Fifteen SOL boys’ soccer teams will be competing in the District 1 Tournament this week. Check out the Kwik Goal preview capsules and check back for game recaps.
Class 4A
#4 CR North, first-round bye
10-2-5 overall
5-1-4 SOL Patriot, second place
About the Indians: A second win over division winner Pennsbury on the final day of the regular season catapulted CR North into the fourth spot. The team also has defeated the likes of #5 Abington, Class 3A #3 Springfield Twp, and #10 CB South. Led by seniors Matt Brozyna, Chase Murphy, Elias Berman, David Morais, Ben Purcaro and Andrew French.
Players to watch: Seniors Matt Brozyna (team-high 13 goals, 4 assists), Chase Murphy , Elias Berman, David Morais (4 goals, 4 assists), Ben Purcaro (7 assists) and Andrew French.
Next up: Will host the winner of #20 William Tennent and #13 Neshaminy in a second-round game on Thursday.
#20 William Tennent at #13 Neshaminy, Tuesday, 7 p.m.
Tennent
12-5-1 overall
6-3-1 SOL Freedom, second place
About the Panthers: Finishing second in the Freedom Division standings to unbeaten perennial power Springfield was big for Tennent, which had quality wins along the way over Lower Moreland, CB West and Roman Catholic, and took care of business against the teams they had to beat.
Players to watch: Captains Vince Kurz, Ryder Holt and Chase Cris.
“All three have demonstrated great leadership and were a big part of our 12-win season,” said coach Nick D’Andrea. “Our goalie, Charlie Murtha is also having a great season. He set a single season shutout record in goal as far back as we can find.
“We are happy to be in the playoffs and hopefully can play to our potential.”
Neshaminy
8-3-7 overall
4-2-4 SOL Patriot, third place
About Neshaminy: Seven ties were emblematic of the team’s inability to put balls in the net at times, but it played very well late, going 3-0-3 in the last six games. It beat CB East, Germantown Academy, and Archbishop Wood in non-league games, tied CR North twice and went 1-0-1 against Bensalem.
Players to watch: Senior center back Jake Fallon: “QBs the team from the back,” said coach Tom Foley. Senior center midfielder Steven Buczek: “Great ball winner, gets the ball moving.” And junior center midfielder Brody Collins: “Our distributor of the ball.”
Next up: Winner plays at #4 CR North on Thursday.
#28 Upper Perkiomen at #5 Abington, Tuesday, 7 p.m.
Upper Perkiomen
12-5-1 overall
About the Indians: Upper Perk needed a 5-1-1 finish to the regular season to earn the final spot in the field, including one-goal wins over Pottsgrove, Upper Merion and Pope John Paul II and a 2-2 tie against Pottsgrove in the final game. The Indians have scored more than five goals in five of their wins.
Abington
11-1-5 overall
9-0-1 SOL Liberty champions
About the Ghosts: After winning the state title a year ago in Abington didn’t miss a beat in the regular season, with just one loss – to #4 CR North – in wrapping up another division title, and has the potential for another deep postseason run. They own wins over #6 Wissahickon and Class 3A #3 Springfield Twp, and ties against some of the best teams in the Delaware Valley.
Players to watch: Senior Kyle Kretschman (11 goals, 3 assists), according to coach Isaac Pitkow, “was just named a National All-American for the second year in a row. He will participate in the High School All-America game on Dec. 12th in Baltimore. He may end up being the only player in the state involved.”
Senior midfielder/center back Sean Westmoreland, senior midfielder Owen Gesing, senior wing Jaza Vasquez (10 goals, 8 assists).
“The boys are beyond excited for the playoffs,” Pitkow said. “Looking at Upper Perk, a team that is 12-5-1, we will respect the success they have had this year and we know we are in for a tough game. But with the playoff experience on this team, we like our chances against them and anyone we will eventually play. We are hoping tomorrow is just the start of another long and successful playoff run this year.”
Next up: Winner will play the winner of #21 Perkiomen Valley and #12 Spring-Ford in the second round on Thursday.
#18 Penncrest at #15 Bensalem, Tuesday, 7 p.m.
Penncrest
11-4-2 overall
About the Lions: They’ve struggled against the better teams in the Central League like Conestoga, Lower Merion and Strath Haven, but do own quality wins over the likes of Radnor and Bishop Shanahan. In its 11 wins, Penncrest has scored more than four goals in five games.
Bensalem
11-4-3 overall
4-4-2 SOL Patriot, fourth place
About the Owls: This team was a factor in the loaded Patriot Division. They own a win and a tie again #4 Council Rock North as well as a non-league wins over William Tennent and Holy Ghost Prep. Bensalem has the firepower to make some noise in this tournament.
Players to watch: Chase Esposito (33 goals, 5 assists), Dylan Barnhart (9 goals, 8 assists), Jordan Posten (4 goals, 9 assists), Mamadou Diallo (5 goals, 3 assists).
“These four guys have generated a ton of offense for us this season,” said coach Kevin Bock. “Chase has had a historic season, Dylan has been a huge problem for teams with his crazy work rate, and Jordan and Mamadou have been pests on the wings.
“Brandon Bock and Declan Corbett have been steady facilitators of the offense while our defense has been steady. Key contributors on defense include Cole Everett, Chris Fielding, Brian Bock, Danny Kalita, and Ben Reinert.
“Joey Francis has been great in goal. He’s had five shutouts and has made several key saves throughout the season. He’s also a strong vocal leader, despite being a freshman.
“This is Bensalem’s first playoff game in seven years. Super excited for it to be a home game as we had an amazing crowd at our recent Senior Night, and we are anticipating it to be even bigger and better for this game. Proud of these guys.”
Next up: Winner draws a second-round matchup at #2 Conestoga on Thursday.
#26 Central Bucks East at #7 Pennsbury, Tuesday, 7 p.m.
CB East
6-5-6 overall
4-3-3 SOL Colonial, tied for third place
About the Patriots: Season started badly with a 6-0 loss to West Chester Henderson, but East responded and got off to a 3-0-2 start in the Colonial Division, with a win over eventual champ CB South. But injuries – including a season-ending injury to senior standout Alden Iurato – took their toll and the Patriots went 1-3-1 in its last five games.
Players to watch: Junior forward Flavio Grimaldi, Senior defense Dustin Weber and junior defense David Steen.
Pennsbury
11-3-3 overall
7-2-1 SOL Patriot champions
About the Falcons: A 6-0 start to the season and then solid wins throughout the season helped Pennsbury clinch another division title. The Falcons own wins over the likes of Neshaminy, Holy Ghost Prep, Bensalem (twice), Germantown Academy, and Downingtown West, before losses at the end of the season to CB West and CR North probably cost them a higher seed.
Players to watch: GK James Purdum, Jackson Hilt, Anjur Curevac, Nick Graziel
Next up: Winner will play the winner of #10 CB South and #23 Haverford in the second round on Thursday.
#23 Haverford at #10 Central Bucks South, Tuesday, 5 p.m.
Haverford
8-6-4 overall
About the Fords: Through seven games, this didn’t look like a playoff team with a 1-3-3 record, but Haverford played better soccer over the second half of the season, going 4-0-1 over its final five games to earn a playoff spot, including wins over Radnor and Souderton.
CB South
9-2-7 overall
8-1-1 SOL Colonial champions
About the Titans: In what started out looking like a very balanced Colonial Division, CB South pulled away from the pack, going 6-0-1 in its last seven league games to win the title. In non-league games, the Titans went 1-1-6, with ties against Unionville, West Chester Henderson, Downingtown West, Harriton, Abington, and Holy Ghost Prep. Their best wins came over playoff teams CB West (twice), Souderton, Springfield Twp and CB East.
Players to watch: Midfielder Tyler Jaskelwicz, defense Gavin Medwid, defense Leo Propato, midfielder Devyn Ramos Salazar, forward Jaxon Sauder, defense Logan Sullivan, forward Jackson Tait.
“We worked hard since the summer to achieve a top 10 finish in districts, but the reward is a tough opening home match against the defending District One champions, Haverford,” said coach Ed Brnardic. “We know it will be a difficult match, but we enter the game prepared due to a tough regular season schedule that has us battle tested.”
Next up: Winner will play the winner of #7 Pennsbury and #26 CB East in the second round on Thursday.
#27 Souderton at #6 Wissahickson, Tuesday, 6 p.m.
Souderton
10-6-2 overall
5-3-2 SOL Colonial, second place
About the Indians: Souderton played 10 games decided by one goal or ended in a tie and finished in second place to CB South in the Colonial Division. It owns wins over CB East (twice), Archbishop Carroll, Moravian Academy, and tied CB South the second time they played. It also lost to Wissahickon 2-1 on Oct. 6.
Players to watch: GK Trevor Alderfer, Cole Manners, AJ Pisoni, Zyad Boudi, Brayden Muller, PJ Sawicki, Reese Hoover
Wissahickon
14-2-2 overall
7-1-2 SOL Liberty Division, second place
About the Trojans: This was a breakout season for Wissahickon, which lost two of their first three games – to Springfield Twp and Abington – and then went 13-0-2 the rest of the way. The Trojans own wins over playoff teams William Tennent, CB West and Souderton, and were Abington’s only division blemish, a 1-1 tie in the second game between the teams.
Players to watch: GK Austin Yey (5 shutouts), Austin Siemion (7 goals, 7 assists), River Elliot (9 goals, 1 assist), Braden Vorchheimer, Luke Frankenfield, Nolan Reilly, Malachi Hodges
“We are looking forward to our first home playoff game in a few years,” said coach Stuart Malcolm. ”We had a narrow victory when we played Souderton earlier this season, so we are expecting a tough game.”
Next up: Winner will take on the winner of CB West vs. Downingtown West in the second round on Thursday.
# 22 Central Bucks West at #11 Downingtown West , Tuesday, 7 p.m.
CB West
8-6-4 overall
4-3-3 SOL Colonial, tied for third place
About the Bucks: This was a much better team the second half of the season, going 6-0-1 in October to close out the regular season, including wins over Souderton and Pennsbury and tying CB East (for the second time) in the season-finale.
Players to watch: Michael Rafalowski, Beck Walton, Paolo Leiva
“After an up-and-down start to the season, we’re really happy with the collective response and wrapping up the regular season in the way that we did,” said coach John Adair. “Downingtown West is always a tough opponent, but we’ll go in with confidence and focused on our own performance, putting our best foot forward.”
Downingtown West
11-5-2 overall
About the Whippets: A long time District One power, Downingtown West played a loaded schedule, including five teams seeded ahead of it in 6A, the top two Class 3A seeds and in all 14 playoff teams in its 18 games. Among the Whippets’ wins came over Spring-Ford, Unionville, Haverford, West Chester East, West Chester Rustin and Kennett.
Next up: Winner will play the Souderton-Wissahickon winner in a second -ound game on Thursday.
Class 3A
#7 Upper Dublin at #2 Radnor, Wednesday, 7 p.m.
Upper Dublin
5-10-2 overall
3-6-1 SOL Liberty, fifth place
About the Flying Cardinals: Going to Radnor won’t be easy for UD, which was up-and-down and had some growing pains playing a strong schedule. UD’s best results were wins over New Hope-Solebury and Lower Moreland and a tie with Downingtown East.
Players to watch: Senior forward Jacob Peng, Junior defense Chase Schaller, Junior midfielder Tyler McLaughlin and Sophomore midfielder John Smith.
Radnor
12-3-3 overall
About the Raptors: An early season 4-1 win over Neshaminy opened some eyes, and Radnor has been one of Class 3A’s top squads all season. It also had a non-league win over Downingtown West, and closed the season with a scoreless tie against Conestoga.
Next up: Winner advances to the semifinals against the Springfield Twp-Bishop Shanahan winner.
#6 Bishop Shanahan at #3 Springfield Twp, Wednesday, 7 p.m.
Bishop Shanahan
8-8-2 overall
About the Eagles: Playing a strong Ches-Mont League schedule, Shanahan owns wins over playoff teams Downingtown East and Kennett, and a non-league win over Archbishop Carroll.
Springfield Twp
14-3 overall
10-0 SOL Freedom champions
About the Spartans: Springfield ran the table in the division with two wins over quality opponents like William Tennent and Lower Moreland. They also own a win over Class 4A #6 Wissahickon, and all three losses are to top 10 Class 4A teams.
Players to watch: Adam DiBattista, Zach Breslin, Eden Ha, Matt Corcoran
Next up: Winner will play the winner of Radnor and Upper Dublin in the semifinals on Monday.
#5 Lower Moreland at #4 Strath Haven, Wednesday, 7 p.m.
Lower Moreland
6-5-6 overall
5-3-2 SOL Freedom, third place
About the Lions: LM took care of business with six wins, including five in the league, and had impressive ties against 4A playoff teams William Tennent, CB East and Neshaminy.
Strath Haven
8-3-6 overall
About the Panthers: Biggest win was probably against Penncrest, but had impressive ties against the likes of Radnor, Haverford, Lower Merion and Conestoga.
Next up: The winner has a semifinal date on Monday against either West Chester Rustin or Kennett.
Class 2A
#3 Collegium Charter at #2 New Hope-Solebury, Wednesday, 6 p.m.
Collegium Charter
2-14-1 overall
About the Cougars: Collegium struggled against the better opponents on its schedule, but picked up wins over MaST Charter and Morrisville and tied Phil-Mont Christian.
New Hope-Solebury
6-6-3 overall
5-4-1 SOL Freedom, fourth place
About the Lions: New Hope had some impressive results this season and were very competitive in the Freedom. The Lions own a pair of impressive wins over 4A SOL opponents, William Tennent and Hatboro-Horsham, and also tied Class 4 #7 Pennsbury and Lower Moreland twice.
Players to watch: Seniors Thomas Marschall (5 goals), Ryan Kearney (3 goals), and center backs Blake McCagg and Alex DeFeo, who are “looking to help senior goalie Matt Rieder keep a clean sheet on Wednesday,” said coach Chris Van Pelt.
“We have a full week from our last game of the regular season to prep for Wednesday, and we’ve had some really good practices in that time so we should be fully prepared. We have a lot of seniors and younger players who have playoff experience so I’m hoping that will work in our favor should we come up against any tough moments.
“We’ve worked hard all year with this game and hopefully future games in mind, and I think we are well prepared to have success and keep the season going as long as possible.
Next up: Winner advances to the district championship game on Nov. 4 against the winner of Faith Christian and MaST Charter.
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