Check out the recaps for SOL field hockey teams in action Friday.
SOUDERTON 7, COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 1
Anna Gwiazdzinski is something close to a lethal weapon in the circle, but when starting goalie Jordan Michalak was sidelined for several weeks with an injury, coach Sue Casciato called on the Indiana University-bound forward to play sweeper.
Gwiazdzinski didn’t hesitate.
“I knew it was needed,” she said of joining a defensive backfield that includes a pair of freshmen. “I knew we needed somebody to communicate. I have a very loud voice, and putting me in the back was a good decision. I knew it needed to be done.
“Sweeper is kind of a new position for me, but it gives me a better opportunity to communicate with my teammates, help instruct them where to go. I can see the field better and they can hear me better. It’s good.”
With Gwiazdzinski providing leadership in the backfield, the Indians didn’t miss a beat, but on Friday, she found herself back on the forward line. Gwiazdzinski – who still will have stints in the defensive backfield – made the most of the opportunity, connecting for a hat trick.
“It’s a learning curve for everyone, but it’s nice to be back up at forward and work with Courtney Kenah, Lauren Kenah and the other girls that are up there, mids and forwards, just to keep pushing them in the net,” Gwiazdzinski said.
The visiting Indians gave Souderton all it could handle in a first half that saw the two teams exchange goals. Courtney Kenah turned a Kate Martin pass into a goal six minutes into the contest, but 10 minutes later, Celie Burke answered for Rock North, and the two teams went into halftime deadlocked.
The second half – that was another story. Gwiazdzinski scored a minute into the half, and the Indians were about to go on one of their trademark runs. Goals by sisters Lauren Kenah and Courtney Kenah in two-minute span put the Indians on top 4-1 just over eight minutes into the second half.
“In the past two years, we’ve always been a second half team,” Gwiazdzinski said. “When the score is close or we’re down, it’s definitely anger – we know we’re better than this, and there’s definitely a fire there.
“We see the score at halftime, and whether we’re up by a lot or down by one or two, we are able to talk through what we need to work on during halftime and come up with a few things with our coaches. It helps us come out with, ‘Okay, we need to work on this and this,’ and we really capitalize on those specific things. It allows us to better work as a team.”
The Indians’ teamwork was apparent in their final three goals as all three capped nice passing sequences. Courtney Kenah had assists on all three. Gwiazdzinski sandwiched a pair of goals around a Grace Whalon score.
The Indians held a 14-3 advantage in corners.
Souderton (12-1, 8-0 SOL) will be on the road at Central Bucks South on Wednesday, and Council Rock North (8-5, 5-3) will host William Tennent on Wednesday.
Council Rock North 1-0 1
Souderton 1-6 7
PENNSBURY 3, ABINGTON 1
The Falcons held their Gold Out Game to raise money for Pennsbury’s Mini Thon and pediatric cancer, and they made it a memorable one
“The excitement of today’s game for Pennsbury has been building up for weeks, but the focus was not completely on the hockey or on the opponent – their focus was on the cause,” coach Traci Curtis said. “On this beautiful day, they were winners both on and off the field. Wearing bright gold tie dye ‘For The Kids’ t-shirts, Pennsbury came out and set the stage at their field for an energized environment.”
Thirteen minutes into the game, the Falcons got on the scoreboard, thanks to a goal by Cammie Stuhlmuller.
“The first goal came from the outstanding effort of Kayli Williams on the right wing,” Curtis said. “She kept getting the rebound of off shots and defensive outlets about five times in a row and finally was able to cross it to the stroke mark for Cammie Stuhlmuller to tip in. The Falcons took the lead 1-0 and never let down.”
Five minutes later, Williams found the cage for a 2-0 Falcon lead.
“Kayli Williams scored on an amazing cross ball from Cammie Stuhlmuller,” Curtis said. “Kayli just tipped it beautifully up into the net past the goalie. She was in the perfect spot. She has been playing incredible hockey and contributing so much to our success lately. It is really fun to watch her play.”
The Falcons took that 2-0 lead into halftime.
“The Falcons dominated play with additional superb efforts from Casey Glynn, Hannah Aker, and the consistent strong defense of Nicole Joniak,” Curtis said. “Casey’s hits were on today and she was placing the ball really well using the whole field. She sets us up wonderfully for many great moments.”
Maddy Spratt scored the Falcons’ third goal in the second half off of an assist from Stuhlmuller.
“We are so proud of the growth this season, but are definitely not content,” Curtis said. “We expect more, want more, and will work for more. We have things to work on including our corners, and that is exactly what we will continue to do. Our stops were great today, which is something that we have focused on a lot at practice.
“Right now we need to hone individual skills that will contribute to the greater good. The girls are finding each other, working together better, and we are settling into a nice groove. It is a new chapter for us and our story is not over. There is more to come from this group and we are having tons of fun finding our potential and putting it out there.”
Pennsbury (3-8, 2-5 SOL) will travel to Bensalem on Wednesday and then host Tennent on Friday. Abington (3-7-1, 3-5-1) will be on the road at Upper Dublin on Wednesday.
Abington 0-1 1
Pennsbury 2-1 3
CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 2, WISSAHICKON 1
Sophomore Anna Shirley scored a pair of goals – both in the first half – to lead the visiting Titans to the non-league win. Both came on tips during corners play – the first with an assist from Sophia Wasyliw midway through the half and the second with an Anna Gillard assist to send the Titans into halftime with a 2-0 lead.
“Both goals were scored on beautiful corner plays,” South coach Pat Toner said. “Both teams had nice passing sequences, good corners and strong defense.”
The Trojans cut that lead in half with 9:33 remaining in regulation when Caroline Kirkpatrick turned a Hannah Havrilla pass into a goal. Neither team scored the rest of the way.
The Titans held a 16-6 advantage in shots. South goalie Jillian Heilig was credited with five saves in the win.
Wissahickon’s Meghan Reilly (six saves) and Alli Wood (five saves) combined for 11 saves in goal.
Central Bucks South (7-5, 4-4 SOL) will host Souderton on Wednesday, and Wissahickon (8-3-1, 7-2) will be on the road at Springfield Township Wednesday.
Central Bucks South 2-0 2
Wissahickon 0-1 1
NEW HOPE-SOLEBURY 9, UPPER MORELAND 0
The Lions are the top team in the District 1 1A power rankings with a perfect 11-0 record. In Friday’s non-league contest, they dominated play, opening up a 3-0 halftime lead and adding six unanswered goals in the second half. Annelise Dahlin led the Lions with four goals. Lilly Smith spent the game setting up her teammates, finishing with four assists. Sabrina Vlahovic and Ella Czarnecki both added a pair of goals.
UM goalie Isabella Guarenghi was credited with 24 saves.
Upper Moreland (5-7-1, 3-5-1 SOL) will travel to Hatboro-Horsham on Wednesday.
Upper Moreland 0-0 0
New Hope-Solebury 3-6 9
CONESTOGA 6, NORTH PENN 0
The visiting Pioneers – sixth in the latest District 1 6A power rankings – scored three goals in each half en route to the non-league win.
Kate Galica (Jess Mullin assist) broke a scoreless tie midway through the opening half, and that set the stage for back-to-back goals by Carly Hynd (Galica assist) and Hynd in a three-minute span. Just like that, the Pioneers led 3-0.
Conestoga held an advantage in shots (18-5) and corners (10-3).
North Penn goalie Mallory Stowell was credited with 11 saves. Megan Albert had a defensive save.
North Penn (5-6-1, 3-4 SOL) will host Central Bucks East on Wednesday at 7 p.m.
Conestoga 3-3 6
North Penn 0-0 0
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