they're a pretty good team," Knights coach Steve Whitby said. "The seniors did well, they got a lot of playing time and they deserved it."
Whitby started 11 seniors and his first three subs were the others. They were given instructions to play well when they were in, or another senior would take their place.
Senior keeper Ashley Schmidt made a huge save in the first half, denying an open header from Melina Jagiello.
Both goals came from North Penn senior Lauren Ruth. Her first goal came off a terrific header following a Grace Sacchetti corner with about 30 seconds left in the first half, and she capped the game with a side-step and finish in the game's final seconds.
"She's learning the system, passing the ball and seeing she can't do some of the things she did the last couple of years (at Archbishop Wood)," Whitby said. "We're playing at a higher level, but she's caught up to our system and is a great asset to have."
All the seniors who came in for North Penn had their moments and the team continued its frenzied, high work-rate style that has the Knights in contention for a district playoff spot.
"We've gotten fitter as the season's gone on and we've had a chance to use some of our other players throughout the season," Whitby said. "We were not the fittest team in the league and I think we are now."
North Penn (6-5-3, 4-3-2 SOL) visits CB West on Thursday while Quakertown (2-10-2, 0-8-1) visits Central Bucks East.
NORTH PENN 1 1 – 2
QUAKERTOWN 0 0 – 0
Goals: NP – Lauren Ruth 2
Central Bucks East 1, Souderton 1
Souderton's played a lot of extra soccer this fall and the trend continued on Tuesday.
After a stalemate of a start, even with East hitting a crossbar, the Indians struck first.
"With about three minutes left in the half Souderton earned themselves a corner kick. Senior Kailee Harwick served in a great ball that was met with a thunderous header from senior Sarah Readinger," Souderton assistant coach Ian Smith said. "The East goalkeeper was able to get behind it, but the rebound fell to junior Rachel Croll who hit the ball into the top corner with a well-placed finish."
Souderton took the lead into the break and the second half continued with both teams pressing for another opportunity.
"Souderton had their best chance of the half with 13 minutes left. Souderton worked the ball from their defense to sophomore Taylor Yoder, who then cut inside and slipped a ball to senior Campbell Power," Smith said. "Power had worked herself into an excellent position to unleash the shot but East defended well and deflected for a corner."
The Patriots surged back and with about five minutes left, found the equalizer.
"The ball found an unmarked player in the center, just outside Souderton's 18. Souderton wasn't able to step in time and East punched home an unstoppable finish to tie the match," Smith said.
Souderton (7-2-5, 4-2-4 SOL) hosts Pennridge Thursday night while CB East (5-7-2, 2-6-2) hosts Quakertown.
CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 0 1 0 0 – 1
SOUDERTON 1 0 0 0 – 1
SOL American
Abington 9, Plymouth Whitemarsh 0
In preseason, the Ghosts talked about making a good first impression in their new league.
With their big win Tuesday, they clinched at minimum a share of the SOL American conference. For a team with a starting 11 of seniors, it was a big moment.
"That's why you play, so that part of it is good and it's a testament to the effort they're putting in," Ghosts coach Rick Tompkins said. "But it doesn't end here. We have a lot of games left in the regular season and we're hoping to make noise in the playoffs. That's when we'll find out if we're any good."
Casey Touey led the Abington attack with two goals and an assist. Senior Bella Azcona, a reserve who hasn't seen a ton of minutes this season, netted the last two goals late in the game. Camryn Lexow had a goal and assist, as did Elizabeth Tracey.
Camille Muginer, Arianna Mancini and Kaleigh Serianni also scored for Abington, which led 4-0 at the break.
The Ghosts posted a shutout, with senior keeper Ashley Hopper making eight stops, and the Colonials didn't go away despite going down early.
"There were a lot of shots against us," Tompkins said. "But, if you want to get into a track meet with us, you could be in trouble."
The senior class, headlined by Lexow and Kailey Horton, has a ton of talent but just as important is their maturity.
"Lexow and Horton, they're ridiculous players but they also set the tone and don't stand for any nonsense," Tompkins said. "Today, I'm at work in court down at Lower Merion so I called my wife and said you have to be on the bus, but don't worry, the girls will take care of everything. She gets on the bus, everything is there, they're lined up and ready to go."
Tompkins said his players, especially the seniors have done a good job of pulling for each other as well. When Azcona scored her goals, the entire bench, with the starters all sitting on it, went nuts.
"They lead by example, they're great kids, great students and great athletes," Tompkins said. "They're everything you'd want your daughter to be."
Abington (12-1, 11-0 SOL) visits Wissahickon on Thursday. PW (6-8, 5-6), which still has an avenue to win its way into the playoffs, will be at Upper Dublin on Thursday night.
ABINGTON 4 5 – 9
PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 0 0 – 0
Goals: A – Casey Touey 2, Bella Azcona 2, Camryn Lexow, Elizabeth Tracey, Camille Muginer, Kaleigh Serianni, Arianna Mancini
Upper Dublin 4, Upper Moreland 1
The two most important players for the Cardinals on Tuesday were a senior and a freshman.
The senior, Tina Haig, had it going on offense by scoring a hat trick and using both feet to do it. The freshman, Rachel Adelman, bailed her team out with some crucial saves in goal.
"We definitely played a good game today, but Upper Moreland came down and created some dangerous chances," UD coach John Topper said. "There were a few saves Rachel made that you wouldn't expect a keeper to make. Her quick reflexes and great positioning have been there all year but today, she made the game more comfortable for us."
Topper said Adelman has really built up trust and confidence with her back line during the year, even as injuries have changed the lineup in front of her, the group is usually on the same page.
"She's finding her voice out there and they listen to her direction," Topper said. "You can see the confidence they have in her in the way they play the ball back to her and know she'll make good decisions."
Haig has taken on a little extra responsibility in the midfield due to a spate of injuries behind her, but the senior is always looking to take her chances on goal. Tuesday, she was really good at making the most of them.
Topper said Haig scored two goals with her right foot and the other with her left.
"When she's able to face the goal, she's at her most dangerous," Topper said. "None of them were easy finishes. They were all between 16-20 yards out. She may have been man-marked but she found time and space to get her shot off and she was the difference today."
Topper also cited the play of Emily Booth, who scored UD's fourth goal, winger Anna Desch and junior Laura Pendleton. Pendleton played at center back Tuesday, continuing her trend of filling in wherever needed.
UD is in solid standing for a playoff bid but the Cardinals are still looking to close the season strong.
"If we can jump a few more spots in the playoff standings and get some
momentum, I think we can do some damage," Topper said.
UD (8-6, 7-4 SOL) hosts PW on Thursday night while Upper Moreland (7-7, 4-7) hosts Springfield Twp.
UPPER DUBLIN 2 2 – 4
UPPER MORELAND 0 1 – 1
Goals: UD – Tina Haig 3, Emily Booth; UM – Kathryn Morrow
Wissahickon 4, Cheltenham 0
Two goals by Carly Amato paced the Trojans on Tuesday.
Anna May and Sam Cominitski also scored.
"Lieke Black helped neutralize some fast attackers for Cheltenham," said Wissahickon coach Chris McDaniels. "(We got) some nice saves by Quinn Kiessel in goal."
Wissahickon (6-8, 6-5 SOL) will host Abington on Thursday, and Cheltenham (4-10, 1-10) will host Hatboro-Horsham on Thursday.
Hatboro-Horsham 2, Springfield Twp 1
Maggie O'Neill and Grace Raskay found the back of the net for the Hatters, who overcame a tough Springfield side to earn the Senior Night win.
"Cam Ryan, Marissa Rapino and Maggie O'Neill played a great game and stepped up for the Lady Hatters," Hatboro-Horsham coach Kelsey Daley said.
Hatboro-Horsham (9-5, 8-3 SOL) will travel to Cheltenham Thursday, and Springfield Township (3-10, 2-9) will be on the road at Upper Moreland.
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