Eight SOL soccer teams – four girls and four boys – will be in action Tuesday in the District One 4A Tournament. Check out the preview capsules.
BOYS’ DISTRICT 1 4A SEMIFINALS
#1-9 UNIONVILLE at #1-4 ABINGTON (Friday, 7 p.m.)
Abington
- 19-1-0 overall
- 13-1-0 SOL American (Conference champions)
- Earned a state berth for the first time since 2012
- Senior Sean Touey (26 goals) eclipsed the 20-goal mark for the third straight season. A true target forward, he's capable of finishing inside the box but also playing balls out to teammates.
- Liam Friel and Nevin Baer have been consistent secondary scorers all season, able to create their own looks and play off Touey
- Senior captain Jack Failing, Gavin O'Neil, Bryce Lexow and Reese Gibbs form the core of a solid midfield group.
- Senior-laden defense led by Vince Carosella, Liam Campbell and keeper Alex Haycock. Junior Michael Burnstein is also solid in the back.
How they got here: In a quarterfinal contest, Abington defeated #5 Lower Merion. Nevin Baer scored a wind-blown goal from midfield four minutes into the game, and Bryce Lexow also scored to send the Ghosts into halftime with a two-goal advantage.
In the second round, Sean Touey and Reese Gibbs each scored a goal to lead Abington to a 2-0 win over #13 Downingtown East.
Opening round bye.
Unionville
- 16-4-1 overall
- 9-2-1 Ches-mont American Division regular season champion
- Junior goalie Alex Dolce anchors the defense while Tommy Kelly and Michael Hewes lead the attack.
How they got here: In a quarterfinal game, Unionville defeated #16 Council Rock North 1-0. Tommy Kelly scored the game-winner with 17 minutes remaining in the first half.
In a second round game, Unionville – led by the two-goal, one-assist effort of Michael Hewes – upset #8 Harriton 4-1. Grady Farrell and Sam Price each added a goal.
In the opening round, Unionville defeated #24 Penn Wood. Tommy Kelly scored the game’s only goal.
#1-6 CENTRAL BUCKS WEST at #1-2 SPRING-FORD (Tuesday, 7 p.m.)
Central Bucks West
- 17-2-0 overall
- 11-1-0 SOL Continental Conference co-champion
- Returned nine starters from last year’s state semifinal squad
- Junior Bailey Moyer does a little bit of everything for the Bucks. Usually a center back, he also leads West in scoring and will press up to forward in a pinch or in a tight game.
- Senior goalkeeper Dylan Smith and his back line anchored by Moyer, Nick Centenera and James Lutz, have posted 13 shutouts this season. Smith is not only a terrific shot-stopper, but has a big leg to spring the offense.
- Midfield is a hard-working group including Reed Sturza, Carson Snyder, Colin Burn, Luke Fehrman and Kyle Holt.
- Attack paced by Jimi Leder and Alan Zlotin with Jack Galt and Kanishk Nazareth key reserves.
How they got here: In a quarterfinal game, Central Bucks West earned a 3-2 win in penalty kicks over #3 North Penn after the two teams battled to a 1-1 tie after 110 minutes. Jimi Leder scored a second-half goal to knot the score after the Knights took an early 1-0 lead. Goalkeeper Dylan Smith connected on the game-winning PK and then made a stop on North Penn’s chance for the tie.
In the second round, Central Bucks West edged #11 Pennridge 2-1 in overtime when Colin Burn converted a penalty kid. Luke Fuhrman scored a first-half goal for the Bucks.
Opening round bye
Spring-Ford
- 17-2-3 overall
- 8-0-2 Pioneer Athletic Conference Liberty Division regular season champion
- Fell to Perkiomen Valley 2-1 in the PAC title game
- Led by juniors Brett Gulati and Colin Trainor, both were first team All-PAC selections as sophomores
- Earned program’s first ever trip to the state tournament
How they got here: In a quarterfinal game, Spring-Ford defeated #7 Radnor 2-1, thanks to second-half goals in a 12-minute span by Brett Gulati and Brandon Duke.
In the second round, Spring-Ford defeated #15 West Chester East 3-1. Sophomore Brandon Duke had a pair of goals and Brett Gulati scored the third goal to seal the win.
Opening round bye.
PLAYBACK
#7 RADNOR at #3 NORTH PENN (Tuesday, 7 p.m.
North Penn
- 18-2-0 overall
- 11-1-0 SOL Continental Conference co-champion
- Excellent midfield – led by juniors Carter Houlihan, Jamie Stewart and Ryan Stewart plus seniors Aidan Jerome and Jared Huzar – is proficient at attacking on the ground, connecting passes and dropping back to challenge. Unit is also very good at putting away goals.
- Senior striker Luke McMahon brings high work rate to field, pressing defenders and linking well with midfielders.
- Defense rooted by Chris Caputo, Josh Jones and keeper Brett Schwengels. Ethan Torri and Christian Snyder are strong two-way fullbacks.
- Solid bench features Mike Chaffee, Brett Katz and Alieu Sheriff.
How they got here: In a quarterfinal contest, North Penn fell to #6 Central Bucks West 3-2 in PKs after battling their archrivals to a 1-1 tie after regulation and two overtime periods. Jared Huzar scored in the first half to spot the Knights an early lead.
In the second round, North Penn defeated #19 Hatboro-Horsham 4-0. Luke McMahon scored a pair of goals while Aidan Jerome and Jamie Stewart both added single goals.
Opening round bye
Radnor
- 15-3-2 overall
- 7-2-2 Central League fourth place
- 2016 District One 3A champions
- Defense anchored by senior Ben Verbofsky and senior goalkeeper Nate Congleton. Both were second team All-Central League selections last year
How they got here: In a quarterfinal contest, Radnor lost to #2 Spring-Ford 2-1. Evan Majercak scored the Raiders’ only goal late in the second half.
In a second round game, Radnor defeated #10 West Chester Henderson 2-1, benefitting from an own goal as well as a goal from Ben Engstrom.
Opening round bye.
#1-16 COUNCIL ROCK NORTH at #1-5 LOWER MERION (Tuesday, 3 p.m.)
Council Rock North
- 15-5-1 overall.
- 11-0-1 SOL National Conference champion (third consecutive)
- Graduated 10 seniors – five starters – from last year’s district runner-up squad that advanced to the state quarterfinals
- Defense has been the name of the game for an Indians’ squad that won six 1-0 games. Anchoring the Indians’ defense in front of goalie Andrew Daries are Zach Saifer, Jeremy Smithline, Ryan Sirota and Spencer Berman. Saifer also leads the team with eight goals. “We don’t score very many goals, but we play team defense,” coach Joe Stackhouse said.
- Sean Finneyfrock, Vinny Colon, Justin Pagliughi and TJ Grube comprise a standout midfield.
How they got here: in a quarterfinal game, Council Rock North, which was without Vinny Colon, fell to #9 Unionville 1-0.
In the second round, Council Rock North played the role of giant killer, sending two-time defending state champion and top-seeded Conestoga home for the season with a 5-4 win in penalty kicks. The two teams battled to a scoreless tie after two overtime periods.
In an opening round game, Council Rock North defeated #17 Wissahickon 2-1. Justin Pagliughi scored a first-half goal, and Vinny Colon tacked on an insurance goal when he converted a penalty kick late in the game.
Lower Merion
- 17-2 overall
- 9-2 Central League second place to Conestoga
- Led by senior Harrison Bloch, a first team All-Central League and All-Delco selection as a junior.
- Only losses during the regular season to #1 Conestoga (1-0) and Class 3A #2 Strath Haven (2-1).
- Won 13 of 14 to close out regular season.
How they got here: In Saturday’s quarterfinals, Lower Merion lost to #4 Abington 2-0.
In a second round game, Lower Merion rallied from a 1-0 halftime deficit to defeat #12 Owen J Roberts
2-1.
Opening round bye
GIRLS’ DISTRICT 1 4A SEMIFINALS
#1-3 PENNRIDGE at #1-2 CONESTOGA (Tuesday, 5 p.m.)
Pennridge
- 17-2-1 overall
- 9-2-1 SOL Continental Conference champion (third straight)
- Returned nine of 11 starters from last year’s successful squad.
- 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: In a quarterfinal game, Pennridge defeated #6 Abington 2-1 in overtime. Freshman Leah Malone came off the bench to score the equalizer late in regulation and also scored the game-winner in overtime.
In a second round game, Pennridge upended #14 North Penn 3-1, thanks to goals from Lindsey DeHaven, Ashley Groeber and Abby Groff.
Opening round bye
Conestoga
- 17-1-2 overall
- 10-0-1 Central League champion
- Outscored opponents 64-19 in the regular season
- Led by high-scoring junior Caitlin Donovan, a La Salle commit and two-time All-Central League first team selection.
- Only loss of the season came on Sept 4 at the hands of West Chester Rustin (3-2).
- Tied Penncrest (3-3) and Episcopal Academy (2-2) in a non-league contest.
How they got here: In a quarterfinal contest, Conestoga defeated #7 Pennsbury 3-1.
In a second round game, Conestoga rolled to a 4-0 win over #15 Great Valley. Caitlin Donovan scored a pair and assisted on the other two. Nia Scott also scored a pair.
Opening round bye.
#1-20 PENNCREST at #1-8 SOUDERTON (Tuesday, 7 p.m.)
Souderton
- 12-2-6 overall
- 5-2-5 SOL Continental Conference (tied for third place)
- Defense has been the Indians’ calling card. Their back line is 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: In a quarterfinal game, Souderton defeated #17 Haverford 1-0. Erin O’Keefe’s first-half goal was the game-winner.
In a second round contest, Souderton edged #24 Harriton 1-0. Campbell Power scored the game-winner.
Opening round bye.
Penncrest
- 10-5-4 overall
- 6-3-2 Central League (fourth place)
- Third straight trip to the state tournament – the preceding two were at the Class 3A level.
- Goalie Bryn McLaughlin has not allowed a goal in three straight playoff wins. Also playing key roles in the Lions’ postseason run are Shayna Polsky, Logan Morris, Kenna Kaut and Katie Sparling.
How they got here: In a quarterfinal contest, Penncrest edged #5 Downingtown East 1-0. Shayna Polsky’s goal on a Logan Morris corner kick in the first half was the game-winner.
In the second round, Penncrest sent #4 Central Bucks West home for the season in a 1-0 win.
In the opening round, Penncrest, upset #13 Hatboro-Horsham 4-0.
PLAYBACK GAME
#1-7 PENNSBURY at #1-6 ABINGTON (Tuesday, 5 p.m.)
Abington
- 16-4-0 overall
- 13-1-0 SOL American Conference champion (first year in conference)
- 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: In a quarterfinal contest, Abington fell to #3 Pennridge 2-1 in overtime. Camryn Lexow scored a first-half goal for the Ghosts.
In a second round game, Abington defeated #22 Central Bucks South 5-1. Camryn Lexow and Arianna Mancini each scored a pair of goals, and Lesha Karaba added a single goal.
Opening round bye.
Pennsbury
- 16-3-1 overall
- 10-1-1 SOL National Conference champion (fifth straight)
- Defending District 1 4A champion
- 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: In a quarterfinal game, Pennsbury fell to #2 Conestoga 3-1. The Pioneers opened up a 3-0 halftime lead before Christine Cataldo-Smith broke up their shutout with a big goal in the second half.
In a second round contest, Pennsbury edged #10 Neshaminy 2-1 in overtime. Evie Ciaccia scored the game-winner, and Rosie Bostian scored in regulation.
Opening round bye
About the Author
