Fifteen SOL girls’ soccer teams will be competing in the District 1 Tournament this week. Check out Andrew Robinson’s Kwik Goal preview capsules.
CLASS 4A
No. 1 Central Bucks East Patriots (Opening round bye)
Last year’s PIAA Class 4A champions have played at a sustained high level all fall behind their decorated and skilled senior class. CB East enters as the top seed looking to win its second district title in the last three years with designs on continuing its season well into November.
(Faces winner of No. 16 Central Bucks South / No. 17 Boyertown)
16-1-1, 9-1-0 SOL Colonial
SOL Colonial Division Champion
Front line of attackers is one of the most lethal in the state, led by seniors Taylor Roumy (Richmond), Mia Forney (Maryland) and Rylie Leedy (Lock Haven). Roumy has 16 goals on the season and has netted at least one goal in 11 straight matches.
Seniors lead a strong two-way midfield. Kiera Sleicher (James Madison), Mattie Williams (Villanova), Ava Mignon (St Joe’s track) and Mackenzie Peters (TCNJ) anchor the unit and cover a lot of ground.
Senior Maddie Thompson (Rowan) has been strong in goal as a first-year starter. Seniors Ella Roumy (Richmond) and Addie Langolis have been stalwarts defensively
No. 3 Pennridge Rams (Opening round bye)
The defending district champions put together another strong regular season despite graduating some key pieces from last year. Aside from a three-game slump near midseason, the Rams have often found a way to answer whatever challenges each match presents
(Faces winner of No. 14 Council Rock North / No. 19 Harriton)
13-3-1 overall, 6-3-1 SOL Colonial
Senior G Howley (Christopher Newport), junior Mikayla Loux and sophomore Kylie Manville form the backbone of the attack.
Senior Payton Rabinowitz (Christopher Newport), senior Natalie Walter (Bloomsburg) and junior Harper Posey are top contributors on the back line in front of senior goalkeeper Liv Buckman, the defensive unit accounting for six shutouts this season.
No. 4 Council Rock South Golden Hawks (Opening round bye)
It’s been a special fall thus far for CR South, the Golden Hawks claiming their first outright division title since 2010 and showing they can compete with anyone on the pitch. A deep and skilled group
(Faces winner of No. 13 Penncrest / No. 20 Haverford)
15-1-2, 9-0-1 SOL Patriot
SOL Patriot Division champion
Krissy Philip, Maddie Mohr, Kait Hickey, and Lianna Shikhvarge lead a strong defensive unit in front of goalkeeper Maddie Hyams, who has been superb between the posts all fall with several match-changing saves to her credit.
Lylah Day has scored some important goals but the Hawks have plenty of options in front of goal including Anna Horn and Brooke Pavlow.
Solid midfield group includes Ruby Bross, Carly Conetta, Claire Vizza and Riley O’Halloran with numerous other contributors ready to step in.
No. 12 Souderton vs No. 21 Wissahickon
After returning to the postseason last year, Souderton took the next step this fall with its senior-heavy lineup improving both its overall and league records to earn a first round home game.
The Trojans used a five-match winning streak to close the season on a roll, playing from outside the bubble to secure a postseason spot after missing out last year.
Souderton Indians
12-4-2 overall, 5-3-2 SOL Colonial
Strong attacking unit led by seniors in midfielder Hannah Beckett (Providence) and forwards Lily Heron (La Salle) and Julia Purvy (St. Joe’s). Cailee Cush and Kylie Cummings have also been strong contributors on offense
Junior Cam Lobel has taken hold of the goalkeeper role in her first season starting.
Aidia Manners and Megan Borro are solid midfield contributors, Maddie Moreland and Lilly Fisher help keep the defense in form.
Wissahickon Trojans
11-5-2 overall, 6-3-1 SOL Liberty
Goalkeeper Sidney Jackson and the back line of Brooke Collins, Kaylee Hammond, Julia Lentz and Katie Hepler have come together well, posting back to back shutouts to close the regular season.
Kate Irani has emerged as a top scoring threat throughout the season. Emily Bennacef has also chipped in some pivotal goals, showing poise at the penalty spot and is a good facilitator.
Paige Etzler does a lot of unheralded work at defensive midfield anchoring a deep group of midfielders.
No. 14 Council Rock North vs No. 19 Harriton
CR North is always a team looking to be hitting its stride for the postseason, so it seems fitting that the Indians won their last six matches to close the regular season. The Indians are solid on both ends of the pitch and use their combinations well to generate chances.
Council Rock North Indians
11-3-3 overall, 7-1-2 SOL Patriot
Sarina Igval and Isabel Diaz (Dickinson) give CRN some dynamic players on the flanks, both able to challenge defenders and put good service into the box but also finish chances. Darcy McCullough and Keagan Terry
Defensively, Bella Lanza, Sophia Milich, Cierra Frank, Annie Mills and Emma Mandato have been a solid group along the back line
Harriton Rams
9-6-3 record
Zara Burke has scored some key goals for the Rams during the season.
No. 15 William Tennent vs No. 18 Great Valley
(Winner faces No. 2 Downingtown West)
Tennent’s senior class put in a serious amount of work this fall. They led the way on both sides of the ball as the Panthers shook off a loss in their first SOL Freedom game to win the next nine and capture an outright division title all while keeping a competitive showing in the nonleague slate and earning a first round home game.
William Tennent Panthers
13-4-0 overall, 9-1-0 SOL Freedom
SOL Freedom champion
Seniors Bailey Kasner and Lia Jablonowski (Western Carolina) and sophomore Kaitlyn D’Ambira have been an effective attacking unit, producing most of the team’s scoring.
Sami Roby, Mia Rahn and Sarah Criss are solid on the back end to help lead the defense.
Great Valley Patriots
10-4-4 record
Callie Cole has been solid between the posts at goalkeeper.
Freshman Elise Tshudy emerged early as a reliable scoring option.
No. 16 Central Bucks South vs No. 17 Boyertown
The Titans had to replace a good portion of last year’s state runner-up side and had to battle some injuries during the season as well, but they found a groove late in the season and will get one more home game from it. There’s a good group of juniors helping the senior leaders and South can attack from a variety of areas.
Central Bucks South Titans
8-7-3 record, 4-5-1 SOL Colonial
Juniors Charlotte Manley (UCF) and Khloe Montini lead an attacking unit that’s also gotten some key contributions from juniors Ali Tait and Emily Franklin
Senior Maddie Roe (NJIT) and senior Lucy Keane (Sam Houston State) are team captains and anchor the midfield
Ella Parish, Tenley Rogers and Peyton Karpinski lead the backline, with Addi McKeon and freshman Avery Rogers also giving good minutes on defense.
Senior captain Morgan Sowash and Sienna Carone have shared duties in goal.
Boyertown Bears
9-6-2 record
No. 11 WC Henderson vs No. 23 Upper Dublin
Upper Dublin went into its regular season finale with something to play for and emerged with the SOL Liberty division championship. The Cardinals had ups and downs during the season, highlighted by a six-game win streak plus their strong closing run to clinch a title and now begin their postseason on the road.
Henderson Warriors
10-4-3 record
The Warriors have a solid tandem in goal featuring Madison Brown and Olivia Otto and a defense that has 10 shutouts to its credit.
Senior Brynn Smallwood pulls the strings in midfield, capable of ripping one from distance, she also has a keen passing eye.
Seniors Samantha Lee and Kiera Murphy have been contributors on the attacking side, as has Sam Hillery.
Seniors Ellie Knapp and Anne Knapp, both West Chester recruits, can fill a number of roles on the pitch.
Upper Dublin Cardinals
9-7-1 overall, 7-3-0 SOL Liberty
SOL Liberty champions
Senior Shannon Connaughton (Villanova lacrosse) and junior Brooke Ellner anchor the backline alongside Morgan Welsh and Bailey Fichter for UD. Evelyn Steigerwald has made some big saves in goal.
Senior Bridget DiMartile, a Michigan lacrosse recruit, is a threat up top and off the wings. Freshman Brooke Smith has stepped into a big role early and delivered some key goals.
No. 10 Owen J Roberts vs No 23 Plymouth Whitemarsh
The Colonials are comfortable in close games, having played in six draws during the regular season and with a potent set piece attack that always gives an edge in the postseason.
With a strong trio of captains, PW has the leadership to take the trip up to an OJR team that’s always a mainstay in the playoff brackets.
Owen J Roberts Wildcats
9-5-4 Record
PAC Runner-up
Goalkeeper Devon King is strong between the posts, making a couple of PK saves in the PAC semifinals
Senior Avery Cies (Robert Morris) is a top option in the attack and has been a mainstay up front for several years.
Seniors Logan Farrow, Aubrey Fleck and Jill Artzerouian form the backbone of the squad and also experienced varsity veterans.
Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials
7-5-6 Overall, 4-2-4 SOL Liberty
Bella Zeoli, Maddi Lazaroff, Liv Patete, and JJ Lafferty form a rugged backline that also has some offensive punch as targets on set pieces. Freshman Jules Rex has found her place in goal and formed a good rapport with her backs.
Sophomore Molly McEvoy has established herself as a top midfielder, a team captain who isn’t afraid to do extra work on and off the ball and fearless in front of goal.
Sophomore Lori Flannery can get the ball forward in a hurry and she’s stepped up in a leadership role as well.
No. 8 Lower Merion vs No. 25 Neshaminy
A couple of valuable results in the final weeks of the season helped vault the Redskins from outside looking in to claiming one of the final district playoffs spots. A familiar postseason foe in Lower Merion awaits, the Aces bringing a senior-led roster to the field with them.
Lower Merion Aces
12-3-3 record
The Aces have been robust defensively with 11 shutouts.
Senior Cornell recruit Eloise Gerson is a key player in the attack.
Neshaminy Redskins
8-5-5 record, 5-3-2 SOL Patriot
Senior Alexis Barnes has been a mainstay in goal and has plenty of experience in big games. She’s backed up by a solid defense including Chloe Mougeotte, Lily Kaczmarek, Emma Harrison and Marie Mitchell.
Lily Kaczmarek also contributes on offense, often connecting with her sister Leah Kaczmarek. Evie Dozier has emerged as both a reliable finisher and playmaker while Neshaminy’s also received consistent contributions from Emma Harrison and Chloe Mougeotte throughout the season.
No. 7 Downingtown East vs No. 26 North Penn
The SOL Colonial’s strength is never in doubt, with last year’s state champion and District 1 champion coming from its ranks and five district qualifiers this year. That’s to say, don’t look too much into the Knight’s conference record because North Penn was able to hang around with everyone in their division this year and they feel like that will travel.
Downingtown East Cougars
12-0-6 Record
Senior captain Maddy Simonton (Millersville) is a stalwart in goal and has been involved with 11 shutouts this fall.
Senior Izzy Haaig (Delaware) and senior Collyn Kropp (JMU lacrosse) anchor the back line as a solid center back pair.
Senior Lily Frantz (Ursinus) and senior Grace Leone (Iona lacrosse) are some of the Cougars’ top threats in the attacking end.
North Penn Knights
7-8-3 overall, 1-7-2 SOL Colonial
Senior Jadyn Sperling (Le Moyne) is a staunch defender at center back with plenty of speed to cover the field while seniors Alyssa Chartrand and Allison Schall are experienced backs.. Seniors Julia Fior and Catie Ciotti have shared goalkeeper reps throughout the season.
Sophomore Lani Bachmann and freshman Xienna Bachmann have been a potent sister scoring duo throughout the season. Sophomore Annaliese Marnien also built off a strong first season and is dangerous around the goal and Bailee Charles has emerged as another scorer.
Senior Elliot Hanrahan (Susquehanna) leads a solid midfield group that gets plenty of minutes from Lani Bachmann, Maddie Gorman, Avery Krepps and Paige Gladfelter – who also plays some on defense.
CLASS 3A
No. 7 Lower Moreland vs No. 10 West Chester East
The Lions had a roller coaster season, getting off to a fast start but then battling the injury bug throughout most of the last month.
They slid a few spots in the power rankings, but solidified themselves to open up at home. For a senior group that’s poured out all it has into the season and program, they’ll try to use that to their advantage.
Lower Moreland Lions
11-4-2 overall, 7-3-0 SOL Freedom
Senior Mariah Gazzara has been terrific between the posts with nine shutouts this season. Evie O’Brien, Izzy O’Brien. and Cam Cowley help solidify the defensive unit.
Midfield unit is dominated by senior leaders Agnes Kroll, Jordyn Fox and Quinn Rozanski. Sophomore Ella Frey has also stepped into a key role.
Senior Shannon Mahon has been an absolute catalyst in the attack all year. Junior Emma Leibert has stepped up with some timely goals as well.
WC East Vikings
8-7-3 overall
Senior Hannah Trueman, a co-captain and center midfielder, has been a clutch goal scorer all fall.
Senior captains Neve Malone and Erin Uebele anchor the back line at centerback and outside back respectively.
Sophomore Mady Labrynakos patrols the 18-yard box at goalkeeper, leading a defense that has posted seven shutouts this season.
No. 6 WC Rustin vs No. 11 Upper Moreland
The Golden Bears made the most of their last chance, using a win over Dock Mennonite to vault into the postseason. UM’s players always give their all and the Bears have gotten plenty of good minutes from a whole host of contributors.
Rustin Golden Knights
9-5-4 Record
Senior Ava Pascarella, a Penn State recruit, is a dynamic threat on the offensive end who can line up at forward or as an advanced midfielder.
Natalie Duffie and Emily Dibiase have also been consistent goal scoring options for the Golden Knights.
Rustin’s defense has posted five shutouts.
Upper Moreland Golden Bears
7-10-1 overall, 3-7-0 SOL Freedom
Senior Gracie Costello has been a four-year contributor in goal, a surehanded keeper who always seems to make a few key saves per game. Aubrey Scarpitti and Jayda Rivera help clear out threats in front of goal.
Madeline Cox and Brogan Neely had been the team’s top options in front of goal. Midfielder Keiley Hawk is also a composed finisher and sets her teammates up.
Eva Gorell and Leah King lead a group of midfielders who play both sides of the ball.
CLASS 2A
No. 1 Springfield Twp vs No. 4 Collegium Charter
The Spartans came up a game short of their bid to repeat as the SOL Freedom division champions, but their focus will now be on going a game further than last year when they fell to Villa Joseph Marie in the District 1 Class 2A title match.
With a senior-laden defensive unit and midfield, Springfield Twp has plenty of experience to go with plenty of firepower in the underclassman-led attack.
Springfield Twp Spartans
12-4-2, 8-2-0 SOL Freedom
Senior goalkeeper Olivia Gatewood (Shippensburg) anchors a Spartans defense that has posted seven shutouts this season. June Kirk and Maddie Decker help anchor the back line in front of goal.
Extremely potent front line led by Ava Brnich with 20 goals, Karter Brady and Liz Hanushchak. All three are capable of taking on defenders and either scoring or setting up a teammate.
Solid midfield features Julia Guicheteau, Karly Hartman, Annalyse Bunting, Siena Karn and Bea Lyons in a deep group of contributors.
Collegium Charter Cougars
1-15-1 overall
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