Check out the recaps for SOL field hockey teams in action Friday. CR North/CR South photos provided courtesy of John Gleeson. Check back for a gallery of photos.
SOL National Conference
COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 3, COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 1
Katelyn Cocco is a difference maker on the hockey field, a fact that is not lost on her teammates.
“She’s an insane player – it’s great to have her on the team,” Rock South junior goalie Karlie McCloskey said.
With Rock South team clinging to a 1-0 lead in the second half of Friday’s emotionally charged game, Cocco – during a scramble after a corner – lifted a shot from the top of the circle that the Indians didn’t have a prayer of stopping. It found the back of the cage, and although the Indians came back to cut that lead in half, a two-goal deficit – thanks to a pair of Cocco goals – was too big a hole.
“That was a great – she happened to be at the top of the circle and lifted it over everybody,” Rock South coach Lisa Belz said of Cocco’s second goal. “She has outstanding ball handling skills and speed.
“We’ve been talking to her about working the numbers. If she beats a couple of people, she can have a 2v1 situation and doesn’t have to do it all herself. One of the other forwards is usually getting ahead of her and using their numbers to get down there, and that’s been working well too.”
There’s no mistaking the intensity of this neighborhood rivalry, and you can throw out the records when these two teams do battle.
“This is our big rivalry,” Cocco said. “We always have a tough time. They’re a great team. We always put up a good fight with them.
“I think we had an awesome game. Our passes were great, and it just means a lot because it’s North-South, so it was great to have a big win.”
Cocco spotted the Golden Hawks a 1-0 lead 13 minutes into the opening half, dodging the goalie with some nifty moves in the circle. The Golden Hawks took that one-goal lead into halftime. 
Moments after the Golden Hawks’ Lauren Mitchell broke up an Indian fastbreak early in the second half, Cocco scored on a perfectly executed lift shot. The Indians weren’t about to go away, and Skyler Bayard scored two minutes later, a goal that was set up by a cross from Sarah Scott on the right wing.
The intensity picked up considerably for both sides after that.
“We definitely picked it up in the second half,” Rock North senior defender Sarah Everett said. “The forwards really wanted it. I appreciated it, especially when I could get the ball up and they could get it in and get a corner.”
The Golden Hawks capitalized on a corner when Rachael Rolle’s shot deflected high off the goalie and into the cage, giving South a 3-1 lead with 16:59 remaining.
The Indians had three corners during a two-minute stretch shortly thereafter, forcing McCloskey to come up with several big saves.
On another Rolle cleared the ball out of harm’s way.
“They’re our sister school, so you always want to beat them, but you never want to be dirty about it,” said McCloskey, who had eight saves in the win. “You always want to beat them in the best way possible and have a fun match.
“Once that first goal went in – it was like, ‘Let’s go.’ I knew I had to step it up and had to talk to my team a little more. As a goalie, it’s a little more pressure because your players always say it’s not your fault, and how I feel – it’s always going to be my fault, but a goal’s a goal. You just have to go back out there and try and score more. We got more intense and it got better as the game went on.”
The Indians had another stretch of four straight corners, but again, the Golden Hawks’ defense held.
“I thought we had a 10-minute breakdown, and I ended up calling a timeout,” Belz said. “We played well. We still need to work on communication and transitioning. Overall, I’m happy with the result of the game.”
“We played with the width of the field,” Cocco said. “I think we had really great passing, looking up a lot. We had a lot of great give and goes, and our corners were really good. I think this was one of our best games.”
Despite the outcome, North coach Heather Whalin was pleased with her team’s effort.
“This is one of the tougher teams we’ve played, and we’re just young,” said Whalin, whose forward line is comprised of three sophomores. “You could tell from some of the things – they’re learning.
“I was proud of them. We’re taking that step we need to, and South is loaded with upperclassmen, so it makes us excited about the future.”
With more than a few young players on their roster, the Indians have taken intentional steps to bond.
“Our team is very close,” Everett said. “I tend to forget people’s grades.
“We have a thing that’s new this year called families where every senior is the head of a family. At the beginning of preseason, coach put us all in families. It’s really neat. We have sleepovers, and we’re going apple picking, so we’re really close with all the underclassmen. We all communicate really well. We’ve always had good team bonding, but this has brought us together even more.”
Whalin credited assistants Jules Singer and Theresa Delahanty for their contributions to this year’s young squad.
“Theresa was on the indoor national team and went to the national team camp, and Jules was the player of the year for goalie (at Ursinus College),” Whalin said. “Having those two, it’s so much easier having three people coaching young kids than it’s just having one or two, especially when you have raw talent and they have to get the fundamentals down.”
Rock South goalie Kyra Deehr-Lewis had 14 saves in a solid outing.
Council Rock South (6-4, 5-1 SOL) will host Harry S Truman on Tuesday, and Council Rock North (5-4, 3-3) will be on the road at Spring-Ford on Saturday.
Council Rock North 0-1 1
Council Rock South 1-2 3
NESHAMINY 5, PENNSBURY 1
Peyton Ritchey scored a pair of goals and assisted on another, and Madi Neiman also had a hand in three goals (one goal, two assists) as the Redskins remained perfect in conference play.
“Today we played strong and as a team the whole game,” coach Jamie Pinto said. “We had lots of offensive pressure and created good opportunities to score.”
Ritchey turned a Neiman pass into a goal just over five minutes into the game, and three minutes later Neiman set up a goal by Brooke Cordisco. A goal by Sanaa Hebron (Ritchey assist) gave the Redskins a 3-0 lead before Celia Dolan put the Falcons on the scoreboard with less than five minutes remaining in the first half.
“That spark allowed the Falcons to come out energized in the second half, regrouped and renewed,” Pennsbury coach Traci Curtis said. “(We) forced a couple of penalty corners but could not convert.
“Not converting those opportunities was tough. We could not capitalize on any of those moments. Neshaminy made it very difficult for us to create offensive opportunities. They are an extremely smart, strong, skilled, fast and disciplined team. You have to work beyond hard to earn anything from them as an opponent.”
The Redskins tacked on a pair of second-half goals. Ritchey scored with an assist from Jamie Pennington, and midway through the half, Neiman found the cage, using an Asia Barnard assist.
“Peyton Ritchey led the offense, and Sanaa Hebron worked hard throughout the game,” Pinto said. “Jamie Pennington and Brooke Cordisco worked well in the center and distributed the ball well.
“We start our second half of the season next week, and we will continue to work hard and together throughout the rest of the season.”
Pennsbury goalie Keira Korzeb kept her team in it with 24 saves.
“Keira Korzeb was on fire from the start,” Curtis said. “With 24 saves in the game and that same number of penalty corners to defend, it was an awesome victory for her as a goalkeeper, allowing Neshaminy only five goals in the 60 minutes.
“We made sure that she knew that she did win in the cage. It was fun to watch her play today. The Falcons struggled defensively to start, being forced back on their heels as Neshaminy kept coming down the field strong.
“Pennsbury was able to come out on top in small moments, but that is not enough against that kind of power. The Falcons will continue to push forward, learn from every game and do the work necessary to get better every day.”
Neshaminy (7-3, 6-0 SOL) will be on the road at Bensalem on Tuesday, and Pennsbury (2-7, 2-4) will be on the road at Council Rock North on Monday.
Pennsbury 1-0 1
Neshaminy 3-2 5
WILLIAM TENNENT 6, HARRY S TRUMAN 0
Courtney Bragan turned a Kristen Scott pass into a goal just over seven minutes into the game, and the Panthers were off and running.
“The girls really came out with an explosion today,” coach Julia Cummiskey said. “They played with intensity and fire.”
Another Bragan goal (Erin Ellis assist) as well as a goal by Ellis – this one assisted by Scott – sent the Panthers into halftime with a 3-0 lead.
Ellis – who had a hand in three goals – scored seven minutes into the second half, using a Karly Adkins assist. Then it was Adkins scoring on the rebound of a goalie save, and with five minutes remaining, Lelia Doran connected on an unassisted goal to close out the scoring.
“Despite the score, Truman pressed through the game until the very end,” Truman coach Tom Leahy said. “We had numerous opportunities to score but just weren’t able to finish.
“The defense was led by Hailey Marshall, who put up a good fight. Center mid Kiley Hackbart played strong.”
Truman’s freshman goalie Stacy Couillard recorded 24 saves.
The Panthers had seven first-half corners to just one for the Tigers. They finished the game with 11 penalty corners while the Tigers had three.
Starting goalie Sophia Trozzi recorded one save and Emily Witter had three saves as the duo combined for the shutout.
William Tennent (4-4, 4-2 SOL) will host Pennridge in a non-league game Tuesday, and Harry S Truman (1-7, 0-6) will host Academy Park in a non-league game Saturday.
William Tennent 3-3 6
Harry S Truman 0-0 0
SOL Continental Conference
PENNRIDGE 2, NORTH PENN 0
The Rams notched an important conference win, scoring a goal in each half to defeat the visiting Knights.
“It was another great team win,” coach Becky Spahr said. “We have been focusing on playing as a unit, and today the girls worked together to beat a fast, skilled North Penn team.”
Haley Borneman scored midway through the first half, using a Kaelyn Casper assist. That 1-0 lead held until halftime, and Borneman’s goal turned out to be the game-winner. For good measure, Maddie Bross added a goal in the second half with an assist from Emily Amsden.
Pennridge goalie Maia Machado recorded five saves in the shutout win. Lexi Dinsmore was credited with a defensive save. North Penn goalie Mallory Stowall was credited with seven saves.
The Rams held a 12-7 advantage in penalty corners.
Pennridge (5-3, 3-3 SOL) will be on the road at Dock Mennonite Academy for a non-league game Monday., and North Penn (4-4-1, 3-3) will host Upper Dublin in a non-league game on Monday.
North Penn 0-0 0
Pennridge 1-1 2
CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 1, CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 0
Statistically, the Titans dominated play and held a 23-1 advantage in shots, but they managed just one goal as the Bucks’ defense – behind the glittering 20-save effort of goalie Sadie Furgiuele – stood tall.
“CB West played very good defense and stepped up on many 50-50 balls,” South coach Pat Toner said. “No matter what either team’s record is, it’s always an intense game when CB South plays CB West.
“CB West’s goalkeeper played a great game and stopped many potential goals. I was proud that we played more as a team and had a nice passing game. We also did a great job of limiting CB West’s opportunities by allowing only one shot on goal.”
Sophomore Julia Cooper broke a scoreless tie with 11:35 remaining in regulation, turning a pass from sophomore Erin Smith into a goal that turned out to be the game-winner.
“Julia Cooper tracked down a feed from Erin Smith and slipped a beautiful goal past CB West’s goalkeeper,” Toner said.
West coach Ginny Moore lauded the play of her defense.
“The defensive line saw a lot of action today,” the Bucks’ coach said. “Sam Lelii, Claire Natoli, Maggie Whalen and Claire Engebreth had an outstanding game and played really smart in our circle.
“Goalie Sadie Furgiuele was phenomenal in cage, facing 21 shots and nine penalty corners. Midfielders Grayce Reimel, Julia Bunch and JL did a fantastic job of advancing the ball up the field and hustling to every play. We got a good effort from Em Erickson, Caroline Crecca, Bella Aulisio, Carley Briece, Kendall Siegle and Bryn Spoerl.”
In addition to Furgiuele’s 20 saves, Lelii and Engebreth both had a pair of defensive saves, and Natoli had one defensive stop.
South’s Jillian Heilig was forced to make just one save in the shutout win.
Central Bucks South (5-4, 3-3 SOL) will host Quakertown Tuesday, and Central Bucks West (1-9, 1-5) will host Central Bucks East on Monday.
Central Bucks West 0-0 0
Central Bucks South 0-1 1
SOUDERTON 9, QUAKERTOWN 0
Souderton (9-1, 6-0 SOL) will be on the road at North Penn on Tuesday, and Quakertown (1-8, 0-6) will travel to Council Rock South on Tuesday.
SOL American Conference
ABINGTON 4, CHELTENHAM 0
Four different players contributed scoring as the Ghosts notched their second win in as many outings.
“Abington came into the game today riding a high after a big win at Hatboro-Horsham on Wednesday,” coach Katie Small said. “Abington was able to get on the board within the first five minutes with a shot by Paige Doyle in a corner. All four of Abington’s goals were scored during corner play.
“Cheltenham played a great game in the circle today making it very difficult for us to find the net easily.”
The Ghosts – who took a 2-0 lead into halftime – received goals from Camryn Stewart (Doyle/Ava Paxson assists), Devan DiMaria (Grace Kirwin assist), Doyle (Paxson assist) and Alice Dougherty (Erica Devlin assist).
“Abington saw great play today from Doyle, Grace Kirwin and Tori Flint,” Small said.
Abington goalie Marilyn Capps recorded three saves in the shutout win.
The Ghosts held a 9-3 advantage in corners.
Cheltenham’s Mayana Perry (five saves) and Dylan Miller combined for six saves in goal.
Abington (3-4-1, 3-3-1 SOL) will host Springfield Township on Tuesday, and Cheltenham (0-7) will host Upper Moreland on Tuesday.
Cheltenham 0-0 0
Abington 2-2 4
PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 7, HATBORO-HORSHAM 0
The Colonials erupted for six first-half goals as they continued their offensive onslaught. In their last six wins combined, the Colonials have scored 55 goals for an average of over nine goals a game. Friday’s win was their fifth shutout in eight games.
“PW showcased some nice passing sequences and team play in the win,” PW coach Charise Halteman.
Kaleigh Missimer led the balanced attack with two goals and an assist – one of those goals was a penalty stroke. Ava Borkowski added a pair of goals, and Kayla Link had a hand in three goals with a pair of assists and one goal. Hailey Copestick had a goal and an assist, and Livia Truong added a goal. Autumn Luptak chipped in an assist.
Sarah Trask was credited with two saves in the shutout win in goal.
Plymouth Whitemarsh (8-0, 7-0 SOL) will host Haverford in a non-league game Saturday at 10 a.m., and Hatboro-Horsham (3-6, 3-4) will host Upper Dublin on Tuesday.
Hatboro-Horsham 0-0 0
Plymouth Whitemarsh 6-1 7
SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP 2, UPPER DUBLIN 0
The Spartans scored a pair of second-half goals to defeat the visiting Flying Cardinals. Kaelen Loscalzo broke a scoreless tie in the second half, using an assist from Abbey Congdon. Kate Wojeck added an insurance goal.
The Spartans held an advantage in shots (13-5) and penalty corners (5-1).
Springfield goalie Rebecca Berglund was credited with five saves in the shutout win.
Springfield Township (7-2, 5-2 SOL) will host Lower Moreland in a non-league game Monday, and Upper Dublin (2-4-2, 1-4-2) will be on the road at North Penn for a non-league game Monday.
Upper Dublin 0-0 0
Springfield Township 0-2 2
WISSAHICKON 8, UPPER MORELAND 0
Grace Ball connected for a hat trick to lead the Trojans, who had nine players contribute to the scoring. Molly Fuhrmeister, Hannah Havrilla, Ella Hummel and Lauren Donofrio each added a goal and an assist. Kendal Williams had one goal while Kate Lovensheimer had a pair of assists. Tess Klugherz and Kendall Crowley both chipped in with one assist.
Havrilla put the Trojans on the scoreboard a minute-and-a-half into the game, using a Klugherz assist. Back-to-back goals by Ball in a three-minute span – the first with a Donofrio assist and the second with an assist from Havrilla – put the Trojans on top 3-0. Crowley (Lovensheimer assist), Fuhrmeister (Hummel assist) and Hummel (Lovensheimer assist) each scored a goal to close out the half, giving the Trojans a 6-0 lead.
Ball and Donofrio both scored a goal in the second half.
UM goalie Isabella Guarenghi recorded 25 saves. Cassidy Hirsch had a defensive save.
Wissahickon (7-1-1, 6-1 SOL) will be on the road for a key conference clash at Plymouth Whitemarsh Tuesday, and Upper Moreland (2-6-1, 1-5-1) will host Interboro in a non-league game on Monday.
Upper Moreland 6-2 8
Wissahickon 0-0 0
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