Check out the preview capsules for Tuesday’s District One AAA opening round games. Check back for updated brackets.
BOYS’ PREVIEW CAPSULES
#17 SPRING-FORD at #16 UPPER DUBLIN
Spring-Ford
- 14-5-1 overall, 9-3-1 PAC-10
- Second place Liberty Division
- Beat #24 Springfield (Delco) 1-0
Upper Dublin
- 14-1-2 overall, 11-1-2 SOL
- Second place American Conference
- Won and exciting 85-minute battle against Father Judge
- Totaled five or more goals in each of their last four games
Coach Rick Schmidt says: "The players have waited a long time for this, so I'm anxious to see them on the field. My expectations are that we will play the sport as it's intended and to the best of our ability. We can't control the rest so let the chips fall where they may."
#25 AVON GROVE at #8 CENTRAL BUCKS EAST
Avon Grove
- 8-7 overall
- Third place Ches-Mont National Conference
- Beat #21 Kennett 2-0
Central Bucks East
- 12-3-2 overall, 10-3-1 SOL
- Second place Continental Conference
- Beat #19 Abington (1-0) and American Conference Champs #9 Wissahickon (2-1)
- 7-0-2 in the last 9 games
Players to watch: Ben Marks (Sr., Forward), Ryan Gleason (Jr., Midfield), Ryan Vave (Jr., Defense), Mark Philipson (Sr., Defense), Ian McArdle (Sr., Defense), Jacob Nesteruk (Sr., Goalie)
Coach Mike Gorni says: “We need to take it one game at a time. It is an open tournament with a lot of good teams. Just because teams are not seeded high doesn’t mean they’re not a threat. Teams need to stay focused or they might be going home.”
#24 SPRINGFIELD (Delco) at #9 WISSAHICKON
Springfield (Delco)
Seventh place Central League
- Beat #4 Conestoga 1-0 for one of Pioneers’ three losses
- Lost to #17 Spring-Ford (1-0)
Wissahickon
- 14-1-2 overall, 12-0-2 SOL
- American Conference Champions
- Final four games were shutouts
Coach Stuart Malcolm says: “We have a tough matchup with a physical Springfield Delco squad. We are looking to continue the team effort that has managed to put us in this position and hopefully be still playing Thursday.”
#20 RADNOR at #13 SOUDERTON
Radnor
- 10-4-3 overall
- Fifth place Central League
- Beat #4 Conestoga 1-0 for one of Pioneers’ three losses
- Beat #12 Boyertown 2-0
Souderton
- 13-4-1 overall, 9-4-1 SOL
- Fourth place Continental Conference
- Beat #19 Abington 2-1
- Nine shutouts in the regular season
#18 UPPER DARBY at #15 PENNSBURY
Upper Darby
Fourth place Central League
- Won eight of 10 games to close out season
- Gave #20 Radnor their only league loss (2-1)
Pennsbury
- 11-5 overall, 10-4 SOL
- Third place National Conference
- Won five in a row to end regular season
Coach Tom Stoddart says: “We will continue to rely on a balanced attack. We will look to find a rhythm and be dangerous in the run of play. Despite what looks to be a very difficult draw, we are confident that we can play with anyone on any given day.”
#26 STRATH HAVEN at #7 NORTH PENN
Strath Haven
- Eighth place in Central League
- Won last 4 of 5 games
- Beat #21 Kennett 3-2, and #24 Springfield (Delco) 2-1
North Penn
- 13-4-1 overall, 10-3-1 SOL
- Third place Continental Conference
- Won 6 in a row to close out season
- Beat Holy Ghost Prep (2-1) to close out regular season
#23 CENTRAL BUCKS WEST at #10 LOWER MERION
Central Bucks West
- 8-9 overall, 6-8 SOL
- Fifth place Continental Conference
- Defeated Lower Merion 3-2 earlier in the season
Coach Steven Detweiler says: “The Bucks will have to not only match their intensity from the last meeting but improve upon what was successful against the Aces the first time. Lower Merion will look to continue its winning ways and redeem themselves vs. the Bucks who were one of just four losses the Aces have this year. The Bucks will look to continue their first round successes. Last year as the 21 seed, they upset #12 seed Great Valley 4-3 in the first round.”
Lower Merion
- Second place Central League
- Won six in a row to end regular season
- Beat #14 Harriton 1-0
#19 ABINGTON at #14 HARRITON
Abington
- 10-7-1 overall, 8-5-1 SOL
- Fourth place National Conference
Players to Watch: Chris Tracey (Sr., Defense), Danny Sheppard (Sr., Forward), Kyle Rocks (Sr., Forward), Billy Natter (Sr. Midfield)
Coach Randy Garber says: “We got seeded a lot (lower) than I would have liked, but we should match up fairly even with Harriton. We are taking it one game at a time.”
Harriton
- Third place Central League
- Won last five in a row
- Shut out #24 Springfield (Delco) 5-0
#27 UNIONVILLE at #6 NESHAMINY
Unionville
- 11-7-2 overall, 7-6-1 Ches-Mont League
- Fourth place Ches-Mont American Conference
- Won five of six games to close out season
- Tied William Tennent 2-2 (6th place SOL National League)
Neshaminy
- 12-3-2 overall, 11-1-2 SOL
- National Conference Champions
- Beat Central League Champions Radnor 2-1 in their final game of the season
- Eight shutouts
Players to watch: Austin Transue (Sr., Forward), Chris Waston (Jr., Goalie), Jamen Rowan (Soph., Sweeper), Nick Tucci (Jr., Midfield/ Forward), Devlin Mettee (Soph., Defense)
Coach Tom Foley says: “We are a young team that has continued to grow throughout the year. If we continue to play like we have, we can possibly achieve one of team preseason goals, which was to make the state tournament.”
#3 CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH (bye)
14-2-1 overall, 11-2-1 SOL
- Continental Conference Champions
- Beat National Conference Champions #6 Neshaminy
- Allowed only eight goals in 17 games
- 10 shutouts
Players to watch: Matt Weigner (Jr., goalie), Pat Berneski (Jr., Defense), Andrew Denno (Jr., Defense), Danny DeVuono (Sr., Defense), Adam Remick (Sr. Co-Captain, Defense), Matt Gilbert (Sr., Co-Captain, midfield), Connor Stackhouse (Sr., Co-Captain, midfield)
Coach Don Brady says: “CB South is hoping to use the playoff experience from the past two seasons combining with a first round bye and home field advantage to capitalize on a District 1 Run to advance to states.”
#22 W.C. HENDERSON at #11 COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH
W.C. Henderson
- 8-6-3 overall, 5-5-2 Ches-Mont League
- Second place National Conference
Council Rock South
- 12-4-1 overall, 10-3-1 SOL
- Second place National Conference
- Undefeated at home
Coach Alan Nicholl says: “It’s an exciting matchup for us. Our focus will be on keeping a 10th clean sheet this season (matching a CR South record). Goalkeeper Tyler Caffey is carrying an impressive 0.72 goals against average this season (school record), and an amazing 22 shutouts for his high school career (another school record). We are hoping to take advantage of our home field where we are unbeaten this year. I also think the competitiveness of the SOL has prepared us well this year. There are no ‘gimmies’ in our league – so I think we’re well seasoned for an intense showdown again tomorrow.”
GIRLS’ PREVIEW CAPSULES
#17 WISSAHICKON at #16 UNIONVILLE
Unionville
- 10-6-1 overall, 9-4-1 Ches-Mont League
- Second place Ches-Mont American Conference
- Won five of last six games
- Defeated #13 Hatboro Horsham 4-3 in season opener
Wissahickon
- 14-3 overall, 13-1 SOL
- American Conference champions
- Only league loss to Plymouth Whitemarsh
- Early victory over defending Class A District 1 Champs Christopher Dock
- Senior Cailin Grey leads the team in scoring with 19 goals
Players to watch: Rachel Stone (Sr., Goalie - 8 shutouts for season), Cailin Grey (Sr., Striker), Alyssa Ryan (Soph., Center Midfielder), Ellen-Claire Benbow (Sr., Center Midfielder)
Coach Shannon Franke says: “We are proud to be Suburban One American Conference Champs and hope to show well in districts. Our early loss to Quakertown (first game of the season) gave us a good look at our weaknesses. Our game against defending Class AAA District 1 Champs and State Finalist Pennridge gave us something to work towards.”
#25 MOUNT ST. JOSEPH at #8 CENTRAL BUCKS EAST
Mount St. Joseph
- Third place Catholic Academy
- Three AACA All-League players
Central Bucks East
- 12-4-1 overall, 10-3-1 SOL
- Second place Continental Conference
- Closed out season with 5-0 win over Upper Dublin
- Beat #9 West Chester Rustin (2-0) as well as Archbishop Wood (2-0)
Players to watch: Nicole Pannella (Jr., Midfield), Shaun Kane (Jr., Forward), Jess Haug (Sr., Back), Taylor Myzsa (Sr., Back), Abby Emmert (Jr., Forward), Aimee Chimera (Sr., Midfield)
Coach Paul Eisold says: “East would like to improve on the experience gained last year heading into districts.”
#24 WILLIAM TENNET at #9 WEST CHESTER RUSTIN
West Chester Rustin
- 13-4-1 overall, 9-3-1 Ches-Mont League
- First place Ches-Mont American Division
- Late season 3-0 win over #12 W.C. Henderson
- Won six of last eight games
William Tennent
- 9-9 overall, 6-8 SOL
- Fifth place National Conference
- Beat New Hope 3-0, St Hubert’s 2-1 and Perk Valley 2-1.
Players to watch: Victoria Bremer (Sr., goalie), Alyssa Ferraro (Sr., Defender), Taylor Hopkins (Sr., Forward)
Coach Dan Russo says: “The girls are extremely excited to compete in the post season. Hopefully, our tough league schedule helped to prepare us for the tournament.”
#20 COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH at #13 HATBORO HORSHAM
Council Rock South
- 9-7-1 overall, 9-4-1 SOL
- Third place National Conference
- Defeated Council Rock North in last league game to clinch 3rd place
- Closed out season with 2-1 loss to #21 Central Bucks West
Hatboro Horsham
- 10-4-2 overall, 9-3-2 SOL
- Third place Continental Conference
- Beat #8 Central Bucks East (3-0) and defending District Champions #4 Pennridge (3-1)
Players to watch: Marykate Bateman (Sr., Forward- 53 career goals, attending La Salle University next fall), Tory Adlam (Sr., Forward), Ramsey McMenamin (Sr., Midfielder), Maria Guerra (Jr., Defense)
Coach Kate Lamplugh says: “The girls are eager and focused, and they are ready to play. First round Council Rock South and potential second round Pennridge are familiar opponents, and I am confident in my team's ability and motivation to win. The girls have set high expectations for this season, they've been talking about a playoff run since day one of the season.”
#21 CENTRAL BUCKS WEST at #12 W.C. HENDERSON
Central Bucks West
- 9-6-2 overall, 7-6-1 SOL
- Fifth place Continental Conference
W.C. Hendserson
- 12-3 overall, 9-2 Ches-Mont League
- Second place Ches-Mont National Division
- 2-1 Win over #14 Bishop Shanahan
#26 QUAKERTOWN at #7 BOYERTOWN
Boyertown
- 15-1-2 overall, 11-1-1 PAC-10
- Liberty Division League Champions
- 1-0 win over #6 Downingtown West
- All wins are shut-outs
- Quakertown
7-10-1 overall, 3-10-1 SOL - Sixth place Continental Conference
- Beat #17 Wissahickon 5-1 and Saucon Valley (#2 seed in District 11) 3-0
Players to watch: Shannon Gibat (Jr., Forward & top goal scorer), Linzi Wolfe (Soph., Attack), Shelly Cowan (Sr., Midfielder), Emily Galluppi (Sr., Defense), Jami Soriano (Soph., Midfielder, Erinne Finlayson (Soph., goalie)
Coach Mike Koch says: “Quakertown starts out against Boyertown. Boyertown is on a 15-game shutout streak. This will be a daunting task, but Quakertown plays in the toughest league in the state and hopes to be prepared.”
#23 DOWNINGTOWN EAST at #10 PENNSBURY
Downingtown East
- 8-7-3 overall, 7-5-1 Ches-Mont League
- Fifth place Ches-Mont National Division
- Tied #5 Conestoga in regular season
Pennsbury
- 12-4-2 overall, 10-3-1 SOL
- Second place National Conference
- Six shutouts
- Tied Villa Joseph Marie (#1 seed in AA District Playoffs)
Players to watch: Lexi Brown (Sr., Captain, Forward), Bridget Congdon (Sr., Captain, Defense), Cassandra Burger (Jr., Defense), Courtney Bennett (Jr., Defense), Sarah McDonald (Jr., Goalie), Uche Onuoha (Soph, Forward)
Coach Kaitlyn Battiste says: “This is the best regular season finish Pennsbury has had since moving to the fall. We are very excited to have a home game, but we also understand that everyone gets a fresh start in playoffs. Downingtown East is a talented program that knows what it takes to win. We're hopeful that the past 10 months of training have given us all the ingredients for success. Shake 'N Bake!”
#19 CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH at #14 BISHOP SHANAHAN
Central Bucks South
- 8-5-3 overall, 7-4-3- SOL
- Fourth place Continental Conference
- 7-2-1 in last 10 games, including a 2-1 over #24 William Tennent
Coach Joe Bocklet says: “Margo Fox (Sr., Midfield), Kendall Brodie (Sr., Defense), Taylor Matsinger (Sr., Midfield) will need to be their best as Bishop Shanahan is very strong through the midfield and forward positions. Gabby Gibson (Sr., Forward) and Nikki Weiss (Jr. ,Forward) will look to control the ball and utilize Lauren Wills (Jr., Midfielder) and seniors Kelsey Mariner and Kelli Joerger on the flanks. Junior Sweeper Kristen Upton has been an enormous part of the Titan defense and will look to provide a solid anchor.”
Bishop Shanahan
- 9-4-2 overall, 7-3-2 Ches-Mont League
- Third place Ches-Mont National Division
- Early win over #9 WC Rustin
- 3-1 win over #16 Unionville
#22 COUNCIL ROCK NORTH at #11 SPRING-FORD
Spring-Ford
- 11-4-2 overall, 8-3-2 PAC-10
- Third place Liberty Division
- 3-1 win over #12 West Chester Henderson
Council Rock North
- 12-6 overall, 9-5 SOL
- Fourth place National Conference
- Defeated Mount St. Joseph #25
Players to Watch: Nicole Moonan (Sr., Midfielder/ Forward), Sarah Cannon (Sr., Defender), Michaela Finnyfrock (Soph., Forward)
- Coach Larry Sullivan says: “We are happy to be invited to the tournament. We consider it an honor.”
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