SOL Boys’ Soccer District Preview (10-23-18)

Nine SOL boys’ soccer teams will be competing in this week’s District One Tournament. Check out the preview capsules.

CLASS 4A

No. 3 North Penn Knights (first-round bye)
After a shocking second round exit last year, the Knights and their large core of returning players have earned a shot at redemption after a first round bye. SOL Continental champions for the third straight year, North Penn plays a smart, active style of soccer that's taxed defenses all year while relying on some toughness in the back.

17-1-0 overall
11-1-0 SOL Continental (Conference co-champion)
Regular season wins over District I No. 6 Central Bucks West (4-2 Sept. 17), District I 4A No. 11 Pennridge (3-0 Sept. 25, 4-1 Oct. 18), Philadelphia Catholic League No. 2 Archbishop Wood (4-0 Sept. 29), PCL No. 3 La Salle (3-1 Oct. 6)
Excellent midfield – led by juniors Carter Houlihan, Jamie Stewart and Ryan Stewart plus seniors Aidan Jerome and Jared Huzar – is proficient at attacking on the ground, connecting passes and dropping back to challenge. Unit is also very good at putting away goals.
Senior striker Luke McMahon brings high work rate to field, pressing defenders and linking well with midfielders.
Defense rooted by Chris Caputo, Josh Jones and keeper Brett Schwengels. Ethan Torri and Christian Snyder are strong two-way fullbacks.
Solid bench features Mike Chaffee, Brett Katz and Alieu Sheriff.
Will face winner of No. 14 Perkiomen Valley and No. 19 Hatboro-Horsham

No. 4 Abington Galloping Ghosts (first round bye)
The Ghosts dominated in their first season as part of the SOL American and used it to earn a first round bye in the district tournament. High-scoring senior Sean Touey is ready for his last postseason run, but he's far from a one-man show. Reaching states is a goal for this group.

17-1-0 overall
13-1-0 SOL American (Conference champions)
Regular season wins over District I 4A No. 16 Council Rock North (3-0 Aug. 31), District I No. 19 Hatboro-Horsham (2-1 Sept. 20, 3-0 Oct. 16), District I No. 17 Wissahickon (4-0 Oct. 11), District I 4A No. 22 Neshaminy (4-1 Sept. 28)
Senior Sean Touey eclipsed the 20-goal mark for the third straight season. A true target forward, he's capable of finishing inside the box but also playing balls out to teammates.
Liam Friel and Nevin Baer have been consistent secondary scorers all season, able to create their own looks and play off Touey
Senior captain Jack Failing, who has scored twice recently as a defensive midfielder, Gavin O'Neil, Bryce Lexow and Reese Gibbs form the core of a solid midfield group.
Senior-laden defense led by Vince Carosella, Liam Campbell and keeper Alex Haycock. Junior Michael Burnstein is also solid in the back.

No. 6 Central Bucks West (first round bye)
After a captivating run to the state semifinals last season and nine starters returning, the Bucks established themselves early as one of the top teams in the district. A suffocating defense gives a well-varied attack plenty of confidence to press the ball and take chances in front of goal. This group has plenty of postseason experience.

15-2-0 overall
11-1-0 SOL Continental (Conference co-champion)
Regular season wins over District I 4A No. 3 North Penn (4-3 Oct. 11), District I 4A No. 12 Owen J Roberts (2-0 Aug. 31), District I 4A No. 21 Downingtown West (1-0 Sept. 15), District I 4A No. 11 Pennridge (1-0 Sept. 12, 2-1 Oct. 7)
Junior Bailey Moyer does a little bit of everything for the Bucks. Usually a center back, he also leads West in scoring and will press up to forward in a pinch or in a tight game.
Senior goalkeeper Dylan Smith and his back line anchored by Moyer, Nick Centenera and James Lutz, have posted 13 shutouts this season. Smith is not only a terrific shot-stopper, but has a big leg to spring the offense.
Midfield is a hard-working group including Reed Sturza, Carson Snyder, Colin Burn, Luke Fehrman and Kyle Holt.
Attack paced by Jimi Leder and Alan Zlotin with Jack Galt and Kanishk Nazareth key reserves.
Will face winner of No. 11 Pennridge and No. 22 Neshaminy

No. 19 Hatboro-Horsham at No. 14 Perkiomen Valley
-Winner will face No. 3 North Penn
Perkiomen Valley Vikings
PV enters the postseason fresh off its first PAC playoff title in 17 years. A strong possession team, the Vikings were state qualifiers a year ago and combine stout defending with strong execution offensively on set pieces.

11-2-6 overall
4-1-5 PAC Liberty (second place, conference tournament champion)
Regular season wins over District I 4A No. 2 Spring-Ford (2-1 Oct. 18), No. 12 Owen J Roberts (1-0 Sept. 27, 2-1 Sept. 5), District I 4A No. 9 Unionville (1-0 Sept. 15) draws with Spring-Ford (0-0 Oct. 10, 1-1 Oct. Sept. 24), District I 4A No. 18 Boyertown (1-1 Sept. 29)
Junior keeper Josh Moyer anchors a solid back line that's allowed multiple goals just three times all season.
Stephen Warren, AJ Hansen, Brian Holmes, Mark Pirrone are defensive standouts.
Max Chamarro is an effective forward up top for the Vikings. Matt McCabe and Brian Love are key midfielders.

Hatboro-Horsham Hatters
It took the Hatters some time to get their footing after graduating a good number of top players off last season's conference championship side. The Hatters had their runs of solid play and found a good mix defensively late in the season, but they'll have to score in order to make a postseason run.

10-7-1 overall
8-5-1 SOL American (third place)
Regular season wins over District I 4A No. 17 Wissahickon (2-0 Oct. 2), PCL No. 2 Archbishop Wood (1-0 Sept. 15)
Andrew Hurrell, JD Mallinder, Tyler Boehm and Ryan Cole anchor the HH midfield while Matty Harmon and Bradan Mallon lead the forwards.
Senior keeper Zack Kim and senior defender Brad Bornstein lead the defensive group for the Hatters.

No. 22 Neshaminy at No. 11 Pennridge
-Winner will face No. 6 Central Bucks West
Pennridge Rams
A senior heavy group, the Rams cashed in on the potential shown last season to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2015. Pennridge plays as a true team, not relying too much on one or two players, instead taking care of chances when present and working hard on both sides of the ball.

12-4-2 overall
6-4-2 SOL Continental (second place)
Regular season wins over District I A No. 1 Faith Christian (5-1 Sept. 8), District 11 Northwestern Lehigh (4-0 Sept. 5)
Jack Taplett, Marco Grenda and Matt Stevenson pace a hungry attacking unit that's always looking for the next opportunity to finish. Not just finishers, the trio ranks among the Rams' top assisters.
Aidan Link, Nick Dunn and Jack Gillespie are part of a solid all-around midfield group.

Neshaminy Redskins
The Redskins graduated 17 seniors from last year’s district’s fifth place squad that advanced to the state tournament. The team – on the bubble for the season’s final weeks – experienced some growing pains but made a late push, winning three of their last four games. Neshaminy’s 1-0 win over Pennsbury in its conference finale ensured the squad a spot. The Redskins – who start five sophomores – closed their win over Pennsbury with six sophomores and one freshman on the field.

10-7-1 overall
8-4 SOL National second place
Tied District I 4A No. 21 Downingtown West (0-0 Oct. 18)
Senior forward Christian Rodgers leads the Redskins with 12 goals.
The Redskins’ backline – which is without senior standout Kais Jawawdeh (injury) – is anchored by sophomore Mike Albarran and junior Alex Daeche in the middle and sophomores Ian Siwinski and Lou Salmi on the outside. Senior Vince McGlynn is the defending center midfielder.

No. 17 Wissahickon at No. 16 Council Rock North
– Winner will face No. 1 Conestoga
Council Rock North Indians
The Indians graduated 10 seniors – five starters – from last year’s squad that rode its 19^th seed to a District One 4A runner-up finish and the state quarterfinals. With new faces in his lineup, coach Joe Stackhouse was hoping for a district game. The Indians did much better than that, capturing their third consecutive SOL National title.

13-4-1 overall.
11-0-1 SOL National (Conference champion)
Regular season wins over District 1 4A No. 22 Neshaminy (2-1 Sept. 14 & 3-2 Oct. 9)
Defense has been the name of the game for an Indians squad that won six 1-0 games. Anchoring the Indians’ defense in front of goalie Andrew Daries are Zach Saifer, Jeremy Smithline, Ryan Sirota and Spencer Berman. Saifer also leads the team with eight goals. “We don’t score very many goals, but we play team defense,” Stackhouse said.
Sean Finneyfrock, Vinny Colon, Justin Pagliughi and TJ Grube comprise a standout midfield.

Wissahickon Trojans
For the past three years, the Trojans were eliminated from districts in the opening round. They are hoping for better things this time around.

11-6 overall
11-3 SOL American (second place)
Regular season wins over District 1 4A No. 19 Hatboro-Horsham (2-1, Sept. 7), District 1 4A No. 4 Abington (6-0 Sept. 17), District 1 3A No. 7 Upper Moreland (5-1 Sept. 26, 3-2 Oct. 18), District 11 3A No. 5 Southern Lehigh (2-1 Sept. 21).
The Trojans’ attack is led by the trio of Eddie Fortescue, Trey Schwartz and Christian Vorcheimer.
Liam Weiss and David Goldstein hold down the middle, and Matt Om, Justin Ryan and Josh Baker anchor the defense in front of veteran keeper Jun Yuh.

CLASS AAA
No. 7 Upper Moreland at No. 2 Strath Haven (Wednesday, 7 p.m.)
-Winner will face the winner of the No. 3 Pottsgrove/No. 6 Upper Perkiomen game.
Upper Moreland Golden Bears
The Golden Bears won just one game on the field last year (their second win was the result of a Harry S Truman forfeit). They turned things around this year, winning seven games and earning the program’s first district berth in a decade.

7-8-3 overall
5-8-1 SOL American
Regular season win over District 1 4A No. 19 Hatboro-Horsham (1-0, Sept. 12)
Forwards Chris O’Donnell – who has had a pair or game-winners this season – and Samuel Brown as well as Mateo Infante provide offensive punch for the Bears.
Max Hernandez and Justin Mull anchor the midfield, and playing in front of goalie Greg Wiley will be Josh Henderson, Travis Slear, Tyler Holman, Joe Kane and Jake Navarra.

Strath Haven
The Panthers are making a return trips to districts after a two-year absence.

10-6-2 overall
7-4 Central League (Tied for fifth)
Regular season wins over District 1 4A No. 4 Lower Merion (2-1 Sept. 13) and District 1 3A No. 8 Bishop Shanahan (6-1 Sept. 7).
Led by All-Delco forward Nate Perrins, who scored 21 goals last year.