Six SOL girls’ soccer teams were winners in Tuesday’s opening round of the District 1 Tournament. Check out Andrew Robinson’s Kwik Goal recaps. Council Rock North/Harriton photos provided courtesy of John Gleeson. Check back for a gallery of photos.
Class 4A
No 12 Souderton 2, No 21 Wissahickon 1
Don’t tell Cailee Cush or her Souderton teammates they’re ever out of a game.
They probably wouldn’t dignify that claim with a response, but if they did, they’d just point to the numerous rallies and comeback wins they’d had this year. So Tuesday night, trailing by a goal with potentially 10 minutes left in their season, the Indians knew they weren’t out of the game.
Cush, a junior who’s played a key role in the attack this season, was the catalyst by scoring the equalizer with eight minutes left and assisting Julia Purvy’s game-winner with 2:25 on the clock.
Wissahickon, which went 5-0-1 down the stretch to qualify for the postseason, put in a superb effort despite not having top scorer Kate Irani – the junior was ineligible for any postseason games after coming over as a transfer from the Pennington School – and took a lead with 25 minutes left on a PK by freshman Emily Bennacef.
The win was a big one for Souderton, the Indians securing their first postseason victory since the 2018 PIAA Class 4A championship. Last year, Souderton made its first playoff appearance since 2019, losing a heartbreaker in double overtime, so the team had plenty of incentive to push the season to at least one more game.
Souderton will travel to No. 5 Spring-Ford for the second round Thursday.
Scoring Summary
1st Half
No Scoring
2nd Half
W – Emily Bennacef (PK) 24:35
S – Cailee Cush 8:04
S – Julia Purvy (Cailee Cush) 2:25
Souderton coach Melissa Lollar: “This team came out tonight with the absolute right mindset and effort. We have been looking forward to our return to playoffs from last season in hopes to prove we could get a win. We prepared a lot about the physical aspect of the game, but we also really focused on the mental side. I think mentally we truly showed our best tonight.”
—Team effort: “Overall, I think each player stepped up tonight. Cam Lobel had some amazing saves in net for us. Our back line of Kylie Cummings, Lilly Fisher, Maddie Moreland, Julia Purvy, and Aidia Manners rotating through the back were just so unified today. They worked hard and fought for every ball in the box. It was an unfortunate PK, but I think they did what they could to clear the ball.”
–Midfielders in control: “In the midfield, Meg Borro had an outstanding game physically. Hannah Beckett played a very smart game and had great distributions all game, setting up great sequences and getting in the box for great chances. Cam Hoover stepped up big tonight and played a strong game. Her confidence to step to a ball helped lead us to our game winner. Our front line was so solid and unified today as well. Lily Heron, Cailee Cush, and Aidia Manners had such patient and confident games. Abby March gave great minutes for us which was much needed. For much of the game we had momentum and even after their goal, these players stay composed and kept creating chances.”
–Comeback bid: “After some rebounds, Cailee Cush was able to put one in. For the rest of the game, they really just kept their foot on the gas and created chances. A great sequence led to Cailee playing the ball through to Jules and she just had a great first touch with the finish in a big moment. Overall, it was a strong team win that needed every single player on the roster. I’m proud of this result but excited to move on and focus on the best game ahead.”
Souderton junior Cailee Cush: “This year we focused on our team culture and playing together so that in those last couple minutes, we trust every single other player that they’re going to do their job and fight to the end. It feels so amazing, we always knew we could do it. We have so much talent, it was just putting it together to get a result.”
–Streak snapper: “It feels so crazy right now. Last year we came so close, we lost with eight seconds left in overtime so this year, everyone’s feeling so many emotions because this is all we ever wanted. Throughout the whole season, we had games where we came from being down, so we knew we could do it. We just knew we had to believe in ourselves and that we could get it done.”
–Tying goal: “They put me on the keeper just to get any scraps and try to keep her away from the ball. One of my players, I think it was Megan Borro, she got it down, so it was right in front then all you have to do is be composed in front of the net.”
–Game-winner: “I play club with Julia, so it was like clockwork. Once I saw her, it was like muscle memory to make that pass.”
Wissahickon coach Chris McDaniels: “The attitude was fantastic. I think more than anything, we had fun at training which was huge. You’re going to get things done when you have positivity and the good work rate piece, which is something we pushed from last year to this year in trying to improve.”
SOUDERTON 0 2 – 2
WISSAHICKON 0 1 – 1
No 23 Plymouth Whitemarsh 1, No 10 Owen J Roberts 0 (OT)
The soccer gods might just have a sense of humor after all.
This fall, the NFHS – the governing body of high school athletics nationwide – removed overtime from regular season soccer matches, meaning any games tied after 80 minutes went into the book as a draw. Plymouth Whitemarsh had plenty of experience with this, the Colonials finishing with six draws (or one-third of their season) that included a span of four straight between Sept. 10 and Sept. 22 and wondering what they could have done with even a few more minutes in those fixtures.
Overtime returned for the postseason, and in cosmically fitting fashion, PW went right into extra time then scored a game-winner from captain Liv Patete four minutes in overtime to knock off the PAC runner-up Wildcats. On a night of mostly chalk across the bracket, the Colonials’ first overtime goal of the season also made them the sole lower seed to advance.
It was a historic victory as well – PW’s first ever road playoff victory marking a program record fifth consecutive trip to the postseason. The win also allowed Colonials coach TJ DeLucia to pay up on a promise he’d made to his team late in the regular season with a sweet reward to accompany a very boisterous bus ride home.
PW advances to face No. 7 Downingtown East (the Cougars, ironically enough also having recorded six draws this season) in Thursday’s second round.
Scoring Summary
1st Half
No Scoring
2nd Half
No Scoring
OT
PW – Liv Patete (Madi Lazaroff)
Plymouth Whitemarsh coach TJ DeLucia: “This was a special night for our program. After last season, graduating nine seniors and winning a league title for the first time in 11 years – this year’s group continued to make history. They earned a playoff spot for the fifth consecutive season – a program record. Tonight also marked the first road playoff win in program history.”
—Road warriors: “There aren’t a lot of playoff upsets in this sport at this level. We were the only lower seed to win tonight. But we didn’t believe that we were a No. 23 seed. We had some hiccups late in the season, but we were well aware of what those issues were and are. And this group didn’t quit. We, as a staff, had some tough conversations with our group and they could have folded. They didn’t. We don’t treat our players like little kids. We believe they can handle tough conversations, and they can handle being held accountable.”
–Playoff prep: “I am so proud of how they responded. We practiced Thursday, gave them off from practice on Friday but participated in PW’s outstanding Best Buddies’ Trunk or Treat event, and then practiced Monday. Coach Steve Slack and I watched film on Sunday, put a plan in place for Monday and had one day to practice it. We changed formations specifically for this game and this opponent, moved around multiple players to positions they had never played before – and the reaction to this from the players was just outstanding.”
–More than an assistant: “I want to recognize assistant coach Steve Slack, longtime coach of PW girls and boys soccer, who is without a doubt one of the best soccer coaches in the area. His work all season – and the game plan tonight….in his words, ‘just brilliant.’ The team played ‘God Save the Queen’ on the bus ride home for him, which just shows the respect and appreciation our players have for what he does for them and this program. It’s an honor for me to coach alongside him.”
–Plenty of props: “After the game, I couldn’t even shout out one player to the team because it would have been unfair – every player performed at their highest level. Freshman keeper Jules Rex made a few big saves to keep OJR off the scoresheet. She is very cool under pressure, for a freshman – a quality trait for a keeper. Her future is bright. Freshman Skylar Wawrzynek played center back for the first time since she was eight years old and she was brilliant. Senior Bella Zeoli continued her impressive season at outside back (a position she hadn’t played prior to this season). JJ Lafferty had the very difficult assignment of marking their No. 9, Avery Cies, a Division 1 Robert Morris commit – who has elite speed and is tricky on the ball. JJ continues to show that she is one of the best defenders in the area, as a sophomore.”
–More standouts: “Our midfielders, sophomore Emma Meyer, sophomore Emma Shelby, senior captain Maddi Lazaroff, and sophomore captain Molly McEvoy, were terrific. We felt like we had an advantage in midfield going into the game if we played up to our capabilities – and that is no disrespect to OJR. That is a terrific, well-coached program. We were well aware of their history going in. But PW soccer has come a long way…over the past few years, we now can match up in midfield with some of the better programs in the area. Senior forward Izzy Jackson, sophomore forward Lori Flannery, and freshman forward Josie Marcella kept us dangerous all night. We asked a lot of them and their work rate never dropped.”
–Patete pays off: “Senior captain Liv Patete was the vocal leader of our defense and our team tonight and played like someone who has played in multiple big games before on the soccer field, on the basketball court, and on the flag football field. Liv scored the overtime winner on a beauty of a finish, assisted by her best friend and co-captain Maddi Lazaroff. I couldn’t be happier for Patete. She is someone who I’ve spent a lot of time with, coaching her in the fall and in the winter, and to watch her evolution as an athlete over the course of four years has been special.”
–Sweet treat: “I promised the seniors that if we won late in the season at Quakertown or at Abington that I’d take them for milkshakes after the game. Well, we were a little late on that…but the milkshakes tonight tasted even better than we could have hoped. It was quite the bus ride home. They will remember that bus ride home for a long time and that is what high school sports are all about. That is why we push our players so hard so that they can have the opportunity like they had tonight to make core memories.”
PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 0 0 1 – 1
OWEN J ROBERTS 0 0 0 – 0
No 16 CB South 3, No 17 Boyertown 1
The Titans took care of business behind a determined defensive effort to extend their season and set up a compelling second round pairing
CB South got two first half goals and added some insurance in the second half as its defense continued to keep the Bears caged until late in the second half with the outcome well in hand. Morgan Sowash posted a first half shutout while Sienna Carone had a strong second half in goal to complete the victory.
Up next is a big one as the Titans will make the short trip to face rival CB East, the No. 1 overall seed, at 6 p.m. on Thursday. The rematch of last year’s state final has plenty on the line with only the winning team getting to continue its season and East having a 2-0 record in their regular season matchups.
It’s the second straight year the Titans and Patriots will clash in the postseason, although last year’s meeting came a round later in the quarterfinals.
Scoring Summary
1st half
CBS – Khloe Montini (Olivia Creswick)
2nd Half
CBS – Addi McKeon (Lucy Keane)
CBS – Emily Franklin (Ali Tait)
Boyertown goal
Central Bucks South coach Dana Cole: “Our back line held strong with Ella Parish, Peyton Karpinski, and Avery Rogers shutting down any offensive opportunities Boyertown had for the most part. Alex Tropea stepped in for some solid minutes and fought hard to help us maintain possession in the middle.”
-Standout effort: “Big props to Addison Konopka for stepping up big time on defense and playing 80 mins with confidence and intensity. Her presence in this game was well known for sure by everyone watching, even my 11-year-old daughter.”
–Scoring plays: “Our first goal was Olivia Creswick down the line to Khloe Montini. Khloe used her immense speed to take on Boyertown’s back line and break through for a perfectly placed ball in the corner to put us up 1-0. Lucy Keane’s corner placement tonight was right on, and Addi McKeon capitalized and put our second goal away on a beautiful cross from Lucy to get us to 2-0 at halftime. In the second half, Ali Tait sent the ball over from the outside into Emily Franklin who put us up 3-0 with a beautiful shot from around the 18.”
–Midfield masters: “Our midfield won the majority of the 50/50 balls and kept us pushing forward on offense. Maddie Roe, Addi McKeon, Emily Franklin, Lucy Keane and Olivia Creswick worked well as a unit putting us in good offensive positioning utilizing Ali Tait and Khloe Montini’s speed up top and outside.”
CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 2 1 – 3
BOYERTOWN 0 1 – 1
No 14 Council Rock North 3, No 19 Harriton 0
When the postseason rolls around, records go out the window and it’s a matter of which team can control the next 80 minutes in front of them.
Council Rock North didn’t control all 80 minutes on Tuesday, but the Indians had the better of enough of them to fend off a determined Rams team and extend their season. Scoring early certainly helped, but a strike that might have had the CR 
North crossbar still rattling at halftime was a warning they weren’t out of it yet.
A couple goals in the second half, plus some help from the reserves and a composed effort from the team’s veterans were enough to spell out a win and send the Indians into the second round against a familiar opponent.
CR North advances to play No. 3 Pennridge on Thursday night. The teams met during the regular season, the Rams getting a goal from senior G Howley and a couple incredible saves from senior Liv Buckman to edge the Indians 1-0 in a highly competitive match.
Scoring Summary
1st Half
CRN – Bella Lanza (Darcy McCullough) 34:14
2nd Half
CRN – Sam Geib (Keagan Terry) 24:28
CRN – Addison Martin (Sarina Igval) 14:52
Council Rock North coach Gavin Flannigan: “A really solid win this evening over a good Harriton side that was organized and disciplined. I felt like we started the game very well and were able to apply pressure early with some good set pieces, and Darcy hit a great corner to Bella five minutes in for a nice header. After we scored, I thought Harriton had the better of the play, they did a good job of finding the right spaces and getting the ball to their targets which caused us some problems initially, but I thought we defended them well, 
however right before half time they hit the crossbar on a great shot from Zara Burke.”
–Staying in front: “At half time we stressed that we needed to continue to play with intensity, and we felt like our deeper bench might wear them down a little. I think that happened and we were able to possess more productively and create more opportunities.
–Adding on: “Our second goal came from great play down the left, which ended in a shot for Keagan Terry that Sam Geib was able to hit home on the rebound. After that I thought we did a good job of moving the ball and finding spots, Sarina was able to get free and earn a PK that Addison Martin scored from. I’m really happy for Addison, she is a key figure in our team, but her contributions don’t necessarily show up in stats for goals and assists, but the way she sees the game, her composure, leadership and selflessness go a long way in making us successful.
–Moving on: “Overall we were really pleased with the outcome and especially how we handled the second half with a
tight lead. We look forward to the next challenge on Thursday.”
COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 1 2 – 3
HARRITON 0 0 – 0
No 15 William Tennent 3, No 18 Great Valley 1
Tennent’s senior class put their stamp on another milestone win, earning the first postseason victory of their tenure as Panthers.
It took a come-from-behind effort to do so, after Great Valley scored to take a 1-0 lead in the first half, senior Grace Bochnak scored the first of her two goals to tie it. Bochnak completed her brace in the second half off a pass from senior Bailey Kasner for the eventual game-winner, Kasner also adding a second assist on sophomore Kaitlyn D’Ambra’s insurance goal.
The win was Tennent’s first postseason victory since the PIAA unified girls’ soccer as a fall sport in 2012, so it was also a historic night for a senior class that’s been on a roll this season having already claimed an outright division title to their credit.
The Panthers will take on No. 2 Downingtown West in Thursday’s second round.
Scoring Summary
1st half
GV
WT – Grace Bochnak 6:23
2nd half
WT – Grace Bochnak (Bailey Kasner) 36:52
WT – Kaitlyn D’Ambra (Bailey Kasner) 19:03
William Tennent coach Elise Jara: “GV was able to convert first but our defense led by Sami Roby and Mia Rahn recovered and played a clean second half. Getting the equalizer before the half was key, and the momentum swung in our favor. We were able to strike early in the second half with the combo of Grace and Bailey who have been doing it all season for us.”
WILLIAM TENNENT 1 2 – 3
GREAT VALLEY 1 0 – 1
No 8 Lower Merion 3, No 25 Neshaminy 2
Lower Merion is always a challenging matchup in the district playoffs.
The Aces usually have a talented team, then factoring in their smaller-sized pitch and earlier than usual start time, opponents often have to adjust on the fly. Neshaminy found itself down a goal at halftime on Tuesday, but figured things out in a wild second half that saw four combined goals and a rally to tie it 2-2.
A late goal by the Aces would be the decider, ending a nice run from Neshaminy that saw the team make a late season charge into the playoff hunt.
Scoring Summary
1st Half
LM
2nd Half
LM
N – Brinley Buretta (Anna Axenroth)
N – Grace Miraski (Avery Ordini)
LM
Neshaminy coach Josh Van Reed: “Tough loss today but I was happy with the way we battled back in the second half. At halftime down 1-0 we made some changes and talked about a couple more we might need to do. When they got the second goal 10 minutes into the half, we immediately switched things up, which created some more pressure and chances.”
–Back and forth half: “When the ball came to Anna in the midfield, she was able to find Brinley through with time on the bal,l and Brinley did a great job just making sure she kept it on frame. From there, we had some momentum and continued to add pressure, got a deep throw in and we have some girls who can throw pretty far. This time it was Avery Ordini, who tossed the ball into Grace, who flicked the ball on and into the back netting. Lower Merion picked up the pressure and with clock winding down got a free kick and served up the ball in the box that kinda took a couple bounces around before it found the net. Unfortunate way to end but a tough game fought by both teams.”
–Senior sendoff: “I want to thank and give credit to my seniors for their hard work and devotion to the team. Anna Axenroth, Emma Harrison, Leah Kaczmarek, Lily Kaczmarek, Aubrey McGeady, Maggie Volgraf and Alexis Barnes – girls, thank you for the memories.”
LOWER MERION 1 2 – 3
NESHAMINY 0 2 – 2
No 7 Downingtown East 1, No 26 North Penn 0
The Knights gave a strong Cougars side – one that hasn’t lost a match all season – all it could handle in their season finale.
North Penn’s senior class has made quite a mark on and off the field and while their final outing didn’t result in a win, they were able to take something out of the season by starting and maintaining a postseason streak the program hadn’t matched in a long time. The Knights have some talented underclassmen due to return and look to make the next step.
North Penn coach Mike Rio: “I’m just really proud of the way our girls fought and battled all season. They were a great group and really made coming to coach everyday enjoyable. The senior group was really special and was just such a positive and fun group to be around. They will definitely be missed. They are the first class to make it to playoffs in all four years in the last 15-20 years which is a huge accomplishment for them and the way they have impacted and revitalized the program. Looking forward to the future and the girls that we have to carry on what this group of seniors have started.”
No 11 WC Henderson 2, No 23 Upper Dublin 0
Class 3A
No 7 Lower Moreland 2, No 10 West Chester East 1
Lower Moreland has been gutting it out all season, so no surprise the Lions probably put forth their most gutsy effort of the fall in their playoff opener.
The Lions scored shortly before halftime and maintained that lead until the Vikings equalized late in the first half. Several players who had been dealing with injuries looked revitalized on Tuesday, with junior Emma Leibert being one of them.
Leibert made up for lost time, crashing the goal and punching home her own rebound for the game winner to give the Lions a dramatic win on their home field and continue their season.
Lower Moreland advances to face No. 2 Strath Haven in Thursday’s quarterfinal round.
Scoring Summary
1st Half
LM – Agnes Kroll (Quinn Rozanski)
2nd Half
WCE
LM – Emma Leibert
Lower Moreland coach Todd Hill: “We won a really tough game against WC East today. WC made us really work for it. I have not seen a more determined group of girls than our girls were to walk away with a win. I am so proud of them. Tonight we played some of the smartest soccer our girls have played this season. It really felt like they were putting it all together, making the right decision over and over, requiring WC to chase the ball, and then putting lots of pressure on their defense.”
–Props: “Senior Quinn Rozanski has been playing with an injury all season, and has done a great job in spite of a bulky cast. However, tonight, it felt like she was completely herself again. She played really dominant soccer throughout. Sophomore Evie O’Brien had an outstanding game. She dominated her space and made WC chase her throughout. Senior goalkeeper Mariah Gazzara once again had several outstanding saves that enabled us to walk away with a win. She was awesome tonight.”
–First goal: “Senior Agnes Kroll started our scoring late in the first half. Quinn sent a ball to the wing, and with almost no angle available Agnes managed to slide the ball just inside the post for a beautiful goal.”
–Leibert wins it: “Junior Emma Leibert spent almost half of the season recovering from an injury. Tonight we got to see Emma play dominant soccer again. When WC East tied the game late in the second half, we had a moment where we wondered if we had enough energy to regain momentum. However, after freshman Charlie Carroll slid a ball off her head to Emma Leibert, Emma attacked the goal. Though she was denied on her initial attempt, Emma was determined to find a way to score and followed up her shot with a beautiful finesse shot into the back of the net.”
LOWER MORELAND 1 1 – 2
WEST CHESTER EAST 0 1 – 1
No 6 WC Rustin 4, No 11 Upper Moreland 0
Rustin’s high-powered offense was in good form Tuesday night, spelling an end to the Golden Bears’ season.
Emily Dibiase and Old Dominion recruit Natalie Duffie scored in the first half and a second half brace from Ava Pascarella, a Penn State recruit, was too much for UM to overcome. Senior Gracie Costello did all she could to keep her team in the match, making 12 saves for the Bears.
Scoring Summary
1st half
WCR – Emily Dibiase, 8th
WCR – Natalie Duffie, 16th
2nd Half
WCR – Ava Pascarella, 47th
WCR – Ava Pascarella, 72nd
Goalkeeper Saves
UM Gracie Costello 12 saves
WCR Sydney Demarco 3 saves
Upper Moreland coach Lisa Benvenuto: “Our girls played hard and fought until the end tonight. We knew Rustin would look to play through Pascarella and that they had some really strong offensive players, but we were able to contain their attack throughout the match—pulling them offside 12 times defensively.”
–Bears give their all: “We had some strong transition play, but just couldn’t finish our opportunities. Overall, it was a great team effort. We saw outstanding play from Gracie Costello in goal, as well as Aubrey Scarpitti, Julie Albert, and Jayda Rivera. Keiley Hawk and Brooklyn Kavanagh held down the middle, with strong efforts on the flanks from Eva Gorrell and Brogan Neely. Up front, Leah King, Madeline Cox, and Mia Meakim worked tirelessly off the ball in our offensive third. We are so proud of this team’s grit and perseverance. They fought until the final whistle and held their heads high.”
WEST CHESTER RUSTIN 2 2 – 4
UPPER MORELAND 0 0 – 0
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