Jarrad Saffren takes a look at the conference races as the SOL season reaches its midway point this week.
By Jarrad Saffren
Almost halfway through the season, clear favorites have emerged in the Suburban One League National and Continental conferences.
Central Bucks East should win the Continental Conference for the 10th time in 12 seasons. The Patriots, who have a five-point lead in the standings, are 6-0 in league play and have at least two more wins than any other conference team.
Pennsbury has been almost as dominant in the SOL National, starting 5-0-1 and sitting four points above second-place Bensalem and five points ahead of Council Rock North.
No clear favorite has emerged in the SOL American, where four teams are separated by just three points.
The Patriots are led by a clutch, high-scoring senior and the Falcons by determined upperclassmen. In the American, one contender – Cheltenham – has exceeded expectations after losing two key players.
SOL National
Pennsbury finished second behind Neshaminy last season and lost twice to the Redskins in overtime. That’s how close the two teams were.
“They were a little mentally stronger – (it was almost) like, ‘We always beat Pennsbury; we are going to find a way, no matter what,’” said Pennsbury coach Tom Stoddart. “There was not much difference talent-wise.”
In 2015, with Neshaminy in a transition year, the door has opened at the top of the National standings. As expected, the Falcons, who return 18 upperclassmen, have raced through, thanks to a balanced offense and stout defense.
Colin Marks has scored five goals to lead the Falcons, while Kevin Nagle and Peyton Salonick each have two. Salonick does not even start. The statistics are balanced, but Marks, according to Stoddart, is the centerpiece.
“Colin is controlling the center of the field,” the Falcons’ coach said. “When his positioning is correct, our rhythm is really good.”
Defensively, keeper Anthony Rosso has not been tested much as the Falcons have outshot all of their opponents.
Despite their early success, the Falcons have a long way to go.
“We had a team a couple of years ago, where a bunch of guys had gone to the state tournament as sophomores,” Stoddart said. “As seniors they thought things were just going to happen for them, but I don’t get that feeling with this team.”
SOL Continental
Senior forward Evan Vare became a household name during CB East’s district title and state quarterfinal run last season. Vare had the winning goal or assist in every district playoff game and scored four goals in one game.
The Division I prospect has stayed hot in 2015, registering at least one goal or assist in every game. Vare has two game-winning goals, two hat tricks, and one five-point game. He also performed best in the closest contests, recording assists on both goals in a 2-1 win over North Penn and contributing two goals and one assist in a 3-2 win over Pennridge.
CB East coach Mike Gorni said Vare makes things easier for everybody else.
“By the time we ran through the playoffs last year, he was seeing doubles, which gives other people more freedom,” Gorni said. “Now it’s a part of every other team’s game plan.”
SOL American
Cheltenham lost two of its best players before the season really started. Midfielder Owen Deitcher tore his ACL and left back Jacob Smith suffered the same injury – Deitcher at an offseason College ID camp and Smith during an early season game. Both are out for the year, which lowered coach Chuck Gesing’s expectations for 2015.
But the Panthers have surprised even their coach, going 4-0-1 in their first five league games before losing to PW on Friday. Gesing tinkered with his lineup after Deitcher and Smith went down, and the changes worked.
Gesing inserted sophomore Cameron Carty at center midfield, Deitcher’s old spot. He also moved Wesley Paik from midfield to left back and Nick Zagragen to center back. “Nick played center back on his club team, and he was confident he could do it,” said Gesing.
The renovated defense and a senior-freshman goalkeeper tandem has stonewalled opponents, allowing just three goals in four league wins.
In that keeper tandem, Justin Gravy is the freshman, Derek Zagragen the senior. Gravy opened the season as the starter but now they are switching off each game.
“Justin has pushed Derek to be better,” Gesing said. “They have not resented each other at all. They recognize that we are all in this together.”
Power Rankings
1. CB East—The Patriots have shut out all but two opponents.
2. Pennsbury—The Falcons have outscored their last five opponents 14-3.
3. North Penn—The Knights’ only loss came at the hands of CB East, and they were forced to settle for a tie against Souderton.
4. Central Bucks West – The Bucks’ only losses came at the hands of conference powers CB East and North Penn.
5. Wissahickon/Council Rock North—The Trojans lead a crowded American field, and the Indians have not lost through seven games.
About the Author
