Pennsbury, PW and CB South were winners in Monday’s opening round of the District 1 3A Tournament. Check out the recaps. Pennsbury/CR South photos provided courtesy of Darryl Rule of J&D Photography.
#10 PENNSBURY 3, #23 COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 2
(Article submitted by Pennsbury Field Hockey)
The bracket was locked and the stage was set. The Pennsbury Falcons field hockey team landed at #10 in the PIAA rankings – seven spots higher than in 2025 and ten spots higher than in 2024. This was the third consecutive year making it into the playoffs since coach Traci Curtis took over in 2019, but the first HOME playoff game for this group. Curtis and assistant coach Lori Riley have been together for the climb and cannot be more proud of this 2026 SOL Patriot Division championship team. The journey to this moment has been a rollercoaster
ride with ups, downs, twists, and turns, but the best part has been the progress fueled by the path. Tonight they lifted their hands in the air and let the ride take them at top speed.
The first round opponent was a familiar face, #23 Council Rock South, a Patriot Division peer who PHS has played twice this season. Pennsbury won both of those regular season games, and despite feeling confident, they did not plan to take this third meeting lightly. Playoffs, often referred to as the “third season” (pre-season, regular season, postseason) is a clean slate for everyone and a time when teams are peaking and kicking into the next gear – there is no time to be comfortable or complacent.
The full moon hung over Falcon Field as the starting eleven came out on fire and kept the pressure on in their attacking end right from the whistle. Four minutes into the game, sophomore Lilly Alon worked the ball confidently into the left corner and sent a cross pass right on target. Regan Rodriguez was there on the keeper’s pads for a great deflection, tipping it into the back of the net. PHS went up 1-0.
“Lilly Alon is a sophomore and has brought so much to this team,” Curtis said. “She is a confident player and has tons of skill. She knows the game and is able to help us at mid or forward as needed. The ball she sent across was spot on and a great decision in the moment. Rodriguez got her stick on it perfectly. It was a great connection.”
South did not let the goal bother them at all as they took the ball down on their next possession, getting through the defense and had a shot on goal. PHS goalie Amelia Fernandes made the save, allowing her back line to exhale. PHS found their groove and earned a couple of penalty corners as the first quarter clock ran down.
Mallory Harrison put the Falcons up 2-0 during the second APC when the South defense cleared it right to her stick in the circle. She wound up and blasted a shot past the goalie, making the second opportunity count.
“Mallory was holding the space perfectly during that penalty corner,” explained Curtis. “She was ready for
rebounds and clears and did exactly what she needed to do for us in that moment. Rodriguez executed the initial corner play perfectly and we were able to keep possession as the play changed.”
Pennsbury led 2-0 going into the second quarter.
South came into the second quarter unaffected by the 2-0 score. With one minute off the clock, they worked the ball 75 yards through the entire PHS defense and put themselves within one on a full team effort goal.
“They put us on our heels and caused some defensive chaos on that run,” said Curtis. “We were not holding our space well in the middle, and it caused a breakdown with marking. The score was 2-1, and for some reason, that is always a scary score to me. It just never feels safe.”
That scary 2-1 score stuck for the remainder of the second quarter despite the orange and black earning four penalty corners.
“It was a little frustrating that we were dominating possession and getting the APC opportunities, but just could not finish in the circle,” said Curtis. The score was not budging and continued to taunt the Falcons all through the third quarter as well.
The third quarter was scoreless with each team earning penalty corners but not finishing. The Falcons were ahead in possession percentage, but all it takes is one chance – it’s not the quantity, it’s quality, and South was about to prove that.
Less than a minute after the fourth quarter starting whistle was blown, CRS broke free in the middle of the field and tied the game 2-2 on a go-alone goal by Mia Schink. The Hawks were on fire and determined to keep their season alive. It was what a playoff match up should be – the fans were getting their monies worth.
“South certainly did their homework and you could tell prepared from top to bottom for this game and opportunity. They were beating us to the ball and playing smart, strong hockey,” said Curtis. “Their right side was fast and effective and that is how they beat us a bunch of times. This time it was up the middle and once again caught us too high up leaving the defense to scramble.”
Tied at two with 14 minutes to play was not where Pennsbury wanted to be against a team they had beaten with a ratio of 12 goals to 4 in the regular season. So they did something about it. Three seconds later on the restart, Abby Iacona and Ryan Burdette worked their give-and-go magic up the middle with Burdette connecting the final pass to Regan Rodriguez, making her move on the right. Rodriguez received and put it past the South goalie for the go-ahead goal and what would end up being the game winner. 
Pennsbury earned three more penalty corners but could not get the insurance goal. In the end, they didn’t need it and won their way into the second round of playoffs with a final score of 3-2.
“South played an outstanding game against us – they came ready to fight and were a much different team than when we last saw them. They are really well coached and worked hard to keep our two highest scorers from tallying one in the books,” stated Curtis. “Cheers to South on a great season.
“What we love about our offense is that we have other people doing the scoring when it’s needed – the team worked around Iacona and Burdette being doubled and found a way to make it work as a solid unit. Regan Rodriguez stepped up huge and had a great game for sixty minutes. Mallory Harrison’s shot for our second goal was really nice as well.
“Our defense adjusted along the way and is communicating, which is really important. It was a full team effort that required some shifting and movement tonight with the lineup. We continue to be proud of all that we are accomplishing together. It’s one step at a time and now we prepare for what is next.”
Up next: Pennsbury will travel to Garnet Valley on Wednesday for the second round of playoff action. This is the first time PHS is getting to the second round since Curtis took the helm.
Council Rock South 0-1-0-1 2
Pennsbury 2-0-0-1 3
#11 PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 7, #22 LOWER MERION 0
Katie Guarino scored two goals and assisted on another while Kayleigh Bond also had a three-point game, scoring once and assisting on two other goals. Quinn Burns added a goal and an assist while Leah Caucci, Reese Smith and Julz Scherzer each had one goal. Sammy Callan had a pair of assists for the Colonials.
It was Burns breaking a scoreless tie with a goal late in the second quarter. Guarino added a pair of third-quarter goals, and the Colonials blew the game wide open with a four-goal fourth.
Scoring Summary
First quarter
No score
Second quarter
Quinn Burns from Kayleigh Boland (PW) 3:30
Third quarter
Katie Guarino (PW) 11:20
Katie Guarino (PW) 9:11
Fourth quarter
Leah Caucci (PW) 10:12
Kayleigh Bond from Katie Guarino (PW) 8:24
Reese Smith from Kayleigh Boland (PW) 5;30
Julz Scherzer from Sammy Callan (PW) 2:10
Plymouth Whitemarsh coach Charise Haalteman:
–The game: “It took some time to find our flow and rhythm today against a disruptive Lower Merion defense. The game stayed tied 0-0 until 3:30 left in the second quarter when Quinn Burns was able to finish a low angle shot from Kayleigh Boland. Katie Guarino would score back-to-back goals in the third quarter at the 11:20 and 9:11 marks with shots in front of the goalkeeper to open up the game. Leah Caucci added another goal in the 4th quarter (10:12) by sneaking a ball past the goalkeeper on the post. With 8:24 left in the game, Katie Guarino sent a lead pass up the field and Kayleigh Boland used her speed to finish the 1v1 with GK. Boland would add an assist to a Reese Smith finish at the 5:30 mark. Julz Scherzer finished a beautiful corner pass from Sammy Callan with 2:10 remaining to finish out the game. “
Up next: Plymouth Whitemarsh also finds itself facing a familiar opponent in SOL Liberty Division co-champ Quakertown. The two teams will meet Wednesday in a second round game at 6:30pm.
Lower Merion 0-0-0-0 0
Plymouth Whitemarsh 0-1-2-4 7
#13 CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 4, #20 HAVERFORD 0
There were no surprises when the Titans hosted the Fords in a second round contest in a rematch of the season opener between the two teams (a 4-2 South win).
Emily Aldrich continued her torrid offensive production for the Titans, connecting for a hat trick and leading the Titans to the decisive victory.
Aldrich broke a scoreless tie with a goal with 8:17 remaining in the opening half. Less than a minute later, teammate Amy Hazell scored, and two minutes after that Aldrich turned a Hazell pass into a goal, and in a span of less than three minutes, the Titans had seized complete control of Monday’s contest.
Aldrich completed her hat trick midway through the fourth quarter, and the Titans had the big win.
Monday’s win sets up a date with Central Bucks West in Wednesday’s second round. It is the third meeting between the two teams this season. The Bucks won both regular season battles.
Scoring Summary
First quarter
No score
Second quarter
Emily Aldrich from Ava Merschbach (CBS) 8:17
Amy Hazell from Jenna Butler (CBS) 7:47
Emily Aldrich from Amy Hazell (CBS) 5:25
Third quarter
No score
Fourth quarter
Emily Aldrich from Sophia Washam (CBS) 8:42
By the numbers: Shots: CBS 10, HAV: 2; Penalty corners: CBS 8, CRS 2; Goalie saves: CBS Sophia Hurley/Nora McQueen (2) HAV Erin Simpson (6).
Central Bucks South coach Steph Bardell:
“Postseason just feels different under the lights. We came out moving fast and feeling free tonight. We moved the ball with precision and made the most of our shots and tips in the circle.”
–Props: “Hailey Finn had a phenomenal game, holding the ball above our 25 and ensuring the momentum stayed forward.
“Emily Aldrich extended her goal streak with another great hat trick tonight!
“The team is looking forward to Round 2!”
Up next: Central Bucks South will travel to #4 Central Bucks West in Wednesday’s second round contest (7pm).
Haverford 0-0-0-0 0
Central Bucks South 0-3-0-1 4
#17 OWEN J ROBERTS 5, #16 SOUDERTON 2
Don’t be fooled by the final score. This game was a whole lot closer than the score suggests.
The Indians held a 7-6 edge in penalty corners while the visiting Wildcats took one more shot than the Indians>
The only place that wasn’t that close in Monday’s district opener was on the scoreboard.
The Wildcats opened up a 2-0 halftime lead and then had an answer for every second-half comeback attempt by the Indians, who scored both of their goals in a wild third quarter that saw the two teams combine for four goals.
Autumn and Brooke Wagner each scored a goal for the Indians.
Scoring Summary
First quarter
Madison Hunt from Ella Shady (OJR) 3:18
Second quarter
Ashley Carrington from Estelle Donald (OJR) 3:02
Third quarter
Emmy Youngblood from Madison Hunt (OJR)
Autumn Wagner (S) 9:39
Estelle Donald from Madison Hunt (OJR) 9:15
Brooke Wagner from Autumn Wagner (S) 7:25
Fourth quarter
Estelle Donald (OJR) 9:39
By the numbers: Penalty corners: S 7, OJR 6; Shots on goal: OJR 12, S 11; Goalkeeper saves: Rylee DeSimone (S), 7, OJR 9.
Souderton coach Sue Casciato:
“Statistically, the game was so much closer than the final score. But we again failed to make the most of our offensive opportunities. OJR was very quick in transition and every time we got some momentum, they were able to take it back. Credit to our seniors for leading the way in what was largely a rebuilding year.”
Souderton closed out its season with a 10-9 record. The Indians were 7-3 in the SOL Colonial, finishing second to Central Bucks West.
Owen J Roberts 1-1-2-1 5
Souderton 0-0-2-0 2
#9 AVON GROVE 6, #24 NORTH PENN 1
Avon Grove just had too many weapons, but for a while, the Knights stayed within striking distance, trailing by one after one quarter and 2-0 at halftime. In the third quarter, the Red Devils put the game out of reach with three goals.
The Knights got on the scoreboard midway through the third quarter when Cara Albano turned a pass from Maddie Koch into a goal, but it was a 5-1 game heading into the final quarter.
Lily Brown turned in a standout defensive effort for the Knights, recording three defensive saves. North Penn goalie Liz McClarren had a busy night, recording 11 saves.
North Penn coach Shannon McCracken:
“Avon Grove is a strong and talented team, and we had difficulty keeping up with their speed and attack.”
–Props: “North Penn defender Lily Brown had a strong night for the defense with three defensive saves and made key plays coming out of the backfield. Forward Hailey Barwis had a strong game as she continued to put pressure on Avon Grove’s defense and redefend.”
North Penn closed out its season with a 6-13 record (2-8 SOL)
North Penn 0-0-1-0 1
Avon Grove 1-1-3-1 6
#14 DOWNINGTOWN EAST 6, #19 CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 3
#15 METHACTON 4, #18 NESHAMINY 0
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