William Tennent & Upper Moreland notched non-league wins in SOL girls’ soccer action Friday.
Non-league
William Tennent 4, Bensalem 1
Battling through the adversity of fatigue and some bumps and bruises, William Tennent kept its record spotless with its 10th win in as many games this season, gutting out a 4-1 victory over opponent William Tennent in Friday’s crossover game.
“We knew today would be a real test for us as we had a few minor injuries coming off back-to-back games,” said Tennent coach Elise Jara. “Every player that stepped on that field for us today was ready and it took all 11 to come through with this win.”
Bensalem scored the first goal of the game, the first time this season the Panthers trailed.
“We didn’t panic and just stuck with the game plan that has helped us get to this point,” Jara said.
A foul on Bailey Kasner in the penalty box led to Tennent tying the game on a goal by Kaitlyn Frank. Kasner then netted the next two goals (assists from Sami Roby and Kaitlyn Frank). Lia Jablonowski scored the game’s final goal on an assist from Kaitlyn Frank, who finished with a goal and two assists on the game.
Aubrey Moldonado stood tall in goal for the Panthers, including several key saves while the game was tied 1-1.
“The work rate of our three freshmen—Sami (Roby), Bailey, and Lia—has been key for us all season,” Jara said. “Our backline put in another hard-fought, solid game. It’s good we have a 3-day weekend coming off the last week and hoping we can get some girls rested and ready for another tough week of crossover play coming up.”
Tennent moves to 10-0 overall (8-0 Freedom Division) and will square off against Liberty Division-frontrunner Hatboro-Horsham in a 3:30 pm Wednesday home game. Bensalem falls to 4-5 (4-4 Patriot Division) and will host Central Bucks South at 3:30 pm Wednesday.
Upper Moreland 7, MaST Charter 1
Brooke Lobban scored a natural hat trick with the first three goals of the game and Upper Moreland pulled away in a dominant second-half performance to roll to a 7-1 win over nonleague opponent MaST Charter on Friday.
“This was a great way to end our week,” said UM coach Lisa Benvenuto. “We had some tough losses earlier in the week, and today we got back into our flow. This was a great team win and team effort. We did well in moving the ball through our system. In the second half we were able to really connect with each other and move the ball forward.”
Lobban opened the scoring less than four minutes into the game (Leah King assist). She added a second late in the first half, then scored her third in the 51st minute, with both goals assisted by Gracie Costello. Kyra Favors made it 4-0 less than two minutes later (Madeleine Cox assist).
“Kyra Favors and Brooke Lobban work so well off each other, and today Lobban had a nose for the goal,” Benvenuto said. “She got us on the scoreboard early and was just being a menace to the MaST defensive line. Madeline Cox really settled into our midfield today and had some great touches, including an assist, and helped work the ball to the offensive side. Willow Taylor, Maggie Brophy, and Keiley Hawk controlled the middle of field and possessed the ball well.”
Senior Claire Zabalou scored the first goal of her career – off a set-up from Nikki Cancel – to answer MaST’s lone tally of the game.
“Claire’s goal was the highlight of the game,” Benvenuto said. “This was Claire’s first varsity goal. She showed great composure in front of the goal and finished well.”
Maggie Brophy scored on a penalty kick in the 75th minute, then Cancel capped the scoring four minutes later to finish off a stellar team effort.
“Leah King, Deanna Swedberg, Mickie Soroka, and Johna Przychowicz contributed strong minutes on the flank,” Benvenuto said. “On our defensive end, Molly Meakim, Devon Bush, and Megan Hamill were solid for us. Our team played really unselfishly today, moved the ball well in our system, and finished.”
Gracie Costello had 8 saves in recording the win for Upper Moreland, which moves to 4-4 overall (3-4 Freedom Division). The Bears will be back in action when they host Quakertown at 3:30 pm Wednesday.
MaST Charter 0-1 1
Upper Moreland 2-5 7
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