Check out the recaps for SOL field hockey teams in action Wednesday. CB West/Pennridge photos provided courtesy of Tracy Valko. Check back for a gallery of photos.
SOL Colonial
PENNRIDGE 2, CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 1 (OT)
Talk about perfect timing, Emily Miller’s got it.
The Pennridge senior scored her first varsity goal at the most dramatic of all moments – during corner play with time expired in overtime to give the Rams the emotional victory in their league finale.
“Time was up, so we had everybody on the circle,” Pennridge coach Becky Spahr said. “Emily Amsden had a shot, and Emily Miller redirected it. She’s one of our defenders, and it’s the first goal she’s ever scored. It was awesome.
“In overtime when it was getting close to the end, I was like, ‘To tie this at this point would be rough,’ but it could have gone either way. It’s really cool to see how much West has improved. I feel like they really believe in what they’re doing now, and it’s good for our conference and for them also.”
Wednesday’s was the Rams’ fifth 2-1 game of the season.
“We’ve had a lot of close games this year that haven’t gone our way, so it was really nice to end the way we did,” Spahr said. “We have 11 seniors. It was a good way to end.”
The Rams scored their first goal 28 seconds into the contest when Maddie Bross turned a pass from Emily Amsden pass into a goal. They didn’t score again until Miller’s game-winner.
The Bucks, meanwhile, also got on the scoreboard late in the first quarter, knotting the score 1-1 thanks to a goal from Megan Weyer.
“Both teams had a lot of chances,” Spahr said. “There were moments where West would have a bunch of chances in a row and we’d have a bunch of chances.
“Overtime was the same thing. There were chances on both ends. Both goalies played really well. We had a couple of fast breaks, and the goalies broke down the play and did a good job. West had opportunities in overtime too, so we had good strong defense.”
Spahr lauded the efforts of several players in the win.
“Brynn Wenger played really well – she’s one of our defenders,” the Rams’ coach said. “Amber Simms, one of our defensive mids, played really well. She did a really good job. Everyone played really hard.
“Liz Frisch is a freshman, and she really stepped up and played a really tough game. I actually said to West at the end – they play with so much heart that they make us play harder because of the intensity they bring. Both teams played with such heart and intensity. West should be so proud of their season.”
Coach Dave DeAngelis had nothing but praise for his squad’s effort.
“This evening wrapped up our 2020 season with a hard fought, competitive battle to the literal end,” the Bucks first-year coach said. “Credit to Pennridge coaches and players for being able to finish the game on a corner with no time remaining in OT.
“It is unfortunate that we were unable to finish out the season for our seniors (Brooke, Bryn, Caroline, Claire, Emily, Megan, Julia and Sadie) with a victory on the scoreboard. What was a blessing it was that we were able to actually play and be competitive each game (10 in total) in a highly competitive conference.
“One of our team goals from the beginning of the season was to see continued growth and development as the season progressed. None of that happens without the dedication of the coaching staff or the student athletes. We sincerely wish all of our seniors blessings in all they do and look forward to our underclassmen continuing to grow and developing, making larger contributions in our program. It has been a pleasure.”
Pennridge goalie Maia Machado was credited with four saves while West’s duo of Brooke Golbeski & Sadie Furgiuele combined for seven.
Pennridge wrapped up the conference season with a 3-7 record (4-7 overall). Central Bucks West closed out its league season with a 2-8 mark.
Pennridge 1-0-0-0-1 2
Central Bucks West 1-0-0-0-0 1
SOL Liberty Division
ABINGTON 1, HATBORO-HORSHAM 0
Scoring early is a point of emphasis to Abington coach Katie Small, and the Ghosts did just that in Wednesday’s league finale. Erica Devlin turned a Camryn Stewart pass into a goal just 2:15 into the opening quarter.
“We really started off strong,” Small said. “After that, Hatboro-Horsham recovered and played a great game.
“Their center back has an amazing drive, and their team is ready for it. HH really put the pressure on us a lot of the game.”
The Ghosts’ coach lauded the play of her squad in its final regular season game.
“Some great defense from goalie Marilynn Capps and Aly Campbell helped to solidify the game,” Small said. “Abington also saw great play from Devan DiMaria, who is playing great field hockey right now. She is going from forward to a back in most games and has really stepped up. Tara Hughes also played well.”
Abington closed out it league season with a 5-5 record and now awaits its fate.
“Abington is waiting out the next couple of days as we sit on the bubble for districts,” Small said. “But we coaches couldn’t be more proud of these girls.
“What a season – one we didn’t think would happen, and each girl has really improved from the first practice to today.”
Hatboro-Horsham finished the year 1-8-1.
Hatboro-Horsham 0-0-0-0 0
Abington 1-0-0-0 1
SOL Freedom Division
NEW HOPE-SOLEBURY 11, WILLIAM TENNENT 0
A trio of Lions – Kate Dougherty, Lilly Smith and Ellie Buckard – each collected a hat trick in Wednesday’s win. Sophia Cozza and Sarah Morrin both added single goals.
Erin Firth had three assists while Mia Gomolinski had two and Smith also had a pair.
The Lions, who led 2-0 after one quarter, took a 6-0 lead into halftime.
New Hope-Solebury (6-2 SOL) will travel to Council Rock South Friday for a non-league game. William Tennent closed out league play with a 2-6 record (2-8 overall).
William Tennent 0-0-0-0 0
New Hope-Solebury 2-4-2-3 11
Non-league
WISSAHICKON 3, PENNSBURY 0
Aiden Drabick assisted on a pair of goals and Sophia Havrilla added a goal and an assist to lead the Trojans to a non-league win over the visiting Falcons.
“It was a great win against a tough opponent,” Wissahickon coach Lucy Gil said.
The Trojans got on the scoreboard four-and-a-half minutes into the game when Ella Hummel turned a Drabick pass into a goal. Wissahickon took that 1-0 lead into halftime and then added an insurance goal with 5:17 remaining in the third period on a goal by Havrilla, again with a Drabick assist. Kendal Williams closed out the scoring with a goal in the fourth quarter, using a Havrilla assist.
Wissahickon goalie Alli Wood recorded four saves in the shutout win.
Pennsbury goalie Jordan Vradenburgh was credited with 13 saves.
“We were down in their end a lot,” Gil said. “They had some really fast kids, so once they were able to get through our midfield, they had a pretty clear path because we were all pushing up to score.
“They had a few chances, but for the most part, we were on top of them.”
The Trojans’ coach credited the efforts of several players.
“Aiden Drabick had a really great game,” Gil said. “And Sophia Havrilla also had a really good game. Her sister was one of my captains last year, so she’s following in her steps.
“Those two played really well, controlled the ball and moved the ball up the field really well.”
Wissahickon (9-3, 7-3 SOL) will host Souderton in a non-league game Monday at 3:30 p.m. It marks the beginning of an ambitious stretch that included three games in three days. The Trojans will host Neshaminy on Tuesday and then be on the road at North Penn on Wednesday.
“Who wants to practice for a week-and-a-half?” Gil said. “Let’s just play – just get out there and have some fun.
“A couple of people have said, ‘If you lose, you’re going to ruin your chances of having a home game for the district.’ I’m like, ‘You know what – let’s just play.’”
Pennsbury (3-5, 3-4) will travel to Council Rock North next Wednesday.
Pennsbury 0-0-0-0 0
Wissahickon 1-0-1-1 3
Falcons showing their growth
(Article submitted by Pennsbury field hockey)
When the Pennsbury coaches had the opportunity to add Wissahickon to their schedule, they took advantage of it immediately knowing that it would be a great challenge to put before their team. The Falcons met the challenge with grit, heart, and awesome field hockey. Playing on turf as a grass team puts PHS at a disadvantage from the start, but the girls came out ready to battle and adapted quickly to the fast pace of the game against a very strong Trojan team. Last year PHS fell 6-0 in a preseason scrimmage against Wissahickon. Today’s game ended with a loss as well, but with a score of 3-0 and a story that is not told well in the outcome.
Wiss scored first early in the first quarter, but the Falcons made them earn it for sure. The defensive power of Sophia Curtis, Reilly Monach, Hannah Aker, Sophia Hitchingham, and goalie Jordan Vradenburgh did not make it easy for Wiss to get on the scoreboard. Vradenburgh, with over 15 saves, had an outstanding game using her agility to dive, slide, clear, and strongly deny a few one-on-one breakaways. The score remained 1-0 after the first quarter. Pennsbury came out in the second quarter more determined than ever. Sophomore forward Meg McClure played smart hockey connecting with senior forward Kayli Williams to create many give-and-go offensive pushes and scoring opportunities. After some great passing sequences the Falcons did put the ball in the cage in the second quarter, which would have tied the score 1-1, however, the goal was called back as ruled on the field during the play in the circle. After the gut-punch goal reversal, Pennsbury simply dug deeper and entered halftime holding the score at 1-0.
When the third quarter began, it was evident that the battle intensified – the speed and physicality of the game was at its peak. Wissahickon is a very skilled, fast team, and the Falcons were right at their heels answering back with the same level of play. The Trojans did score two more goals, one in the third quarter and one in the fourth resulting in the 3-0 loss, but the PHS coaches are nothing but proud of the effort and heart put on the field for 60 minutes. The story of the game reveals progress in field hockey skill, but more importantly in believing in our abilities as players and a program as a whole. It is games like this that catapult us forward as we build from the inside out and embrace our progress as a true reflection of our success and achievements this season. We are grateful for the chances to be challenged and forced to raise our caliber of play and we are grateful for the ability to play field hockey this fall. The Falcons will travel to Council Rock North for their last regular season game on Wednesday, Oct. 28.
LOWER MORELAND 8, BISHOP McDEVITT 0
Coach Shawn Mayer used Wednesday’s non-league game as an opportunity to give her underclassmen meaningful minutes. Twenty-six sophomores and freshmen saw action, and they certainly did not disappoint, rolling to the shutout win.
Sophomore Carly Keller set the tone with a pair of goals in the opening quarter, both with assists from sophomore Liz Neeld. Sophomore Isabella Gioia also scored, using an assist from sophomore Lily Eleba. The Lions led 3-0 after one frame.
In the second quarter, Neeld scored with an assist from sophomore Mady Link, and freshman Bri Rocha also scored to send the Lions into halftime with a 5-0 lead, using an assist from Carly Keller.
Freshman Lauren Markowitz turned a pass from freshman Jess Pachman into the only goal of the third quarter. In the fourth quarter, Pachman scored with an assist from Mia Peng, and then it was Peng closing out the scoring with a goal, this one assisted by freshman Ellie Chartock.
Lower Moreland utilized four goalkeepers – sophomore Sarah Rosala, freshman Mia Krug, freshman Abby Gliwa and freshman Megan Halpern.
McDevitt’s keeper, Abby Kearny, had a strong game despite the final score, recording 33 saves.
Lower Moreland 6-4 overall (4-4 SOL) with the possibility of adding another game to its schedule next week.
Bishop McDevitt 0-0-0-0 0
Lower Moreland 3-2-1-2 8
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