Bensalem & Cheltenham were winners in SOL boys’ soccer on Thursday. Check the recaps.
SOL Patriot
BENSALEM 3, HARRY S TRUMAN 0
As endings go, Bensalem’s win in Thursday’s finale was as good a way as any to close out the season. Making the win especially sweet was the fact that the Owls had endured six one-goal losses this fall.
“It was nice to end with a win,” Bensalem coach Kevin Bock said. “The results were disappointing for us this year. I felt we were competitive in most games. The results just didn’t show.
“We actually finished with our 10 seniors on the field together. It was nice to end the season that way.”
There was plenty of emotion before the game even began as Truman celebrated its Senior Night and then carried that emotion onto the field.
“They came out playing amazing,” Bock said. “It was a scary first 5-10 minutes. They were down our throats, we kind of weathered the storm.”
The Owls got on the board when Humza Baig scored with an assist from Bora Uluturk, and they took that 1-0 lead into halftime.
Early in the second half, Swallah Yussif scored with a Collin Meo assist to give the Owls a 2-0 advantage.
“Swallah scored an amazing goal,” Bock said. “Collin Meo had a good little play on the outside, and he was able to pass it over to Swallah, and he got a nice shot in the upper 90 on the far side. It was a really nice shot.”
Meo closed out the scoring, connecting on a goal with an assist from Tejas Sasan.
“It was nice to have Collin score the last goal in his last senior game,” Bock said. “He’s been a really big part of our season this year. He had a goal and an assist, and he’s been a solid presence for us up top all year. It’s been a rough year for him, but he kept his composure.”
The Owls’ coach went on to credit his team’s defensive effort.
“Leo Chanez played defense for us and did a really good job. He and twins Kyle and Nate Rubin and Andrew Leibig – those four played really well. (Truman) was countering and making some long runs, and they did a really good job back there.
“It was fun, but I was scared for 5-10 minutes. They had several really good opportunities. Our goalie, Zach Letchner, made a couple really good saves, but Truman played with a lot of heart today. They played really well, and they never gave up the entire game.”
Bensalem closed out its year with a 3-13-1 record overall (3-12-1 SOL) while Truman was 0-17 overall (0-16 SOL).
Bensalem 1-2 3
Harry S Truman 0-0 0
SOL Freedom
CHELTENHAM 3, UPPER MORELAND 1
The Panthers saved their best for last, notching just their second win of the season over a UM squad heading into the District One 3A Tournament. Not a bad way to celebrate Senior Night for the team’s six seniors – Josh Grady, Michael Brooks, Nico Yezoli, Jake Sullivan, Zach Feinberg and Vaughn McCain.
“It was a nice ending to a disappointing season,” said Cheltenham coach Bill Tonkin, who is 5-for-5 on Senior Nights. “The seniors played really well.
“Basically, Josh Grady and Michael Brooks were the only two seniors that played a lot. The other four played the entire first half today and played really well. They all played for each other tonight.”
Cameron Rhoades put the Panthers on the scoreboard four minutes into the contest, and they led 2-0 after a goal by Keegan Peet.
The Golden Bears cut that lead in half with a goal on a long throw-in head ball 10 minutes into the second half, but they would get not closer. The Panthers tacked on an insurance goal by Josh Grady with five minutes remaining for the 3-1 final.
“It sure is nice to win,” Tonkin said. “Playing such a young lineup all season, hopefully, this will give them some confidence heading into next season.
“Our goalie – Jeremiah Moncrieffe – played pretty well tonight too. They all played really well. I’m proud of them because they never gave up on the season, so to finish off with a win – I’m proud of them. We look forward to the offseason and hopefully some good stuff next year.”
Cheltenham closed out its season with a 2-15 record overall (2-14 SOL), and Upper Moreland (8-9-1, 6-9-1 SOL) is eighth in the latest District One 3A power rankings in what will be an eight-team field.
Upper Moreland 0-1 1
Cheltenham 2-1 3
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