Check out the recaps for SOL boys’ soccer teams in action Friday. Pennsbury/Neshaminy photos provided courtesy of John Gleeson. Check back for a gallery of photos: https://solsports.zenfolio.com/f131331739 (UM/LM photos courtesy of Dawn Monaghan/UM soccer)
SOL Patriot Division
Pennsbury 3, Neshaminy 0
Records didn’t matter a bit in this rivalry game and for a half, there was little give either way as the defenses dominated.
It was Pennsbury that got the upper hand in the second half with three unanswered goals to pick up the well-earned victory.
“It feels real good to be on the positive side of the result,” said Falcons coach Tom Stoddart. “Ben Bedard with the shutout. Return of Cooper Gray was a factor in solidifying our back three with Will Edwards and our ironman Connor Labiak.”
Bryan Sanchez scored Pennsbury’s first goal with a penalty kick in the 50th minute. Evan Soriano then scored a pair of goals four minutes apart to put the game away.
Neshaminy didn’t give an inch in the first half and into the second.
“It was pretty nip and tuck for most of the way,” said Neshaminy coach Tom Foley. “It was 0-0 at halftime, and early in the second half, we had a really good opportunity that we probably should have buried that might have changed the result, but we didn’t.
“Halfway through the second half, they got a PK and went up 1-0. We pushed guys forward at about
the 8-minute mark, and they got a goal with seven minutes to play, and they got another one a couple minutes after that.
“The score wasn’t really indicative of how the game went. Our guys played pretty hard. As the year has gone, we haven’t really taken care of our chances, so any little mistake – I guess it was a hand ball – they got a PK and forced us to push up to try and get an equalizer and we didn’t.”
The Redskins’ coach credited the efforts of several players.
“Jack Sexton was big for us again today,” Foley said. “Bryce Hannings probably played his best game in the middle of the back today.
“Our guys handled themselves with class and dignity in a tightly-contested game.”
Neshaminy (3-10-1, 2-9-1 SOL) hosts Council Rock South under the lights on Tuesday.
Pennsbury (3-9-2, 2-8-2 SOL) plays at Harry S. Truman Tuesday afternoon.
Neshaminy 0 0 – 0
Pennsbury 0 3 – 3
Bensalem 0, Council Rock South 0
It was a scoreless tie after 100 minutes of an intense SOL Patriot battle and one that both sides could take some things from.
“It was a very fun game to watch for a 0-0 tie,” said Bensalem coach Kevin Bock. “It was really back and forth. I think some of it had to do with the teams getting a little bit tired. It was very end-to-end, especially in overtime, but it was more exciting than the 0-0 score implies.
“It’s obviously not a win, but I think we feel good about the 0-0 tie. We played much better coming off what I thought was not a great game against Pennridge (a 3-2 loss). Our intensity was a lot better, our focus was a lot better. It was just a collectively better game for us.”
CR South had its chances but couldn’t take advantage in finishing its opportunities.
“I was very happy with our work rate and ambition today, as we dominated throughout,” said Golden Hawks coach Alan Nicholl. “We created a week’s worth of chances and hit the woodwork no fewer than five times.
“It certainly wasn’t for a lack of effort, and we should have locked this game up easily. If only our last touch could have matched our defense, which was organized, smart, and tough. It’s a shame because today was points dropped.
“Credit to Kevin (Bock) for keeping his side organized and physical, as they fought hard to keep us off the board for 100 minutes.”
For the Owls, it needed a big defensive effort and got just that.
“We did a good job blocking some shots,” Boch said “(CR South’s Frankie) Rafferty, the kid up top, has been phenomenal all year, and I thought we did a really good job defending him. He got off some shots, but we definitely, I think, frustrated him.
“Our three in the back – Tommy Hurst, Andrew Leibig and Aaron Greer – just played another really good game. Matt Rowan in goal had a really good game for us.
“It was actually a fun game. We feel good. The effort, the focus was all really, really good. I’m proud of the boys.”
CR South (8-3-2, 7-3-2 SOL) hits the road Tuesday for a night game at Neshaminy.
Bensalem (3-8-1, 3-8-1 SOL) takes on first-place CR South at home on Tuesday.
Bensalem 0 0 0 0 – 0
CR South 0 0 0 0 – 0
Council Rock North 9, Harry S Truman 1
Zayd Najimi scored three goals and added an assist in a standout individual effort to lead the Indians to the decisive win.
“He’s a fantastic player, and he’s been playing very, very well for us,” Rock North assistant Brian Hoffman said.
Najimi had his hat trick by halftime as the Indians roared out of the gate to a 7-0 lead. Logan Adams scored the game’s first goal, which stood as the game-winner, and that was followed by goals from Najimi, William Kamp, Landon Lentz, Zachary Vigrass and back-to-back goals by Najimi.
Scoring second-half goals were Keertan Palayam and Ari Pollack.
Contributing assists in the win in addition to Najimi were Lentz, Adams, Joshua Gould, Michael Pinho, David Igval, Evan Pashunko and James Reynolds.
Council Rock North (10-1-2, 9-1-2 SOL) will travel to Bensalem on Tuesday, and Harry S Truman (0-13, 0-12) will host Pennsbury on Tuesday.
Harry S Truman 0 1 – 1
Council Rock North 7 2 – 9
SOL Colonial Division
Central Bucks East 2, Central Bucks West 0
CB East’s league record remained unblemished as it blanked second-place CB West for its second win over the rival Bucks this season.
“It was a well-coached game,” said Patriots coach Josh Isaacsohn. “John (Adair) and his coaching staff have done a great job over at West. We were prepared to face them and their possession-style soccer.
“We knew they had a dangerous forward up top, and we really tried to keep him on his right foot so as not to come at us with his left because we know he’s been very talented there. I think we held him pretty tight. They had a few opportunities, but we really kept them away from the net, and I think that was the key.”
CB East took the first-half lead thanks to a penalty kick, as Daniel Frye converted in the 22nd second minute to make it 1-0. The Patriots scored again in the second half, as Michael Montabana picked up the goal off of an assist from Joey Roth in the 53rd minute.
After that it was all defense for Isaacsohn’s squad.
“Our defense again – Reese Davis, Wesley Myers and Will Zlogar – really held down the back,” he said. “But defensively, the player of the match was Andrew Walloff. He just cleaned up everything in the midfield and just did a tremendous job for us.
“Another shutout. We’re trying to keep those zeroes on the board.”
The shutout was the seventh straight for the Patriots – their ninth overall.
CB East remains in command in the Colonial Division standings with a 12-0 record (12-1 overall) with four SOL games left. It plays at CB South on Tuesday.
CB West (8-6, 8-4 SOL) hosts North Penn on Tuesday.
CB West 0 0 – 0
CB East 1 1 – 2
Central Bucks South 1, Souderton 0
An early goal by Evan Jaskelewicz gave CB South the lead, but from that point on, the game was tight the whole way and the Titans were able to escape with the 1-0 win.
“Tonight was not a good night for us at all,” said coach Kyle Pettican. “Yes, it started off nicely when we sent the ball up and the ball got laid off for Evan Jaskelewicz, who slotted a nice shot, but from then on … nothing.
“I recently stated how our first half against Pennsbury was the best soccer we have played all season and that we are finally playing the way we need to, but after tonight, we have taken five steps back.
“All we kept doing was kicking it forward. Our forward line was being lazy not working back and joining in play. We are not a kick and run, physical team so it doesn’t work for us. I constantly tell the boys to get the ball down, knock it around, and be patient in the buildup. Control the possession, control the game. …
“I really hope we get back to playing our game before Tuesday, or it’ll be over before it starts. Happy and relieved to get this one over the line tonight because Souderton looked very improved from the first time we played them.”
Souderton played well and had chances to potentially tie or even win the game.
“We were dangerous all game long and really worked hard,” said Souderton coach Frank Demas. “I thought we were unfortunate not to win the game.”
Demas credited Jake Luciani up top and Colin Hughes and Brayden Russell in the back.
CB South (9-2-1, 8-2-1 SOL) next plays Tuesday at home against first-place CB East.
Souderton (5-9, 4-8 SOL) has a nonleague game Monday at Dock Mennonite.
CB South 1 0 – 1
Souderton 0 0 – 0
North Penn 1, Pennridge 1
After a scoreless first half, both teams scored in the second half, but neither could cash in during the two overtime periods, as the Knights and Rams settled for the 1-1 tie.
“I think it was a deserved result for both teams,” said Pennridge coach Aaron Rapsinski. “Both teams played tough but didn’t have a ton of opportunities to score and put the game away. It was a good defensive battle.”
Pennridge scored first in the 60th minute.
“Parker Annan got by his defender and was shoved down in the box and given a penalty,” Rapsinski said. ”He stepped up and put the penalty away. Everyone on the bench was calling for him to take it since he earned it. There was never a thought that he’d miss.”
North Penn was able to get the equalizer later in the half.
Pennridge (5-8-1, 4-7-1 SOL) is back in action Tuesday night when it hosts Souderton.
North Penn (5-6-2, 4-5-2 SOL) plays at CB West on Tuesday.
Pennridge 0 1 0 0 – 1
North Penn 0 1 0 0 – 1
SOL Liberty Division
Hatboro-Horsham 2, Wissahickon 0
After allowing five goals on Wednesday, Hatboro-Horsham locked down Friday to blank Wissahickon in a SOL Liberty game.
“Obviously, it was a much different game than Wednesday when we gave up five goals,” said Hatters coach Kyle McGrath of his team’s 5-4 loss to Cheltenham. “Defensively, I thought we were very organized today compared to Wednesday.
“Luke Weiss, Christian Patelmo, Nick Belizzie and Louis Matullo are my back four, and they did a good job of keeping Wissahickon’s forwards in check.
“Aidan Morrison is a center midfielder who’s been playing well for us recently, so it was good to get a good performance from him.”
The game was tight and scoreless at the half.
“It’s a Friday afternoon; both teams were a bit sluggish,” McGrath said. “(There were) some half opportunities both ways, a lot of midfield play.
“In the second half, we actually went down to 10 men after two yellow cards. Our player was sent off for a red card, and it kind of motivated us a little bit. Both teams ended with 10 men because they had a player who got two yellow cards as well. It’s been a bizarre year.”
In the 61st minute, the Hatters broke the tie, as Logan Clayton picked up the goal.
“Anthony Pumilia played a free kick into the box,” McGrath said. “Their goalkeeper came out to grab it, and he kind of bobbled it, Logan Clayton was able to put it into the goal for us to give us a 1-0 lead.”
Six minutes later, Pumilia scored again to make it 2-0.
“Anthony Pumilia picked up the ball along the sideline and was able to beat a guy on the dribble and slotted the ball home to give us a 2-0 lead, and then we were able to see the game out and get a shutout after that,” McGrath said.
H-H (5-7, 5-7 SOL) plays at first-place Abington on Tuesday.
Wissahickon (6-7, 5-7 SOL) hosts Upper Dublin on Tuesday.
Wissahickon 0 0 – 0
H-H 0 2 – 2
Upper Dublin 3, Quakertown 0
The Flying Cardinals won their seventh straight game, and have outscored opponents 20-2 during that stretch, with the shutout of Quakertown on Friday.
Kyle Spirt and Jackson Bryan scored in the first 10 minutes for Upper Dublin, which took control of the game and never looked back.
Owen Smith added a second-half goal. Chase Rappaport and Sprit added assists as well.
“The biggest thing for me today was definitely being able to see Anthony Ginaldi step up and show that if – for any reason and hopefully it never happens, but if for any reason we have to take Gabe (Copley) out for an injury or if he’s sick or anything like that, we’re okay, we’re still the same team,” UD coach Noah Johnson said of his sophomore goalkeeper. “It was nice to see Anthony get a lot of minutes. He actually saved a penalty kick, so that was even more of a boost for him. I’m glad he got a chance to show – ‘Hey, next year, coach, you’re okay.’”
UD (11-2, 10-2 SOL) plays at Wissahickon on Tuesday.
Quakertown (4-8, 4-7 SOL) hosts Plymouth Whitemarsh on Tuesday.
UD 2 1 – 3
Quakertown 0 0 – 0
Abington 6, Plymouth Whitemarsh 0
The Galloping Ghosts ran all over PW, especially in the first half, scoring five times to put this one away early.
Sean Westmoreland and Oscar Hoffmann had two goals each for Abington. Braden Delgado scored the team’s first goal off a penalty kick. Brady Hartman made it 2-0 later in the half.
With the win, the Ghosts are now 13-1 overall and 12-0 in the SOL. They host Hatboro-Horsham on Tuesday.
PW (5-9, 5-7 SOL) will look to bounce back Tuesday night at Quakertown.
Abington 5 1 – 6
PW 0 0 – 0
SOL Freedom Division
Cheltenham 3, New Hope-Solebury 0
It was Senior Night at Cheltenham, and the Panthers had plenty of reason to celebrate as they dominated this one from the start and earned the shutout victory.
“They all stepped up and played well,” said Cheltenham coach Bill Tonkin, whose team had set a school record for wins in Tonkin’s tenure with eight.
Keegan Peet cashed in twice in the first half to give the Panthers the advantage. He converted a penalty kick in the 9th minute, and later scored on a breakaway to make it 2-0.
“It started with a punt from (goalkeeper) Wolf Brown to Cameron Rhoades, who flicked it on with his head, and Keegan ran on it and scored on a breakaway,” Tonkin said.
Midway through the second half, Peet picked up the assist, as Noah Jutzi scored to make it 3-0.
Brown and Jeremiah Moncriffe both played in goal and shared in the shutout.
“Cameron Rhoades and Keegan (Peet) played really well as usual,” Tonkin said. “They’re always pretty solid.
“Our backs – Jordan Rodriguez, Ean Justice, Cole Funk and Arlo Kemmerer-Scovner – played well today.
“We need to get ready to win a couple more games next week and solidify that playoff spot.”
Cheltenham (8-5, 6-5 SOL) next plays at Lower Moreland on Tuesday.
New Hope (0-12, 0-12 SOL) hosts first-place Springfield Tuesday.
New Hope 0 0 – 0
Cheltenham 2 1 – 3
Springfield Twp 6, William Tennent 0
After suffering its first loss a week ago, Springfield has bounced back in a big way with two wins this week, the latest an impressive shutout of an improved Tennent squad on Friday.
And the Spartans spread the offense around, with six different players scoring goals.
Nick Marino, Jack McKittrick, Nick Hanushchak and Harry Bates each scored in the first half. Ben Hubley and Riley Martin finished off the scoring in the second half.
Hanushchak added two assists, while Hubley, Martin, Kayden Sowell and Adam DiBattista had one assist each.
With the win, Springfield is now 13-1 overall and 11-1 in the SOL and has already clinched at least a share of the Freedom Division with four games remaining. It plays at New Hope-Solebury on Tuesday.
Tennent (6-8, 5-7 SOL) hosts Upper Moreland on Tuesday.
Springfield 4 2 – 6
Tennent 0 0 – 0
Lower Moreland 4, Upper Moreland 0
(Game info will be added when it is received.)
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