Check out the recaps for SOL field hockey teams in action Wednesday. (Photos provided by Springfield Twp field hockey, Pennsbury field hockey & Upper Dublin field hockey)
SOL Patriot
NESHAMINY 3, BENSALEM 0
The Redskins defended the division title they owned, clinching a share of the SOL Patriot Division title with Wednesday’s win.
“From the first game to now, the team has really improved— the girls should be proud of how they have worked together throughout the year and have come together as a team,” Neshaminy coach Jamie Pinto said. “It was a difficult schedule this year, we have had our ups and downs, but we have continually bounced backed, regrouped, and have learned from our mistakes. We have done some really good things this year, which has gotten us to this point, and now we need to continue to build off of those positives for districts.”
Olivia Roscoe’s unassisted goal in the first quarter turned out to be the game-winner. Emily Papeo used an Ava Arbakov assist for a goal that gave the Redskins a 2-0 lead after one quarter. They took that 2-0 lead into the fourth quarter when Ruby Shtino scored, using a Roscoe assist.
“Throughout the season, seniors Colette Schardt, Megan Hollenbaugh, Michelle Baradziej, and goalie Riley Wert have done a nice job leading on and off the field,” Pinto said. “Avery McGinty has played consistently strong and has done a nice job leading as well.
“Olivia Roscoe, Mia Martin, Morgan Shaltens and freshmen Kasey Rieger and Ava Arbakov have all stepped up throughout the season. As a whole, this season has been a total team effort with different players stepping up when needed— over the next few days at practice, we will continue to work hard as a team and focus on the positives from the season to help prepare for Monday.”
Neshaminy (13-5, 11-5 SOL) is 16th in the latest District One 3A power rankings. Bensalem (2-14) will host Northeast in a non-league contest on Thursday.
Neshaminy 2-0-0-1 3
Bensalem 0-0-0-0 0
COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 8, HARRY S TRUMAN 0
The Golden Hawks celebrated their two seniors – Kerry Kaufman and Kasey Knapp – with a convincing Senior Night win.
“It was a beautiful night for a field hockey game and was a nice night to celebrate our seniors,” Rock South coach Colette Paprocki said. “Both girls played well tonight and are great captains this season. I am looking forward to seeing what they will both do next week in playoffs. Kerry and Kasey have worked so hard since they were freshmen and put a lot into the program over the years – it was wonderful to see them honored tonight.”
Making the win even more special was the fact that the Golden Hawks clinched a share of the SOL Patriot Division crown with the win.
“I am really proud of the team for battling hard all season,” Paprocki said. “We had some really exciting wins to celebrate but also a few hard losses to overcome. It was so nice to see them come together collectively as a group, pick each other up and become league co-champions.
“The girls put in the work all summer and all preseason long and it was great to see it pay off for them. They are a great group of girls both on and off the field, and I am really proud to have had the opportunity to coach them. They are truly a special group, and I am so happy for them.”
Amanda Green scored an unassisted goal three minutes into the game, and four minutes later, Kerry Kaufman turned a Kylee Hager pass into a goal. Hager and Kaufman closed out the first quarter with back-to-back unassisted goals to give the Golden Hawks an early 4-0 lead.
In the second quarter, Caroline Martin scored back-to-back unassisted goals nine minutes apart, and Hager (Kaufman assist) scored to send the Hawks into halftime with a 7-0 lead. Megan Rafter scored the lone goal of the second half.
“The team did a nice job moving the ball around and creating opportunities,” Paprocki said. “Truman’s goalie had a lot of really nice saves tonight and played well.”
Council Rock South (11-7, 11-5 SOL) is 20th in the latest District One 3A power rankings. Harry S Truman (0-16-0-15) will host Souderton in its season finale on Thursday.
Harry S Truman 0-0-0-0 0
Council Rock South 4-3-1-0 8
PENNSBURY 2, COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 0
(Article submitted by Pennsbury field hockey)
We knew this day was coming, but it didn’t make it any easier.
In the comfort of their own home field, the Falcons shut out CR North 2-0 for their final game of the regular season. Despite the exciting win, as the clock ran down to zero and the twilight sky turned pink, you could feel the heaviness in their hearts. Through the preseason pressure, grass and turf practices, and all 18 games, these girls won together, lost together, laughed together, and shared some tears.
“It may have taken us a bunch of games to find our groove, but we sure did gain momentum over the last couple of weeks,” coach Traci Curtis said. “This group played some of the best hockey I have ever seen Pennsbury play, and that is just so exciting. What makes us most proud is our team’s response to that rough patch of crossover game losses.
“We lost five in a row and were scoreless in all five of those games, yet we picked ourselves up, brushed off the dirt and won five out of our last six matchups – including an upset over the top team in our division, CR South. Nothing can be a greater life lesson than that sequence of events and we wouldn’t want it to happen any other way.”
Pennsbury emerged from that midseason struggle a transformed team and they did it as one solid unit.
“We accomplished everything we hoped for and more,” Curtis beamed. “I just don’t want it to end. Today was the exclamation point we were looking for, but it came with a lot of planning and strategizing with our lineup.
“We did not know what to expect from North because we played them way back in September on turf. So much time had passed, and they were coming to our field on grass, so it was going to be a completely different contest. Our coaching staff set up a formation to play to our strengths offensively while still keeping a solid defense in place.”
The decision worked as EB Rafferty and Meg McClure connected for the first goal of the game in the opening two minutes.
“Meg crossed the ball and EB tipped it in, which is why we put them on the field where we did – they are a good offensive match for us and have only gotten better with each day,” Curtis said. “McClure is one of our best weapons and she proved it by scoring a second goal for us with three minutes left in the first quarter on an assist by Jaclyn Gorgo to give the Falcons a 2-0 lead going into the half.”
Pennsbury sat on that lead for the remainder of the game and closed out 2021 with four wins in a row. The game was pretty even from end to end with both goalies being challenged with a handful of shots and each team earning a few penalty corners. North has strong sticks making it difficult to get the ball through them.
“Our girls did an awesome job with the small passing game and big transfers when necessary to work the ball around,” Curtis said. “We had opportunities to score in later quarters, but just did not find a way to finish. There was a beautiful goal called back that would have made it 3-0 – McClure made a long stretch to save the ball near the endline and dumped it to the stroke mark where Liz Jordan deflected it right passed the goalie perfectly, but unfortunately, it was called out of bounds back where McClure had handled it.
“We were so excited about how they had worked to make that play happen that we didn’t even care that it didn’t count. The process and progress of our team has blown us away. When we think about how far we have come in two months, it gives us the chills.”
It was a strong finish for our program, for the team, and for individuals.
“Senior Jenna Outcalt played one of the best games we have seen her play,” Curtis said. “Senior captain Sophia Curtis dominated the defensive end, and Junior Jaclyn Gorgo used her talent perfectly in the midfield to possess the ball and distribute selflessly. EB Rafferty and Meg McClure rose to the occasion to get us on the scoreboard, and Jordan Vradenburgh protected the cage with agility and intelligence.
“The book may be closed on the Falcons’ season, but the story will live on for a very long time for this family. Our theme this season forced us to search for our WHY, and we believe that the journey we took, helped us to discover that and more. We wish our seniors and all of the seniors who are finishing out 2021 the best as they move on and say goodbye to the high school hockey field. Best of luck to all of the teams who will enter playoffs and battle beyond the regular season.”
Pennsbury closed out its season with a 10-8 record overall (8-8 SOL), and Council Rock North finished its season with a 6-12 record (5-11 SOL).
Council Rock North 0-0-0-0 0
Pennsbury 2-0-0-0 2
SOL Colonial
CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 4, NORTH PENN 2
The Patriots closed out the regular season on a high note, notching their second win of the season over the Knights and claiming sole possession of second place behind Souderton in the division standings.
“It’s fantastic to go into playoffs coming from such a competitive conference to finish our season with a win and to build off of that momentum,” East coach Emma Rosenthal said. “Momentum is so important in the game, and it’s important in the season.”
Caroline Suko put the Patriots on the scoreboard, scoring with an assist from Sienna Valenti. North Penn’s Riley O’Donnell turned a Madison Waldspurger pass into the equalizer, but the Patriots had an answer. Alli Troth scored an unassisted goal just over a minute later to send the Patriots into halftime with a 2-1 advantage.
With four minutes remaining in the third quarter, Ally Cenci connected on an unassisted goal to put the Patriots on top 3-1. Erin O’Donnell’s goal five minutes into the final quarter pulled the Knights to within one, but they would get no closer. Sophia Parker scored an insurance goal with just over two minutes remaining in regulation for the 4-2 final.
“North Penn has great stick skills and moves the ball extremely well,” Rosenthal said. “Our defensive skills in the midfield and in the back were of utmost importance today in order to stop them from getting more opportunities.”
The Knights held an advantage in shots (16-6) and penalty corners (10-3), but East goalie Grace Gidwani negated that advantage with 13 saves.
“Grace had a standout day as well as great work in the back from Anna Daly, Grace Manion and Kiera Lamb. I’m really, really happy with our defensive unit,” Rosenthal said. “Our defensive unit today – and the last time we played them it was the same way – played so well. Kiera Lamb has been strong for us all season. She really is a wall, a force to be reckoned with on defense. Freshman Anna Daly stepped up huge today and had one of her best defensive days of the season.
“Grace Gidwani has been consistent all year. She was under big pressure today. They had three girls on her pads. There was one play she was on the ground, and she was getting hit by sticks from every which way, and she held strong the entire game. They were getting corner after corner, and props to the defense. When you’re getting corner after corner against you, that’s a mental game. To be focused on the ball for that long, it takes so much mental energy, so major props to the defensive corner unit. Paige Hussie and Sophia Parker were fantastic in the corner defensive unit.”
Central Bucks East (13-5, 12-4 SOL) is 12th in the latest District One 3A power rankings, and North Penn (12-5-1, 10-5-1) is ranked 11th.
“East made the most of their offensive opportunities, and their defense and goalkeeper had a solid performance to hold off the Knights,” NP coach Shannon McCracken said. “(We) are looking forward to the postseason and games like today. The competitiveness of the Colonial Division helped the team prepare for districts.”
North Penn 0-1-0-1 2
Central Bucks East 1-1-1-1 4
SOUDERTON 6, CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 1
Lauren Kenah scored a pair of goals and assisted on two others and Ang Borisow assisted on four goals to lead the Indians to their 10th win without a loss against division opponents.
“We played a nice game today on both sides of the ball,” Souderton coach Sue Casciato said. “We knew West would come in with a lot of urgency, so we emphasized composure and good passing.
“The girls really want to finish league play with no losses or ties. I’m really pleased with the team’s effort the last couple of weeks as I feel we’re playing our best hockey of the season.”
Freshman Ava Jones set the tone for the Indians, scoring a pair of goals in the first quarter. Kenah assisted on the first and Borisow had the assist on the second.
With 6:28 remaining in the second quarter, Reiley Knize turned a drive from Kenah just outside the circle into a goal, and four minutes later, Kenah (Borisow assist) scored on a corner, slamming a rocket into the cage from the top of the circle to give the Indians a 4-0 halftime lead.
West’s Lily Cosner scored with time expired in the third quarter to make it a 4-1 game. The Indians closed out the game with a pair of goals, the first by Kenah (Borisow assist) and the second by junior Ava Shaw with an assist from Kenah.
Souderton edged the Bucks in shots (10-4) and corners (5-4).
Souderton (16-1, 15-0 SOL), ranked first in the latest District One 6A power rankings, will travel to Harry S Truman to close out its regular season, and Central Bucks West closed out its season with an 8-10 overall record (6-10 SOL). The Bucks are ranked 25th in the latest District One 3A power rankings in what will be a 24-team tournament field.
Central Bucks West 0-0-1-0 1
Souderton 2-2-0-2 6
CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 5, PENNRIDGE 0
Erin Smith surpassed the 100-point milestone in Monday’s 3-3 tie at North Penn, but the Titans’ senior was far from finished, scoring three goals and assisting on another in a stellar showing in Wednesday’s win. Anna Shirley added two goals and an assist in a strong supporting role for the Titans, who avenged an early season loss to the Rams.
Smith put the Titans on the scoreboard midway through the first quarter, using a Julia Cooper assist. That was the extent of the scoring until the third quarter when – just over four minutes into the frame – Smith scored with a Shirley assist. Smith’s unassisted goal with two minutes remaining sent the Titans into the final quarter with a 3-0 lead. The hat trick was the first of the season for Smith.
The fourth quarter belonged to Shirley, who scored a pair of goals – the first with 8:21 remaining with a Smith assist and the second unassisted three minutes later.
“At halftime, we discussed our decision-making and shot placement, made some adjustments and took control of the second half,” South coach Pat Toner said.
The Titans held an advantage in shots (19-1) and penalty corners (5) despite playing without one of their starters.
“Unfortunately, junior starter Rebecca Zakrzewski sprained her ankle at the end of practice yesterday and we needed to adjust our lineup,” Toner said. “Sophomore Sam Thomas stepped up tonight and did a great job playing a position she normally doesn’t play.
“We were concerned playing Pennridge because they are a fast, skilled team. Their record is not indicative of the way they play. They had beaten us 2-1 the first time we played by going hard to every ball. The first half of tonight’s game was similar, as we were on our heels at times and only able to score one goal.”
The Titans’ coach credited the efforts of several players in the win.
“Bella Schute and Marielle Mauri had an excellent game at mid as did Lily and Grace Haag and Sarah and Julia Cooper on defense,” Toner said. “Congrats to both teams on a hard-fought game.”
Central Bucks South (12-4-1, 11-4-1 SOL), the 10th seed in the District One 3A power rankings, will host Hatboro-Horsham on Thursday in a non-league game. Pennridge closed out its season with a 4-14 record (3-13 SOL).
Central Bucks South 1-0-2-2 5
Pennridge 0-0-0-0 0
SOL Liberty
QUAKERTOWN 1, ABINGTON 0
The Panthers capped their regular season with a hard-fought win that assured the team a spot in the District On 3A Tournament.
“This is a huge one – this one solidified our spot for playoffs,” Quakertown coach Kate Kemp said. “We needed the win today to get in.
“Today was a tough one because last night we played at Springfield and went into overtime, the full 15 minutes for a 0-0 draw. Our girls got beat up, but they came back out – they just supported each other. They were tired, but when one person was tired, another person picked them up. It was just all them. The coaches can take no credit for this, for sure.”
The Ghosts celebrated their team’s seven seniors prior to Wednesday’s game but couldn’t follow up their historic win over Plymouth Whitemarsh two days earlier with a victory.
“We just couldn’t maintain the intensity we had during the PW game,” said Abington coach Katie Small of Monday’s 2-0 win over the Colonials.
Kylie Lerch, who had five saves in the shutout, gave the Panthers an early lift, stopping a stroke in the first quarter.
“That was a definitely momentum changer for us,” Kemp said.
The Panthers got on the scoreboard with 6:34 remaining in the second quarter when Alexis Mowrer turned a Daniella Burns pass into a goal.
“Quakertown is a very well-coached team and was able to capitalize on our mistakes today and put one in the net during a corner play in the second quarter,” Small said. “We battled back with some nice chances but were unable to convert a goal today.”
The Panthers made their 1-0 lead stand until the final whistle.
“They just wanted it,” Kemp said. “Again, I can’t take any credit for it. It was all them. They played hard.
“I am so proud of how our girls played today. They supported each other all over the field today.”
The Panthers’ coach lauded the efforts of her midfield.
“They all just played a really solid game,” Kemp said. “Our midfield is just so strong. Alex Bevan-Xenelis in the middle, and between her and Natalie Boyd and Kiera Gallagher, and Ember Retter, as a freshman, stepped up to play a defensive mid spot. Megan Roth, our center back, served as our captain and had a really good game today. They’re all just playing really well.”
Small credited the play of several players as well.
“Tara Hughes had a great game on the back line as did Devan DiMaria and Olivia Dougherty,” the Ghosts’ coach said. “We are hoping for a district bid, but we won’t know until tomorrow, so we plan to use the next couple of days to practice the little things and connecting our midfield passes as well as circle play.”
Quakertown (9-8-1, 8-7-1 SOL) is 21st in the latest District One 3A power rankings. Abington (11-7, 10-6) is 18th in the latest power rankings.
Quakertown 0-1-0-0 1
Abington 0-0-0-0 0
WISSAHICKON 3, PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 0
The Trojans put an exclamation point on a standout regular season, notching a shutout win to earn a sweep of the season series against their division rivals.
“My kids are ecstatic, they’re over the moon that we have been able to beat them twice this year,” Wissahickon coach Lucy Gil said. “We were happy just to be close in the games last year. After the year before losing 4-1 and 5-1, last year they won by one goal each time. We felt great that we were that close, and for us to go above and beyond that this year, it’s a great feeling.”
The win capped an SOL season that saw the Trojans roll to a perfect 16-0 record and a Liberty Division title.
“We played really well today, we played strong,” said Gil. “They’re happy that we clinched the league, we’ll get a good (district) seed).
“It’s real now. For some reason now that all of the games are done, it just seems real. I don’t know how much they were expecting it. I didn’t have that many expectations, and it’s just so great to feel this way.”
Ella Hummel turned a Brynne Miller pass into a goal and a 1-0 lead just over four minutes into the game. Five minutes later, Kendall Crowley scored, also with a Miller assist, and the Trojans had a two-goal advantage they took into halftime.
“I thought Brynne Miller had a really, really nice game,” Gil said. “She’s my center mid. She always has a really good game, but today she seemed like she was on fire. She was getting the ball off people’s sticks. It was a really good game for her.”
In the third quarter Hummel connected on her second goal, using a Crowley assist.
“Ella Hummel has great games every game,” Gil said. “She is like one of those Eveready bunnies that just never stop.”
Julianna Thomas was credited with four saves in the shutout win. PW goalie Rosalie Montemayer recorded nine saves.
Wissahickon (17-1, 16-0 SOL) is the third seed in the latest District One 3A power rankings, and Plymouth Whitemarsh (12-4-1, 12-3-1) is the 13th seed.
Wissahickon 2-0-1-0 3
Plymouth Whitemarsh 0-0-0-0 0
UPPER DUBLIN 4, HATBORO-HORSHAM 0
The Flying Cardinals honored the team’s nine seniors – Mackenzie Beamer, Caitlyn Darcy, Katherine Hanlon, Lea Wardle, Kayla Mosteller, Erin Eby, Avery Lennon, Erin Muth and Dara Fishman – and then went out and earned the shutout win.
“I have to say – they all worked hard today,” UD coach Emily Town said. “My defense did a phenomenal job not letting Hatboro in our circle for the entire game.”
UD defenders included Erin Eby, Caitlyn Darcy and Erin Muth.
The Cardinals opened the game with a pair of first-quarter goals. Senior Mackenzie Beamer scored with an assist from Aviva Kuznits, and then it was Ashley MacNeal scoring with an assist from Beamer.
Beamer connected on her second goal late in the third quarter, this time using an assist from Avery Lennon. In the fourth quarter, senior Erin Muth scored off a rebound of a goalie save.
Upper Dublin (8-8 SOL), ninth in the latest District One 5A power rankings, will host Upper Merion in a non-league contest Thursday. Hatboro-Horsham (1-15-1, 1-14-1) will travel to Central Bucks South in a non-league contest Thursday.
Hatboro-Horsham 0-0-0-0 0
Upper Dublin 2-0-1-1 4
SOL Freedom
LOWER MORELAND 2, WILLIAM TENNENT 2 (OT)
The Lions trailed 1-0 after one quarter but responded with two goals in the second quarter.
Liz Neeld put the visiting Lions on the scoreboard three minutes into the second quarter.
“Kylie Hopkins scored a beautiful goal on the post about five minutes later,” LM coach Janet Lutter said. “I give Tennent a lot of credit, they came ready to play today and moved the ball well up and down the field.”
LM goalie Sarah Rosala was credited with 14 saves. Jessica Shein and Meredith Lutter both had defensive saves for the Lions.
“Now we wait to find out our fate in the playoffs, continue working hard and make some adjustments,” Lutter said.
Lower Moreland (8-9-1, 6-9-1 SOL) is ranked fifth in the latest District One 1A power rankings. William Tennent (2-11-2) will host Archbishop Wood in a non-league game Thursday.
Lower Moreland 0-2-0-0-0 2
William Tennent 1-1-0-0-0 2
NEW HOPE-SOLEBURY 4, UPPER MORELAND 0
The visiting Lions received goals from four different players in Wednesday’s shutout win that put the finishing touches on the program’s first ever SOL Freedom Division title.
After a scoreless opening quarter, Sophia Cozza connected on an unassisted goal at the 11:33 mark, and 10 minutes later, Avery Mendola found the cage, sending the Lions into halftime with a 2-0 lead.
In the third quarter, the Lions added to their lead when Morgan Riggione turned a Sophia Cozza pass into a goal. Mia Patino’s unassisted goal closed out the scoring.
The Lions held a 9-1 advantage in penalty corners.
UM goalie Emma Hurley was credited with 27 saves, and Alexa Marczak had a defensive save.
New Hope-Solebury (14-2-1, 13-2-1 SOL) is the number one seed in the latest District One 2A power rankings. Upper Moreland closed out its season with a 4-14 record overall (3-13 SOL).
New Hope-Solebury 0-2-2-0 4
Upper Moreland 0-0-0-0 0
SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP 5, CHELTENHAM 0
The Spartans – sparked by Annie Coll’s hat trick – celebrated Senior Night with a shutout win over the visiting Lady Panthers.
“Several give-and-go passing combinations that we have been missing came together on Senior Night,” coach Anita Stum said. “Congratulations seniors for all your hard work.”
Coll connected on back-to-back goals to give the Spartans an early lead – the first goal with a Hailey Lesniak assist and the second with an assist from Emma Yoder. Yoder (Abby Congdon assist) found the cage with a goal that sent the Spartans into halftime with a 3-0 lead.
Anna Jablokov and Coll each scored an unassisted goal in the second half to close out the scoring.
The Spartans held an advantage in shots (16-4) and penalty corners (7-3).
Springfield Township (12-5-1, 13-2-1 SOL) is ranked fourth in the latest District One 1A power rankings. Cheltenham closed out its season with a 1-14 record in SOL play.
Cheltenham 0-0 0
Springfield Twp 3-2 5
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