Check out the recaps for SOL field hockey teams in action Monday.
SOL National Conference
COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 3, PENNSBURY 2
The Golden Hawks rolled to a 6-2 win over the Falcons in the Sept. 16 meeting between the two teams. It was another story entirely in Monday’s rematch.
“It was definitely a different team than the first time we played them,” Rock South coach Lisa Belz said. “It was their home field on the grass today – we played three grass games in a row with our schedule this year, so we’ve been on grass for a two-week span. We’re looking forward to getting back on the turf.
“We were prepared, we weren’t taking them lightly at all. Pennsbury is always a good team, and they have a new coach, and she’s doing an outstanding job with them. They have some good players – they got the ball down the field and into our circle a bunch of times. It was a good game, a back and forth game.”
Rock South’s Kerry Kaufman accounted for the lone goal of the first half, finding the cage 18 minutes into the game.
“That was a huge victory for us as we played smarter, patient defense, disallowed their strong players to control the game and made adjustments to hold them down,” Pennsbury coach Traci Curtis said. “ We are so proud of our defensive foursome of Joniak, Glynn, Tosh, and Aker – they work really well together and are extremely coachable. Our girls took away options for South and definitely handled the ball a bit better than them in the first part of the game. We created offensive opportunities, but again, were just a step short in finishing.”
Goals by Caily Hiscox and Kaufman – both with Katelyn Cocco assists – put the Golden Hawks on top 3-0.
“It looked like Pennsbury was falling into hold habits,” Curtis said.
The Falcons weren’t, and they came roaring back. Jaclyn Gorgo scored with just under 12 minute remaining in regulation, using a Maddy Spratt assist. It was a 3-2 game when Spratt scored with four minutes remaining, but the Falcons could not cash in for the equalizer.
“The tide turned when freshman Jaclyn Gorgo started talking and directing in the center and set up a great goal for Maddy Spratt,” Curtis said. “Gorgo continued to be a great spark in the center along with adjustments made with Casey Glynn, giving us tons of offensive momentum. Casey was given a job and did it perfectly, and that is what we love to see in our players. That was another win for us in the moment.
“Maddy Spratt connected again on a great reverse stick hit past South’s goalie from the left. The Falcons were now down 3-2 with time left to try and even it up. Being in this situation felt like a huge victory for us as it was evident that the Falcons are a force to be reckoned with. After a timeout with possession of the ball and one minute remaining, Pennsbury put it all out on the field, but could not make it happen and it ended with a final score of 3-2 in South’s favor. Sophia Hitchingham and Kayli Williams were also huge contributors today.”
Belz also credited the play of several players.
“Rianna Shields played well today – she’s been doing a nice job on the right side,” Belz said of her right midfielder. “Rachael Rolle, who plays center mid, did well, sending the ball into the circle. Amelia Elko, our other mid, has been doing a nice job too with good step-ups and getting the ball forward. I was pleased with the midfield.”
The Golden Hawks held a 9-6 advantage in shots.
“Pennsbury lost the game according to the score, but it was a win in many more ways than one,” Curtis said. “Back in September, when the Falcons began their story and first faced CR South, they lost 6-2.
“Today reflected heart, progress, better skills, improved hockey IQ and utilizing strengths on every layer of the field. Everyone contributed in their own way, and that is what we love about this team.
“Today was a victory through a loss and will give us momentum as we continue forward. We are living out our philosophy of becoming improved versions of ourselves in as many ways as possible and that is really nice to watch happen.”
Council Rock South (9-6, 8-2 SOL) will host William Tennent on Thursday and Pennnridge in a non-league game on Friday. The Golden Hawks – 13th in the latest District One 3A rankings – have two more conference games and two non-league games.
“We’re really hoping to finish strong,” Belz said. “It’s really important with the rankings. We had some tough games in the beginning – CB South, CB East, New Hope and Spring-Ford.”
Pennsbury (5-9, 4-6) – 25th in the latest District One 3A power rankings and one spot out of the field of 24 – will host Harry S Truman Thursday for Senior Recognition Day.
Council Rock South 1-2 3
Pennsbury 0-2 2
NESHAMINY 4, WILLIAM TENNENT 0
Monday’s win over the Panthers – which clinched sole possession of the SOL National Conference crown – belonged to the seniors. Each of the team’s three senior captains scored goals. Peyton Ritchey had a goal and two assists, and Brooke Cordisco had a pair of goals while Jamie Pennington had one.
“Today our seniors really stepped up,” coach Jamie Pinto said. “Brooke Cordisco was strong on the ball and stepped up coming out of the back, creating offensive opportunities.
“Jamie Pennington really used her skill today to control the center of the field, and Peyton Ritchey did a nice job offensively, creating opportunities and getting good touches in the circle.”
Ritchey scored the lone goal of the first half just over five minutes into the game, using a Sanaa Hebron assist. That 1-0 lead stood until Pennington (Ritchey assist) found the cage with 12:08 remaining in regulation. Cordisco scored back-to-back goals in a two-minute span to close out the scoring. Ritchey assisted on the first and senior Asia Barnard assisted on the second.
“We had some good scoring opportunities today, but Tennent’s goalie, Sophia Trozzi, played really strong and made some great saves,” Pinto said. “Avery McGinty also played well for us defensively, and Sanaa Hebron hustled up top.
“Today we were able to clinch the SOL National Conference, and I couldn’t be more proud of the girls, not only for winning, but for how they have supported each other on and off the field during the past week.”
The Panthers paid tribute to assistant coach Janet Dougherty, who passed away suddenly just over a week ago.
“I would like to thank Tennent for their support over the last week – they sent flowers, wore blue ribbons and had a moment of silence today for Coach Dougherty,” Pinto said. “The teams in and out of our league have been so kind and supportive. It really means a lot to us during this difficult time.”
Neshaminy (12-3, 11-0 SOL) – eighth in the latest District One 3A power rankings – will host Northeast in a non-league game on Thursday, and William Tennent (6-7-1, 5-5) – 22nd in the power rankings – will travel to Council Rock South on Thursday.
Neshaminy 1-3 4
William Tennent 0-0 0
BENSALEM 6, HARRY S TRUMAN 0
Angie Lee connected for a hat trick to lead the Owls to the win over the Tigers. Kaylee Jackson also had a pair of goals and Taylor Hood added a single goal.
Despite the outcome, Truman coach Tom Leahy was pleased with his team’s effort.
“The Truman players gave all they had, led by Hailey Marshall, Colleen Rementer, Reilly Creswell and Jade Pote,” the Tigers’ coach said. “The team’s hustle resulted in several scoring attempts, but they were near misses.
“Again, the team played hard until the buzzer, which speaks highly of their character.”
Bensalem (3-11, 2-9 SOL) will host Council Rock North on Thursday, and Harry S Truman (4-11, 0-10) will be on the road at Pennsbury on Thursday.
SOL Continental Conference
NORTH PENN 2, CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 1
Don’t be fooled by CB West’s record.
The Bucks have been playing teams tough in the second half of the season, and they didn’t make life easy for the visiting Knights, who needed a goal by Riley Pickford during corner play with time expired to eke out the dramatic win.
“We were awarded a penalty corner with seven seconds left, so we just pushed everyone up,” coach Shannon McCracken said. “We got a shot off; however, it was fumbled out to the right of the goal, so one of my players – junior Katie Blanch – chased the ball down and put it across the goal. Riley Pickford, who’s a senior midfielder for us, finished it. It was a dramatic win.”
The Bucks – who celebrated Senior Night – struck first midway through the first half when Claire Engebreth scored an unassisted goal. They took that 1-0 lead into halftime. Five minutes into the second half, the Knights knotted the score when Eleni Kountroubis connected on an unassisted goal, setting the stage for the dramatic finish.
“The Bucks made their Senior Night a memorable one for sure – scoring first and holding the lead going into halftime was a huge accomplishment for this team. Their hard work and resilience paid off,” West coach Ginny Moore said. “North Penn tied it up early in the second, and it was a nail biter until the very end. Both teams hustled ferociously the whole game, North Penn has very strong, quick, and skilled players.”
The game was a far cry from the initial meeting between the two teams – a 3-0 North Penn win.
“The coaches continue to be impressed and incredibly proud of the Bucks’ improvement this season,” Moore said. “Comparing this game to the last time we saw NP, looking at all the stats over time, and the collective effort from start to finish – this team has come such a long way.”
“They’re a good team,” McCracken said. “Their record doesn’t show the team that they are. It’s always a strong conference, and they gave us a good game.
“We had 22 shots, and we had 10 penalty corners to their one. We dominated play, we maintained possession of the ball really well, but we just had trouble finishing because their defense was stingy, and their goalkeeper was stellar tonight. They played a tough game against us.
“It’s hard to go away and play a team that’s been hanging with a lot of teams and been giving teams good games. It was their Senior Night, so it was a tough atmosphere, and we have difficulty scoring. We have a lot of youth on our forward line – tonight two sophomores and a junior started on the forward line.”
West goalie Brooke Golbeski certainly made life difficult for the Knights, turning away 18 shots. The Bucks’ defense also delivered five defensive saves – two each by Sara Lelii and Maggie Whalen and one by Claire Natoli.
“Truly impeccable play,” Moore said. “Brooke made 18 amazing saves and defended 10 penalty corners. Outstanding D.
“Our forwards – Grayce Reimel, Emily Hohenlietner, Em Erickson, and Bryn Spoerl – did a great job creating offensive opportunities. We tripled the number of shots we had the last time we saw North Penn.
“Our mids – Julia Bunch, JL, Kendall Siegle, Bella Aulisio, and Claire Engebreth – worked together as units and connected our team with solid passing and interceptions.”
For the Knights, McCracken lauded the play of sophomore Madison Waldspurger.
“She made some great passes to our attack on the offensive side of the game, and she hustled back on defense and made some great stops on CB West entering in the top of the circle,” McCracken said. “She had a great game for us.”
Moore gave a shout-out to her seniors.
“Grayce Reimel and Emily Hohenleitner on the forward line, JL, right mid, and Sara Lelii, Maggie Whalen and Ella Casale on the defensive line – we love you.”
North Penn (7-7-1, 5-5 SOL) – 21st in the latest District One 3A power rankings – will be on the road at Central Bucks South on Thursday, and Central Bucks West (1-14, 1-9) will travel to Quakertown on Thursday for a 7 p.m. contest.
North Penn 0-2 2
Central Bucks West 1-0 1
CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 7, QUAKERTOWN 0
Six different players scored goals in a win that moved the Patriots one step closer to clinching a share of the SOL Continental crown. Kenzie Lever had a hand in four goals, scoring once and assisting on three others to lead the Patriots.
It was Lever setting up a goal by Phia Mannino that put the Patriots on the board, and Grace Melloy scored the game’s second goal with a Lever assist. Lever scored with an assist from Alli. Mannino’s unassisted goal sent the Patriots into halftime with a 4-0 lead.
Paige Hussie (Kaylie Schorn assist), Schorn (Lever assist) and Emma Donnelly each added a goal in the second half.
Emily Bullard shared time in goal with Grace Gidwani in the shutout win.
Coach Meghann Spratt credited the standout efforts of Marlee Monzon, Grace Melloy, Ana Bassler and Julianna Mignon.
Central Bucks East (13-3, 10-1 SOL) will travel to Pennridge on Thursday for its conference finale. Quakertown (1-14, 0-10) will host Central Bucks West on Thursday.
Quakertown 0-0 0
Central Bucks East 4-3 7
PENNRIDGE at SOUDERTON (Ppd.)
(Rescheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 16)
SOL American Conference
SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP 4, UPPER MORELAND 0
Maddie Yoder scored a pair of goals and assisted on another to lead the Spartans to the big win.
“The Spartans had a great game against Upper Moreland,” Springfield assistant coach Anita Stum said. “The team worked for the entire 60 minutes with no let up.
“Upper Moreland fought for every second of the game – they have grit.”
It was Yoder setting up a Kaelen Loscalzo goal four minutes into the game, and three minutes later, Charlotte Henry found the cage with an assist fro Kate Wojeck. The Spartans took that 2-0 lead into halftime.
Yoder scored a pair of goals in the second half – the first nine minutes into the half with a Wojeck assist and the second with a Maddy Loscalzo assist with a minute remaining in regulation for the 4-0 final.
UM goalie Isabella Guarenghi was credited with nine saves. Springfield goalie Rebecca Berglund recorded one save. Lauren Corrado had a pair of defensive saves.
“Lauren Corrado came up big with a few defensive saves to keep it as a shutout,” Stum said. “Anya Kochanowicz, Kate Wojeck and Brigid Roy controlled the midfield. Upper Moreland has some very fast players. They kept us on our toes.”
Springfield Township (11-4, 8-4 SOL) – second in the latest District 1 1A power rankings – will host Cheltenham on Thursday, and Upper Moreland (7-8-1, 5-6-1) will travel to Plymouth Whitemarsh on Thursday.
Springfield Township 2-2 4
Upper Moreland 0-0 0
PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 6, UPPER DUBLIN 0
The Colonials – with two conference games remaining – clinched at least a share of the SOL American Conference crown with their win over the Flying Cardinals.
“(We) played a strong game today with great ball movement,” PW coach Charise Halteman said. “Kileigh Missimer was solid in the midfield, creating many attacking opportunities for PW.”
Missimer also scored a pair of goals. Ava Borkowski contributed another hat trick – including the first two goals of the game. She also had an assist. Hailey Copestick added a goal and two assists. Molly Lynch had an assist.
Sarah Trask recorded four saves in goal in the shutout win.
Plymouth Whitemarsh (14-1, 12-0 SOL) – ranked second in the latest District One 3A power rankings – will host Upper Moreland in Thursday’s Senior Night game, and Upper Dublin (3-9-2, 2-8-2) will travel to Central Bucks South Tuesday for a non-league game.
Plymouth Whitemarsh 3-3 6
Upper Dublin 0-0 0
HATBORO-HORSHAM 2, CHELTENHAM 0
The Lady Panthers gave the visiting Hatters all they could handle, but the Hatters – thanks to a first-half goal and a late goal by Audrey Leibfried – escaped with the win.
The Hatters scored 15 minutes into the first half, and although the Lady Panthers had a few opportunities to tie the game, they could not convert.
Cheltenham’s defense fought off 19 corners before a goal was scored by the Hatters with one minute remaining in the game, ensuring the victory.
Cheltenham’s defense did a superb job of protecting the cage as first-time goalie freshman Samantha Boyd kept out 15 of the 17 shots she faced.
Hatboro-Horsham (5-9, 5-7 SOL) will travel to Abington on Thursday, and Cheltenham (0-12) will be on the road at Springfield Township.
Hatboro-Horsham 1-1 2
Cheltenham 0-0 0
WISSAHICKON 6, ABINGTON 1
Tess Pounds connected for a hat trick while Grace Ball had a goal and three assists in the Trojans’ win over the Ghosts.
Pounds scored back-to-back goals within a three-and-a-half minute span just over a minute into the game – the first with a Ball assist and the second with an assist from Hannah Havrilla. The Trojans took that 2-0 lead into halftime.
Paige Doyle converted a penalty stroke five minutes into the second half to make it a 2-1 game. That score stood until midway through the half when Pounds completed her hat trick, using a Ball assist. Three minutes later Lauren Donofrio scored a goal with an assist from Ball. Brynne Miller found the cage with 10 minutes remaining in regulation with an assist from Havrilla. Ball found the cage with four minutes remaining, using a Tess Klugherz assist.
Meghan Reilly (three saves) and Alli Wood (nine saves) combined for the win in goal.
Wissahickon (11-3-1, 10-2 SOL) will host Upper Dublin in its Senior Night game on Thursday at 7 p.m. Abington (4-9-1, 4-7-1) will host Hatboro-Horsham on Thursday.
Abington 0-1 1
Wissahickon 2-4 6
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