Central Bucks West & Neshaminy picked up wins in SOL boys’ soccer action Saturday.
SOL Colonial Division
CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 2, PENNRIDGE 1
Cole Barrett scored with 10 minutes remaining in regulation, breaking a 1-1 tie and propelling the Bucks to the hard-fought win on Saturday.
“As a coach, today was one of those days that you’re just really proud of your players,” West coach John Adair said. “They had a lot going on after playing Pennsbury less than 24 hours earlier, and then having their homecoming dance to rush home to after today’s game.
“The biggest takeaway from this week was just the belief building within the group. Early on, I think it was natural as the third coach that some of these guys had for there to be some hesitation, but the boys have really done a great job of just continuing to improve, and things have been consistently trending in the right direction for a while now.”
Richie Newell scored a first-half goal to send the Bucks into halftime deadlocked.
“We gave up an early goal today, but I think that our response was terrific,” Adair said. “We immediately settled in and took control of the game. To Pennridge’s credit, they were difficult to break down, and Aaron (Rapsinski’s) clearly done a good job of getting them organized. Richie’s goal was a really important one for us because it allowed the boys to remain calm going into halftime and the second half.
“In the second half, we continued to do a really good job of moving the ball and maintaining control, but we were struggling a bit to find a breakthrough. Our boys never stopped believing that it would come though, and I couldn’t be more proud of them for remaining patient and finding the winner. It was a good performance and an important result.”
There was plenty of praise to pass around after Saturday’s win.
“I have to give credit to our back line again for remaining solid and difficult to play through,” Adair said. “The difference in our performances from earlier this season have a lot to do with the platform that those guys have provided for the guys higher up the pitch. Knowing one or two goals will get the job done as opposed to needing three or four to scrape by has allowed us to be more patient in playing the way that we want to play.
“Michael Rafalowski deserves a ton of credit today too. As a freshman, he’s played in a couple of different roles, and with a few guys out and a few just making their way back from injuries, he was asked to play slightly deeper and did a terrific job. Being able to trust a player that is that young in any moment is a coach’s dream.
“Cole Barrett has really hit another level in the last few games as well. We’ve always believed in his ability but seeing that start to pay off in creating consistent chances and getting on the scoresheet should do him the world of good. I’m really proud of him.”
Central Bucks West (7-5, 7-3) will host Neshaminy on Wednesday (7 p.m.), and Pennridge (3-8, 3-7) will travel to Quakertown for a non-league game on Monday at 7 p.m.
Central Bucks West 1-1 2
Pennridge 1-0 1
Non-league
NESHAMINY 2, SOUTHERN LEHIGH 0
Less than 24 hours after extending SOL Colonial Division leading Central Bucks East before falling 1-0, the Redskins were back on the pitch for a non-league contest and came away with a shutout win.
“We were obviously tired, and we weren’t as crisp as we usually are with our passing game, but it was definitely good,” Neshaminy coach Tom Foley said. “My assistant looked at the (district) power ratings, and with a couple of wins, you could be right onto the fringes of making the playoffs, so it’s good to build off the positive play we had against East and then getting a win today – if we get a win against Wood on Monday, we’re really kind of alive again. That’s a positive for us.”
The Redskins got on the board in the 30th minute on a goal by freshman Christos Vasilarkakis.
“Jack Sexton has a big throw, and we were waiting to cash in on it all year, and we finally got one off his long throw,” Foley said. “It kind of sailed, some guys missed the flicks but Christos Vasilarakis was there to get a toe on it and got it into the net. It finally paid off.”
Midway through the second half, Rezi Tebidze added an insurance goal.
“Damien Castro took a shot at the top of the 18, their goalie gave up a rebound, and Rezi Tebidze was there to knock it in,” Foley said.
The Redskins’ coach credited a freshman for providing a spark in Saturday’s win.
“Our freshmen got a lot of time again today,” Foley said. “Zach Hargraves is probably the smallest guy on our team, but he brings a lot of energy, and he’s not afraid to get his nose stuck in. I thought (Saturday) he provided the energy we needed because we were a little flat, and he was definitely a spark for us. He created several dangerous opportunities for us.”
Neshaminy (3-7-1, 2-7-1 SOL) will host Archbishop Wood on Monday for a non-league game, capping a stretch of three games in four days.
Southern Lehigh 0-0 0
Neshaminy 1-1 2
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