Check out the recaps for SOL boys’ soccer teams in action Wednesday. CR North/Pennsbury photos courtesy of John Gleeson. New Hope-Solebury/Upper Moreland photos courtesy of Karla Donohoe, and PW/Wissahickon photos courtesy of Michael Rice. Check back for galleries of all three games: https://solsports.zenfolio.com/f131331739 (Neshaminy/Bensalem photos courtesy of Trish Sexton/Neshaminy soccer)
SOL Patriot Division
COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 2, PENNSBURY 1
The SOL Patriot champions were hoping to get out of Wednesday’s regular season finale healthy and with a win. They got both, although it took the Indians until just 42
seconds remaining in regulation to eke out the win when Will Kamp – who had both of his team’s goals – turned a pass from Logan Adams into the game-winner.
“It was a good game, but we should have put them away earlier,” Rock North coach Joe Stackhouse said. “I played a lot of kids. Knowing what’s coming up, we wanted to try to limit some things. It was a little bit chippy at times, so I took a couple guys off on purpose just so nothing would happen.”
Kamp gave the Indians a 1-0 lead midway through the first half, using an assist from Zayd Najimi. That 1-0 lead stood until the visiting Falcons scored the tying goal with four minutes remaining in regulation, setting the stage for Kamp’s game-winner.
Stackhouse acknowledged the strong play of Kamp, Mike Pinho, Ari Pollack and Najimi.
“We were pressing them most of the game,” the Indians’ coach said. “Their goalkeeper is fantastic.”
Council Rock North (13-2-2, 12-2-2 SOL) is the 12th ranked team in the latest District 1 4A power rankings and will see action in Tuesday’s opening round. Pennsbury closed out its season with a 4-11-3 record overall (4-9-3 SOL).
Pennsbury 0-1 1
Council Rock North 1-1 2
BENSALEM 4, NESHAMINY 1
Records don’t always tell the story.
The Owls finished their season with a 6-8-2 record overall, but that does not begin to tell the story of a season that began with just two wins in the Owls’ first nine games.
After a dismal 2-7 start, the Owls finished the season strong, losing just once in their last seven games and closing out the year with a decisive win over the Redskins.
“It was a good game,” Bensalem coach Kevin Bock said. “We went through our (division) play 3-0-2 in the last five games. We were 4-1-2 if you go back to the North Penn game.
“It’s a testament to these boys. We started off with eight tight games that we lost. They could have put their heads down and given up, but they continued to work. It’s a testament to them. It stinks that we’re just outside of the playoffs, but they put together a really good season.”
Six of Bensalem’s eight losses were by one goal, and it didn’t help their postseason chances when they lost a game off their schedule.
“I don’t know if it would have gotten us there, but it would have been interesting to see,” Bock said. “We weren’t necessarily healthy in the beginning of the year, and we got healthy as the year went on, and we played better.
“Our second half was obviously much better than our first half. It’s something to build on, and again, it’s a testament to these boys for just not giving up on the season and continuing to do all the right things.”
The Owls opened up a 2-0 lead eight minutes into Wednesday’s season finale, thanks to goals from Christian Lee and Randy Menchaca. The Redskins cut that lead in half with a goal by Christos Vasilarakis.
“He showed a lot of composure,” Neshaminy coach Tom Foley said. “There was a scrum, and one of our guys challenged their keeper. It popped outside to the 18, and Christos was very calm and just pushed it towards the open net. It was a nice goal by him.”
The Owls had an answer as Oscar Hernandez scored his first goal, and then Tejas Sasan scored for the 4-1 final.
Humza Baig contributed a pair of assists in Wednesday’s win while Sasan and Lee each had one helper.
“We didn’t play great towards the second half of the first half, but we came out, got situated and scored two more in the second half,” Bock said.
Foley credited the efforts of several players.
“My two center backs – AJ Kollie and Jack Sexton – played really well,” the Redskins’ coach said. “I give credit to Bensalem. They were ready to play. It meant a lot to them to still have a puncher’s shot at getting in the playoffs.
“I’d just like to thank our seniors for three great years. They did a great job for us in those three years. A special shoutout to Owen Beideman, who had a great three years
for us.”
Bock pointed to the Owls’ defensive improvement since last season as significant.
“From last year to this year, we cut in half the number of goals we gave up,” the Owls’ coach said. “I think we gave up 44 goals last year and only gave up 22 or 23 this year.
“Those three guys – Thomas Hurst, Aaron Greer and Andrew Leibig – have just been outstanding all year. Zach Letchner was our goalie today, and he played really well. Just all year our defense has been great, and then we got healthy later, and we started scoring goals. We weren’t doing that in the beginning of the year.”
Bensalem loses 11 seniors to graduation but returns a strong nucleus of starters.
“Our JV team had six or seven freshmen on it, so we have a good freshman class,” Bock said. “Hopefully, from a program perspective, we continue in that direction. It would have been nice to get in the playoffs, but I think it was a successful season for us, just taking a jump from where we were last year. There’s not a single game that we were out of this year.”
Bensalem closed out its season with a record of 6-8-2. Neshaminy closed out its year with a 3-14-1 record overall (2-13-1 SOL).
Bensalem 2-2 4
Neshaminy 1-0 1
COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 10, HARRY S TRUMAN 0
The Golden Hawks honored their seven seniors and celebrated the special night with a shutout win over the visiting Tigers.
“I was very impressed by Truman in the first 20 minutes as they were up to the task, kept the ball really well, and worked in all areas of the pitch,” Rock South coach Alan Nicholl said. “After we scored our first goal, they seemed to lose a bit of their courage, and we took advantage, scoring five more before the halftime whistle.
“It’s not hard to see how Truman has been a handful over their past few games. If it weren’t for our timely finishing, it could have been more of a contest – because between the 18s, Truman was very much in it.”
Scoring goals in the first half were Jason Brizuela (Mike Burns assist), Frankie Rafferty (Brizuela), Frankie Rafferty, Reid Vandemark (George Simon), Reid Vandemark (Anthony Abreu) and Steve Murray (PK).
“Unlike the opening frame, we dominated much of the second half,” Nicholl said.
The Golden Hawks added goals by Mike Burns, Farid Ganiyev (Brizuela), Frankie Rafferty (George Simon), and Steve Murray (Declan Haines).
“It was our senior night and a special occasion for those seven young men and their families,” said Nicholl of seniors Rafferty, Burns, Brizuela, George Obrien, Denys Tsinyk, Alex Bloom, and goalkeeper Evan Zawodniak. “Celebrating these exceptional patrons of our school community tonight was a highlight of our season and a very special and emotional night in my career.
“These boys have been with me for four years, starting with our shortened pandemic year, and I’m beyond proud of how they’ve represented themselves, their families, and the extended CR community. It’s a great privilege to be part of their incredible journey, and I’m genuinely honored to be their coach.”
Council Rock South (11-4-2, 10-4-2 SOL) is 17th in the latest District 1 4A power rankings. Harry S Truman (1-16, 1-15) will host Harriton in a non-league game Thursday in its regular season finale.
Harry S Truman 0-0 0
Council Rock South 6-4 10
SOL Colonial Division
SOUDERTON 2, CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 1 (OT)
Jake Luciani scored with 1:45 remaining in the first overtime, propelling the Indians to the thrilling win , and as endings in front of the home crowd go, they don’t get much better than this for a senior who is the Indians’ leading goal scorer.
“We pinched the ball in the midfield, Drew Kerns – our center midfielder – then played a ball over the top to Jake Luciania, who took a fantastic touch away from his defender, went in on goal on a breakaway and scored,” Souderton coach Frank Demas said of the game-winning sequence. “It was really exciting. Both teams played really hard. It was a really good game.”
Demas paid tribute to Luciani, who plays forward and outside wing.
“Throughout the entire year, no matter what happens, that kid just puts his head down and works his butt off constantly,” the Indians’ coach said. “He’s been coming up big for us in games, scoring late goals, scoring overtime goals.
“Tonight, in his last game in his home stadium, he stepped up when the program needed him the most and scored us a goal.”
Listening to Demas tell it, Wednesday’s win was a team effort.
“The whole team played well,” he said. “We worked really hard, and we ended up getting a win in our last home game of the year. It’s fantastic. Credit to West too – they played really good soccer.”
The Indians got on the scoreboard early.
“We started the game off really well – I thought we were on the front foot for a while,” Demas said. “We ended up getting a foul maybe 12 minutes into the game, and we got a free kick from there.”
Zach Vaszily, a junior midfielder, scored on the free kick to spot the Indians an early 1-0 lead.
“That was the best start we could have possibly hoped for,” Demas said. “From there, I thought we finished the first half really strong.”
The Indians took that 1-0 lead into halftime.
“We all know how good CB West is – they play a really good soccer, they have a great program, and their coach (John Adair) teaches them really well,” Demas said. “They just play decent soccer all around.
“They came out really strong in the second half. We still hung in there and created some chances.”
The visiting Bucks evened the score with a goal midway through the second half.
“We had a little breakdown on defense – they went in and crossed it and scored,” Demas said. “From there, it was back and forth, a couple chances here and there.”
Neither team could convert, and the stage was set for overtime.
“We had our overtime talk,” Demas said. “It’s the same talk we always have – ‘We’re good in overtime.’ We work hard, we try to outwork teams, we try to create chances, half chances, and that’s what (the game-winner) came on.”
As a result of Wednesday’s big win, the Indians vaulted into 27th in the latest District 1 4A power rankings with 28 teams making the field. A lot can happen between now and Saturday’s seeding meeting, but whether the Indians advance or not, they have reason for optimism.
“We won’t know until this weekend, and even if we don’t (earn a postseason berth), the way we ended the season is fantastic,” Demas said. “The effort these kids have put in is unbelievable.
“We are very excited for the future. We played a lot of younger guys throughout the season, a lot of younger guys tonight.
Souderton closed out its regular season with a 7-9-1 overall record. They were 6-9-1 in the SOL. Central Bucks West (9-9, 9-7 SOL) is 23rd in the latest District 1 4A power rankings.
Central Bucks West 0-1-0 1
Souderton 1-0-1 2
CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 2, NORTH PENN (2 OT)
This was one of those special games between two teams with a long history. Neither team won, neither team lost, but both put on quite a show for their fans.
“It was just a (heck of a) game and probably a fair result because neither team deserved to lose,” NP coach Chris DePeppe said. “CB East has a lot of size and athleticism along with two excellent and relentless forwards in Michael Montabana and Joey Roth.
“We have had two great games with East this season, and it reminds me of some of the battles we had with East 8-10 years ago. Two teams that want to control play and neither team wants to concede anything, so it makes for some exciting toe-to-toe soccer.”
East coach Josh Isaacsohn echoed a similar sentiment.
“It was a very typical East/North Penn knock-down, drag-out match,” the Patriots’ coach said. “It was like two heavyweights going at it. DePeppe and the coaching staff over there – I just have the ultimate respect for them. I’ve known those guys for a while.”
The Knights scored the only goal of the first half when Dmitri Ilovski converted a penalty kick.
“We were the team with a lot of possession early, and we were moving the ball well, and our midfielders – Ian Balisalisa, Fion Regan and Dmitri Ilovski – were winning balls and almost finding an early goal,” DePeppe said. “But it took a referee’s whistle to open the scoring. Dmitri was dangerous on the dribble all night, and he got into the box and drew a foul. He put away the spot kick cleanly.”
“They came out, and they played hard,” Isaacsohn said of the Knights. “I think we were probably at about 80 percent of our best. We were just a little bit flat, and unfortunately drew what I think was a fairly week penalty call, kind of a shoulder-to-shoulder thing. The ref called it, and that’s the way it goes.
“We went in at halftime and had a talk with the guys about making a couple soccer adjustments and a couple of mental adjustments. To their credit again, they came out roaring.”
The Patriots evened the score when Will Zlogar connected on an unassisted goal.
“He put it up, it went over a few heads – I think the goalkeeper was a little screened, and it was a beautiful shot by Will,” Isaacsohn said.
“East came out from the break like a house on fire and deserved the equalizer,” DePeppe said
In the 62nd minute, the Patriots were awarded a penalty kick, and Michael Montabana buried it, giving East a 2-1 advantage. Eight minutes later, the Knights connected on their second goal, this one also from Ilovski and this one a highlight reel score.
“After East went up 2-1, he lifted us up with his play, and singlehandedly brought us back with a remarkable goal,” DePeppe said. “We had a free kick well wide of the 18 and close to the endline. Dmitri set up and we have worked on set pieces a bit, but we had nothing prepared for one from that spot, so I wasn’t sure what ball he was going to hit. I did not expect him to curl an inswinger directly on goal and drop it over the keeper into the top corner. It was probably the goal of the season so far.
“We started four sophomores and four juniors tonight, so it is a credit to the group of players we have relied on all season – the Regans (Fion and Eion), Caiden Myers – who was an absolute warrior tonight, Matt Haines, Ryan Smith, but tonight Dmitri stole the show. He refused to let the game slip away from us. it’s great to see a player with his ability also stepping up and taking on more responsibility and developing as a leader. We knew how good he was last year, but he has worked incredibly hard to become one of the league’s best players.”
The two teams battled through a pair of overtimes, but neither could find the net, and both were forced to settle for the tie.
“Both teams just fought and battled,” Isaacsohn said. “I think we might have had a few more chances on net, but in the end, it just a really good, hard-fought game of soccer all around.
“North Penn was scrappy, they are a very good team. That team has dramatically improved since the last time we saw them.”
The Knights’ record is certainly proof of that.
“I’m proud of the way this team has risen to the challenge that we created for ourselves by getting out to a 2-4-2 (start),” DePeppe said. “We’ve played nine games since and lost only once.”
The Knights’ coach credited the play of East sophomore Daniel Frye.
“He was outstanding tonight – a very talented and intelligent player,” DePeppe said.
Heading into Wednesday’s regular season finale, the Patriots had trailed for a total of one minute, and that came in their season opener when Abington scored a goal with a minute to play in its 3-2 win over East, the Patriots only loss of the season.
“I was driving tonight and I thought about it – we need adversity,” Isaacsohn said. “The fact that it happened and ended up in a tie – they gave us everything, there’s nothing more I could ask for.”
Central Bucks East (15-1-1, 15-0-1 SOL) – sixth in the latest District 1 4A power rankings – will travel to Hatboro-Horsham on Friday for a non-league game, and North Penn (7-5-5, 6-4-5) – 19thin the rankings – will travel to Central Buck South on Thursday for a 5:30 p.m. contest.
North Penn 1-1-0-0 2
Central Bucks East 0-2-0-0 2
CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 2, PENNRIDGE 1
The Rams celebrated Senior Night by giving their 15 seniors a chance to shine, and they gave the Titans all they could handle.
“We have 15 seniors, and tonight, those were the only 15 guys to see the field,” Pennridge coach Aaron Rapsinski said. “They all played a great game and really brought it to a really good CB South team.”
Neither team scored in the first half, but the Titans got on the board 10 minutes into the second half.
“Eventually, we were able to break through when AJ Okoniewski scored a beautiful goal from about 25-30 yards out that flew over the keeper in the opposite corner,” South coach Kyle Petticon said. “Pennridge then went more attacking, which actually allowed us to pressure and catch them on the break.”
That set up a goal that would turn out to be the game-winner.
“Christian Canally went one-on-one with their keeper,” Petican said. “We slipped up a little and let them in it.”
With seven minutes remaining, Pennridge’s Chase Rabinowitz scored to make it a 2-1 game.
“Chase scored a sweet left footed curler through the defense and into the far corner,” Rapsinski said. “We had a few more chances but were unable to find the equalizer.
“We really handled their pressure well in the first half and were able to counter a few times, but there weren’t many chances either direction. We came out with good energy in the second half, but (Christian Canally) scored a beautiful strike from 20-25 yards out, perfectly over our keeper into the far corner. They scored another goal not long after, but my guys kept fighting.”
“It was a nice night overall,” Pettican said. “I thought both teams played very well in different ways. Pennridge is one of those teams that has been just very unlucky this year. They’ve had close games all year but just never find themselves on the right end. Their record doesn’t show their ability. Aaron (Rapsinski) will have them back and firing once again.”
Rapsinski had high praise for his senior class.
“I want to shoutout my senior keeper Daylen Bachart,” the Rams’ first-year coach said. “He has only seen a game or two this season, but tonight he stood on his head and saved multiple breakaways and point blank shots. It really shows how he stayed dedicated throughout the year and kept working to get better.
“My two senior captains were really great tonight. I know they often get recognition, but Pat Fannon and Luca Angello have been the two pillars of our team. I won’t forget the work they put in for me in my first season at the helm. They did everything I asked of them and more. In my eyes, they are two of the best players in our league regardless of our results. They start for any team in our league.”
Rapskinski went on to acknowledge the rest of a special class.
“The rest of my seniors absolutely played their butts off,” the Rams’ coach said. “Oak Boone, George Fitzgerald, and Zack Spencer had great games at the back. Chase Rabinowitz, Dean Gunning, Pat Edinger, JP Reyes, and Alex Wimmer played great in the middle. Ethan Smith, Zac Curran, David Le, and Troy Thanel all played great up top. I couldn’t be more proud of this senior class.”
Central Bucks South (12-3-2, 10-3-2 SOL) – 14th in the latest District 1 4A power rankings – will host North Penn on Thursday at 5:30 p.m. Pennridge closed out its season with a 5-12-1 record overall (4-11-1 SOL).
Central Bucks South 0-2 2
Pennridge 0-1 1
SOL Liberty Division
ABINGTON 5, QUAKERTOWN 2
If the Liberty Division champion Ghosts needed a wake-up call, they got one when the Panthers got on the scoreboard first. They responded with three unanswered goals to close out the half on their way to the win.
“It was one of those things – they thought they could go out and show up, and the result would take care of itself,” Abington coach Randy Garber said. “That wasn’t the case. Quakertown is a much-improved team that is just going to get better every year. (Coach Bill James) is doing an excellent job.
“We just have a little bit more scoring power, and they finally decided to do what they were supposed to do. Instead of going down the middle, going down the flanks. They knocked a couple balls to the back post from the flanks, they were tap-ins, and it was the difference in the game.”
Quakertown got on the scoreboard after a long free kick from Rylan Dautere to Otani Ekpe, who crossed the ball to Alex Jalboot for the finish and a 1-0 lead.
Brady Hartman scored the equalizer for the Ghosts, and then it was Braeden Delgado closing out the half with back-to-back goals to send Abington into halftime with a 3-1 lead.
Braeden Brownholtz and Bryan O’Neill each scored a second-half goal to put the Ghosts on top 5-1 before Ekpe scored for the Panthers with a feed from Jalboot.
“We got out to an early lead and gave them some trouble early with our formation; however, they were able to get end line three times in the first half, which we were trying to prevent, and they made us pay,” Quakertown coach Bill James said. “They are a very good team and move the ball extremely well. I thought my group did everything I had asked of them, but Abington’s firepower was just a little too much for us to withstand. I thought my back line and goalkeeper gave their forwards a lot of great battles.”
The district playoffs are up next for the Ghosts.
“Everybody got in today – it was just getting everybody in and staying healthy and see where the cards fall,” Garber said.
Abington (16-2, 15-1 SOL) is seeded fifth in the latest District 1 4A power rankings and will begin play in Tuesday’s opening round. Quakertown (6-11, 5-10) will travel to Cheltenham on Thursday for its regular season finale.
Abington 3-2 5
Quakertown 1-1 2
UPPER DUBLIN 3, HATBORO-HORSHAM 1
The Flying Cardinals opened up a 3-0 lead before allowing a late goal that brought to an end their string of six straight shutouts.
“Great job from the boys today, closing out the game against Hatboro-Horsham,” UD coach Noah Johnson said.
Yuvraj Lidder scored the game’s first goal, using a Chase Rappaport assist, and the Cardinals led 2-0 when Reilly McLaughlin scored with a Lee Noel assist. They took that 2-0 lead into halftime.
McLaughlin’s second goal – this one with a Corey Abramson assist – put the Cardinals on top 3-0 before Logan Gisondi scored for the Hatters in the 72nd minute.
Upper Dublin (15-2, 14-2 SOL) will host undefeated Faith Christian – the top team in the District 1 1A power rankings – on Friday at 3:30 p.m.
“We still have one more game on Friday as we head into the playoffs that could hopefully play big for us,” Johnson said. “If we could go in and get a win or a tie, preferably a win – it would help us out big time as far as seedings go.
“Fingers crossed heading into playing a good team in Faith Christian. Hopefully, we can go and get the job done on Friday.
Hatboro-Horsham closed out its regular season with a 7-10 record (6-10 SOL). The Hatters are 30th in the latest District 1 4A power rankings.
Upper Dublin 2-1 3
Hatboro-Horsham 0-1 1
PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 3, WISSAHICKON 0
(Information will be added when it is received)
SOL Freedom Division
NEW HOPE-SOLEBURY 1, UPPER MORELAND 0
The Lions saved their best for last, notching their first win of the season with a hard-fought road victory.
“It was fantastic,” New Hope-Solebury coach Dylan Akay said. “It was our last game of the year and our first win of the year, so it meant a lot to the boys.
“We only have one senior – Alan Zuniga, so winning that game in his last ever high school game was a really special moment for him and for the boys to share that with him.”
Joe Picone scored the game’s only goal early in the second half.
“We had the ball on the left-hand side – their right-hand side,” Akay said. “A long ball got played across that fell into the 18, and it fell to our midfielder, Joe Picone. He touched the ball around one of the defenders to the right and then slotted it past the keeper towards the left back post.”
The Lions, according to the New Hope coach, had the better of play through most of the game.
“We kind of dominated possession,” Akay said. “Upper Moreland looked dangerous in spurts. They were most dangerous with balls that got behind our back four – sometimes we got caught a little too high. That was something we talked about at the half.”
Neither team scored the rest of the way, and the Lions’ coach credited the strong play of his right back.
“Ben Stein played excellent – he was really important for us playing out of the back,” Akay said. “Actually, the goal we scored – way before that ball was played across, Ben had a beautiful entry ball into our striker that split their two midfielders. That allowed us to get the ball to the left side and continue from there. I thought he was excellent today.”
Lions’ goalie John Nettles also came up big in the shutout win.
“Towards the end of our game – the last several minutes, they were putting the pressure on us, and my goalie, John Nettles, made some huge saves to keep the clean sheet and give us the win,” Akay said.
New Hope-Solebury closed out its season with a 1-15 record, and Upper Moreland finished its season 2-15 overall (1-15 SOL).
New Hope-Solebury 0-1 1
Upper Moreland 0-0 0
SPRINGFIELD TWP 0, CHELTENHAM 0 (2 OT)
One hundred minutes could not determine winner in a contest dominated by the respective defenses, and for a Panther squad looking to clinch a district berth, a tie against the top-seeded team in District 1 3A did not hurt their cause.
“Both teams played really well,” Cheltenham coach Bill Tonkin said. “It was a game that high school soccer is all about. Back and forth, near misses on both sides.
“It was a very exciting game to be part of, and I’m very proud of the boys for the way they performed today.”
It was the first tie of the season for the Spartans, who have just one loss.
“Both teams had opportunities – nobody put away, that’s all,” Spartans’ coach Dan Meder said. “I said to my assistant – ‘We got better after we lost to Abington, so maybe we’ll get better again.’”
Springfield Twp (16-1-1, 14-1-1 SOL) is the top-seeded team in District 1 3A and will be in action in Wednesday’s opening round. Cheltenham (9-7-1, 7-7-1 SOL) is scheduled to host Quakertown Thursday. The Panthers are 25th in the latest District 1 4A power rankings with 28 teams advancing to the postseason.
Springfield Twp 0-0-0-0 0
Cheltenham 0-0-0-0 0
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