Central Bucks East & Council Rock South were winners in Wednesday’s opening round of the PIAA State Tournament. Council Rock North & Springfield Twp saw their seasons come to an end. Check out Andrew Robinson’s Kwik Goal recaps. CB East/South Western photos provided courtesy of Tracy Valko, and Springfield Twp/Archbishop Wood photos courtesy of Richard Owens. Check back for galleries of both games.
Class 4A
(1-1) Central Bucks East 6, (3-3) South Western 0
At the start of the second half, Mattie Williams found herself where she’d been for all of last year’s state playoff run: on the sideline, wearing a jacket and cheering on her teammates.
The difference on Wednesday was that the senior midfielder started the second half on the sideline due to the work she and her classmates had done on the field in the opening 40 minutes. For the most part, the view this postseason has been much better for Williams with the Villanova-bound midfielder an active participant after being ineligible for last season’s playoffs as a transfer from Lansdale Catholic.
She didn’t score against the Mustangs on Wednesday, but being on the field with her fellow seniors as the final horn sounded on their final home game was a perfect consolation.
“I’m really able to step up and help my team (this year),” Williams said. “It was definitely really hard to watch from the bench last year. As much fun as it was to win it, I’m even more hungry to work hard this year and help bring us a championship.”
Williams basically grew up on the East sidelines, running up and down as a ball girl while her older sister Camryn was menacing defenses at forward during her tenure with the Patriots. Mattie spent her freshman and sophomore seasons at Lansdale Catholic but wanted to come home to finish her high school career and transferred back to East ahead of her junior season.
While she was eligible to play in the regular season – and was a huge piece in the 18 regular season games last fall – Williams was relegated to spectator once the playoffs started. She’s under no such restriction this year and has again given the Patriots a lift while playing a bit of a different role in the team’s formation.
“Last year I started at the ‘nine’ for a little bit so it’s been fun to be able to play in my regular position on the outside of our diamond in the middle,” Williams said. “I’m always trying to find Mia and Taylor’s feet because I trust them so much and a lot of our play comes through them.”
That all said, Williams did appreciate the irony that she started the second half of Wednesday’s win in the same exact spot she’d spent all of last year’s run to the program’s first state title.
“I was talking to the girls about that, and it was almost like ‘I’m getting my same perspective as last year again,’” Williams said. “My goal this year is working toward a state championship. I didn’t have that last year, so I definitely feel more driven this year.”
Williams, who has scored her share of goals this fall, did indirectly play a role in one of the team’s goals on 
Wednesday. The senior was able to bring down a cross from Taylor Roumy that Kiera Sleicher was able to pick up and turn into her second goal of the night as the last stanza of an opening blitz that saw the Patriots score four times in the opening 13 minutes.
East coach Jake Nesteruk knew last season’s playoff run was a difficult one for Williams, but he also knows they wouldn’t have made it without her. In the same thread, the senior midfielder plays a key role on this year’s team even if she’s not always involved in the highlights.
“It was one of the hardest things I’ve had to do as a coach to watch a kid who puts in 18 regular season games not get to play in districts or states and we missed her,” Nesteruk said. “She got us through some really tough stretches last year without Kiera or Ava playing, and she’s got a very understated game. She’s got this level of grit and intensity to her that helps us win the ball high up the field, she connects some simple things.
“She wants some more goals to her name but there’s a lot of what she does in this that without her, the game does become a lot harder so I’m really happy she’s gotten the opportunity to relish in these big games in districts and states.”
CB East was on the attack from the outset, getting three corner kicks in the first five minutes then starting to dial in their shooting range on the Mustang’s goal. Sleicher opened the scoring with a perfectly-placed dart nine minutes in off a pass from Ella Roumy.
Taylor Roumy would follow with the first of her two goals, slipping a defender, then going between the keeper’s legs for the finish just 25 seconds later. East followed with another quick double a few minutes later, Sleicher launching a corner kick into the box that Addie Langlois put in with a thudding header before Sleicher picked out another spot and drove the ball to it to make it 4-0 with 26:50 left in the first half.
“The difference for us on a good day or a bad day is, do you convert the opportunities that were given or created, and I thought we came out and we finished our chances well and we were really efficient with our minutes,” Nesteruk said. “Again, I think on a short training week for these kids to come out and handle themselves very maturely was a really good first step to start states.”
The Patriots began subbing heavily for the final 20 or so minutes, but their reserves have been good all year and kept the level up. Junior Liz Mooney had a couple good runs almost from the moment she came on, and the forward’s efforts were rewarded after a long marauding run most of the length of the field before she tucked away the fifth goal with 12:58 to go before halftime.
Mooney and Delaney Ralph in particular have spelled the starters well in the postseason and once the second or even third wave came onto the field Wednesday, it was more of the same.
“Delaney Ralph has been really big for us coming in and filling in some big moments and tactically giving us a different flavor in the midfield and leadership wise, she just adds a different spark to us,” Nesteruk said. “You see Liz Mooney come out with a really good goal to stretch it to four, Liz has been the on and off kid in terms of the rotation who gives us five or 10 minutes as needed, so to see her put her stamp on the game and get that goal, it was a big moment for us.”
With a comfortable lead, Nesteruk had the reserves start the second half as well, giving them a chance to play some extended state playoff minutes before getting the senior starters a last bit of run at home over the final 20 minutes. Taylor Roumy capped the night with a well-hit goal from deep with 2:50 on the game clock
“In that second half, you see kids like Riley Fleming step up in that center back spot, center mid spot with good decision making and just quality on the ball,” Nesteruk said. “Kay Adenaike, she’s a sophomore who tore an ACL last year to have her come in, she’s played some critical moments for us throughout the season so to see her 
command the backline, keep the standards really high and soccer-wise, not let our principles drop, I thought those kids coming in made some good moments for us.”
Mattie Williams said the thing that kept her involved last year was the energy from the bench. The senior listed last year’s home overtime playback win over West Chester Henderson – a game she couldn’t play in – as one of her favorite moments at East because of the role she got to play supporting her teammates.
Camryn Williams was part of the class that started the run of success the East program has been on that includes the now six-year streak of qualifying for states. Her sister’s teams never had their own prolonged state run, but Mattie Williams and her teammates – many of them following their own older sisters through the program – consider their quest for a repeat as much for the former players as they do for themselves.
“I was a little sentimental,” Williams said. “I used to be a ball girl for my sister when she played here, so I’ve been watching this team for years and now being able to play and be on a run toward a state championship, it’s definitely sentimental just because it was our last time here tonight.”
CB East will face District 11 runner-up Parkland, a 2-0 winner over Archbishop Ryan, in Saturday’s quarterfinal round at a site and time to be announced on Thursday.
Scoring Summary
1st Half
CBE – Kiera Sleicher (Ella Roumy)
CBE – Taylor Roumy
CBE – Addie Langlois (Kiera Sleicher)
CBE – Kiera Sleicher
CBE – Liz Mooney
2nd Half
CBE – Taylor Roumy
CB East coach Jake Nesteruk: “They definitely closed the chapter here on this field how they started. This group has just been really dedicated to this program, how we want to play and creativity, freedom and enjoying the game while also working really hard in the moments where they don’t want to. I’m really glad they had the opportunity to show what makes this program and what makes these kids what they are. They make each other better and I thought tonight was a really good sendoff.”
SOUTH WESTERN 0 0 – 0
CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 5 1 – 6
(1-4) Council Rock South 3, (2-1) Wilkes-Barre Area 2 (OT)
It had been quite a while since the Golden Hawks had last won a state playoff game, so what was a few more minutes?
Making the nearly two-hour trip up to face District 2 champion Wilkes-Barre, CR South found itself trailing early in the first half and then was forced to recover after giving up a second half lead that sent the game to overtime. The Hawks had spent the entire fall getting tested against a challenging schedule, so they leaned on all of that experience to set up a dramatic ending that propelled them to their first PIAA tournament win since 2009.
“Kudos to Wilkes-Barre; they have a very direct style of play that can disrupt teams flow and they did so to us tonight,” CR South coach Nick Heim said. “Very proud of our group. I think those tight games we play all year in Suburban One and District 1 had us ready to dig deep tonight.”
The Hawks had their hands full with Wilkes-Barre junior Addison Corchado, an all-state selection who showed her caliber with a brilliant strike on the opening goal before assisting the equalizer. Aside from their dynamic player up top, the Wolfpack shelled the Hawks’ back line with plenty of long balls and the CR South defense continued to rise to the occasion.
“I thought we put up a great fight and so did they, especially number 47 (Corchado), she was a very tough player to guard,” South stalwart defender Krissy Philip said. “I thought we struggled in the earlier moments, but we got into our flow and had some great chances off corners and free kicks. Our team puts in so much effort and heart when we play, and it really shows in our results. I would say one of our team’s biggest strengths is working hard and having each other’s backs. Our team chemistry has grown throughout this whole season, and I love that it shows when we play.”
While Wilkes-Barre went direct to apply pressure, the Hawks went to the corners. CR South took more than a dozen corner kicks, Anna Horn turning one of them into the go-ahead goal in the second half, and the SOL side’s ability to go at defenders kept the Wolfpack working just as hard defensively as they were.
Claire Vizza, who has been a super-sub at times and put away a few clutch goals this fall, was the hero in overtime for the Hawks. The junior was in the right place at the right time on Wednesday and was able to give her team a hard-earned celebratory two-hour trip back home.
“I thought we played really well as a team and put a lot of pressure on them offensively. We had some great chances but just couldn’t seem to find the back of the net,” Vizza said. “In overtime, we had a free kick, and the ball bounced my way. I was able to get a foot on it and put it in. It was such an exciting moment. We just have to keep playing our game, fight, and take it one game at a time.”
CR South will face District 11 champion Nazareth Area, a 1-0 winner over CR North, in Saturday’s quarterfinal at a site and time to be announced on Thursday.
Scoring Summary
1st Half
WB – Addison Corchado
CRS – Ruby Bross
2nd Half
CRS – Anna Horn
WB – Leah Pryor
OT
CRS – Claire Vizza
CR South coach Nick Heim: “We were able to get some film of them but with no common opponents to compare to, it was a bit of an unknown match up. We didn’t help ourselves early, giving up a goal two minutes in on a wonder strike from their forward (Corchado); a girl with back-to-back 45-plus goal seasons. She hit a ball that dipped and swerved, honestly one of the best balls I’ve seen struck in my 17 years of coaching.”
–Hawks find their footing: “We were able to kind of settle into the game after that and dominated the run of play. We were generating dangerous chances, including seven first half corner kicks, but had trouble finding the net. Finally, Ruby Bross was able to put a ball into the top of the net from the 18 to level the score at half.”
–Back and forth: “We stressed continuing to play our game and it paid off about 15 minutes into the second half when Anna Horn got on the end of a corner kick to put us up 2-1. With about eight minutes remaining, their midfielder struck a bouncing ball that just snuck in under the bar to tie it. We continued to generate good chances with another seven corners in the second half but couldn’t find one to put us up for good, from there we headed to overtime.”
–Taking the win: “We had the same message heading into OT as we did at halftime. We continued to dominate the run of play and Anna Horn drew a penalty down the flank. On the ensuing set piece, a ball to the back post got played back across the face of the goal and Claire Vizza hammered home a game winner.”
–Props: “I thought we had key contributions from quite a few players. Zoya Joshua, Kait Hickey, Krissy Philip, and Lianna Shikvarger played very solidly under a siege of long balls in the back end.”
COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 1 1 1 – 3
WILKES-BARRE 1 1 0 – 2
(11-1 Nazareth Area 1, (1-3) Council Rock North 0
The Indians had been one of the hottest teams in the southeastern part of the state over the last month.
Unfortunately, they ran into a really strong Nazareth Area side that’s been on a hot streak of its own up in the Lehigh Valley. An early goal by the District 11 champions was enough, despite some heroics from CR North keeper Soph Mills with an early denial on a breakaway and a dramatic PK save to keep it a one-goal game.
The team’s seniors – a group that occupied spots all over the field and in the reserves – fueled a postseason run that saw CR North go from a 14 seed to a semifinalist in an extremely deep District 1 field. They provided goals, assists, gritty defense and more while fostering a team environment that made the practice sessions as much a highlight as game days
“This group has given us a great season,” CR North coach Gavin Flannigan said. “Going all the way to the state tournament and as a No. 14 seed when districts started – that’s a great achievement and something they can be proud of.”
Scoring Summary
1st half
N – 32:27
2nd Half
No Scoring
CR North coach Gavin Flannigan: “A really tough way to finish our season tonight. Nazareth scored early in the game and used their advantage well. We just couldn’t come up with an equalizer despite our efforts. The second half was mainly even, although I felt in the last 15 mins we really pushed for a goal, but couldn’t get it done.”
–Mills stands tall: “We were a little slow to start, Soph Mills made a good save on a breakaway before Nazareth scored on a nice goal from their outside forward. After the goal, I thought we settled down and had a lot of the ball, some dangerous moments, but we couldn’t find a final pass or a good chance. A few minutes before half, Nazareth earned a PK but Soph made a great save low to her right to keep the score at 1-0.”
–Thank you seniors: “Our senior group has been phenomenal throughout their careers. The last five weeks they have created an environment that allowed us to go on this run, they’ve led the way on the field with their work ethic, attitude and willingness to be flexible to every game plan or situation that was put in front of them. Our hope is that our younger players have taken on board what it takes and what is needed to compete at this level. We will miss the group but I’m incredibly thankful that we got the opportunity to coach them.”
NAZARETH AREA 1 0 – 1
COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 0 0 – 0
Class 2A
(12-1) Archbishop Wood 3, (1-1) Springfield Twp
The Spartans knew their state playoff opening draw would be a tough one.
Despite graduating some key players, Archbishop Wood was still the defending state champion with a talented roster. Springfield Twp has a skilled group as well however and the Spartans pushed the Vikings all night with the final score not indicative of how the match played out.
Springfield says farewell to seven seniors, a class that has been integral in taking the program a step further each year including the Spartans’ first-ever SOL league title and their first district title since 2021.
“The final score doesn’t define this team, and tonight doesn’t take away from everything we accomplished,” Spartans coach Chris Tomarelli said.
Scoring Summary
1st half
No scoring
2nd Half
AW goal
AW goal
AW goal
Springfield Twp coach Chris Tomarelli: “While the scoreboard may say 3-0, it certainly doesn’t tell the whole story. This was a hard-fought game by both teams, and our girls left everything they had on the field. It was never a lack of effort, heart, or commitment. As difficult as tonight is, I want to take a moment to recognize this senior class. These seven players have been part of a three-year process that helped raise the standard of Springfield girls’ soccer. From playoff appearances, to District Finals, to becoming District Champions, this group has helped take our program to places it hadn’t been before.”
–Hard goodbye: “It’s never easy to see a season end, especially after spending 14 weeks together through blood, sweat, tears, countless practices, and unforgettable moments. The relationships built and memories made along the way are what make this experience so special.”
–Senior sendoff: “A special ‘thank you’ to our seven seniors: Olivia Gatewood, Julia Guicheteau, Maddie Decker, Annika Spratt, Siena Karn, Leah Hyland, and Annalyse Bunting. Thank you for your hard work, commitment, and sacrifice. Thank you for believing in the process and helping raise the expectations for this program. You leave Springfield soccer better than you found it, and that is something you should always be proud of.”
ARCHBISHOP WOOD 0 3 – 3
SPRINGFIELD TWP 0 0 – 0
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