Five SOL teams will be in action in the District 1 4A Tournament Tuesday. Check out the preview capsules. (Photo courtesy of Althea Tomlinson/Pennridge soccer)
The Suburban One League is guaranteed to have at least one team playing for the District 1 4A tournament on Saturday. It could be an all-SOL clash pending Tuesday’s results.
What’s also guaranteed is three of the six teams District 1 is allotted into the PIAA 4A tournament will come from the SOL. This fall, 12 teams from the league qualified for the 4A tournament – plus two more in 3A – and to date have posted a 16-7 record in the 4A bracket with four of the losses coming in SOL vs SOL games.
“It’s amazing that just in our area there are that many teams that can make it this far,” CB West captain Courtney Moylan said. “It’s that way every year. We all have a rivalry with each other, but it’s also fun knowing that it’s so local and we can also celebrate it in a way.”
Pennridge was the most recent team to win the District 1 4A title, going back-to-back in 2019 and 2020. Pennsbury won it in 2017, Neshaminy took home the 2016 crown and CB East was the district champion in 2015 when Class 3A was the largest with Pennsbury winning 3A in 2014 and Neshaminy in 2013.
The SOL has also done extremely well at the state level, with Pennridge’s 2020 state title the most recent that same span while Neshaminy won the 2013 state title, CB West winning in 2014 and Souderton in 2018 in an all-SOL clash against Pennridge. Neshaminy also played for the 2017 title, as did CB East in 2015 and CB South in 2016.
No. 26 Central Bucks West at No. 14 Central Bucks East
The first of the two marquee East-West games this week (the football programs meet in the first round of the District 1 6A playoffs Friday at East) serves as a rubber match with a significant prize at the end.
West opened its season defeating the Patriots 3-2, rallying from a 2-0 deficit in the first game played under the lights at Lt Colby Umbrell Field. East got payback at the start of October, knocking off West 1-0 in the annual Kick for Pink game at War Memorial to end West’s unbeaten run in the game under coach Mike Moyer.
Last year, they met in the second round at East, with the Patriots advancing on kicks and ending West’s season. Both are guaranteed to play on after Tuesday’s match, but the intensity will no doubt be there.
Central Bucks West Bucks
- 12-8-0 overall, 8-8-0 SOL Colonial
- Defeated No. 7 Hatboro-Horsham 2-1 in overtime in the first round. Emery Sterling scored in first half while Ashley Lott found the game-winner in extra time after the Hatters tied things up late.
- Took down No. 12 Downingtown West in the second round behind goals from Emery Sterling and Mazkenzie Gausch, with the midfield controlling the center of the field.
- Behind 15 saves from Jules Broskey, the Bucks tied No. 2 Pennridge 0-0 after two overtimes and advanced on a 4-3 win in the shootout.
- Veteran defense anchored by senior keeper Jules Broskey and senior center backs Courtney Moylan and Ava Longo is the team’s backbone. Taylor Madden, Janelle Blokker and Ava Brunner have also been stout in playoffs.
- Kate Weyer, Alexis Castro and Eva Wierzbowski form a physical and fearless midfield that wins plenty of balls out of the air.
- Freshman Emery Sterling and junior Ashley Lott lead an attack that blends speed with skill and has stepped up with some clutch play in the postseason. Rian Detweiler and Mackenzie Gausch have also given good minutes.
Central Bucks East Patriots
- 15-6-0 overall record, 10-6-0 SOL Colonial
- Defeated No 19 Spring-Ford 3-0 in first round. Fullback Grace Craig scored the opening goal late in the first half with sophomore midfielder Madelyn Hill netting twice in less than a minute in the second half.
- Topped No. 3 Avon Grove 2-1 in second round. Cam Williams scored the first goal, Gwyn Krystkiewicz netted the second before the Red Devils pulled on back in the second half.
- A hat trick by Gwyn Krystkiewicz and two goals from Elliot Forney led the way in 5-2 quarterfinal win over No. 6 Abington.
- Senior Camryn Williams has been a dynamo at center forward with 14 goals and 16 assists. Jessie Bernabe, Gwyn Krystiwicz and Julia Mannello space things out as wingers for a front line that buzzes around the goal.
- Solid midfield group is paced by senior Elliot Forney’s toughness and blistering shot. Sofia Mignon is a disruptor in holding mid while Mikayla Gray emerged as a high-energy contributor in the middle of the pitch.
- Senior Brooke Roumy has firmed up the back line as a center back next to Sophie Schron for an aggressive central pair. Chantal Van Dongeren is tough to beat on the flank and Grace Craig is good getting forward and involved in the attack.
No. 5 Neshaminy at No. 1 Conestoga
The Pioneers have been the only team to break up the SOL’s control over the District I title in recent years, having won last year’s tournament and again in 2018 by topping Souderton.
Neshaminy hasn’t lost a game yet this season and have even elevated their play since the postseason started. The Redskins know this will be their biggest challenge of the season, but Saturday’s tough win on the road at Lower Merion proved the squad is built to handle a tough spot.
There will be a lot of skill and a lot of speed on the pitch Tuesday, and it may come down to whichever side can make the most of a matchup or opportunity to decide who plays for the district title this weekend.
Neshaminy Redskins
- 19-0-2 overall record, 14-0-2 SOL Patriot (Division Champion)
- Defeated No 28 Ridley 5-2 in the first round. Mercedez Paino had a hat trick and Kylie Maxwell scored twice to pace the ‘Skins
- A hat trick from Kylie Maxwell and goal from Carly Fox powered the offense in a win over No. 21 Garnet Valley in the second round.
- Defeated No. 4 Lower Merion 1-0 in quarterfinals using an overtime goal by Kylie Maxwell. Keeper Hannah LaBadie and defense held a quality Aces attack in check for the shutout.
- Potent, high-powered attack led by speedy sophomore Kylie Maxwell – who has six postseason goals, senior Carly Fox and junior Angelina Daino. Team at its best when linking passes and most goals come through an assist.
- Senior Mercedez Paino is a fluid and productive attacking threat out of midfield, combining well with the forwards and creating plenty of goals. Gyzell Rowan has come on strong during the season, Paige Borkowski is experienced and Abby Collins is an underrated but strong holding midfielder.
- Rugged defense led by senior keeper Hannah Labadie has posted 12 shutouts and allowed multiple goals just once all season. Senior co-captain Alexis Ocasio anchors the back line that includes Carly Hock-Smith and Taylor Maxwell.
Conestoga Pioneers
- 17-0-2 overall record
- Defeated No. 16 Upper Dublin 1-0 in second round.
- Keira Kemmerley scored in overtime to top No. 8 Owen J Roberts in the quarterfinals.
- Notable wins against No 19 Spring-Ford (4-0 Aug 30), No 17 West Chester Henderson (8-0 Sept 1), Springside Chestnut Hill Academy (1-0 Sept 17), No 23 Downingtown West (4-1 Oct 10), No 12 Springfield Delco (3-0 Oct 11), draw with No 4 Lower Merion (1-1 Oct 6)
- Junior keeper Greta Steege leads a veteran defense that contains most of the team’s returners including seniors Mia Galrao, Ava Koziol and Olivia Mazza.
- Amelie Stewart is a strong defender in the midfield for the Pioneers.
- Senior striker Brynn Borger leads an attack that has reloaded and has continued to pour in goals throughout the fall. Keira Kemmerley and Chloe Brown have come into their own during the season.
No. 6 Abington at No. 2 Pennridge
There’s no question that making the state soccer tournament is a difficult task, as evidenced by the fact that one of these quality sides will have its season end at the conclusion of Tuesday’s match.
The Ghosts will be playing their first playoff game away from home and shifting from grass to turf, which is always an adjustment. Their defense will be tested again against a speedy attack that has a variety of scoring threats.
Rams will try to continue putting chances on goal after having 15 shots on target against CB West. Pennridge had scored at least one goal in every game prior this fall and looks to get the attacking going again while also having to account for a potent Ghosts attack.
Pennridge Rams
- 18-2-0 overall record, 15-1-0 SOL Colonial (Division Champion)
- First round bye
- Defeated No. 15 Council Rock North 3-2 in second round, using goals from Tori Angelo, Joey Tomlinson and Liv Grenda to rally from a halftime deficit.
- Tied No. 26 CB West 0-0 in quarterfinals, lost 4-3 in shootout.
- Defensive unit has been airtight, allowing just two games with multiple goals allowed. Juniors Anna Croyle and Casey Malone anchor the unit, which also features sophomores Lauren Murphy and Meredith Blannett. Freshman keeper Seretha DeMoss has 14 shutouts.
- Deep midfield unit led by juniors Liv Grenda and Sophie Craig scores goals, keeps possession and connects passes. Hannah Primwhere, Ava Kiwak, Addy Mills and Riley Williams fill a variety of roles.
- Front line brings plenty of speed with senior Joey Tomlinson and juniors Tori Angelo and Lindsey Balmer off the first tap. Hailey Primwhere, Caitlyn Peace, Gabby Hermann and Kate Brashear add depth, more speed and an ability to finish.
Abington Ghosts
- 17-4-0 overall record, 14-2-0 SOL Liberty (division champion)
- Defeated No 27 Plymouth Whitemarsh 2-1 in overtime in the first round. Maura Day scored the tying goal on a free kick while Lily Gray won it in extra time off a cross by Harper McGinley
- Topped No. 11 Council Rock South 1-0 in second round, getting a glancing header by Piper McGinley off a free kick from Maura Day.
- Fell 5-2 to No. 14 Central Bucks East in quarterfinals. Maura Day scored two goals in second half.
- Senior Maura Day has been lethal, scoring 28 goals out of the midfield as the fulcrum of Abington’ potent offense. Senior Carley Slavin also has double digit goals out of the midfield and is a hard-working ball-winner.
- Junior Piper McGinley anchors the front line, also scoring double-digit goals while having the ability to hold the ball. Junior Harper McGinley and senior Lily Gray spread the field out wide and can either finish, serve a ball in or win set pieces along the end line.
- Seniors Nevaeh Brauer and Anna Cleary and juniors Kara Slavin, Jocelyn Pollock and Sarah Kaeser with sophomore Madison Oldham feature on the back line in front of freshman keeper Addison Hayden and junior Olivia Richards.
About the Author
