Neshaminy, CR South & CB South were winners in Monday’s opening round of the District One 3A Tournament. Photos of the Neshaminy/Pennsbury game were provided by John Gleeson. CLICK HERE to go the SOS photo galleries.
CLASS 3A
#1-9 NESHAMINY 1, #1-24 PENNSBURY 0
The third time wasn’t the charm for the Falcons, but it wasn’t especially easy for the Redskins either. It took a Jamie Pennington goal with an assist from Kayla Connelly with 24:23 remaining to break a scoreless tie, propelling the Redskins to their third win in as many games against their archrivals this season.
“We had so many opportunities, we had so many shots I thought were going to go in,” Neshaminy coach Jamie Pinto said. “We were working on that at practice the other day, just staying low and finishing.
“We had the opportunities, but I think it’s tough. It was the first round of districts playing Pennsbury who we’ve played two times and just played last week (a 3-1 win). We knew they would come out hard. It was a tough situation playing them for the third time, and it meant something. Pennsbury always comes out really hard for us, always.
“We were back on our heels a little bit at the beginning of the game. They didn’t get any shots off, but they were definitely putting pressure on the first 10 minutes or so.”
Making life difficult for the Redskins was a Falcon defense anchored by goalie Keira Korzeb. The Redskins – who had 18 corners in the game – drew 10 first-half corners but came up empty.
“She played so well,” Pinto said of Korzeb. “She made some great saves. We know from obviously playing them twice that she goes down and she moves all around the goalmouth, so we were working on that at practice the other day too. That’s always been a little issue playing them as we obviously know.”
Redskin junior Peyton Ritchey spent the game carrying the ball down the right alley and into the circle.
“She did well – her speed is unbelievable,” Pinto said. “She’s improved so much over the last couple of years. This year I think she’s more confident in herself. She knows what she can do, and her speed is one of our strongest suits up top.”
Also earning props were midfielders Pennington and sophomore Maddie Neiman – both were key in keeping the ball in the Falcons’ defensive end.
“Maddie Neiman has been playing well at right mid,” Pinto said. “She’s young, and she’s really been stepping up into that role this year. She’s more of a quiet player, but she brings a presence as she’s playing.
“Jamie did a nice job stepping up today and shutting down the center of their field.”
Pinto also acknowledged the play of defenders Brooke Cordisco and Dylan Beegal.
“Brooke very consistent back there, and in the first half, Dylan had one-and-a-half defensive saves, and she made some good smart decisions for us as well.”
“This was a good game to start us out with. It was a tough game, we knew the team, and now we can just go out and play our game. We don’t know anything about Souderton. We know they’re going to be a strong team. We’re just going to come out and play our game and do what we’ve been doing all year, which is working together as a team, helping each other when we need to and supporting each other up and down the field.”
Korzeb recorded 11 saves in a stellar outing in goal for the Falcons, who played well in an all-around team effort but could not put the ball in the cage.
Neshaminy (16-3, 12-0 SOL) will travel to No. 8 Souderton on Wednesday for a 3:30 p.m. contest.
Pennsbury closed out its season with an 8-10 record (6-6 SOL).
Pennsbury 0-0 0
Neshaminy 0-1 1
#1-18 COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 1, #1-14 ABINGTON 0
The Golden Hawks capitalized on a corner with 9:18 remaining in the first half, and that goal – scored during a scramble by Kerry Kaufman with a Bridget Doherty assist – proved to be the difference in the game.
“It’s always great to get that first win in the playoffs,” South coach Lisa Belz said. Abington coach Katie Small was pleased with her team’s effort.
“Although not the outcome we were hoping for, Abington left it all on the field,” the Ghosts’ coach said. “It was a great game.
“Lots of back and forth and very few opportunities for either team. Most of the game was played between the 25s.”
The Golden Hawks held a 7-4 advantage in corners.
“It was a midfield kind of game – back and forth,” Belz said. “Rachel Rolle, my center mid, played outstanding. She really controlled the midfield.
“Sarah Beyer, at sweeper, also played well. There was a couple of breakaways, and she was able to stop them.
“We had to do a little bit of changing around because we have some injured players. (Katelyn) Cocco was being marked the whole game. We had to make some adjustments, but overall, I felt the team played very well together.”
Belz also lauded the strong play of Abington’s Paige Doyle, and Small also acknowledged the play of several players.
“Aileen Hughes, Olivia Geissler, Paige Doyle, Anna Joseph and Aly Campbell all had excellent games,” the Ghosts’ coach said. “Grace Kirwin did a great job marking out CRS player Katelyn Cocco.
“(I’m) so proud of these girls and all their hard work and dedication they put into the season. We wish our seniors the best of luck.”
Aspen Handel recorded six saves in the shutout win. Abington goalie Ellie Hughes turned away seven shots.
Council Rock South (10-7-2, 9-2-1 SOL) will travel to No. 2 Perkiomen Valley on Wednesday.
Council Rock South 1-0 1
Abington 0-0 0
#1-12 CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 5, #1-21 LOWER MERION 0
Sparked by the three-goal, one assist effort of senior Casey Reilly, the Titans scored early and often, opening up a 5-0 halftime lead on their way to the no-doubt-about-it win.
“I felt like we played as a team – we played a very good team game,” coach Pat Toner said. “As a team, we played exceptionally well tonight, and I hope it continues. I’m so glad I get to see them again.”
Arianna Conte (Sophia Wasyliw assist) put the Titans on the board just over two minutes into the game. Two minutes later, Reilly went to work, scoring a goal with an assist from Megan Weeks.
“Casey Reilly had a great game, and Megan Weeks played amazing in the midfield,” Toner said.
With 11 minutes remaining in the first half, Annie Brady scored with a Reilly assist. Reilly scored back-to-back goals in the final 7:44 to send the Titans into halftime with the commanding 5-0 lead.
“They shut us down the second half, and I thought they did a good job – they hustled to the ball the entire time,” Toner said. “Yes, we did play pretty well.
“My concern was – we’ve had this illness going through our team. We had to play Souderton without our center mid. We had to play today without one of our top defenders (Anna Gillard), so I was concerned, but people are doing a good job when they need to step up. I am so proud of senior Kelsey McDonald for the great job she did stepping into that role on defense.
South’s dominance is underscored by their 17-1 advantage in shots on goal. Jillian Heilig recorded one save in the shutout.
“We’ve been playing pretty well defensively, and we’ve been playing pretty well as a team,” Toner said. “Our league is so hard – every game is like a playoff game, and every game is stressful. It’s never an easy game. That’s a good thing to prepare you for playoffs, so I was glad we have faced a lot of tough competition.
“We weren’t sure what to expect today. I had a hard time getting information – there wasn’t a lot on line.”
The most information Toner says she got about the Aces was that their coach – Kylie McDevitt – is married to Jason Kelce on the Eagles.
Central Bucks South (10-6-2, 6-4-2 SOL) will travel to Plymouth Whitemarsh for a second round game Wednesday at 3:30 p.m.
“They’re very good, they’re well coached,” Toner said. “I know they have a lot of talent, so I know that will be a tough game.”
Lower Merion 0-0 0
Central Bucks South 5-0 5
#1-11 SPRING-FORD 2, #1-20 PENNRIDGE 1
A goal out of a timeout during corner play with 19 seconds remaining in regulation propelled Spring-Ford to the dramatic win.
“It was a tough game with two evenly matched teams,” coach Becky Spahr said. “Spring-Ford is very skilled with a lot of speed up front. Both teams played well defensively and limited shots.”
Katelyn Christ scored the game-winner with an assist from Ashley Sessa, who also spotted Spring-Ford a 1-0 halftime lead when she found the back of the cage with 33 seconds remaining in the half.
Pennridge knotted the score when Sydney Borneman scored with a Caitlyn Amsden assist six minutes into the second half.
“Sydney scored a beautiful reverse goal to tie up the game,” Spahr said. “The rest of the game was back and forth until the last few seconds when Spring-Ford (drew) a corner. Our corner D was great all game, so it was a tough way to lose the game.
“I am proud of the intensity of our play and the growth of the team throughout the season. Big thank you to our 10 seniors for pushing our team to be our best.”
Pennridge goalie Mac Bross was credited with six saves. Spring-Ford’s Ashley Della Guardia recorded eight saves.
Pennridge closed out its season with a 9-10 record (4-8 SOL).
Pennridge 0-1 1
Spring-Ford 1-1 2
1-14 METHACTON 5, #1-19 COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 0
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