Central Bucks West and Abington will be in action in Tuesday’s opening round of the District 1 4A Tournament. (Photo courtesy of John Gleeson)
#1-1 CENTRAL BUCKS WEST vs. #3-3 CENTRAL DAUPHIN (at Central Bucks South, Tuesday, 6 p.m.)
Central Bucks West
- 19-2-0 overall
- 11-1-0 SOL Continental Conference co-champion
- Returned nine starters from last year’s state semifinal squad
- Junior Bailey Moyer, usually a center back, 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 14 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.
How they got here: In a classic district final, Central Bucks West edged fourth-seeded Abington 2-1. Alan Zlotin scored the game-winner with 15:09 remaining in regulation. Jimi Leder also scored a goal.
In a district semifinal, Central Bucks West defeated second-seeded Spring-Ford 1-0. Jimi Leder scored the game-winner with 18:34 remaining in the first half. Dylan Smith posted his 14th clean sheet in goal.
In a quarterfinal game, Central Bucks West earned a 3-2 win in penalty kicks over #3 North Penn after the two teams battled to a 1-1 tie after 110 minutes. Jimi Leder scored a second-half goal to knot the score after the Knights took an early 1-0 lead. Goalkeeper Dylan Smith connected on the game-winning PK and then made a stop on North Penn’s chance for the tie.
In the second round, Central Bucks West edged #11 Pennridge 2-1 in overtime when Colin Burn converted a penalty kid. Luke Fuhrman scored a first-half goal for the Bucks.
Opening round bye
Central Dauphin
- 12-9 overall
- Ninth seed entering the District III Tournament
- Earned third seed by merit of semifinal loss to eventual District III champion Cumberland Valley.
How they got here: In a district semifinal contest, Central Dauphin fell to fourth-seeded Cumberland Valley 3-1. John Axtman’s goal spotted CD a 1-0 lead, but eventual district champion Cumberland Valley scored three straight goals.
In a district quarterfinal game, Central Dauphin defeated 16th-seeded Palmyra 3-2, using goals by Garrett Keister, John Axtman and Ryan Smith. Palmyra upset top-seeded Manheim Township in the opening round.
In an opening round game, Central Dauphin downed eighth-seeded South Western 1-0. Justin McBarnett turned a Jake Phillipe assist into the game-winner in the first half.
#1-2 ABINGTON vs. #11-2 EMMAUS (at Hatboro-Horsham, Tuesday, 7 p.m.)
Abington
- 20-2-0 overall
- 13-1-0 SOL American (Conference champions)
- Fourth seed entering the District 1 4A Tournament
- Earned a state berth for the first time since 2012
- Senior Sean Touey (28 goals) 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, Gavin O'Neil and Bryce Lexow form the core of a solid midfield group.
- Defense led by Vince Carosella, Liam Campbell, Reese Gibbs, Nate Rose and keeper Alex Haycock. Junior Michael Burnstein is also solid in the back.
How they got here: In Saturday’s district title game, Abington was edged by sixth-seeded Central Bucks West 2-1. Sean Touey scored for the Ghosts’.
In a semifinal game, Abington downed #9 Unionville 3-2. Liam Campbell, Jack Failing and Sean Touey each scored a goal.
In a quarterfinal contest, Abington defeated #5 Lower Merion. Nevin Baer scored a wind-blown goal from midfield four minutes into the game, and Bryce Lexow also scored to send the Ghosts into halftime with a two-goal advantage.
In the second round, Sean Touey and Reese Gibbs each scored a goal to lead Abington to a 2-0 win over #13 Downingtown East.
Opening round bye.
Emmaus
- 15-6-1 overall
- 12-3-1 EPC (8-2 Skyline Division first place)
- Lost to Parkland in EPC quarterfinals (1-1, 5-4 PKs)
- Third-seeded team entering the District XI Tournament
- Led by Jake Groh (15 goals, 6 assist, 4 game-winners), Thomas Haney (4 goals, 12 assists), Justin Llado (6 goals, 1 assist) and Callen Reid (6 goals)
- Emmaus scored 62 goals and allowed 18
How they got here: In the District XI final, Emmaus lost to top-seeded Freedom in double overtime 1-0.
In the district semifinals, Emmaus defeated seventh-seeded Parkland 3-2. The Green Hornets, who trailed 1-0, scored three goals in eight minutes in the first half with Andrew Gaines, Jake Groh and Patrick Walsh each scoring one goal.
In the district quarterfinals, Emmaus defeated sixth-seeded Pocono Mountain East 3-0, receiving goals from Eric Johnson, Alex Aiken and Jake Groh.
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