Ten SOL girls’ soccer teams will be in action in Monday’s opening round of the District One Tournament. Check back for recaps.
CLASS 4A
#16 Council Rock North at #1 Downingtown East
The Indians finished their regular season on the outside looking in at the playoffs, but the final tally of results Wednesday bumped them back into the mix. After a strong start to the season, a two-week layoff and difficult finishing stretch took a toll but North has the talent to make noise in the postseason.
The winner will face the winner of #8 Hatboro-Horsham vs. #9 Neshaminy.
Council Rock North Indians
- 5-5-0 Overall
- 4-4-0 SOL Patriot
- Notable wins over 4A No. 10 William Tennent (4-1), No. 6 Coucil Rock South (1-0) and No. 11 Pennsbury (2-1)
- Forwards Taylor Brennan and Jayne Bogle bring a workhorse mentality up top. Both are capable of giving a defender the slip and have scored some crucial goals this season.
- Grace Needham and Mairin Coghlan are both capable of the big save in goal. Morgan McCaffery and Riley Hamilton help solidify the back, McCaffery can also threaten the opposing goal.
- Sammy Judge and Anna Cairone are experienced standouts in the midfield while Izzy Linus, DJ Lepore and Ell Needham have settled into consistent roles during the season.
Downingtown East Cougars
- 8-0-0 Overall
- Ches-Mont National champion
- Junior Caroline McDonald is the team’s primary goal-scoring threat.
- Bailey Horvath, Nicole Pendergast, Gabi Kobell, Hannah Moses and Molly Walsh compose Downingtown East’s defense. Senior goalkeeper Natalie Sims has five shutouts.
#9 Neshaminy Redskins at #8 Hatboro-Horsham
A late-season surge helped Neshaminy to its first SOL title since the 2013 season. The Redskins went on to win District I and PIAA titles that fall and this year’s team is looking to make a postseason run of its own.
Thanks to strong senior leaders, the Hatters rebuilt quickly after losing a large group of contributors from last year’s SOL champion. A hard-working team with some potent scorers, Hatboro-Horsham is looking to get over the hump and win its first playoff game with this current crop of players.
The winner will face either No. 1 Downingtown East or No. 16 Council Rock North
Neshaminy Redskins
- 6-3-1 overall, 5-2-1 SOL Patriot
- SOL Patriot co-champions
- Notable wins over No. 6 Council Rock South (1-0) and No. 16 Council Rock North (2-0), also draw with Council Rock South (0-0)
- Senior Nina Mason, a standout rugby player, brings a nose for goal and toughness to the field. Paige Borkowski has a sharp eye for finding open players and Carly Gross adds senior leadership in the midfield
- Jenna Winchester and Angelina Daino have been capable scorers at forward.
- Junior Jordyn Fregia, a co-captain, anchors the defense at center back but is also a dangerous set-piece taker for Neshaminy. Sophomore Hannah Labadie has been solid in goal during the season.
Hatboro-Horsham Hatters
- 8-2-0 overall and SOL Liberty
- Junior forward Emily Thomas is a true target forward, with double-digit goals this season while freshman Mia Malofiy is a potent secondary threat.
- Senior Maggie O’Neill sets the work rate for the team out wide and in the middle and is a capable scorer. Sophia Liott and freshman Emma Levin control the middle of the field and Caroline Shegogue provides width.
- Seniors Izzy de la Torre and Aly Yankanich bring toughness to the backline in front of keeper Sam Hollish.
#12 Central Bucks West at #5 Spring-Ford
While the Bucks had a challenging slate of games to finish the regular season, they’re hoping a return to full strength gets them back on track in the postseason.
The Rams are always a battle-tested opponent, but West is in the postseason for a third straight year and knows what it takes to advance in the postseason. A tough team with strong seniors, West has the confidence it can hang with anybody.
The winner will face No. 4 Owen J Roberts. No. 13 Unionville was forced to forfeit its first round match after a positive COVID-19 test in the program.
Central Bucks West Bucks
- 6-3-1 overall and SOL Colonial
- Notable win over No. 3 Pennridge (2-1)
- Junior Taylor Moyer is the Bucks’ leading scorer but also a top assist creator and skilled on free kick and corner service. Riley Corona and Shea Lubin flank Moyer at forward.
- Midfield anchored by Ava Longo, Erin Stranix and Mariella Neri is physical, strong and good at winning the ball in the air.
- Seniors Keely McGlone and Courtney Moylan anchor the back line between Bella Centenera and Kate Weyer. Jenna Abaza is a four-year starter at goalkeeper
Spring-Ford Rams
- 10-1-1 record, PAC co-champions
- Junior defender Olivia Curry, a Wisconsin recruit, is one of the top players in the state. Raven Wellington, Caitlin Norwood and Maddie O’Donnell make up the back line with senior Riley Wallace in goal.
- Seniors Molly Thomas (holding) and Hope Flanegin (attacking) anchor a midfield that is very solid offensively and defensively.
- Emily Higgins and Aly McVey are hard-working forwards up top for the Rams.
#15 West Chester Rustin at #2 Abington
For the second time in the past three seasons, the Ghosts enter the playoffs as conference champions with a strong senior class looking to make a run. Bolstered by a couple late-season formation moves, Abington heads into the playoffs hoping its potent offense will be firing.
The winner will face either No. 7 Avon Grove or No. 10 William Tennent
Abington Ghosts
- 8-1-1 overall and SOL Liberty
- SOL Liberty champion
- Notable wins over No. 8 Hatboro-Horsham (3-1, 2-1)
- Senior Casey Touey, an all-state selection and Drexel recruit, leads Abington in scoring and with a fiery competitive spirit. Senior Lesha Karaba has been an effective scorer on the wing and freshman Piper McGinley brings a surge of energy.
- The midfield is anchored by senior captain Abby Bautista and sophomore Maura Day, the team’s top assist facilitator and a long range scoring threat. Myana Bebee-Gomberg, Mei Mei Cheng and Carley Slavin give the Ghosts depth.
- Junior Caroline Hughes and senior captain Aly Holden hold the defense at center back with junior Ashley Reilly and senior Camille Mugnier on the outside. Lannen Lare and Alexis Ditri have split time at keeper.
West Chester Rustin Golden Knights
- 5-2-1 overall and Ches-Mont
- Emma Pelkowski, a senior and Virginia Tech recruit, orchestrates the attack for the Golden Knights from the attacking midfield role.
- Rustin’s defense is composed of junior Holly Turner, freshman Jen Ely, junior Maegan Quinn and sophomore Hope Donnelly.
- Junior forward Mia Amen is a challenge for back lines to keep contained.
#10 William Tennent at #7 Avon Grove
A move to a new division paid dividends for the Panthers, who put together an unbeaten record in the SOL Freedom. Led by a core group of solid senior players and sparked by some promising underclassmen, Tennent will try to keep its strong fall going with a playoff run.
William Tennent Panthers
- 9-2 overall, 8-0 SOL Freedom
- SOL Freedom champion
- Notable win over No. 16 Council Rock North (2-1)
- Attack paced by duo of senior Caroline Weir and freshman Ava DeGeorge. Weir is a utility player and is effective wherever she lines up.
- Gabby Sowers and Caitlin Somerville serve as the team’s engine, winning balls in the midfield, playing passes into attack and finishing chances when able.
- Youthful defense led by sophomore center backs Sarah Sanson and Sarah Hart and sophomore keeper Kayla Kulp and features Jules Colella, Lyndsay Mulholland, Erin Somerville and Tori Dolt.
Avon Grove Devils
- 6-1-1 overall record.
- Senior Lizzy Harrison is Avon Grove’s top scoring threat.
- Sophomores Grace Keen and Emma Moss have split duties in goal this season.
#14 Great Valley at #3 Pennridge
The defending District I champion Rams enter the postseason off a fifth straight conference title but with a rather young roster. Despite not having senior Youngstown State recruit Maddie Angelo all fall, Pennridge has built a stout defense and has a varied and strong attacking group. Pennridge defeated Great Valley 3-0 in the second round of last year’s District I tournament.
The winner will face either No. 6 Council Rock South or No. 11 Pennsbury.
Pennridge Rams
- 10-1-0 overall, 9-1-0 SOL Colonial
- SOL Colonial champion
- Notable win over No. 12 Central Bucks West (1-0)
- Senior Lindsey DeHaven, a High Point recruit, leads a Hydra-like midfield that fuels the Rams attack but also works hard for possession and ball-winning. Freshman Liv Grenda is an established scoring threat with good ball skills while Riley Hepler, Zoe Sabol, Jess Levush and Raina Adelman bring different looks to the pitch.
- Attack led by junior Leah Malone flanked by young but energetic players like freshmen Tori Angelo and Sophie Craig, sophomore Joey Tomlinson and junior Riley Hepler.
- Stout defense has allowed multiple goals just once, anchored by keeper Sierra Sheaffer. Freshmen Anna Croyle and Casey Malone along with seniors Kera Dam, Cady McKean and Lauren Atchley make up a back line that also contributes offensively.
Great Valley Patriots
- 6-2-0 overall record.
- Notable Wins over No. 13 Unionville (1-0, 3-2) and No. 15 WC Rustin (3-0)
- Senior Elizabeth Cogan leads the attack for the Patriots while junior Rose Bleahen also features heavily at forward.
- Mary Deitch, a senior, and junior Gillian Yonce anchor a GV backline that returns a majority of its experience from last season.
#11 Pennsbury at #6 Council Rock South
After two hard-fought regular season meetings, the SOL Patriot opponents will clash for a third time. Much like last year when the teams met in a district playback game, only the winner will move on.
Despite starting 0-1-1 in conference, the Golden Hawks were able to rally to win a share of the Patriot title, their first since 2017. A year ago, CR South played its way into the state tournament, and its large senior class would like nothing more than to do it again.
With nine seniors leading the way, the Falcons again proved to be a tough-minded and hard-working opponent. While their string of SOL titles was snapped, Pennsbury has plenty of playoff experience to go around.
Pennsbury Falcons
- 6-3 overall, 5-3 SOL Patriot
- Notable wins over No. 9 Neshaminy (3-0, 1-0), No. 16 Council Rock North (3-2)
- Sophomore Taylor Mays has established herself as one of the top forwards in the SOL and brings 12 goals and two assists into the matchup. Sarah Touohy and Olivia Gentile also provide threats up top.
- Kendall Palatine and Sarah Lohrey lead a tough, hard-working midfield group. Lauren Dignan, Grace Palmieri, Emily Welsh, Gianna Price, Kayla Karamis and Sam Strausbaugh have all been key contributors.
- Veterans Bella Arcuri and Darroen Furiness lead a tenacious defensive unit. First-year keeper Emma Corso has been solid between the posts all season.
Council Rock South Golden Hawks
- 8-2-1 overall, 6-2-1 SOL Patriot
- SOL Patriot co-champion.
- Notable wins over No. 11 Pennsbury (2-0, 2-1), No. 10 William Tennent (2-0), No. 16 Council Rock North (3-2)
- Rugged defensive unit anchored by keeper Sydney Mandel. Backs Kim Speiser, Karly Wunder, Emily Davis, Kennedy Keuchler and Kate Hanlon are good individual defenders who also work well as a group.
- Carly Irvin and Skyler Scarborough lead a dynamic group of wingers. Lauren Smith and Kimmie Herritt are rocks in central midfield. Senior attacking midfielder Aubrey Hondros has been on a tear throughout the season and leads the Hawks in scoring.
- Cameron Blatz works hard to create scoring chances at the top of the formation.
CLASS 3A
#6 Upper Moreland at #3 Gwynedd Mercy Academy
The Golden Bears will face a Monarchs team that’s been a somewhat regular playoff foe. GMA knocked the Bears out in 2015 while Upper Moreland ended the Monarchs’ season in 2018. In both cases, it was the home team that came out on top.
The winning team will face either No. 2 Villa Maria Academy or No. 7 West Chester East.
Upper Moreland Golden Bears
- 4-3-1 overall record
- Notable win over 2A No. 1 New Hope-Solebury (3-0)
- Goalkeeper Natalie Walton recorded three shutouts as a first-year starter.
- Emma Frasca and Abby Engart have built up a strong partnership in the attack. Engart is a polished passer but can also score while Frasca is a top option for Upper Moreland.
- Willow Taylor and Kyra Favors are both creative players and scoring threats.
- Kaiya Herb, Mattea Taylor and Kathryn Morrow bring plenty of energy and defensive work to the midfield and backline for the Bears.
Gwynedd Mercy Academy Monarchs
- 6-3 overall record
- Notable win over No. 2 Villa Maria Academy (4-3)
- Seniors Sam Berish and Kaylie Griffin lead the Monarchs attack.
- Defense anchored by standout center back Hailey Morris and senior keeper Grace Galbreath.
- Midfield led by Hannah Griffin, Cassidy Palazzo and Isabella Fiore
CLASS 2A
#2 St. Basil Academy at #1 New Hope-Solebury (Wednesday, Nov. 4, 7 p.m.)
For the fifth straight year, the Panthers and Lions will clash for the 2A title in District I. While St. Basil, which plays in the tough AACA, has won the last four meetings, it’s been a close matchup the last two seasons, and the young Lions and first-year coach Derek Antonini will look to break the trend this fall.
The winner advances to the PIAA tournament.
St. Basil Academy Panthers
- 1-5-1 overall
- Solid midfield unit led by Tori Nigro, Shannon Remolde and Riley Scannell paces St. Basil
- Regan Bentley and Maddie Carter lead the Panthers’ defense
New Hope-Solebury Lions
- 3-5-1 overall
- Notable win over 3A No. 6 Upper Moreland (3-0)
- Sam Finch, Ava Marrone, Juliana Cauvino, Sofia Farina and Tess Murray, along with goalkeeper Margaret Tresler, anchor the defense for the Lions.
- Sam Kruopas, Rylie Hepp, Abby Vickner and Kendall Malmros are energetic midfielders with an eye for the right pass and a knack for scoring goals.
- Ciara Maguire and Nicole Wilson put the pressure on opposing defenses at forward.
About the Author
