Check out the recaps for SOL boys’ soccer teams in action Tuesday. North Penn/CB West photos provided courtesy of Tracy Valko, and Springfield Twp/New Hope-Solebury photos courtesy of Karla Donohoe. Check back for galleries of both games: https://solsports.zenfolio.com/f131331739
SOL Patriot Division
Bensalem 2, Council Rock North 1
The Owls have been knocking at the door all season, and Tuesday, at home, they picked up the signature win they’ve been waiting for, upsetting first-place CR North 2-1.
“This is huge,” said Bensalem coach Kevin Bock. “Every game has been tight this year, so to actually come out and beat a team as good as Council Rock North – we had a tie against Council Rock South on Friday, and then to follow that up with a win today is big.
“It’s good for the boys. They’ve been putting in the work, they haven’t given up, they just continue to put their nose to the ground and work hard. It’s great to see them rewarded for that.
“It would be nice to continue that. We still have four games to go, but this was huge. They played great. Kudos to the team. Their work ethic has been outstanding all year long. We talk about turning the corner all the time. We’ll take today for what it is, and today was good.”
Bensalem came out firing on all cylinders and cashed in midway through the first half with a Tejas Sasan goal, off of an assist from Humza Baig.
“We came out and the first 25 minutes of the game was the best we played all year,” Bock said. “We maintained possession really well, we were passing the ball around, we defended well, we got in the space well, and it culminated (with Sasan’s goal).”
The Owls then went up 2-0 just before halftime.
“I felt like we pulled back a little bit after (the first goal), and the game got a little bit sloppy for a while,” Bock said. “But we regrouped and scored on a corner kick right before the end of the half. Christian Lee scored on an assist from Andrew Price.
“We were up 2-0, feeling good. We came over at halftime. We talked about Council Rock North is not going to roll over. Joe (Stackhouse) is going to have them coming out really strong. The first five minutes is going to be really important, and they did.”
CR North scored early in the second half on a penalty kick by Ari Pollack after a handball. Trailing 2-1, the Indians pressured the rest of the way, but the Bensalem defense was up to the task.
“Definitely a two-half game,” Stackhouse said. “They did exactly what they needed to do after making the most of the opportunity afforded them in the first half. Second half was all us. “Possibly our kids looked past them to the South game on Thursday.”
Bensalem goalkeeper Matt Rowan came up with two penalty kick saves in the second half to help secure the victory.
“Great job by the Bensalem keeper – he stopped 2 PKs and assorted other spectacular saves,” Stackhouse said.
“My goalie, Matt Rowan, came up huge,” Bock said. “They got two more penalty shots in the second half, and he saved both of them.
“The third PK resulted in a red card for one of my players, and so we played probably the last 10 minutes a guy down, but Matt Rowan played outstanding.
“One thing with our team is we started the season a little bit injured. Tejas (Sasan) and Humza (Baig) are getting healthy and they’re rounding into form, and they’re really big players for us. I thought they both had good games.
“Christian Lee does a lot of the dirty work that people don’t really recognize a whole lot, but he does kind of the understated stuff, so it was nice to see him get a goal today and get rewarded for the hard work he’s been doing all year.”
Bensalem (4-8-1, 4-8-1 SOL) next plays at Pennsbury on Thursday.
CR North (10-2-2, 9-2-2 SOL) – 13th in the latest District 1 4A power rankings – still is in command atop the SOL Patriot standings. It will look to get back on track Thursday in its rivalry game at CR South.
CR North 0 1 – 1
Bensalem 2 0 – 2
Council Rock South 2, Neshaminy 1
The Golden Hawks overcame an early deficit and Frankie Rafferty scored the game-winner with 10 minutes remaining as CR South got past Neshaminy on the Redskins’ Senior Night.
“I thought we looked dangerous in the offensive third but really struggled to find the back of the net,” said CR South coach Alan Nicholl. “We missed quite a few chances to break the tie, and I honestly felt Neshaminy was going to steal it if we don’t take care of our business.
“Thankfully, Frankie Rafferty scored the winner with 10 minutes left to secure all three points.
“My goalkeeper played well and kept us organized in the back. I’ve been coaching against Tom Foley for over 20 years, and he has never given us an easy game. Regardless of their record, you can guarantee he’ll have his team ready to compete and tonight was no different.”
Neshaminy scored first, as Jake Delaney scored from Rezi Tebidze in the 10th minute.
“It was a really nice goal and it kind of woke Rock up a bit,” Foley said. “It was our Senior Night, so a lot of the guys were a little hyped up. They were a little overly excited, and we were over committing on them a lot. It led to a lot of opportunities.”
The Golden Hawks evened the score in the 20th minute when Reid Vandermark scored with a Giorgi Shinjiashvili assist.
Neshaminy’s keeper Dan Raivitch came up big in goal, keeping the Redskins’ in the game.
“Dan Raivitch was very, very good,” Foley said. “He saved our bacon probably four times. It could have been 4-1 at half, but it was 1-1 at half. He did a really nice job. He’s nursing a groin injury and wasn’t even sure he’d make it through the half.
“Maybe halfway through the half, Dan (Raivitch) came out to get a ball, and he hit his head on the turf, and he had to come out. It looked like he might have had a concussion. Obviously, we had to keep him out the rest of the game.
“We had to put our freshman goaltender in, and he was put to the task. Dylan Cloud did a really nice job. We used that as a motivating tool, and we started to pressure them a little bit. From 12-7 minutes left in the game, we created three or four opportunities where I thought with a little luck they would have gone in. It just didn’t happen for us, but we got ourselves in good spots. Frankie Rafferty got himself loose with seven minutes, and he had a shot from about 22 and just tucked it underneath the crossbar.”
The Redskins’ coach was pleased with his team’s effort.
“It was a good game,” Foley said. “I was proud of our boys. We played hard. Council Rock has a lot of size and speed, and they know how to use it, so they’re a handful, but I thought we limited their chances a lot better in the second half. We just didn’t have that umph to get that second goal, but we certainly created some opportunities. Overall, Rock is the better team, but we definitely hung with them tonight and did a really nice job.
“Jack Sexton did a really nice job on Frankie Rafferty in the second half. He limited his chances, but with a kid like that, he’s going to get a chance or two, and he doesn’t miss many, so hats off to him. Overall, Jack did a nice job. All our seniors got an opportunity to play, and they did well. That was Jake Delaney’s first goal as a varsity player as a senior, so that was good for him. Overall, it was a good night. We were scrappy, we just didn’t have enough to get over the finish line tonight.”
CR South (9-3-2, 8-3-2 SOL) hosts CR North in its rivalry game on Thursday.
Neshaminy (3-11-1, 2-10-1) plays at Truman Thursday.
CR South 1 1 – 2
Neshaminy 1 0 – 1
Pennsbury 9, Harry S Truman 3
Four first-half goals set the tone early for Pennsbury, which won its second straight game, downing Truman on Tuesday.
Goal scorers for the Falcons included Shaiden Jahanbini with three goals, and two each for Evan Soriano and Nico Espinoza. Caleb Mangiaracina and Rocco Ciacci also scored goals.
Pennsbury (4-9-2, 4-7-2 SOL) looks to make it three in a row Thursday at home against Bensalem. The Golden Hawks are 16th in the latest District 1 4A power rankgs.
Truman (0-14, 0-13 SOL) hosts Neshaminy on Thursday
Pennsbury 4 5 – 9
Truman 0 3 – 3
SOL Colonial Division
Central Bucks East 2, Central Bucks South 1
The Patriots won their 13th straight game, remained unbeaten in the league and clinched the Colonial Division title with their second win over rival CB South of the season.
“It was kind of a tale of two halves,” said CB East coach Josh Isaacsohn. “I think we played better in the first half. Kyle (Pettican) and his coaching staff always come out ready to play. I know they were disappointed with the physicality from the first time around that they played us. They definitely came out stronger, playing much harder.
“In the second half, they were down in our end a little more than we would have liked and had a few opportunities as did we. It was a pretty hard-fought second half, and towards the end we had a yellow card issue with the keeper, and there was a little bit of some miscommunication on defense, and the ball went in.
“I know the boys are kind of bummed that we didn’t get a shutout, but they played great, and we’re just happy to get the win.”
Michael Montabana scored both of CB East’s goals in the first half. He converted a penalty kick six minutes into the game, and then in the 19th minute, scored off a Max Willis assist to make it 2-0.
“Dan Marino had a great game in net,” Isaacsohn said. “Up top, Michael Montabana really had his opportunities to possibly get the hat trick.
“Dan Frye in the middle of the field was just strong and solid again, and again, our defenders – especially in the back, Wesley Myers, in particular, had a great game today.
“But all around, it was a team effort and we’re just thrilled to keep everything going forward in a positive way.”
Thursday night, CB East (13-0, 13-1 SOL) hosts Pennridge. The Patriots are sixth in the latest District 1 4A power rankings.
“We’re really trying to take it one game at a time,” Isaacsohn said. “We have Pennridge for Senior Night, and I know (Pennridge coach Aaron Rapsinski) has got those guys playing much better.”
CB South (9-3-1, 8-3-1 SOL) hosts CB West on Thursday.
CB East 2 0 – 2
CB South 0 1 – 1
Souderton 1, Pennridge 0 (OT)
Tannor Wiszneski scored five minutes into the first overtime giving Souderton the impressive road win on Tuesday night against rival Pennridge.
The Rams had the better of play in the first half, only to see the Indians come back with a strong second half, but after 80 minutes, the teams headed to overtime.
“Cam Taylor made a strong rundown the wing and a perfect cross to Tannor, who beat his defender and scored the goal to win it,” said Souderton coach Frank Demas. “Really good battle from both teams.”
With the win, the Indians are 26th in the latest District 1 4A power rankings for what will be a 28-team field.
Souderton (6-7-1, 5-7-1 SOL) next plays Thursday at North Penn.
Pennridge (5-9-1, 4-8-1 SOL) is at CB East on Thursday night.
Souderton 0 0 1 – 1
Pennridge 0 0 0 – 0
North Penn 1, Central Bucks West 0
Connor Sullivan scored the game-winner on a penalty kick in the first half, but keeping the Knights in the game was their goalkeeper – senior Troy Nine.
“We hung on to 1-0 lead for about 60 minutes and we never would have without senior keeper Troy Nine,” North Penn coach Chris DePeppe said. “He was in a zone tonight and made two or three remarkable saves, point blank saves. I have to watch the video because I still don’t know how he made one of those.”
The Knights got on the scoreboard early in West’s Senior Night game.
“We came out of the gate very fast today, and we really took control for 20 minutes,” DePeppe said. “We are getting better at getting on the front foot and dictating play and we did that well tonight. I liked our combination play and the quality of our passing was much better tonight.
“We also closed spaces quickly and coerced them into some mistakes early. And our goal came from a PK after senior Conor Sullivan made a great run and got on the end of a nice through ball from junior Demetri Ilovski. Conor was pulled down from behind. He buried the kick nicely.”
The game was far from over when Sullivan scored.
“CB West had more of the possession in the second half and certainly more quality chances,” DePeppe said. “That early goal was always going to make us play a little more conservatively.
“Their striker – senior Joseph Dowd – was a handful for our center backs, and he is incredibly strong on the ball and tough to move off of it. He got robbed by Troy once I think. I thought they had two very dangerous wingers – one is a freshman I think – and the other is Jason Lee, a very talented senior. And they have 3-4 midfielders who are very technical, and they all really compete…so it was an entertaining match.”
DePeppe had high praise for his defense who teams with Nine for the shutout.
“Our backs – senior Brian Scott, junior Caiden Myers, sophomore Ryan Smith, sophomore Eion Regan and
senior Logan Smith were outstanding,” DePeppe said. “Demetri was in excellent form, and it is great to see him taking the team on his shoulders at times and giving us those moments of quality on the ball. He has immaculate touch and very close control, and he turns on a dime, uses both feet, you name it. And when he is in the flow of the game, he can make everyone around him better. He played with great pace and energy tonight and worked hard defensively as well.
And sophomore Fion Regan was once again the engine in midfield. He had a tremendous game and a lot of what he does is never going to show up in statistics, but he has a soccer brain, and he just sees things before many players. He sees the danger, he gets to the ball first, and then he does something good with it.”
North Penn (6-5-3, 5-4-3 SOL) will host Souderton on Thursday, and next week will face Central Bucks South on Monday, Central Bucks East on Wednesday and Central Bucks South again on Thursday.
“The next week is going to be exciting – we have five games in 10 days,” said DePeppe, whose team is 21st in the latest District 1 4A power rankings. The last two games are on the road, so we have work to do.”
Central Bucks West (8-7, 8-5) will travel to Central Bucks South on Thursday for a 7 p.m. game. The Bucks are 19th in the latest district power rankings.
North Penn 1 0 – 1
Central Bucks West 0 0 – 0
SOL Freedom Division
William Tennent 2, Upper Moreland 1 (OT)
Needing a strong end to the season to play itself into the District One playoffs, Tennent took care of business with the overtime win over Upper Moreland on Tuesday night.
“A very open and physical game,” said Panthers coach Angelo Albanese. “Both teams created plenty of chances but were unable to capitalize. They missed some open looks and their (goalkeeper Anthony Carson) made some excellent saves.”
Peter Comans scored Tennent’s first goal, assisted by Dominic Grassey.
UM’s Jackson Costello evened the score in the second half.
In overtime, Connor Hanratty scored off an assist from Gavin McSherry.
“Tennent scored in overtime to secure the win after some terrific opportunities from both teams,” said UM coach Justin Allegra. “Angelo has the boys playing fundamental soccer.”
Chalets Murtha and Collin McVey shared time in goal for the Panthers.
Tennent (7-8, 6-7 SOL) next plays at Cheltenham on Thursday. The Panthers are 25th in the latest District 1 4A power rankings in what will be a 28-team field.
Upper Moreland (2-12, 1-12 SOL) plays at Springfield on Thursday.
Upper Moreland 0 1 0 – 1
Tennent 1 0 1 – 2
Lower Moreland 3, Cheltenham 2
Cheltenham battled back from an early deficit but couldn’t hold off Lower Moreland in a back-and-forth Freedom Division game on Tuesday.
“We struggle late in games with a one-goal lead, and it showed again today,” said Panthers coach Bill Tonkin. “After we scored, we sat back too much to protect the lead instead of just keeping the pressure on and doing what we were doing that allowed us to get the lead and gave up two late goals and lost the game.
“Hopefully, we learn from this and we handle the next situation like this better and have a better result.”
After falling behind 1-0, Cheltenham tied it up on a Cameron Rhoades goal off a cross from Keegan Peat.
“We started off slow, allowing LM to play under a little pressure for the first 25 minutes or so, and they scored in that time frame to take a 1-0 lead,” Tonkin said. “We stepped up our pressure toward the end of the half which led to us having some success and we got the tying goal just before the half.”
Tied at 1, Cheltenham took the lead with nine minutes to play with a goal by Peat.
“Second half was back and forth for most of the half,” Tonkin said. “It was a really well-played half for both teams. It was fun to watch. Both teams had some chances to take the lead. With about nine minutes left, Cameron sent a ball over their backs that Keegan ran onto and finished to give us the lead.”
Lower Moreland scored the final two goals of the game to earn the win.
Cheltenham (8-6, 6-6 SOL) hosts William Tennent on Thursday. The Panthers are 27th in the latest District 1 4A power rankings.
LM (10-5, 8-5 SOL) has a night game Thursday, at home against New Hope-Solebury.
Cheltenham 1 1 – 2
LM 1 2 – 3
Springfield Twp 4, New Hope-Solebury 0
First-place Springfield, already with the SOL Freedom Division wrapped up and currently No. 1 in the District One Class 5A power ratings, took care of business on the road Tuesday night, blanking New Hope-Solebury 4-0.
Chase Rubincam turned a Kayden Sowell pass into a goal and a 1-0 lead. The Spartans took that one-goal lead into halftime.
The Spartans blew the game open with three second-half goals. Scoring one goal each were Harry Bates (Riley Martin assist), Martin (Nick Marino assist) and Shaun Bleeker (Martin assist).
Springfield (14-1, 12-1 SOL) hosts Upper Moreland on Thursday afternoon. The Spartans are ranked first in the District 1 3A power rankings.
New Hope plays (0-13, 0-13 SOL) at Lower Moreland Thursday night.
Springfield 1 3 – 4
New Hope 0 0 – 0
SOL Liberty Division
Abington 6, Hatboro-Horsham 1
The Ghosts and Hatters were tied 1-1 when – with three seconds remaining in the opening half – the Ghosts were awarded a penalty kick. Braeden Delgado converted the kick to send the Ghosts into halftime with a 2-1 lead. Abington scored four unanswered goals in the second half on their way to the win.
In the first half, Oscar Hoffman scored with Braeden Brownholtz picking up the assist with Delgado scoring the second for the Ghosts. Luke Weiss scored for the Hatters on a corner kick from Anthony Pumilia.
Bryan O’Neill scored on a bicycle kick from 18 yards out to put the Ghosts on top 3-0, and then it was Daniel Oliveira scoring with an assist from Delgado. Liam Malanowski found the net with an Oliveira assist, and Brownholtz’s unassisted goal closed out the scoring.
Abington (14-1, 13-0 SOL) has an important league game Thursday at Upper Dublin, where it can clinch the Liberty Division title. The Ghosts are ranked fifth in the latest District 1 4A power rankings. They are the highest ranked SOL squad.
Hatboro-Horsham (5-8, 5-8 SOL) plays at Plymouth Whitemarsh Thursday.
Abington 2 4 – 6
Hatboro-Horsham 1 0 – 1
Upper Dublin 3, Wissahickon 0
Kyle Spirt scored two goals, one in each half, as UD broke open a close game at halftime for its eighth straight win and seventh shutout in that stretch with the 3-0 win at Wissahickon.
Lee Noel converted a penalty kick to close out the scoring for the Cardinals with a second-half goal.
“It was another good game for us,” said UD coach Noah Johnson. “It started off a little slow. It’s the first game of the week, and a lot of stuff going on as far as tests and things like that, so the boys have been taking some time to focus on their schoolwork heading into the playoffs.
“It was a really good game overall. It’s nice to be able to rely on our bench players to step up and get us wins this late in the season, especially when we have a lot of boys that are coming back from injury and also resting from sickness and other things like that. Well done to the entire team to get everything done today.”
Gabe Copley earned the shutout in goal for the Flying Cardinals.
Upper Dublin (12-2, 11-2 SOL) hosts first-place Abington in an important Liberty Division game on Thursday. The Cardinals are 10th in the latest District 1 4A power rankings.
Wissahickon (6-8, 5-8 SOL) hosts Quakertown Thursday.
Upper Dublin 1 2 – 3
Wissahickon 0 0 – 0
Plymouth Whitemarsh 3, Quakertown 2
(Game info will be added when it is received.)
Monday, Oct. 9
Non-league
Souderton 2, Dock Mennonite Academy 1
Sparked by a second-half goal from Cam Taylor, the Indians earned a hard-fought win in Monday’s non-league game against neighboring Dock Mennonite Academy.
“Our whole team played really well tonight,” Souderton coach Frank Demas said. “We were on the front foot a lot, but Dock was very well coached and battled for every inch on the field.
“Local schools battling like this is what it’s all about.”
The Indians took an early lead, going on top 1-0 when Colin Hughes scored with an assist from Tannor Wisznewski 12 minutes into the first half.
“I’m really happy with how we started the game,” Demas said. “We pushed for the first goal right from the start. We had a lot of pressure on them and broke through on an outrageous volley from Colin Hughes.”
Dock tied the game, but the visiting Indians refused to be denied.
“In the second half, we again put a lot of pressure on the Dock goal,” Demas said. “Dock’s goalie was outstanding tonight. He made us earn every goal we got.”
The Indians broke the tie when Chris McKenna hit a long through ball to Taylor, who drove into the box and buried his shot that stood as the game-winner.
Souderton 1 1 – 2
Dock Mennonite 1 0 – 1
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