Check out the recaps for SOL boys’ soccer teams in action Monday.
SOL Colonial Division
CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 4, SOUDERTON 0
The Patriots roared out of the gate to a 3-0 halftime lead on their way to the shutout win, their 10th league win in as many games.
“Overall, I think that in general (Souderton) was organized, but they just seemed young and kind of getting their feet about them,” East coach Josh Isaacsohn said. “Our guys – after a not great Neshaminy win (1-0 on Friday) – just came out very prepared.”
Michael Montabana put the Patriots on the scoreboard with a goal in the seventh minute.
“We scored on a beautiful cross from Sean O’Donnell, and Michael headed it in,” Isaacsohn said. “About 20 minutes later, Justin Bardwell, who’s been coming off the bench and been a great sub for us, put a ball in to Joey Roth who scored.”
With a minute remaining in the half, Roth assisted a goal by Daniel Frye to send the Patriots into the intermission with a 3-0 lead.
“In the second half, we really changed our lineup around a little bit,” Isaacsohn said. “I’m really proud of guys that don’t see as much time because a lot of them are really strong players. They kept our shutout, which was our number one goal.”
In the 75th minute, Devon Donskoy scored with an assist from Jeremy Salazar for the 4-0 final.
“With a strong East start and a slow Souderton start, CB East was able to dominate the first half,” Souderton coach Frank Demas said. “While (we) responded really well to going down with a much better second half, we just couldn’t find the goals to get back in the game.”
For the Patriots, Dan Marino, who played the first half in goal, as well as Matt Lewis and Grant Christie, who split the second half, combined for the shutout.
“I thought out goalies did a really nice job in the back, holding us down,” Isaacsohn said. “Honestly, Sean O’Donnell, who had the assist on the first goal, just came out really strong and just really dominated the right side of the field.
“It was really nice to see Joey Roth get a goal and an assist because the last game – I think he was a bit frustrated because he probably should have had more of both of those.”
Central Bucks East (10-1, 10-0 SOL) will travel to Council Rock North on Wednesday for a battle of the SOL Patriot and SOL Colonial leaders. Souderton (4-5-1, 4-5-1) will travel to Council Rock South on Wednesday for a 6 p.m. contest.
Souderton 0-0 0
Central Bucks East 3-1 4
SOL Liberty Division
UPPER DUBLIN 3, PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 0
The visiting Cardinals took a 1-0 lead into halftime and added a pair of goals in the second half to earn the division win.
“It was a good physical game,” UD coach Noah Johnson said. “PW just got some unfortunate calls that didn’t go their way, and it helped us out a little bit with being able to go ahead and get the win.”
Owen Smith used a Kyle Spirt assist for a goal that gave the Cardinals a 1-0 lead. Corey Abramson connected on an unassisted goal midway through the second half to make it a 2-0 game. Dom Plaku closed out the scoring with a goal in the closing minutes of regulation, using a Smith assist.
Gabe Copley and Anthony Ginaldi combined for the clean sheet in goal.
Upper Dublin (9-2, 8-2 SOL) will travel to Lower Moreland on Wednesday, and Plymouth Whitemarsh (4-8, 4-6) will host Upper Moreland on Wednesday.
Upper Dublin 1-2 3
Plymouth Whitemarsh 0-0 0
SOL Freedom Division
WILLIAM TENNENT 4, NEW HOPE-SOLEBURY 0
The Panthers put a pair of goals on the board in each half on their way to the decisive win over the visiting Lions.
Nazariy Kukhniy scored the game’s first goal with an assist from Alex DiPrinzio, and the Panthers led 2-0 after Patrick Gillespie stole a Lions’ throw-in and won a one-on-one battle with New Hope’s goalie. The Panthers took that 2-0 lead into halftime.
Kukhniy connected on his second goal, tapping in a cross from Connor Hanratty. Hanratty capped off the big win with a great assist from Peter Conmas.
Zach Dinnis recorded his fourth clean sheet of the season.
“Bryce DeFonteney and Ryan Black anchored a solid defensive performance,” Tennent coach Angelo Albanese said. “Tyler Tomlinson, Julian Krapivntskie and Gavin McSherry made solid contributions.”
William Tennent (6-5, 5-5 SOL) will travel to Abington Wednesday for a 5:30 p.m. contest, and New Hope-Solebury (0-10, 0-10) will host Quakertown on Wednesday.
New Hope-Solebury 0-0 0
William Tennent 2-2 4
Non-league
NORTH PENN 3, LA SALLE 2
The Knights – during what has been an up and down season – were looking for a signature win.
They got one on Monday, rallying from a 1-0 halftime deficit to defeat the perennial PCL and district power Explorers
The win came on the heels of a 2-1 overtime loss to Bensalem on Friday.
“I have had too many nights this season when I did not want to even think about the game we just played,” North Penn coach Chris DePeppe said. “Bensalem on Friday was probably the worst of those bad losses.”
The Knights’ coach joked that he would shout the outcome of this one from the rooftops. He didn’t, but there’s no mistaking how big this win was for the Knights.
“We finally played a very strong and sound game and a whole slew of players executed our plan very well,” DePeppe said. “After the train wreck at Bensalem on Friday, I really was not sure how we would play today. To their credit, the boys dug in and played with real confidence. We have needed the boost of a game like this all season – if only to remind us what we are capable of and shore up our belief in ourselves. Hopefully, it will act as a springboard for the next one and the next one.”
Things didn’t look all that promising when the Knights went into halftime on the short end of a 1-0 score.
“La Salle has a complete team, and they came out today with a lot of pace and a very aggressive high back line, and they were running rampant on us for ten minutes or so before we settled in and got the ball to feet and took a bit more control of play,” DePeppe said. “But they were giving us fits with quick passes and runners breaking through our midfield. And they deserved the goal – it was a powerful header off a very accurate corner kick.”
Down but hardly out, the Knights rebounded to score three in the second half. Fion Regan got the ball rolling when he found the net with the equalizer.
“Fion Regan is such a smart player, and I was happy to see him get that all-important first goal,” DePeppe said. “It was another set piece that we almost executed, but their keeper made a point blank save and seconds later the ball was bouncing to Fion, and he just deftly placed a side volley inside the far post. That was his first North Penn goal and he plays every minute of every game and has earned that moment.”
Dmitri Ilovski scored the go-ahead goal on a penalty kick.
“Cody Perrin made a great play on our second goal, slotting an angled ball from the left touchline behind their defense – perfectly weighted for Dmitri Ilovski who made a great run into the box and got taken down in a desperation tackle,” DePeppe said. “He buried the PK nicely, and that was a great relief because D has been pressing a bit to open his account this season. But he is our best player, and that goal is a very good sign for us.”
A goal by Conor Sullivan with an Ilovski assist gave the Knights a 3-1 lead.
“The third goal was from a sweet through ball that Dmitri played to Conor Sullivan,” DePeppe said. “And Conor picked up the ball in full stride and took one touch and finished it very coolly with his left foot. I think he has six goals now and three or four have been with his left.
“At 3-1, we were just sitting and countering them, and it looked to be over until we made a dumb foul in the box on a set piece. If we had not scored that third goal, we would be holding our heads in misery yet again tonight – so we really have to learn that lesson once and for all.
“Caff’s team (coach Tom McCaffery) is always classy and will probably have a long run in the postseason. Honestly, we were overdue for a game where we got a break or two…and that was the first PK in our favor. I told Dmitri pregame that we’d get one soon and to be ready. He was.”
The win over La Salle vaulted North Penn to 21st in the latest District 1 4A power rankings.
“This was a really big win against a quality opponent because La Salle is as good as anyone in our conference,” DePeppe said. “They have a few very good midfielders. I was impressed with their up-tempo passing and movement. Finn Murray, Kaden Bono and Samuel Zieger were finding great space and linking up nicely, and they almost scorched us twice, but Caiden Myers has been outstanding this season.
“We had to move him from defensive midfield to center back early in the season and he and Brian Scott have been the anchors in the back for us. Caiden plays with a lot of grit, and he goes into tackles hard, but he is also a class player, and he gets his head up and keeps possession – and his best attribute is that he really keeps his head in the heat of battle. As a junior, he really has taken over as our field general and we are better for it.
“I think Troy Nine (goalkeeper) was also a much calmer presence in goal tonight, making good decisions, talking to his back line. And he has improved so much with his feet – his ball-striking this year has been really consistent. It is the best I have seen from a high schooler in years. When Troy plays his A game and stays poised, he really is a tremendously talented keeper.
“Diego Castellano had a huge impact coming into the midfield to plug the gaps and win some headers. Diego is a big man with very soft feet, and he is starting to come into his own and his passion for the game is contagious. Ian Balisalisa is similar in that way, and those two players along with Fion in our central midfield turned the game around for us, on both sides of the ball. And I cannot overlook Fion’s brother Eion Regan who has been our steady left back all year. I tried to rest him today, but that idea vanished after about 15 minutes.”
North Penn (4-5-2, 3-4-2 SOL) will host Harry S Truman on Wednesday.
La Salle 1-1 2
North Penn 0-3 3
PENNRIDGE 1, QUAKERTOWN 0
Pat Fannon scored a second-half goal, and that was the difference in Monday’s non-league game pitting the neighboring rivals.
“It was a really hard-fought and gritty game for both teams,” Pennridge coach Aaron Rapsinski said. “Both teams had a handful of chances, both in the run of play and from set pieces.
“Just past halfway in the second half, Luca Angello was able to play a ball over the top. Pat Fannon made a great turn on one defender, then muscled another defender before blasting a toe ball upper 90. It was one of the most unconventional goals I’ve ever seen, but he has had a knack for the goal recently, so I have hope every time he puts his foot through it.”
The Rams, according their coach, are dealing with some injuries and illnesses.
“We had a handful of guys step up and play great,” Rapsinski said. “George Fitzgerald, Jackson DeMeester, Oak Boone, and Zack Spencer all stepped up on the back line.
“Sal D’Aquino stepped into midfield and had a great game. It was a real team effort tonight to keep Quakertown at bay. Coach (Bill) James has done a great job with them these past few years. That’s one of the best Quakertown teams I’ve seen as either a player or a coach.”
Pennridge (4-8, 3-7 SOL) will host Bensalem on Wednesday, and Quakertown (3-7, 3-6) will travel to New Hope-Solebury on Wednesday.
Pennridge 0-1 1
Quakertown 0-0 0
LOWER MORELAND 4, PLUMSTEAD CHRISTIAN 1
The Lions turned in a strong all-around team effort in Monday’s non-league win.
“After our last non-league game (a 2-1 win over Calvary Christian), we didn’t want to take this one for granted,” LM coach Bob Barnhart said. “We played all 22 players, and it was great to see the young guys and players who don’t get a lot of time on the field.”
Tommy Keaton opened the scoring today after a through ball got behind Plumstead’s back line.
“He was able to finish on a flick over the goalie’s head,” Barnhart said. “We have been preaching to the guys to continue their run and not slow down or stop.”
Lian Fellah picked up his first varsity goal on a set piece.
“It’s always nice to see a freshman get his first goal, and I think that will help his confidence moving back into the second half of the conference schedule,” Barnhart said. “We scored twice more and were able to let lots of guys minutes in preparation for a big game Wednesday.”
Lower Moreland (8-4, 6-4 SOL) will host Upper Dublin on Wednesday.
ARCHBISHOP WOOD 2, NESHAMINY 1
The Redskins survived a slow start and knotted the score 10 minutes into the second half but gave up a late goal and absorbed the non-league loss.
“We were going into the wind in the first half, and we weren’t doing a great job winning balls,” Foley said. “They had us on our heels in the first half. Luckily for our goaltender, it could have been 3-0. They only way they scored on him was on a shot that changed directions.
“Overall, I was glad to get out of it 1-0, and we talked about how we wanted to tackle the second half. We played much, much better. We moved the ball.”
The Vikings took a 1-0 lead into halftime, and in the 50th minute, Matt Diamond scored the equalizer.
“We had a real nice buildup, and Damien Castro slotted it between their left back and center back, and Matt Diamond ran behind them, collected it and went in on the goalie and finished it,” Foley said. “It was probably one of our nicest goals of the year. It was really well done.
“We had some success getting behind them in the first half. We had a few chances. Matt had a chance in the first half but knocked it over the crossbar. He was rewarded for his hard work and got a really nice goal. We kept the pressure up on them.”
But it was the Vikings’ Emerson Kiss who scored the go-ahead goal.
“I think we’re writing new ways to let teams score on us,” Foley said. “They had a free kick, and they played it at our 18. Our middle back and our goaltender had a miscommunication. Our goaltender was late coming out. He saved it – it went right to a Wood kid, and he headed it, and it bounced into an open net.
“We put some pressure on in the last eight or night minutes, and we just couldn’t get the equalizer. I thought we played really well.”
The Redskins’ coach acknowledged the efforts of several players
“Jack Sexton was a big ball winner for us today. He did a great job,” Foley said. “AJ Kollie probably played his best game of the year.
“Like I said Saturday (after the Redskins’ 2-0 win over Southern Lehigh), Zack Hargraves was a nice little sparkplug for us. He got down the right flank several times and did some dangerous things for us, which was nice to see. We have him for another three years after this year, so that’s even better.”
Kiss scored both goals for the Vikings with assists from Brendan Welsh and Enzo Petruzzelli.
Neshaminy (3-8-1, 2-7-1 SOL) will travel to Central Bucks West on Wednesday for a 7 p.m. contest.
Archbishop Wood 1-1 2
Neshaminy 0-1 1
HOLY GHOST PREP 2, PENNSBURY 1
Saturday, Sept. 30
SOL Colonial Division
CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 2, PENNRIDGE 1
Cole Barrett scored with 10 minutes remaining in regulation, breaking a 1-1 tie and propelling the Bucks to the hard-fought win on Saturday.
“As a coach, today was one of those days that you’re just really proud of your players,” West coach John Adair said. “They had a lot going on after playing Pennsbury less than 24 hours earlier, and then having their homecoming dance to rush home to after today’s game.
“The biggest takeaway from this week was just the belief building within the group. Early on, I think it was natural as the third coach that some of these guys had for there to be some hesitation, but the boys have really done a great job of just continuing to improve, and things have been consistently trending in the right direction for a while now.”
Fifteen minutes into the first half, Pennridge’s Luca Angello scored an unassisted goal.
“He had a nice flick off a set piece that got a favorable deflection off their defender and caught the goalie wrong-footed,” Pennridge coach Aaron Rapsinski said.
Richie Newell answered with a goal to send the Bucks into halftime deadlocked.
“We gave up an early goal today, but I think that our response was terrific,” Adair said. “We immediately settled in and took control of the game. To Pennridge’s credit, they were difficult to break down, and Aaron (Rapsinski’s) clearly done a good job of getting them organized. Richie’s goal was a really important one for us because it allowed the boys to remain calm going into halftime and the second half.
“In the second half, we continued to do a really good job of moving the ball and maintaining control, but we were struggling a bit to find a breakthrough. Our boys never stopped believing that it would come though, and I couldn’t be more proud of them for remaining patient and finding the winner. It was a good performance and an important result.”
There was plenty of praise to pass around after Saturday’s win.
“I have to give credit to our back line again for remaining solid and difficult to play through,” Adair said. “The difference in our performances from earlier this season have a lot to do with the platform that those guys have provided for the guys higher up the pitch. Knowing one or two goals will get the job done as opposed to needing three or four to scrape by has allowed us to be more patient in playing the way that we want to play.
“Michael Rafalowski deserves a ton of credit today too. As a freshman, he’s played in a couple of different roles, and with a few guys out and a few just making their way back from injuries, he was asked to play slightly deeper and did a terrific job. Being able to trust a player that is that young in any moment is a coach’s dream.
“Cole Barrett has really hit another level in the last few games as well. We’ve always believed in his ability but seeing that start to pay off in creating consistent chances and getting on the scoresheet should do him the world of good. I’m really proud of him.”
Rapsinski – although disappointed with the result – tipped his hat to his opponent.
“We gave up two unfortunate goals after working really hard for a result,” the Rams’ first-year coach said. “Hats off to John (Adair) and West. They play a really nice and fun style to coach and play against. They have really been working to implement their system.”
Central Bucks West (7-5, 7-3) will host Neshaminy on Wednesday (7 p.m.), and Pennridge (3-8, 3-7) will travel to Quakertown for a non-league game on Monday at 7 p.m.
Central Bucks West 1-1 2
Pennridge 1-0 1
Non-league
NESHAMINY 2, SOUTHERN LEHIGH 0
Less than 24 hours after extending SOL Colonial Division leading Central Bucks East before falling 1-0, the Redskins were back on the pitch for a non-league contest and came away with a shutout win.
“We were obviously tired, and we weren’t as crisp as we usually are with our passing game, but it was definitely good,” Neshaminy coach Tom Foley said. “My assistant looked at the (district) power ratings, and with a couple of wins, you could right onto the fringes of making the playoffs, so it’s good to build off the positive play we had against East and then getting a win today – if we get a win against Wood on Monday, we’re really kind of alive again. That’s a positive for us.”
The Redskins got on the board in the 30th minute on a goal by freshman Christos Vasilarkakis.
“Jack Sexton has a big throw, and we were waiting to cash in on it all year, and we finally got one off his long throw,” Foley said. “It kind of sailed, some guys missed the flicks but Christos Vasilarakis was there to get a toe on it and got it into the net. It finally paid off.”
Midway through the second half, Rezi Tebidze added an insurance goal.
“Damien Castro took a shot at the top of the 18, their goalie gave up a rebound, and Rezi Tebidze was there to knock it in,” Foley said.
The Redskins’ coach credited a freshman for providing a spark in Saturday’s win.
“Our freshmen got a lot of time again today,” Foley said. “Zach Hargraves is probably the smallest guy on our team, but he brings a lot of energy, and he’s not afraid to get his nose stuck in. I thought (Saturday) he provided the energy we needed because we were a little flat, and he was definitely a spark for us. He created several dangerous opportunities for us.”
Neshaminy (3-7-1, 2-7-1 SOL) will host Neshaminy on Monday for a non-league game, capping a stretch of three games in four days.
Southern Lehigh 0-0 0
Neshaminy 1-1 2
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