Check out the recaps for SOL field hockey teams in action Thursday. Neshaminy/Pennridge photos courtesy of John Gleeson. Pennsbury/Souderton photos courtesy of Darryl Rule of J&D Photography. Check back for galleries of both games.
SOL Patriot/Colonial Crossover
NESHAMINY 4, PENNRIDGE 0
Forty-eight hours after a disappointing loss to North Penn, the Redskins responded with a strong outing, shutting out the visiting Rams.
“Today was a good game for us, we bounced back well from a tough loss against North Penn,” coach Jamie Pinto said of Tuesday’s 5-0 loss to the Knights. “We practiced hard yesterday and regrouped— today it showed.
“Our forwards did a nice job pressuring and getting shots off. The midfield stepped up and kept the ball in the circle, and defensively, we did a nice job stepping to the ball. Our passing looked good from the mids to the forwards, and we were able to generate offense.”
The Redskins scored all the goals they would need in the first quarter when they put a pair on the board. Kasey Rieger connected on an unassisted goal six minutes into the frame, and Avery McGinty turned a Mia Martin pass into a goal in the quarter’s closing second.
Four minutes into the second quarter, Ava Arbakov scored with a Rieger assist to put the Redskins on top 3-0 at halftime. Arbakov connected on her second goal with 9:49 remaining in the contest, this time using a McGinty assist.
“Avery McGinty has been playing well and leading the team defensively this year,” Pinto said. “Today she was doing a nice job generating offense from the back. She sees the field well and finds good through balls.
“Kasey Rieger and Ava Arbakov did a good job applying pressure in the circle, they work well together. Kasey is very skilled and Ava continually hustles. Colette Schardt did a nice job controlling the center of the field, and Mia Martin and Olivia Roscoe were on the sides supporting and applying pressure. We have a tough week coming up and we will continue to practice hard and play together.”
Neshaminy (7-3, 7-3 SOL) will travel to Souderton on Monday for a 7 p.m. game, and Pennridge (3-7, 2-6) will be on the road at Council Rock South on Monday.
Pennridge 0-0-0-0 0
Neshaminy 2-1-0-1 4
NORTH PENN 5, COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 1
The Knights are showing no ill effects from a three-game skid that temporarily derailed the team after opening the season with three straight wins. For the second time in as many wins this week, the Knights erupted for five goals, this time upending the Patriot Division leading Golden Hawks.
“We are playing some good hockey right now,” North Penn coach Shannon McCracken said. “The three things I said to my team after the game today – they’re communicating really well on the field, they are seeing passing lanes and moving into passing lanes very well, and the third thing is they’re playing with confidence and trusting each other. They’re allowing their teammates to do their jobs, and they’re playing off of each other very well.
“When we were having a little bit of difficulty, each individual was trying to do a little too much. We’re playing just a really nice team-inspired game right now, and that makes a huge difference. We just really set the tone today with our passing sequences. We’re stepping into passing lanes, and we’re focusing on moving the ball quickly. Letting the ball do what the legs can’t do is one of the things we’re trying to focus on, and they’re doing a really nice job with that.”
Madison Waldspurger put the Knights on the scoreboard four minutes into the second quarter, giving the Knights a lead they would not lose. It marked the beginning of another two-goal, one-assist game for Waldspurger, who also had two goals and an assist in the Knights’ 5-0 win over Neshaminy on Tuesday.
“She’s just a great player,” McCracken said of Waldspurger. “She’s a firecracker in the circle, whether it’s on offense or on defense, but offensively, she comes from a midfield position, and she’s doing a really nice job of supporting the ball and jumping on rebound opportunities.”
Less than a minute after connecting on her first goal, Waldspurger struck again, this time scoring with a Catherine McGeehan assist. Grace McGeehan’s unassisted goal sent the Knights into halftime with a 3-0 lead.
Just over two minutes into the third quarter, Erin O’Donnell connected on an unassisted goal, and midway through the quarter, Riley O’Donnell scored with a Waldspurger assist. Caroline Martin put the Golden Hawks on the scoreboard, finding the cage with 39 seconds remaining in the third quarter for a 5-1 score that held until the final whistle.
“I was really pleased with the improved play of our midfield,” McCracken said of Kerry O’Donnell, Waldspurger, Caleigh Sperling and Bay Detweiler. “I think that’s really making a difference in feeding our attack players but also being in the right position to help with rebounds and transitioning the ball from defense to offense. They’re doing a really nice job of distributing the ball well and supporting the defense.”
The Knights held an advantage in shots (17-6) and penalty corners (10-6). Kiera Holt and Mackenzie Czajkowski both were credited with three saves in goal for the Knights. Peyton Wright recorded five saves for the Golden Hawks.
“Annabelle Smink led our defense,” McCracken said. “They have some speed on the forward line. I was impressed with how well they came down the field.
“It didn’t feel quite like a 5-1 game. We made the most of our opportunities and capitalized, but it felt like a close game at times because they’re fast, and I thought Anabelle Smink did a nice job of denying some of their opportunities in the circle.”
North Penn (5-3, 4-3 SOL) will host Wissahickon in a non-league game on Friday at 3:45 p.m. Council Rock South (7-4, 7-2) will host Pennridge on Monday at 7:30 p.m.
North Penn 0-3-2-0 5
Council Rock South 0-0-1-0 1
SOUDERTON 7, PENNSBURY 0
Scoring goals has not come easily for the Indians, who – despite their 8-1 record – scored a season-high four goals just once. On Thursday, they exploded for seven goals, and interestingly, they did it in their first game of the season on grass.
Lauren Kenah ignited the Indians attack. The senior midfielder had a hand in six of the Indians’ seven goals, scoring twice and assisting on four others. Reiley Knize added a hat trick.
“We’ve struggled to score all season, so it was nice to get a few goals today,” Souderton coach Sue Casciato said. “We have some tough games coming up during the next few weeks, so hopefully today was something to build on. We need to be certain that we come out with a sense of urgency for every game.”
It was Kenah scoring an unassisted goal five minutes into the contest, and a goal by Knize (Kenah assist) with three minutes remaining in the quarter put the Indians on top 2-0. Ava Jones turned a Kenah pass into a goal with 9:41 remaining in the second quarter, and five minutes later, Knize connected on her second goal, this one with a Julia Blair assist that went the Indians into halftime with a 4-0 lead.
Midway through the third quarter, Knize scored – again with a Kenah assist – to complete her hat trick, and then it was defensive back Lauren Frye finding the cage, also with a Kenah assist, to make it a 6-0 game. Kenah’s unassisted goal early in the fourth quarter closed out the scoring.
Souderton (8-1, 7-0 SOL) will host Neshaminy for Monday’s Senior Night game at 7 p.m., and Pennsbury (5-3, 4-3) will be on the road at Central Bucks West on Friday (7 p.m.).
Souderton 2-2-2-1 7
Pennsbury 0-0-0-0 0
(Article submitted by Pennsbury field hockey)
Intimidation is a funny thing. Synonyms for the word include ‘frightening,” ‘menacing,’ ‘terrifying’ and ‘alarming.’ Souderton was none of those things, but for some reason, our team responded to the game today as if they were all of those adjectives at once.
The Falcons came out ready to play their game; however. somewhere along the way, the foundation began to crumble and we lost our focus. Souderton scored in the first five minutes of the game putting them up 1-0. Soon after that, Pennsbury senior defender Helena Sosa went down with a ball driven into her head during a penalty corner. Sosa was taken out and could not return. That moment rocked us to the core.
“The game was stopped for some time to treat her, and I don’t think our girls ever snapped out of that injury delay,” Pennsbury coach Traci Curtis said. “This is where the mental barriers get the best of us – we have to learn to navigate this aspect of our game better. We were losing 1-0 at that point and putting up a good fight, but then the Big Red tipped in another making it 2-0 going into the second quarter.
“Losing Sosa on defense was a huge blow to us today. We just got her into our lineup after her being out at the start of the season – it just broke my heart to see that happen to her. She is so solid on D and brings an element to our game that is so imperative for our backfield.”
Coach Traci Curtis said she could see it in her players’ eyes that they were just not all present mentally after that. Souderton continued to dominate, scoring two more in the second quarter and taking a 4-0 lead into halftime.
The Pennsbury coaching staff was scrambling to make the proper adjustments, change strategy, and continue to encourage their squad to stay in it. Unfortunately, as PHS spent time deciphering the mystery of their players, Souderton just got more comfortable and stronger in their already high level game. They are incredibly fast and skilled in every facet – passing, receiving, hitting, dodging, decision making, movement, and more.
The third quarter was much of the same with the Big Red tallying two more goals, and the Falcons found themselves being shut out from end to end. We earned one penalty corner and executed it really well, but we were not able to finish and put one in. One more goal in the fourth quarter from Soudy brought the final score to 7-0 and another big shutout loss for PHS. Today was the first of a five-game stretch for the Falcons.
“With only the weekend to rest and recover and a slew of difficult crossover games, it will be a great challenge and intense test of strength, both in hockey and self,” Curtis said. “Shout out to two Falcon players who were a continuous spark throughout the battle, never succumbing to intimidation – junior forward Meg McClure and junior captain midfielder/defender Olivia Graebner. There are not enough words to describe the gritty effort put forth by these two girls. They handle whatever comes their way and contribute above and beyond every single day. All we can do is put one foot in front of the other and be ready to play tomorrow against CB West. It will be a ‘Friday Night Lights’ game on West’s turf and another chance for us to learn and grow together to write the story of our season.”
CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 11, HARRY S TRUMAN 0
Nine different players scored goals – five in the opening quarter as the visiting Titans jumped out to an early lead and never looked back.
Anna Shirley’s unassisted goal four minutes into the contest was followed by a goal from Rebecca Zakrzewski (Erin Smith assist) less than a minute later. That 2-0 score stood until the Titans erupted for three goals in the final 2:13 of the frame. Julia Cooper (Shirley assist), Megan Reilly (Zakrzewski assist) and Smith accounted for the three goals that put the Titans on top 5-0.
In the second period, Shirley (Julia Cooper assist), Kailey Sarrasin and Smith (Sarah Cooper assist) each scored a goal to send the Titans into halftime with an 8-0 advantage.
Sam Thomas, Styler Gannon (Smith assist) and Lily Haag (Smith assist) closed out the scoring with goals in the third quarter.
South coach Pat Toner lauded her team’s excellent passing game and also credited the Tigers.
“Despite the score, Truman’s goalkeeper made several excellent saves including a beautiful save on a penalty stroke in the opening minutes of the game,” South coach Pat Toner said. “Truman played hard the entire game.”
Smith was part of five goals, leading the Titans with two goals and three assists, while Shirley had two goals and one assist. Julia Cooper and Rebecca Zakrzewski each had one goal and one assist.
Lily Haag, Kailey Sarrasin and Styler Gannon scored their first varsity goals.
The Titans held an advantage in shots (28-2) and penalty corners (14-1).
South goalie Emma Kraft was credited with two saves in the shutout win. Truman’s Stacy Couillard recorded 17 saves.
Central Bucks South (6-2 SOL) will travel to Abington for a non-league game, and Harry S Truman (0-7) will be on the road at Norristown on Saturday for a non-league game at 9 a.m.
Central Bucks South 5-3-3-0 11
Harry S Truman 0-0-0-0 0
SOL Liberty/Freedom Crossover
QUAKERTOWN 1, WILLIAM TENNENT 0 (OT)
Quakertown notched its second win in as many games and third in its last four outings. Winning is something coach Kate Kemp and her players could get used to.
“I like it, but I can’t take these overtime wins though – they’re too much,” the Panthers coach said after her team eked out a win over visiting Tennent. “The best part is watching them actually have fun playing field hockey now. For the longest time, it was a ‘here we go again.’
“The last thing one of our assistant coaches says to them – ‘Go have fun,’ and that’s how we sent them out to overtime, and that’s how they play. They genuinely enjoy playing. It shows at practice, it shows at the game. It’s been really great to see them kind of turn it around this year.”
Kaitlin Calvello scored the game-winner with six minutes remaining in overtime, using an Alexis Mowrer assist.
“We were able to score after a little scrum in front of the cage,” Kemp said. “This was a really exciting, fast-paced game.
“Both teams played really strong for 60 minutes to force overtime. Tennent is a strong team with some really solid players. We were fortunate to come away with a win tonight.”
The Panthers’ coach credited the effort of her entire squad.
“Everybody played well,” Kemp said. “We were missing one of our midfielders, who has been quarantining and is out for a week, so we had to move some people around. The greatest part was that everywhere we moved people – they knew how to play that position even if it wasn’t their number one spot.
“I moved a forward and said, ‘You’re going to have to play mid now.’ We had a couple ninth graders step into that forward slot. We were just moving them all around, and they’re just trusting each other so much more out there, which is nice to see.”
Senior Kylie Lerch was credited with seven saves in goal in the shutout win, and she had plenty of support.
“Alex Bevan-Xenelis had another good game,” the Panthers’ coach said. “Megan Roth, who plays defensive mid, had a really good game. Our defense is really, really solid.
“Kiera Gallagher, another midfielder, had a really great game. She’s really getting into the part where she’s setting up some plays. She’s our point spot on corners, and I just let her call it. I’ve given her the reins, and she calls the corners.”
Quakertown (3-5, 3-4 SOL) will travel to Upper Moreland on Monday, and William Tennent (1-6) will be on the road at Cheltenham on Friday.
William Tennent 0-0-0 0
Quakertown 0-0-1 1
NEW HOPE-SOLEBURY 2, ABINGTON 1
The Lions scored a pair of goals in the second quarter, and that turned out to be the difference in the game.
“New Hope always has a very well-coached, disciplined team” Abington coach Katie Small said. “This year was no different.
“We struggled to find our rhythm in the first half, allowing two goals in two minutes during the second quarter.”
Kat Thistlewaite converted a rebound into a goal to give the Lions a 1-0 lead, and then it was Laura Genovay scoring with an assist from Maddie Thistlewaite.
That 2-0 NHS lead stood until Camryn Stewart found the cage in the third quarter, using a Devan DiMaria assist. Neither team scored the rest of the way.
“We started slow, we picked it up in the second and really came on strong, but then we kind of relaxed,” NHS coach Gwen Smith said. “Abington came out really strong in the second half and we were on our heels.”
Small was pleased with her team’s effort in the second half.
“Second half we came out with a new focus and higher intensity and found the back of the net seven minutes into the third quarter,” the Ghosts’ coach said. “Unfortunately, we dug ourselves into too big of a hole to climb out of.
“I was very proud of the way the girls dug deep and made adjustments in the second half. We made a few lineup changes, and the girls were able to adjust quickly and allowed them to find a flow. Hoping that will continue into the game against CB South tomorrow.”
New Hope-Solebury (7-1-1, 6-1-1 SOL) will travel to Hatboro-Horsham on Monday, and Abington (6-3, 5-3) will host Central Bucks South in a non-league game Friday.
Abington 0-0-1-0 1
New Hope-Solebury 0-2-0-0 2
UPPER DUBLIN 5, UPPER MORELAND 0
The Flying Cardinals opened up a 3-0 halftime lead on their way to the crossover win.
“Both teams worked really hard today, and my defense did a great job of keeping them out of our circle,” UD coach Emily Town said. “Dara Fishman came up with one big save on a breakaway to achieve a shutout, and we had five great goals.”
Ella Lyon turned an Avery Lennon pass into a goal that ended up being the game-winner with three minutes remaining in the opening quarter. Two minutes into the second half, Aviva Kuznits scored, and that was followed by an Ashley MacNeal goal that was assisted by Lennon, sending the Flying Cardinals into halftime with a 3-0 lead.
“Upper Moreland’s coach must have given a killer pep talk at halftime because they came out strong in the second half, and the third quarter went by without any goals,” Town said.
In the fourth quarter, the Cardinals added two more goals.
“Erin Muth had a beautiful goal off a corner – straight shot to the back of the cage,” Town said.
The final goal was scored by Olivia Vitella and assisted by Caitlyn Darcy.
Upper Moreland goalie Emma Hurley was credited with eight saves.
Upper Dublin (4-4 SOL) will host Lower Moreland for its Senior Night game on Monday, and Upper Moreland (3-7, 2-6) will host Quakertown on Monday for its Senior Night game at 6:30 p.m.
Upper Moreland 0-0-0-0 0
Upper Dublin 1-2-0-2 5
WISSAHICKON 7, LOWER MORELAND 0
The Trojans opened up a 3-0 lead after one quarter on their way to the shutout win in Thursday’s crossover team.
Avery Mullin scored just over two minutes into the game with an assist from Hummel, and then it was Kendall Crowley scoring, also with a Hummel assist. Brynne Miller scored with a Sophia Havrilla assist, and the Trojans were off and running.
Caroline Kirkpatrick (Miller assist) connected for a goal early in the second quarter, and the Trojans took that 4-0 lead into the intermission.
In the third quarter, Kayla Pak scored with an Audrey Walsh assist, and the Trojans closed out the scoring with fourth quarter goals from Havrilla on a penalty stroke and Riley Ball (Havrilla assist).
Havrilla led a balanced Trojan attack with a goal and two assists.
“(We) lost to a very talented and quick Wissahickon team,” LM coach Janet Lutter said. “The 7-0 score does not reflect the hard work and determination of the Lady Lions.
“I was proud of the way they fought up until the final horn. Goalie Sarah Rosala had 30 saves. Pacing the defense were backs Kathleen Chen (four defensive saves) and Meredith Lutter, Jess Shein and Maya Vaisman (three defensive saves each). Forward Bri Rocha worked tremendously hard to move the ball downfield and had her best game of the season.”
Wissahickon (9-0 8-0 SOL) will travel to North Penn for a non-league game Friday, and Lower Moreland (6-4, 4-4) will be on the road at Upper Dublin on Monday.
Lower Moreland 0-0-0-0 0
Wissahickon 3-1-1-2 7
HATBORO-HORSHAM 1, CHELTENHAM 0
Two teams looking for their first win of the season did battle Thursday, and it was the Hatters notching their first win, thanks to a Kali Fullmer goal with an assist from Mary Grace Garcia.
Goalie Raven Hiller came up big in the cage for the Hatters, turning away all 10 shots she faced to earn the win.
Hatboro-Horsham (1-8, 1-7 SOL) will host New Hope-Solebury on Monday, and Cheltenham (0-7) will host William Tennent on Friday.
PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 3, SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP 0
The Colonials took a 1-0 lead into halftime. It could have been more, but Springfield Township goalie Erin Roy turned away a penalty stroke just before halftime. PW added a pair of second-half goals to earn the 3-0 win.
“Springfield played a tough game today,” Spartans’ coach Anita Stum said.
Plymouth Whitemarsh (6-2-1, 6-1-1 SOL) will host William Tennent on Monday, and Springfield Township (6-2, 5-2) will travel to Central Bucks West for a non-league game on Saturday.
Wednesday, Sept. 29
CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 8, BENSALEM 0
Bella Aulisio, Mimi Duffy and Nina Mayro each scored two goals while Riley Fitzmartin and Carley Briece had one each as the Bucks rolled to the crossover win.
“This was our first complete end-to-end game of the season,” West coach Dave DeAngelis said. “We were connecting and transitioning the ball nicely across each of the lines tonight.
“Our team created a lot of opportunity in our offensive zone with five different student-athletes being able to finish into the cage. Our midfielders and defense rotated and transitioned well to help keep us out of harm’s way.”
The Bucks held an advantage in shots (21-0) and corners (13-0).
“Credit to Bensalem for continuing to battle throughout the match,” DeAngelis said.
Central Bucks West (2-6 SOL) will host Pennsbury on Friday (7 p.m.), and Bensalem (1-7) will host North Penn on Monday.
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