Seven SOL field hockey teams will be in action in Thursday’s second round of the District One Tournament. Check back for recaps. (Photos provided by Springfield & Neshaminy field hockey)
There’s nothing quite like Spartan field hockey.
That’s certainly the way Kate Wojeck sees it, and she probably wouldn’t get any arguments from her teammates.
“You ask anybody who’s been a past Spartan hockey player, and they’ll say Spartan hockey days are the best days of their lives,” the Spartans’ senior tri-captain said. “And it really is true.
“Especially with the pandemic, we really took that to heart this year, cherishing every moment we have together. I think that has made this year even more special, so every time we’re on the field, there’s a new favorite memory, so it’s been really cool.”
The Spartans captured the SOL Freedom Division title with an undefeated league season, an outcome they undoubtedly couldn’t have imagined during the dog days of summer.
“A few months ago during the summer, we had no idea what was going to happen,” senior tri-captain Maddie Yoder said. “I think the fact that we were able to practice and have a shortened season was really special to all of us because we were all very excited to play. Just with everything going on that we were able to put a stick in our hands and play.”
“Going off what Maddie said – how grateful we were to have a season,” senior tri-captain Anya Kochanowicz said. “I think one of our big motivators to work hard and put all our effort into every second we were on the field at practices was that we were fortunate enough to have the opportunity to play this season, so we really pushed hard.”
“A lot went into us even being able to play,” Wojeck said. “There was definitely a period of a week that all the schools around us had committed to play the season, and we were the only ones who hadn’t.
“I think the athletic community of our school came together. I collected a bunch of videos from the fall senior captains of all the teams and made a video with all of us talking about how important our seasons were to us and how much they impacted us and how we were ready to follow all the guidelines.”
A rally was also held along Paper Mill Road.
“All the athletic teams showed up, we brought signs to show our support pushing for sports,” senior tri-captain Anya Kochanowicz said.
Their efforts were rewarded when the school board voted to allow fall sports.
“I think the video of all the captains pleading their case, showing maturity won the school board,” Spartans’ head coach Linda Nixon said. “I think it was the only reason why the school board voted on their behalf. It was a very powerful effort to do so.”
The Spartans entered the season without a whole lot of preparation.
“Most of the schools were doing full-blown workouts this summer,” Nixon said. “They were really practicing.
“We started and one of our players got COVID that closed us down and we never opened again. We didn’t even start the first day.”
When they did receive the green light to play, the Spartans seized the opportunity, winning the division title in the newly aligned SOL that included schools of comparable size.
“We have always been in the league where we had such strong competition around us,” Wojeck said. “It was really exciting to see all the hard work we put in over the past four years pay off in that league title.”
No longer in their division was a Plymouth Whitemarsh squad that boasts a 77-game league winning streak and eight consecutive titles.
“Playing the PW teams – it’s been awesome to play them, and it was really good competition, but it was good to actually see what happened when we weren’t in that league this year with the bigger schools,” Wojeck said. “All our hard work paid off with a title.”
“We have been really young the last three years,” Nixon said. “Finally, we have seniors that have a lot of experience and a lot of desire to play field hockey really well, plus we’ve been successful.
“I think we would have found even playing in the old grouping that we would have surpassed what we had been able to do.”
The Spartan tri-captains have a long history together – all three have been starters since their freshman year.
“We have had so much time to find out what things work, and every season we’ve become closer and closer and worked harder to make it further,” Kochanowicz said. “I think this season it was like – we have to do it, we have to go as far as we can.
“Especially with the pandemic that created so many restrictions – there were so many factors that were motivating us. I was really proud of us for not letting it get to us or get us down.”
The season has had its light moments and special memories.
“At practice we split up into four different teams and we’ll play soccer hockey,” Yoder said. “I think that was very good for our team to bond together and work together with something new, not just field hockey.
“We work together on our runs, and we get points for what we do like relay races, and we just work together and bond as a team.”
“Going into the season, there was a lot of uncertainty,” Kochanowcz said. “We had our Senior Night the first game of the season, and it was our home opener.
“That was one of my favorite memories – walking down the turf. It was surreal. Four years went by really, really fast.”
Nixon acknowledged this is a special group.
“I’m proud of this particular group for putting up with grass for most of their lives, for finding a will to go out on a regular basis and run into a powerhouse, rebound from that and come back and play for four years,” the Spartans’ coach said. “These three work hard and are very intense at practice, so they are great examples for their own classmates and the underclassmen.”
On Thursday, the Spartans will host New Hope-Solebury in the District One 1A title game.
“I’ve played three sports at Springfield, and there’s nothing like Springfield hockey,” Yoder said. “I’ve never been on a team where we’ve been so close and supportive of each other. A team has never worked as hard as Springfield hockey has, and I’m just excited to see how far we can go. We’ll keep working hard until we can’t no more.”
CLASS 1A
#3 NEW HOPE-SOLEBURY at SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP (Thursday, Nov. 5, 4 p.m.)
Springfield Township
- 9-0 overall
- 8-0 SOL Freedom Division champion
- Senior captains Anya Kochanowicz (center midfield) and Kate Wojeck (defensive back) earned honorable mention all-state recognition last year. Wojeck and senior captain Maddie Yoder (forward) were first team all-league selections last year.
- Also making important contributions are senior Lauren Corrado (defensive back), senior Molly McGoldrick (midfield), senior Ella Marino (forward), junior Annie Coll (defensive back), junior Anna Javlokov (forward), junior Abby Congdon (defensive back), junior Katie Keown (defensive back), junior Erin Roy (goalie) and freshman Emma Yoder (forward).
- Anya Kochanowicz’s 14 goals and four assists leads the Spartans. Maddie Yoder has 12 goals and six assists leads the Spartans. Ella Marino has 12 goals while Annie Coll and Anna Javlokov both have five goals.
- Notched two regular season wins over #3 New Hope-Solebury (3-1 & 2-1)
How they got here: Springfield rolled to a 9-1 win over #4 Jenkintown. Anya Kochanowicz led the Spartans with five goals while Ella Marino added two goals and an assist. Maddie and Emma Yoder each had one goal.
New Hope-Solebury
- 8-2 overall
- 6-2 SOL Freedom Division second place
- Lions have scored at least one goal in every game
- Only losses came at the hands of top-seeded Springfield Township.
- Quality win over District One 3A #11 Council Rock South (3-2)
How they got here: New Hope-Solebury defeated #2 Dock Mennonite Academy 4-0. Sophia Cozza led the Lions with two goals and an assist. Erin Firth and Avery Mendola each added a goal.
Neshaminy captures third consecutive title
It’s the little things.
That’s not only true on the hockey field for a Neshaminy squad that – despite the graduation of a strong group of seniors – captured the program’s third consecutive title. In the absence of the usual pasta dinners and bonding activities due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the players have found joy in the little things.
“I have been cherishing every team bonding moment we have had from going to a pizza place and sitting in a park with our masks on after practice,” senior captain Dylan Beegal said. “Nothing we would ever do in a normal season but literally sitting in a circle just talking and cherishing every minute.”
“We talked and got to know each other better,” senior captain Brielle Ames said. “We’re doing as much as we can with having barely anything.”
“It’s definitely difficult not having the usual picnic and pasta parties like every year because it’s hard to get a team to connect without those things,” senior captain Ciara Lambon said. “But I think we’ve worked best with what we have to make opportunities for the girls to bond together.”
Like every fall sports team, the players weren’t sure there would even be a season.
“We were preparing with what we could,” Lambon said. “We didn’t have any expectations of what was going to happen.
“We were just hoping for the best and hoping we would get to play for our last season.”
“We had morning runs every day,” Ames said. “And we had the girls get together and just get in shape for the season so we could be as prepared as we could.”
“It was kind of nerveracking finding out so late that we were going to have a season,” senior captain Madi Neiman said. “But I feel we all pulled together and worked our hardest to get ready for the season. I think we did well.”
The Redskins did better than well, winning the conference crown and earning the second seed in the District One 3A Tournament.
“We always have a winning mentality, so there was no doubt in my mind we could do it,” Beegal said. “It was honestly depending on how the season went with everything going on.”
“Every year we go with what we have,” Ames said. “We work as hard as we can with the people we have.
“Losing people in key roles was obviously difficult, but we just work with what we have. All that we do is for the team championship, and we keep working for it.”
That’s not to say it was always easy.
“Having games cancelled and not knowing if we would play them again,” Beegal said. “A lot of things were constantly changing, but I think we powered through.”
On Thursday, the Redskins will host seventh-seeded Methacton in a second round district game.
“Going into the season, we really had no idea,” coach Jamie Pinto said. “For them to accomplish what they have and build the relationships they have and to have such a positive outlook on the season, I think that’s all you can really ask for.
“Winning is great too, but you’re really playing for the girls and for their high school careers, so you want it to be the best it can be. They seem to be going along with it, they’re positive and happy, and that’s what’s important.”
Although the season was different than any before it, the players have made it a memorable one.
“Honestly, I think it’s brought a different kind of closeness in the team because we all know we’re in a very different situation than usual, so knowing we all have to put more effort in makes us closer in a different way,” Beegal said.
“Senior Day is something you always look forward to, you’re excited for it,” Ames said. “Getting to have our own Senior Day and making it the best we could – I couldn’t ask for anything more.”
CLASS 3A
#7 METHACTON at #2 NESHAMINY (Thursday, Nov. 5, 3 p.m.)
Neshaminy
- 8-0 SOL
- 9-1 overall
- Captured third straight SOL National Conference
- Key Players: Forwards -Ciara Lambon (Sr), Colette Schardt (Jr), Aralyn Hackney (So), Mids – Mia Martin (So), Madi Neiman (Sr), Olivia Roscoe (So). Defense – Dylan Beegal (Sr), Avery McGinty (So), Morgan Shaltens (Fr), Megan Hollenbaugh (Jr), Goalie – Riley Wert (Jr)
- Dylan Beegal’s nine goals lead the Redskins. Aralyn Hackney has five goals, and Ciara Lambon, three. Colette Schardt has a team high four assists while Madi Neiman, Megan Hollenbaugh and Carena Barr each have three.
- Redskins are 2-1 in games against District One 3A qualifiers with a pair of wins over#11 Council Rock South (1-0 & 2-0).
- Only loss to #8 Wissahickon in a non-league game to close out the regular season
How they got here: Neshaminy defeated #15 Owen J Roberts 2-1 in overtime in Tuesday’s opening round contest. Ciara Lambon (Madi Neiman assist) scored the game-winner with 7:24 remaining in the second OT. Neiman also had Neshaminy’s first goal.
Methacton
9-1-3 overall
8-1-3 PAC second place
Led by senior midfielder and American University commit Alexa Kratz
Vikings scored 41 goals and allowed 14
Warriors have three shutouts this season – all three were in the last five games
Defeated #10 Perk Valley 3-2 in the regular season and also battled the Vikings to a 1-1 tie. Split season series with #15 Owen J Roberts (1-2 & 2-1). Tied Class 2A #2 Upper Perkiomen (2-2 & 1-1).
How they got here: Methacton defeated PAC rival Perkiomen Valley 2-0, using goals by Bayla Plower and Bene Catoia
The winner will face the winner of the #3 Plymouth Whitemarsh vs. #6 Kennett game
#6 KENNETT at #3 PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH (Thursday, Nov. 5, 3:45 p.m.)
Plymouth Whitemarsh
- 11-0 overall
- 10-0 SOL
- SOL Liberty Division champions, seventh straight conference crown
- Extended SOL conference winning streak to 77 games.
- Led by senior captains Ava Borkowski and Kaleigh Missimer. UNC commit Borkowski is a dangerous forward who surpassed the 100-goal mark as a junior and has 31 goals and two assists (64 points). American University commit Kaleigh Missimer is a midfielder with 13 goals and 15 assists (41 points).
- Other key players include junior midfielder Hailey Copestick (five gaols, seven assists), senior forward Alexa DeLucca (11 goals, one assist), senior forward Regan Gehman (six goals), junior midfielder Molly Lynch (five goals, five assists), senior defender Haley McCourt (a lacrosse commit to Wingate University), junior defender Carly McGee, senior defender Darcy Miller, a Kenyon College commit, senior goalie and Wagner College commit Sarah Trask and sophomore defender Jules Tulio
- Wins over Class 3A #8 Wissahickon (3-2 OT & 2-1) and Class 2A #7 Upper Dublin (7-0 & 6-1)
How they got here: Plymouth Whitemarsh defeated #14 Avon Grove 1-0. Senior midfielder Kaleigh Missimer scored the game-winner with 8:37 remaining in regulation.
Kennett
- 8-1 overall
- 7-1 Ches-Mont
- Kennett returns some quality veterans, most notable seniors Emma Schwarz and Mia Gruce, who were first team all-league selections as juniors.
- Junior Vivian Chiomento and senior Devon Johnson earned second team honors last year while sophomore Sarah Burns received honorable mention.
- The Blue Demons were 2-1 against teams in the District One 3A Tournament with a pair of wins over #13 Great Valley (4-1 & 2-0)
How they got here: Kennett defeated #11 Council Rock South 3-1 in Monday’s opening round.
The winner will face the winner of the #2 Neshaminy vs. #7 Methacton game.
#13 GREAT VALLEY at #5 CENTRAL BUCKS EAST (Thursday, Nov. 5, 2:30 p.m.)
Central Bucks East
- 10-1 overall
- 9-1 SOL Colonial champions
- SOL Colonial Division champions, program’s fourth straight conference title
- Key players are senior captain Emily Bullard (GK), senior captain Kenzie Lever (M-F), senior captain Phia Mannino (M-F), senior Grace Bethke (D), senior Renee Gatto (D), junior Sophia Parker (M), junior Ella Vlasblom (M), junior Paige Hussie (D), junior Kiera Lamb (D), sophomore Allie Troth (F), freshman Paige Keller (F)
- Attack led by Penn State commit Phia Mannino with seven goals and nine assists (23 points), JMU commit Kenzie Lever with nine goals (18 points) and Sophia Parker with six goals and five assists (17 points.
- Penn State commit Emily Bullard has been stellar in goal and boasts a 90 percent save rate in goal.
- The Patriots – 5-1 against teams in the District One 3A Tournament – won both regular season meetings against #12 North Penn (4-0 & 2-1) and #16 Central Bucks South (3-1 & 2-0). They split with #9 Souderton (0-3 & 5-2).
How they got here: Central Bucks East defeated #12 North Penn 2-1. Sophia Parker scored a goal that tied the game 1-1, and Grace Bethke scored the game-winner.
Great Valley
- 6-3 overall
- 5-3 Ches-Mont
- Led by freshman sisters Nadia and Eva Nameth. Eva Nameth and Marley Alleva anchor the midfield
- Lost to WC Henderson 3-0 in the regular season finale but defeated the Warriors in the opening round of districts.
How they got here: Great Valley upset #4 West Chester Henderson 2-1. Freshman Nadia Nameth scored both goals.
The winner will play the winner of the #16 Central Bucks South vs. #8 Wissahickon game.
#16 CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH at #8 WISSAHIACKON (Thursday, Nov. 5, 3:30 p.m.
Wissahickon
- 12-4 overall
- 7-3 SOL, second place SOL Liberty Division
- Key Players: Forwards – Ella Hummel (10), Sophia Havrilla (10) and Kendall Crowley(10), Midfielders – Caroline Kirkpatrick (10), Aiden Drabick (12) (committed to Temple) and Kate Lovensheimer (11), Backs: Alena Doll (12), Brynne Miller (11) and Emma Walsh (12), Sweeper: Julia Schools (11), GK – Alli Wood (11) Committed to UMass
- Attack led by Aiden Drabick (16 goals, 12 assists), Ella Hummel (10 goals, four assists), Kendal Williams (8 goals, three assists), Sophia Havrilla (6 goals, 10 assists), Brynne Miller (four goals, seven assists), Kendall Crowley (three goals, 4 assists).
- Trojans are 5-3 against teams in District One 2A/3A Tournament with wins over #2 Neshaminy (2-1), #9 Souderton (1-0 OT), #11 Council Rock South (2-1) and Class 2A Upper Dublin (6-0 & 5-0).
How they got here: Wissahickon defeated #9 Souderton 3-2. Senior Aiden Drabick scored all three of the Trojans’ goals, breaking a 2-2 tie early in the fourth quarter with the game-winner.
Central Bucks South
- 5-5-1 overall
- 4-5-1 SOL Colonial fourth place
- Key players: Sophia Wasyliw (12, Mid, Captain), Alyssa Endrick (12, Mid, Captain), Braylee Webb (12 Forward), Gwen DiPrinzio (12, GK), Julia Cooper (11, Def), Sarah Cooper (11 Def), Erin Smith (11 Forward), Anna Shirley (11, Mid), Grace Haag (11 Def), Bella Schute (10, Forward), Lily Haag (10, Def), Megan Reilly (10, Forward), Marielle Mauri (10, Forward)
- Leading a balanced attack are Erin Smith (10 goals, four assists), Braylee Webb (eight goals), Anna Shirley (four goals) and Julia Cooper (two goals, four assists.
- The Titans defeated #9 Souderton 1-0 and battled the Indians to a 3-3 tie in two meetings this season.
How they got here: Central Bucks South upset top-seeded Downingtown West 2-1 in Monday’s opening round. Alyssa Endrick scored the game-winner in overtime. Erin Smith also scored for the Titans.
The winner will face the winner of the #5 Central Bucks East vs. #13 Great Valley game.
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