SOL Girls’ Soccer District Preview (10-25-18)

Nine SOL girls’ soccer squads will be in action in Thursday’s District One Tournament.

Eight squads in the 16-team field in Thursday’s second round of the District One 4A Tournament are from the SOL. Three of the eight games are all-SOL contests.

Neshaminy will travel to Pennsbury for the third meeting between the two schools. The two teams split the regular season meetings with Neshaminy winning the first (1-0) and Pennsbury edging the Redskins 3-2 in last week’s contest for the SOL National crown. SOL Continental Conference rivals North Penn and Pennridge will also meet for the third time this season. The Rams won both regular season contests (3-2 & 2-0). Central Bucks South will be on the road at Abington in the third all-SOL contest. The two teams did not meet in the regular season. Only Central Bucks West and Souderton will do battle with schools outside of the SOL.

Upper Moreland – the ninth SOL school still alive – will face defending state runner-up Villa Joseph Marie in Class 3A action Thursday.

CLASS 4A
No. 14 North Penn Knights at No. 3 Pennridge Rams (Thursday, 7 p.m.)
Pennridge
Once again, the Rams find themselves as one of the top seeds in the District I bracket. Last year, they saw their season come to a shocking end in the second round but returned nine of 11 starters plus plenty more key reserves off that side. A third straight SOL Continental title was nice, but the squad's eight seniors have visions of more.

15-2-1 overall
9-2-1 SOL Continental (conference champion)
Regular season wins over District I 4A No. 5 Abington (5-2 Oct. 12), District I 4A No. 7 Souderton (1-0 Sept. 17), District I 4A No. 22 Central Bucks South (2-0 Sept. 14, 2-0 Oct. 9), District I 4A No. 11 Council Rock South (2-1 Sept. 28), District I 4A No. 13 Hatboro-Horsham (2-0 Oct. 5), District I 4A No. 14 North Penn (3-2 Sept. 25, 2-0 Oct. 18)
Strong and deep midfield unit led by seniors Ashley Groeber and Nicolette Harrison and juniors Chance Hendricks and Maddie Anderson can control flow of game in both directions. Defensively sound and offensively capable group.
Senior keeper Mary Kate Levush directs speedy back line featuring Sarah Williams, Molly Groff, Maddie Angelo, Holly Harbeck and Lauren McIntyre.
Forward unit led by Abby Groff and Lindsey DeHaven with Leah Malone and McIntyre filling in as needed.

How they got here: Opening round bye

North Penn Knights
The Knights had a tremendous second half of the season and they rode that momentum all the way to a home playoff game in their first postseason appearance in three seasons. North Penn adopted a high-tempo system that sends waves of pressure at opponents. An extremely fit side, the Knights are ready to see what they can do in the playoffs.

10-6-3 overall
6-4-2 SOL Continental (tie-third place)
Regular season wins over District I 4A No. 4 Central Bucks West (5-2) Oct. 11, Philadelphia Catholic League No. 1 Archbishop Ryan (1-0 Oct. 13), District I 4A
Senior Lauren Ruth, a transfer from Archbishop Wood, has added more scoring punch to a opportunistic group that includes Liv Urban, Zoei Baines and Grace Sacchetti.
Aggressive midfield unit led by Liv Jerome, Marissa Werner and Tia Sheehy
Senior keeper Ashley Schmidt is a solid shot-stopper behind a quick backline paced by Josie Ruzek and Emily Schurr.

How they got here: in the opening round, North Penn earned a convincing 4-0 win over 19^th-seeded Avon Grove. Lauren Ruth scored a pair of goals while Zoei Baines and Sophie Broadhurst each added a goal.

No. 20 Penncrest Lions at No. 4 Central Bucks West Bucks (Thursday, 7:30 p.m.)
Central Bucks West
While a late-season surge wasn't quite enough to get the Bucks into the postseason last year, the returning veterans, supplemented by a strong cast of newcomers, left no doubt this fall. West not only earned a first round bye, but it contended for an SOL Continental title and played an entertaining brand of attacking soccer.

13-4-0 overall
8-4-0 SOL Continental (Second place)
Regular season wins over District I 4A No. 3 Pennridge (1-0 Sept. 12, 1-0 Oct. 4), District I 4A No. 12 Spring-Ford (3-1 Sept. 8), District I 4A No. 13 Hatboro-Horsham (3-0 Sept. 15), District I 4A No. 14 North Penn (3-1 Sept. 17), District I 4A No. 22 Central Bucks South (3-2 Oct. 18, 2-0 Sept. 24), District I 4A No. 23 Perkiomen Valley (4-1 Oct. 1)
Senior captain Trish Hauck is as versatile as they come, able to play as a defensive stopper or attacking threat up top or high in midfield.
Twins Ryan and Erin Fitzsimmons have been catalysts in attack, as has freshman Taylor Moyer in the midfield. Senior Alex Craine is the team's steady presence up top while Tori Albrecht has been a threat with shooting and restart services.
Megan Gallagher, Keely McGlone and Arianna D'Elia hold down the back in front of keeper Jenna Abaza

How they got here: Opening round bye.

Penncrest Lions
The Lions were a power in 3A, making states the past two seasons but bumped up a class with the re-set this summer. It hasn't stopped them from being a competitive side in the Central League and they're looking to parlay the last two years of long playoff runs against a new level of competition.

8-5-4 overall
Sarah Hughes, Logan Morris and Kenna Kaut lead the Lions back line. Fullbacks Morris and Kaut are also very good at getting forward in the attack and on set pieces.
Amber Wolfe, Julia Mullaney, Kara Mullaney and Gabby DiAntonio are among the notable scoring options for Penncrest.

How they got here: In the opening round, Penncrest upset No. 13 Hatboro-Horsham 4-0.

No. 11 Central Bucks South Titans at No. 6 Abington Galloping Ghosts (Thursday, 7 p.m.)
Abington
The move to the SOL American really benefitted the Ghosts, who won the conference title behind a high-output offense that showed it can score with anyone. The defensive unit was a work in progress, but made some good strides throughout the year. Back in the postseason for the first time since a first round loss in 2015, the Ghosts are aiming for a longer stay.

15-3-0 overall
13-1-0 SOL American (conference champions)
Regular season wins over No. 16 Upper Dublin (4-3 Sept. 12, 5-2 Oct. 4), No. 10 Neshaminy (2-1 Oct. 19), No. 13 Hatboro-Horsham (3-2 Sept. 20
Senior Camryn Lexow, a University of Virginia recruit, is team's catalyst in central midfield, capbable of scoring, set pieces and assisting. Abby Bautista has been solid as holding mid and senior Kaleigh Serianni has seen role increase later in season.
Attack paced by speedster sophomore Casey Touey at striker and dynamic senior Kailey Horton at outside forward. Elizabeth Tracey is a threat from other outside forward spot.
Keepers Liv Oliphant and Ashley Hopper have split time and success behind back line led by Arianna Mancini, Riley Crabtree, Emily Friel and Caroline Hughes.

How they got here: Opening round bye.

Central Bucks South
The Titans have dealt with their own share of injury woes this season but have relied on a typically solid defense and unselfish attacking play. South played a very difficult nonleague slate to go with the SOL Continental schedule.

10-7-1 overall
5-6-1 SOL Continental (fifth place)
Regular season wins over District I 4A No. 10 Neshaminy (2-0 Oct. 5), District I 4A No. 8 Souderton (3-1 Oct. 4), District I 4A No. 15 Great Valley (5-0 Sept. 17)
Midfield is led by Mackenzie Edwards, Grace Tecce, Lauren Farrell and Meem Edwards.
Emily Radawanski, Chelsea Nicholls and Caroline Serban have been some of South's top scoring threats throughout the season.
Defensive unit of Dori McMenamin Kari Jim, Lauren Ewell, Amanda Krysko, Izzie Manella and Bridget Curtis Shannon Snyder has played majority of time in goal but Sarah Letizia has also seen time.

How they got here: In the opening round, Central Bucks South upset No. 11 Council Rock South 2-1. Chelsea Nicholls and Mackenzie Edwards each scored a goal.

No. 10 Neshaminy Redskins at No. 7 Pennsbury Falcons (Thursday, 3:30 p.m.
Pennsbury
The Falcons are the defending District I 4A champions and have two titles during the SOL's five-year streak. They've also won the SOL National the last five seasons, keeping up a run of consistency despite graduating some key contributors. A solid all-around team, Pennsbury knows quite a bit about winning in October.

15-2-1 overall
10-1-1 SOL National (Conference champion)
Regular season wins over District I 4A No. 22 Central Bucks South (2-0 Oct. 19), District I 4A No. 10 Neshaminy (3-2 Oct. 18), District I 4A No. 11 Council Rock South (2-1 Oct. 15, 2-1 Sept. 17), District I 4A No. 22 Boyertown (2-1 Aug. 31), District I 4A No. 9 Unionville (1-0 Sept. 8)
Christine Cataldo-Smith has been extremely effective in front of goal, leading the Falcons in scoring since the first game of the season. Evie Ciaccia has played a strong supporting role at the forward position.
Keeper Alyssa O'Driscoll backs up a solid defensive unit – led by Ella Palmieri, Gianna Durle, Taylor Muller and Ashley Conlow – that has posted nine shutouts this season.
Midfield has plenty of contributors including Rosie Bostian, Darrien Furiness and Gabby Zalot that work both offensively and defensively in a number of supporting roles.

How they got here: Opening round bye

Neshaminy
The state runner-up a year ago, Neshaminy has played the whole season with the goal of getting back to Hershey and finishing business. An extremely well-rounded team, Neshaminy has adjusted to first-year head coach Renny Papendick and has shown signs it intends to be a factor deep into the postseason.

13-5-0 overall
9-3-0 SOL National (second place)
Regular season wins over District 3 4A No. 2 Cumberland Valley (2-1 Oct. 16), District I 4A No. 8 Pennsbury (1-0 Oct. 8), District I No. 11 Council Rock South (2-1 Sept. 7), District I No. 9 Unionville (2-1 Sept. 1)
Brooke Mullin and Kristin Curley lead the attack for Neshaminy.
Mel Prinos, Gina Sexton, Michaela Boyd and Deanna Lebotesis have been stalwarts in the midfield with Carly Gross adding a spark as a utility player. Senior keeper Riley Spingler supports a tough back line that features Hannah Stonkos, Kelli Kowalick, Jess Deirolf and Alex Ziegler.

How they got here: In an opening round game, Neshaminy edged No. 23 Perk Valley 2-1. Brooke Mullin scored both goals for the Redskins.

No. 24 Harriton Rams at No. 8 Souderton Indians (Thursday, 7 p.m.)
Souderton
Defending has been this team's calling card all season, as Souderton ended up with six draws and another win in overtime. The experience is in the midfield and back line, with a number of seniors and multi-year varsity starters in those spaces while a talented but inexperienced group has found some confidence up top.

10-2-6 overall
5-2-5 SOL Continental (tie-third place)
Regular season wins over District I 4A No. 22 Boyertown (1-0 Oct. 12), District I 4A No. 4 Central Bucks West (3-0 Sept. 7, 3-0 Oct. 2), No. 22 Central Bucks South (1-0 Sept. 13), Philadelphia Catholic League No. 2 Lansdale Catholic (4-0 Sept. 22), draws with District I 4A No. 3 Pennridge (0-0 Oct. 11), District I 4A No. 14 North Penn (1-1 Sept. 10, 0-0 Sept. 27), District I 4A No. 17 Haverford (0-0 Sept. 29)
Back line led by seniors Sam and Kailee Harwick, senior Miranda Kullman and junior Darby Kramer plus senior keeper Lindsey Pazdziorkio has allowed just eight goals all season.
Midfield paced by senior duo Campbell Power and Sara Readinger. Both are skilled in winning the ball but also providing attacking threats and goals.
Forward unit anchored by sophomore Averie Doughty, sophomore Taylor Yoder, senior Erin O'Keefe and sophomore Hannah Alderfer.

How they got here: Opening round bye.

Harriton

10-5-1 overall
5-5-1 Central League
Regular season win over District 1 4A No. 18 Ridley (2-1 Sept. 1).

How they got here: Although ninth-seeded Unionville had an advantage in shots, Harriton upset the ninth-seeded Indians 2-1. Sara Darlington and Ashley Wald each scored a goal.

CLASS 3A

No. 7 Upper Moreland at No. 2 Villa Joseph Marie (Friday, 6 p.m.
Upper Moreland
UM's played good, determined soccer this season and used a team-oriented style to work its way back to the playoff picture.

11-8-0 overall
6-8-0 SOL American (fifth place)
Regular season wins over District I 2A No. 1 New Hope-Solebury (2-1 Aug 31), District I A No. 1 Dock Mennonite (1-0 Oct. 5)
Jaclyn Martino is a rock-solid keeper for the Bears, commanding her defense and also coming up with several clutch saves in every match.
Attacking trio of Grace Burns, Emma Meakim and Kathryn Morrow have developed good chemistry throughout the course of the season. Sarah Veneziale and Madison Zachwieja have also shown a knack for scoring and setting up chances.
Kaiya Herb, Megan O'Donnell, Maddie Gerlach and Chloe Leiter compose a tough-minded defensive unit.

How they got here: In the Golden Bears’ 2-1 win over No. 10 Gwynedd Mercy, Sarah Veneziale and Grace Burns each scored a goal.

Villa Joseph Marie
In April, Villa Joseph Marie’s soccer program was voted the number one high school sports dynasty in Pennsylvania by PennLive. The owners of 10 state titles, the Jems have played in the last three state title games.

14-3 overall
12-0 Catholic Academies champion
Regular season wins of District 1 3A No. 5 Nazareth Academy (3-0 Sept 15 & 3-2 Oct. 9), District 1 3A No. 9 Villa Maria (1-0 Sept. 24 & 4-0 Oct. 2), District 1 3A No. 10 Gwynedd Mercy (6-0 Oct. 4 & 6-1 Oct. 16), District 1 2A No. 2 St. Basil (2-1 Sept. 20 & 3-0 Oct. 15).
Only three losses at the hands of District 1 4A squads.

How they got here: Opening round bye.