Check out the comprehensive preview capsules for the 15 SOL boys soccer teams in action in the upcoming District One Tournament that begin on Tuesday.
Class 4A
#4 Abington (opening-round bye)
–15-2-1 overall
–14-1-1 SOL Liberty Division champion
–Third straight division crown
–Key players include midfielder Liam Hartman – a 20-plus goal scorer for the second straight season, defender Drew Paxson and goalkeeper Kevin Kretschman. “They’re the leaders, and they make everything work,” said coach Randy Garber.
–Abington enters districts on a five-game win streak, including a 2-1 overtime win over #6 –Upper Dublin that essentially decided the division championship.
–Only blemishes this season were an opening loss to #13 CB East, as well as a crossover game against Class 4A #3 Springfield and a tie with Upper Dublin.
Next up: The winner of #20 CB West at #13 CB East in the second round on Thursday.
#27 North Penn at #6 Upper Dublin, Tuesday, 5 p.m.
Upper Dublin
–14-2-2 overall
–12-2-2 SOL Liberty Division second place
–The Flying Cardinals have had a remarkable turnaround season, soaring near the top of the division standings all season after an 8-10 season one year ago.
–Miles Bondi is the team’s top scorer
–Cards have two wins over #17 Hatboro-Horsham and #22 Wissahickon, went 1-0-1 against Plymouth Whitemarsh, earned a tie with #4 Abington, and have nonleague wins over #8 CB South and #26 Methacton.
Coach Noah Johnson says: “We’re not an ‘I’ team whatsoever. We’re a family, and we do everything together. For us, our entire team is important whether you’re scoring or not. All of my boys contribute in some way, whether it’s defensively, whether it’s putting the ball in the back of the net or making sure everything is clicking well in the midfield third.”
North Penn
–7-9-2 overall
–6-8-2 SOL Colonial Division fifth place
–It was an up-and-down season for a young Knights team that earned a playoff berth with a four-game win streak when they had just a 3-7-1 record. They then closed the season with a 2-2 tie against #13 CB East to snap a two-game losing streak.
–North Penn has big wins this season over both #23 Neshaminy and #11 Pennridge.
–Led by defenders Nate Kim, Brian Scott and Hayden Wagner and goalkeepers Troy Nine and Cameron Pelletier. Sophomore forward Ryan Miller has emerged as a scorer and young players such as Dmitri Ilovski, Caden Myers and Ian Bialisalisa have improved throughout the season.
Coach Chris DePeppe says: “We will have our hands full against a very good Upper Dublin team. We’ve played well at times in the second half of the season, so we’ll see if we can put it together and play a complete game because we’ll need to be at our best to advance. … And with all we’ve been through this year, I really like our mindset right now. We are a resilient team, we don’t get rattled, and I’m sure we’ll enjoy the ride.”
Next up: The Upper Dublin-North Penn winners plays the Wissahickon-Pennridge winner in Thursday’s second round.
#8 Central Bucks South vs. #25 Boyertown, Tuesday, 7 p.m.
Central Bucks South
–12-4-2 overall
–11-3-2 SOL Colonial Division champions
–First division title in program history
–Impressive turnaround under first-year coach Kyle Pettican from last year’s 9-8-1 record
–The Titans battled for the division’s top spot all season and clinched the title late with a 3-0-2 stretch in its last five games, a stretch that included a huge win over #11 Pennridge as well as #27 North Penn and Souderton, and ties with #13 CB East and #20 CB West.
Coach Kyle Pettican says: “Super proud of my team. We couldn’t have asked for better to be honest. I came into a team that didn’t make the playoffs last year and finished second to bottom in their division. They were #25 and just missed out.
“My goal this year was just to build a better culture and environment in the program. I was looking for players to buy in and players I could trust. Not necessarily the best soccer players. It worked out better than I could’ve ever envisioned. Not only did we improve the culture and environment, but we improved our record. We moved from the #25 seed to the #8 seed, making the playoffs for the first time in years (minus covid season). We are just thrilled to be (in districts). All my players deserve a shoutout because we are not a one- man team. Everyone plays their role from top to bottom.”
Boyertown
–8-8-2 overall
–3-7 against district playoff teams with a pair of wins over #28 Methacton and a 2-1 regular season win over #16 Owen J Roberts
–6-3-1 in last 10 games
Next up: The CB South-Boyertown winners advances to Thursday’s second round against the Plymouth Whitemarsh-Downingtown West winner.
#22 Wissahickon at #11 Pennridge, Tuesday, 6 p.m.
Pennridge
–13-5 overall
–11-5 SOL Colonial Division second place
–It was a topsy-turvy season for the Rams, who battled for the division title into the final week of the regular season. They started the season with three wins, then lost two, then won eight straight – 6-0 vs. SOL Patriot Division – and finish 2-3 in their final five, including back-to-back losses last week to #20 CB West and #8 CB South.
–Pennridge is led by senior Shane Velez, a pre-season All-American and team leader with 14 goals, as well as eight-goal scorer Jared Hess.
–Defensive leaders are Thomas McKinney and goalkeeper CJ Dimmick, who has eight shutouts and a .83 goals against average in 18 games.
Coach Pete Valimont says: “Looking forward to the challenge the second season presents. We respect every team we will face. Wissahickon is a well-coached team with quality results this fall. We are excited for the opportunity to play at home at the Helm (Helman Field) for Round 1.”
Wissahickon
–9-8-1 overall
–8-8 SOL Colonial Division fifth place
–The Trojans have been led this season by tri-captains Ziggy McFarlane, Michael Om and Blake McClintic. “Blake is someone you won’t hear about much but has really turned into someone that’s helped us the last few games. He’s played a few positions. He prefers to play in a wingback/fullback role. With all the injuries and everything else, we’ve managed to get him into the position he’s most comfortable with. He doesn’t sometimes get the accolades of the other two, but he’s doing a terrific job for us.”
–Wissahickon went 3-2 the second time through its division schedule, with wins over #17 Hatboro-Horsham, Quakertown and #24 Plymouth Whitemarsh in the regular season final week to clinch a berth in district.
Next up: The Pennridge-Wissahickon winner plays the Upper Dublin-North Penn winner in the second round on Thursday.
#20 Central Bucks West at #13 Central Bucks East, Tuesday, 7 p.m.
Central Bucks East
–11-5-2 overall
–10-4-2 SOL Colonial Division third place
–The Patriots are led by senior center midfielder Brandon Epstein and solid defense – seniors Dylan Walker, Luke Christmas and Josh Daniels, and junior Andrew Walloff – as well as junior forward Michael Montabana.
–CB East was in the mix for the division title going into the second half of the division schedule. It owns wins over three teams seeded higher – #4 Abington, #8 CB South, #11 Pennridge – and it split games with CB West.
Central Bucks West
–7-8-3 overall
–6-7-3 SOL Colonial Division fourth place
–Coach Cooper Moyer pointed to several players who have been key. “Jason Lee has really come to life for us the second half of the season,” the Bucks’ coach said. “He had a huge game against Pennridge and did well against CB South in terms of creating chances. Kevin Leiva-Benitez has done a really nice job in the new role we’ve put him in, and I look forward to seeing him in a playoff atmosphere. Cole Young, our four-year starter and center back captain, will have to continue to be our fearless leader on the field.”
–The Bucks had their ups and downs this season, including a 1-3-1 start and 2-3-1 mark in crossover games. On the flip side, they had two wins over #11 Pennridge and a tie with #8 CB South in the final game of the regular season.
Coach Cooper Moyer: “We’re at the point now where no one’s record matters anymore and nothing is guaranteed. So as long as we continue to take it one day at a time, I think this group could do well. Our goal is to just go 1-0 every day and keep putting ourselves in the best scenarios to win games.”
Next up: The CB West-CB East winner plays at #4 Abington on Thursday.
#15 Council Rock North vs. #18 Kennett, Tuesday, 7 p.m.
Council Rock North
–12-4-2 overall
–10-4-2 SOL Patriot Division champions
–The Indians are led by captains Nick Wise, Chase McCaffrey and Ari Pollack. Senior Wise is the leading scorer with 12 goals, including five game-winners. Pollack had seven goals, including the game-winner against Council Rock South to clinch the division title. Tanmay Ondkar had six goals and four game winners and Mike Brusca has six goals and six assists.
–Coach Joe Stackhouse also credited the defensive unit of McCaffrey, Mike Pinho, Danny Urgas, Hunter Klein and Corey Brennan, keepers Calvin Hopkins and Gavin Roon and midfielders Pollack, Max Leff, Jack Randolph, Cole Mayer and David Igval.
–CR North started the season 5-0-2, then went 4-2 in crossover games and clinched the division with three straight wins to start the second half of division play before losses to Pennsbury and Neshaminy to close the season.
Kennett
–11-6 overall
–1-6 against teams in District 1 4A Tournament
–Win over #9 Downingtown West (4-1)
Next up: The CR North-Kennett winner plays at #2 Conestoga on Thursday.
#17 Hatboro-Horsham at #16 Owen J. Roberts, Tuesday, 5 p.m.
Hatboro-Horsham
–12-6 overall
—11-5 SOL Liberty Division third place
–Aside from two losses each to #4 Abington and #6 Upper Dublin, the Hatters went 12-2, with wins over the likes of #13 CB East and Class 3A powers Springfield and Lower Moreland.
–Top players include senior captains Jake Freedman (team-leading 6 goals, 6 assists), defender Jacob Kim and goalkeeper Noah Schlosser (7 shutouts).
–Other top players include senior Tony Kuhner (5 goals, 3 assists), junior Isaac Kakiko (4 goals, 4 assists) and senior Enrico Romano (6 goals, 3 assists), who injured his knee in October and has been out of the lineup.
–Nine different players have scored goals and the Hatters have recorded eight shutouts.
Owen J Roberts
—12-5-1 overall
–Defeated Upper Perk 1-0 in Pioneer Athletic Conference title game, capturing the program’s first PAC title in eight years. Edged #10 Spring-Ford 3-2 with a come-from-behind win in the semifinals.
–Led by senior captains Ethan Williams (forward), a Delaware commit, Stephen Mullen (midfield), Joey Kish (center back) and Andrew Keddie (goalkeeper).
–Wins over #3 Downingtown East and #10 Spring-Ford (twice).
–Winners of 13 of last 14 games heading into the tournament
Next up: The H-H-Owen J. Roberts winner plays #1 seed Lower Merion in the second round on Thursday.
#21 Pennsbury at #12 Unionville, Tuesday, 5 p.m.
Pennsbury
–9-7-1 overall
–9-6-1 SOL Patriot Division, tied for second place
–Josh Rodriguez leads the Falcons with 14 goals and 5 assists on the season, while Rocco Ciaccia has six goals.
–Other top players include Chris Vergantino (3 goals, 3 assists), Bryan Sanchez (1 goal, 6 assists), Evan Soriano (3 goals, 5 assists), Saad Williams (1 goal, 3 assists) and Ian Cunningham (2 goals, 2 assists).
–The back three defenders of Andrew Prebola, Connor Labiak and Cooper Gray have played tough in front of keepers Justin Brown/Henrik Boekamp, combining for 7 shutouts.”
–Falcons have a deep rotation of wide attacking defenders who are two way players – Evan Soriano, Liam Fogel, Jadien Bewtra, Jake Ruepp and Caleb Mangiaracina, while Diego Murillo, Lucas Jurgenson, Ryan Mathis hold down the middle of the field allowing others to attack.
—Pennsbury is 5-2-1 in away games.
–Went 8-1-1 against Patriot Division teams.
Unionville
–12-4-2 overall
–Season had its peaks and valleys. Opened season with four straight wins and then lost four in a row. Closed out the year with an 8-0-2 record in the last 10 games, a stretch that included seven straight shutouts.
–Led by 2021 All-Ches-Mont first team selection Liam Martin
–Tied #3 Downingtown East (0-0) and defeated #5 WC Henderson, #12 Unionville, #18 Kennett & #19 Great Valley.
Next up: The Pennsbury-Unionville winner will play the winner of #28 Methacton and #5 West Chester Henderson in the second round on Thursday.
#23 Neshaminy at #10 Spring-Ford, Tuesday, 7 p.m.
Neshaminy
–9-8-1 overall
–8-8 SOL Patriot, fourth place
–Top players for Neshaminy include senior midfielder Joe Joe Maxwell, junior defender Jack Sexton, junior wing Owen Beideman and senior Wasseem Jawawdeh.
–Coach Tom Foley also credited the unselfish play of sophomore Josh Anderson: “That was one of our big moves, moving him into the back in the middle. He was playing forward for us, and somebody let it out of the bag that he played in the back on his club team. We said, ‘We need a back,’ and we moved him back there. He’s been a big part of our streak too.”
–Neshaminy was 1-8 in league play at one point before – in a remarkable turnaround – winning seven straight league games to close the season, including wins over #20 CB West, #21 Pennsbury, #26 CR South and #12 CR North.
Spring-Ford
–11-2-4 overall
–1-2-1 after four games
–Lost to #16 Owen J Roberts in PAC Tournament semifinal (3-2)
–Finished atop the PAC Liberty Division after finishing last in 2021
–Senior captains Luca Carboy & Joey Ricevuto control the midfield and senior captain Jonah Wuertz anchors the attack.
–Shutouts in 10 of last 12 regular season games.
Next up: The Neshaminy-Spring-Ford winner plays the winner of #26 CR South and #7 West Chester Rustin.
#24 Plymouth Whitemarsh at #9 Downingtown West, Tuesday, 7 p.m.
Plymouth Whitemarsh
–8-8-2 overall
–8-7-1 SOL Liberty Division
–The Colonials have been led this season by a strong group of seniors, including leading scorer and playmaker Mason Clatterbuck, as well as Adam Conti, Sam Cohen, Zach Small, and goalkeeper Dan Small.
–PW opened the season with a nonleague tie against #10 Spring-Ford, then went 1-3 to start league play. It rebounded by winning six straight league games, including wins over #22 Wissahickon and Class 3A #3 Springfield. It then closed the season going 1-4-1 in its last six, with that tie coming against #6 Upper Dublin.
Coach Richard Kessler says: “We have had a lot of ups and downs throughout the season, battled through a lot of adversity which I think will make us a very tough opponent in the playoffs. We all feel that on our best day we can play with anyone, and the confidence of the group is very high right now.”
Downingtown West
–13-4 overall
–Led by senior Matt Lohr – who scored 26 goals as a junior and earned All-Southeastern PA honors.
–Opened season with nine straight wins but 4-4 in final eight games
–Wins over #3 Downingtown East, #12 Unionville and #28 Methacton.
Next up: The PW-Downingtown West winner plays the CB South-Boyertown winner in the second round on Thursday.
#26 Council Rock South at #7 West Chester Rustin, Tuesday, 7 p.m.
Council Rock South
–9-7-1 overall
–9-6-1 SOL Patriot Division, tied for second
–With more emphasis on defense in the playoffs, the Golden Hawks will look to goalkeeper Evan Zawodniak and center backs George O’Brien and Andrew Lindros, who, according to coach Alan Nicholl, “will need to keep up their focus and execution. So much of our success has (and will continue) to rest on their shoulders.”
–At one point, CR South was 5-1-1, and then 8-3-1, and near top of division standings but won just one out of its last four games.
Coach Alan Nicholl says: “We are excited to be in (districts). I think our rigorous schedule has us well prepared for playoffs, with almost every game on our schedule against a legitimate contender. We don’t get easy games, and I think that’s the best preparation. It’s very difficult to predict once the playoffs start, but I will say, it’ll take a good team to beat us.”
West Chester Rustin
–12-4-2 overall
–11 seniors are the nucleus of the team.
–Key players include Danny McGonagle, a first team All-Ches-Mont selection as a junior, Danny Scoffone, Jack Truitt & JJ Jackson.
–Wins over #5 WC Henderson, #12 Unionville, #18 Kennett & #19 Great Valley.
Next up: the CR South-Rustin winner plays the Spring-Ford-Neshaminy winner in the second round on Thursday.
Class 3A
#5 West Chester East at #4 Springfield Twp, (Tuesday)
Springfield Twp
–15-3 overall
–13-3 SOL Freedom Division champions
–First boys’ soccer title in program history
–It’s been a team effort for the Spartans with contributions from a list that includes Julian Casabon-Aznar, Dan Fitzpatrick, Jack Sharpe, Peter Schmidt, Nicholas Marino, Riley Martin, Jack McKittrick, Nick Hanushchak, Ben Hubley, Igor Hyvel, Vincent Kerper, Chase Rubincam, Harry Bates
–Battle-tested with wins over Class 4A #4 Abington, #6 Upper Dublin & #22 Wissahickon.
West Chester East
–12-5-1 overall
–Quality wins over Class 4A #5 WC Henderson, #14 Harriton, #17 WC Rustin, #28 Methacton and tied #19 Great Valley (2-2)
–Won four in a row to close out season
Next up: The WC East-Springfield Twp winner plays the Radnor-Upper Moreland winner in the second round.
#7 Lower Moreland at #2 Phoenixville (Tuesday, 6pm)
Lower Moreland
–9-8-1 overall
–7-8-1 SOL Freedom Division finished second to Springfield Twp
–Wins over Class 4A #22 Wissahickon, Class 3A #8 Upper Moreland, split with #4 Springfield Twp.
–Opened season with four straight wins but lost last three games of regular season
Phoenixville
–16-1-1 overall
–10-0 Pioneer Athletic Conference regular season champs
–Fell in overtime in PAC Tournament semifinal to Upper Perk in first trip PAC postseason since 2017
–Scored 104 goals in 18 regular season games
–Wins over Class 4A #19 Great Valley, #25 Boyertown & Class 3A #6 Upper Perk and tied #17 West Chester Rustin,
–Only loss of regular season was to Tulpehocken.
Next up: The Lower Moreland-Phoenixville winners plays the Holy Ghost Prep-Upper Perkiomen winner in the second round.
#8 Upper Moreland at #1 Radnor (Tuesday)
Upper Moreland
–8-9-1 overall
–6-9-1 SOL Freedom Division third place
–Key players for UM are Mike Scollon, Shawn Townsend, Max Gerlach, and Aaron Snyder.
–Third trip to districts in as many years since coach Justin Allegra took over the program
–Win over Class 4A #24 Plymouth Whitemarsh and tied #7 Lower Moreland 3-3 in late-season meeting.
Coach Justin Allegra says: Playoffs are a thing that I expect us to make every year. I have seasoned playmakers on offense/ defense and even in goal. The defense posted only four shutouts during the year, but two came against big time schools. On offense, the Bears have been scoring and playing well leading up to the playoffs. We have been in playoff mode for the past two weeks. The Bears will play the tough Radnor team who ended their season last year.”
Radnor
–13-3 overall
–Signature win over Class 4A #2 Conestoga (1-0) in a late-season game.
–Won eight of nine to open season and five in a row to close out season.
Next up: The Upper Moreland-Radnor winners plays the Springfield Twp-WC East winner in the second round.
About the Author
