Check out the recap for SOL field hockey teams in action Thursday.
SOL Patriot Division
COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 1, BENSALEM 1 (OT)
The Owls held off a charging Indian squad in the opening half and got on the scoreboard first in the third quarter on Ava Hood’s goal during corner play. Hood pounced on a shot by Abby Cheung that deflected off the goalie.
Rock North’s Gia Longo evened the score with a goal late in the fourth quarter, setting the stage for overtime.
Scoring Summary
First quarter
No score
Second quarter
No score
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Ava Hood (B) assisted by Abby Cheung
Gia Longo (CRN)
Overtime
No score
CR North coach Jules Singer:
–On the game: “Tonight’s matchup against Bensalem was a true battle from start to finish. Both teams came out with intensity, and after three scoreless quarters, the game broke open in the fourth. Bensalem struck first, capitalizing on a hard-fought play inside the circle. Our girls responded right away—just a few minutes later, Gia Longo buried one to even the score at 1-1 and shift the momentum back in our favor.
“The game carried into overtime, where both sides continued to fight. Credit to Bensalem—they played us tough and never let up. While we weren’t able to find the game-winner, I was proud of the way our team battled back and kept composure under pressure.
“This was an important test for us early in the season. We’re learning what it takes to execute in critical moments, and we know we have areas to adjust and sharpen moving forward. The effort and grit are there—we’ll continue to put in the work and grow together as a team.”
Bensalem coach Gary Kubik:
–On the game: “Bensalem was able to get their first decision against a team in the Patriot division other than Truman in a long time. The Owls held it together long enough to take a 0-0 tie into halftime against Council Rock North. At that time, CRN held an 8-0 lead in corners and a 10-1 advantage in shots. The possession was clearly held by CRN, but the Owls were hanging in. The Owls’ corner defense held, and the offense was able to get some runs together, with the forwards and midfielders carrying the ball nicely and the defense outletting successfully.
“That scoreless tie ended halfway through the third quarter when Bensalem was able to finish on one of their only two corners of the day. Veronica Lennon received the insert from sophomore Abby Cheung and directed a shot on the CRN goaltender that was deflected and found its way onto senior forward Ava Hood’s stick and into the back of the net. That goal was at the 10:00 mark of the fourth quarter. That was Hood’s first of the season, and Lennon’s second vital assist in three games. Abby Cheung has been playing exceptionally well in the early part of this season, fresh off of a solid offseason where you could tell she clearly put the work in.
“Council Rock North continued their relentless pressure all through the end of the third quarter and up until 2:22 left in the game when Gia Longo put one into the back of the cage to tie the score at one.
“The two teams went head to head for sudden victory where no team was able to find the back of the cage. And so the game ended in a 1-1 tie after seventy minutes of exciting hockey.
Sophomore goaltender Hailey Fricke looked phenomenal in the cage with fifteen saves, many at crucial times. Her goals against average went up today to a brilliant .667 early in this season.
It was an all-round great defensive effort by both teams, with Bensalem really back on their toes for most of the game. This game ended a long drought of no decisions in this very competitive Patriot Division for the Owls.”
Up next: Council Rock North (0-1-1, 0-0-1 SOL) will travel to Neshaminy on Tuesday, and Bensalem (1-1-1, 0-0-1) will be on the road at Pennsbury Tuesday.
Council Rock North 0-0-0-1-0 1
Bensalem 0-0-0-1-0 1
SOL Liberty Division
ABINGTON 1, HATBORO-HORSHAM 0
Junior forward Addie Harrington scored the lone goal of the game off an assist from senior mid Maeve Link at the 20-second mark of the second quarter during a corner.
“Addie positioned herself perfectly and was able to execute, which helped change the momentum of the game for our team,” Abington coach Janine Larr said.
Junior goalie Keely Gallagher was credited with four saves in the shutout win.
Scoring summary
First quarter
No score
Second quarter
Addie Harrington (A) assisted by Maeve Link 0:20
Third quarter
No score
Fourth quarter
No score
By the numbers: Abington goalie Keely Gallagher – 4 saves
Abington coach Janine Larr:
–On the game: “I was very proud of our girls today. They really worked hard and in practice this week and played consistent throughout the whole game. They gave great effort on both sides of the field against a good Hatboro team and were able to pull out a nice team win.”
–Props for the offense: “The offensive combination of (Addie) Harrington, (Maeve) Link, senior forward Janice Coonahan, and senior forward Brooke Dougherty were a force to be reckoned with today. They really worked well together and did a great job of putting the ball in Hatboro’s circle and creating shot opportunities and corners. Senior forward Samara Reibstein also came off the bench and gave quality minutes, as well. Hatboro’s goalie was very solid in goal and did a great job of defending. She made us work for any and every offensive opportunity we had in the circle.”
–Props for the defense: “On the defensive end, junior defensive back, Morgan Gillette, stepped up and made several big plays. She stepped well to the ball and made some big clears. Senior defensive back Danika D’Angelo, and junior midfielder Gwen Judge, also were key defensively today in helping keep the ball out of our circle to prevent Hatboro from getting scoring opportunities. Junior goalie, Keely Gallagher, had 4 saves to secure the shutout.”
Up next: Abington (1-0-1, 1-0-0 SOL) will be on the road at Upper Dublin Tuesday, and Hatboro-Horsham (1-1, 0-1) will travel to Quakertown Tuesday.
Hatboro-Horsham 0-0-0-0 0
Abington 0-1-0-0 1
SOL Freedom Division
UPPER MORELAND 3, WILLIAM TENNENT 1
Sparked by goals from Soph Riehle and MJ Riehle, the visiting Golden Bears opened up a 2-0 lead after one quarter. They added a goal by Olivia Torres before the Panthers got on the scoreboard in the fourth quarter when they converted a penalty stroke.
UM goalie Tierney Hogan was credited with 13 saves in the win.
Scoring summary
First quarter
Soph Riehle (UM) assisted by Bridget Hess 10:30
MJ Riehle (UM) assisted by Melissa Torpey 5:43
Second quarter
No score
Third quarter
Olivia Torres (UM) assisted by MJ Reilly
Fourth quarter
William Tennant scored on penalty stroke
By the numbers: UM Goalie Tierney Hogan – 13 saves
Upper Moreland coach Pam Remmey:
–On the game: “Today, the Bears played hard against a gritty William Tennent team to win 3-1. The game was on grass, which we did not prepare for. But this UM Bears team is a bunch of determined, resilient players that support each other; and have worked hard to improve, so they adjusted well and got better on the grass as the game progressed.
“In the first quarter, Soph Riehle put in the first goal with an assist from Bridget Hess. It was great to get Hess on the scoreboard, since she has moved to defensive mid, which is one of our KEY positions on the field, but not as many scoring opportunities. Soph scored off of a perfect reverse lift which she does in practice, but first time to convert in a game.
“The second goal was scored during corner play when Melissa Torpey passed the ball up to the top of the circle where MJ Reilly was waiting to shoot the ball in for the score.
“William Tennent picked up their game in the second quarter and had several corners and fast breaks. In the third quarter, Olivia Torres who had dominated play throughout the game in the center scored off an assist from MJ Reilly for the decisive goal!
“In the 4th quarter, things got ugly on the grass in front of the cage and a stroke was called. William Tennent stepped up to the challenge and scored.
“Overall, it was a great learning experience on the grass and we walked away with the win.”
–Props: “Senior Addi Gans was awarded our game ball for her stellar play on stopping many of their fast breaks and also doing a great job on taking free hits out. She adjusted to the grass well and played tough in the circle making strong passes to our midfielders. Also playing awesome at defense was senior Abby Kelly who has been waiting her turn for varsity and has worked hard to earn her spot. Another UM defender standout was freshman Reese Purcell staying steady on defense and learning every game.
“Our goalie Tierney Hogan finally got to shine! She has been working so hard in practice and is amazing at using every part of her body to defend the goal. After no shots on goal in our first two games, Hogan had 13 saves and only one goal allowed on a penalty stroke.
“Our side midfielders, Taylor Pagano and Ella Gould, ran the field all day controlling play and being our connectors on the field. The biggest thing that has separated us from the three teams that we beat so far is our midfield connections. Harper Richmond and Charlotte Russo contributed to this hustle play working hard in these tough side mid positions.”
Up next: Upper Moreland (3-0, 1-0 SOL) will travel to New Hope-Solebury Tuesday, and William Tennent (0-3, 0-1) will host Cheltenham on Tuesday.
Upper Moreland 2-0-1-0 3
William Tennent 0-0-0-1 1
Non-league
SOUDERTON 2, GWYNEDD-MERCY 1
With six minutes remaining in regulation, Taylor Bano scored an unassisted goal to break a 1-1 tie. That 2-1 score stood until the final whistle, and the Indians had earned the hard-fought non-league win.
Hannah Cornes gave the Indians an early lead, scoring on a tip during corner play with two minutes remaining in the first quarter with an assist from Lex Hanchunas.
Scoring summary
First quarter
Hannah Cornes (S) assisted by Lexi Yanchunas, 2:05
Second quarter
No score
Third quarter
No score
Fourth score
Kendall DeLuca (GMA) 12:48
Taylor Bano (S) 6:05
By the numbers: Shots: S 8, GMA 2, Corners: GMA 9, S 8, Saves: GMA 5, S 1.
Souderton coach Sue Casciato: “I felt like we got off to a strong start today. We scored one goal early and had several other good opportunities for a second goal. But after the 1st quarter we seemed to lose some of our intensity. It’s obviously nice to get a win against a program that is always strong, but we need to improve upon our consistency. We’re also giving away too many defensive corners, which will get us into trouble if we don’t fix that issue in the very near future.”
Up next: Souderton (2-1) will travel to Pennridge for Friday’s SOL opener (4:30pm).
Souderton 1-0-0-1 2
Gwynedd Mercy 0-0-0-1 1
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