Check out the recaps for SOL boys’ soccer teams in action Tuesday. Cheltenham/New Hope-Solebury photos courtesy of Karla Donohoe, CB West/CB East photos courtesy of Tracy Valko, and CR North/Harry S Truman photo courtesy of John Gleeson. Check back for galleries of all three games: https://solsports.zenfolio.com/f131331739
SOL Patriot Division
Neshaminy 1, Pennsbury 1 (2 OTs)
There’s nothing like opening the league schedule against your archrival, and this one ended in a 1-1 tie after two halves and then a pair of overtime periods.
“I thought we did a nice job for our first game out,” said Neshaminy coach Tom Foley. “We don’t have a heck of a lot of experience. We only have three guys that had real significant varsity time last year.
“We played a lot of young kids - we played three sophomores and two freshmen today, so I was pleased with the result. It was good they got into a varsity game and got a pretty decent result for the first time out of the gate to a heated rival, so they held up pretty well. We have to correct a few things. Hopefully, we’ll tighten up a little defensively, and we’ll take it from there.”
Pennsbury opened the scoring in the 13th minute on an own goal. Coach Tom Stoddardt credited Bryan Sanchez and Saad Williams with forcing the play.
Neshaminy tied it up two minutes later.
“We had a real nice passing sequence up the field,” Foley said. “Rezi Teibidze slotted a pass to Wovo Mokhnastskyi. He went in on the goalie and had a nice little chip over the outstretched goalie. He was very composed. It was a nice goal.
“I thought we did some really nice things in the first half. I was pleased that we came back and responded to a mistake that we made. We had a couple of decent opportunities, but it really didn’t amount to much. It’s the same old story - we do a nice job, and that last pass to get us in a real dangerous position went awry, so we just didn’t cash in."
The second half and overtime saw both teams with chances, but in the end, each had to settle for the 1-1 tie.
“Second half was well-played by both teams,” Stoddardt said. “We were very good in overtime, created many chances, just failed to reward ourselves with a goal. Ben Bedard played well in goal.”
Likewise, Neshaminy keeper Dan Raiditch received praise from his coach.
“It was even for the first 20 minutes of the second half, and then I think we got a little bit tired, and Pennsbury started winning more balls, and they had more space in the midfield,” Foley said. “They had a couple of dangerous things.
“Our goaltender - Dan Raiditch - was our best player. He made a couple of nice saves in regulation. In overtime, we got bogged down, especially in the second overtime. He made a couple of point-blank saves that saved our bacon. He was definitely the player of the match for us.
“Overall, it was a good start for us. It’s always nice to not be on the losing end of a rivalry game. We held on for dear life, and our goaltender bailed us out, which was good. Kids definitely got a really good learning experience. That’s what varsity soccer is about today.”
Pennsbury (0-1-1, 0-0-1 SOL) is home Thursday against Harry S. Truman. Neshaminy (0-0-1, 0-0-1 SOL) plays at CR South on Thursday afternoon.
Pennsbury 1 0 0 0 – 1
Neshaminy 1 0 0 0 - 1
Council Rock South 2, Bensalem 1
Frankie Rafferty scored twice, including the game-winner with eight minutes to play, as the Golden Hawks won a close one Tuesday against Bensalem.
‘We worked very hard for the win today,” said CR South coach Alan Nicholl. “Bensalem made things extremely difficult with their physical style and were very disruptive throughout. I thought their goalkeeper (Zach Letchner) was their best player and he kept it tight.
“I feel very fortunate to get out of there with all three points, as Bensalem was up for it today.”
Raffety’s penalty kick gave CR South the lead in the 38th minute.
Bensalem tied it in the 55th minute on a goal by Jacob Oniate.
Rafferty scored on a header off set piece from George Simon to give his team the win.
“I was very happy with how we responded to a hard, physical game,” Nicholl said. “We showed good maturity and discipline to stay on task, keep our composure and get the win.
“Captains George O’Brien, Mike Burks and (goalkeeper) Evan Zawodniak led the way with that leadership.”
Bensalem, which was playing seven new starters, played well but couldn’t find a way to get the win.
“It’s the same story as last year,” coach Kevin Bock said of losing another close game.
Tuesday’s opener was a disappointing loss but bore no resemblance to last year’s opener against Rock South.
“If I recall correctly, we were down 1-0 at the half, and they ended up beating us 6-1, so this time to be down 1-0 and tie it up and lose 2-1 - it’s definitely progress, but I’m tired of giving everybody all they can handle and not winning,” Bock said.
The Owls’ coach credited his team for its performance.
“I have three key players injured right now, so we’re kind of fighting a little bit of an uphill battle to get started here, but I thought the boys played pretty well,” Bock said. “My backline (Aaron Greer, Tommy Hurst, Andrew Leibig and Oniate) played well and my goalie (Letchner) played really, really well - he had a really strong game. He made a lot of good saves, got off his line pretty well, but it was just another one goal loss.”
CR South (2-0, 1-0 SOL) has a big game Thursday, at home against Neshaminy.
Bensalem (0-1, 0-1 SOL) looks to bounce back Thursday at CR North.
CR South 1 1 – 2
Bensalem 0 1 - 1
Council Rock North 9, Harry S Truman 0
The Indians dominated this one from the start, with 22 players getting on the field, a 22-2 shot advantage and 17 corner kicks.
Calvin Hopkins and Toby Wyckoff shared the shutout in goal, with help from the defense of Jasper Ring, Mike Pinho, Chris Pinho, Darek Miller and Dom Czachor.
Ari Pollock scored three goals to lead the scoring for CR North, while Keertan Palayam added two goals. Will Kamp, James Reynolds, Windsor Varady and Sayd Najimi contributed one goal each. Varady added two assists, while Corey Brennan, Logan Adams, Reynolds, Chris Pinho and Jack Randolph also had assists.
“David Igval played a good match in the center defensive midfield role, stopping Truman before they got on track,” Rock North coach Joe Stackhouse said.
CR North (1-0, 1-0 SOL) hosts Bensalem on Thursday.
Truman (0-2, 0-1 SOL) is at Pennsbury on Thursday.
CR North 9
Truman 0
SOL Colonial Division
Central Bucks East 2, Central Bucks West 0
After a tough nonleague loss to Abington to open the season, Central Bucks East scored twice in the second half to take out rival CB West in the SOL Colonial opener for both teams.
“We had a little bit better of (the play) in the first half, but I thought we could do a ton of things much better,” said Patriots coach Josh Isaacsohn. “We went in at halftime, and to the boys’ credit, we just totally regrouped and came out and felt as if in specific soccer ways we could go at them, and they did.
“To the boys’ credit, they were relentless. They just did not stop. We were a little upset. We thought there was a definite PK call that wasn’t called in the first half. Again, it was just one of those high school soccer things, and it was time to make up for it because that’s the way it goes.”
Scoreless at halftime, the Patriots took control in the second half.
Sophomore Daniel Frye scored off an assist from Michael Montabana 12 minutes into the half. Joey Roth made it 2-0, with Jeremy Salazar picking up the assist.
“I just thought we controlled the second half,” Isaacsohn said. “We played the ball to our feet, we got some guys in that really helped us out a lot. This is the
soccer I know this team can play, and although they’re newly formed, they’re showing a lot of promise and, more importantly, a lot of character.
“I know (West’s) coaching staff very well - coach (John) Adair, coach (Mike) Testani, coach (Paul) Detweiler, and coach (Matt) Mannino - they’re great guys, and they did a good job. They’re young, and that team will bounce back. All the credit to our boys, they really deserved it. I actually thought the score could have been even a few goals higher.”
The Patriots’ coach credited the efforts of several players in the bounce-back win.
“Our left fullback was injured in our Abington game, and senior Nick Raysky went in and played really, really well in the back,” Isaacsohn said. “Reese Davis did a great job on the outside, and up top, Joey Roth and Michael Montabana just worked really hard. Michael actually got stomped on - he had a huge cleat mark on his back. He didn’t say anything to the ref, didn’t do anything, just got back up and went at it and made an impact on the game and that’s what we’re looking for."
CB East (1-1, 1-0 SOL) hosts CB South on Thursday night. CB West (0-1, 0-1 SOL) looks to bounce back at North Penn on Thursday.
CB East 0 2 -2
CB West 0 0 - 0
Central Bucks South 2, Souderton 0
Nate MacLeod scored in the first half, and Evan Jaskelewicz finished off a penalty kick early in the second half as the Titans kicked off their season with a 2-0 league win over Souderton.
“The game started off very mellow with Souderton being very organized and disciplined by sitting back and staying compact as a unit,” said CB South coach Kyle Pettican. “They tried to play on the quick counter. We remained patient while both teams took time to settle into the game.
“First official game of the season so nerves were high. In our case, it’s not easy to defend a title. In Souderton’s case, it’s not easy losing 17 seniors.”
Jaskelewicz assisted on McLeod’s first half goal, and then added the PK in the second.
“Once 2-0 down, Souderton really put pressure on and had a few decent chances,” Pettican said. “They really looked like they were going to get back into the game. A Souderton red card really changed the game and stopped Souderton’s attacking game, where from then - the game kind of fizzled out.”
CB South (1-0, 1-0 SOL) plays at CB East on Thursday.
Souderton (0-1, 0-1 SOL) hosts Pennridge on Thursday.
CB South 1 1 – 2
Souderton 0 0 - 0
North Penn 1, Pennridge 0 (OT)
It took five minutes of overtime play, but North Penn emerged with the SOL Colonial-opening win in the tightly-contested rivalry battle.
Ian Bialisalisa picked up the game-winner for the Knights.
“We had a free kick from distance and Demitri (Ilovski) played a short pass to Bruno Brnardic who took a touch and instead of shooting lobbed a short pass over their center backs into a dangerous area,” said Knights coach Chris DePeppe. “We had our center backs up for the set piece and Ian Bialisalisa was the man at the right spot and volleyed a bouncing ball past the keeper.”
Pennridge was playing with 10 men after an ejection late in regulation.
Both teams had chances in the game, but couldn’t cash in.
“In the first half we were able to get behind them and created some quality chances,” DePeppe said. “But they held us off well in the second half and could have won on the golden goal themselves just six seconds into the extra time, but the whistle was blown for a hand ball.”
The Knights’ coach lauded the performances of several players.
“Troy Nine was good in our goal, and Caiden Myers had to drop to the back line tonight and he was excellent alongside Ian Bialisalisa,” DePeppe said. “Fion Regan took on more of the ball-winning role in center midfield and he had a great match. Demitri Ilovski and Connor Sullivan were very lively tonight, and our work rate and pace of play overall was much better.”
It was the first game as head coach for Pennridge’s Aaron Rapsinski.
“Overall, in the first half, we came out a little slow, and North Penn kind of jumped on us, but we made some adjustments towards the end of the half and gained some momentum going into the second half,” the Rams’ coach said. “I thought we were in control of most of the second half and did a really good job of generating some opportunities, and we just missed a couple of opportunities on set pieces to try and get one in the back of the net.
“Within the first 10 or 15 seconds of the first overtime, we had a goal called back, and North Penn was able to transition, and they scored shortly after that to put the game away. It was a tough one for our guys, but I’m really happy that our guys were able to adjust in the middle of the first half, and I’m really happy with how our second half turned.
The Rams’ first-year coach tipped his hat to his opponent.
“Coach DePeppe had those guys ready to go,” Rapsinski said. “Their midfield three are really solid. Their No. 10 - Demitri Ilovski - did really well throughout the entire game. We had a good time trying to keep up with him in the middle of the field, and they were able to get a couple of opportunities with their forward up top.”
North Penn (1-1, 1-0 SOL) next hosts CB West on Thursday.
Pennridge (0-1, 0-1 SOL) looks to get back on track Thursday at Souderton.
Pennridge 0 0 0 – 0
North Penn 0 0 1 - 1
SOL Liberty Division
Hatboro-Horsham 4, Wissahickon 2
After a nearly complete roster overhaul with the graduation of 26 players from the program in June, Hatboro-Horsham won a wild one over Wissahickon on Tuesday to open its SOL Liberty Division schedule.
“Today there were nine guys starting their first varsity match, so we threw them into the fire early, and they responded and put a good performance in,” said H-H coach Kyle McGrath.
“Logan Clayton, in his first start, had three assists. Logan Gisondi, who’s back playing with us after playing with the PA Classics (an MLS Next team), scored a goal in his first varsity game, and then we just had young guys step up.
“We had two sophomores start and two freshmen playing quite a bit in Will Fisher, Louis Matullo, Nick Belizzie and Evan Paone. We’re going to lean on those guys all year to give us minutes. They’re just going to have to learn the varsity game. Overall, we’re just happy to get a result at Wiss."
In the opening half Tuesday, the two teams combined for five goals.
H-H opened the scoring on an Anthony Pumilia goal in the fifth minute, but Wissahickon responded with a goal by Jayden Kim two minutes later. Charlie Fortescue had the assist.
“A ball came to Luke Weiss, he laid it off for Anthony Pumilia, who took a touch and hit a shot from the top of the box into the bottom corner to give us a lead early in the game,” McGrath said. “(Wissahickon) came down, played a ball into the box. We weren’t able to deal with it and it was 1-1 just as fast as it was 1-0, but we responded pretty well.”
In the 23rd minute, H-H went back in front, as Clayton flicked a ball and Gisondi finished it off the post for the goal.
After Kim (Charlie Stehlick assist) connected on his second goal to tie it up in the 32nd minute, the Hatters came right back once again.
“It was a similar setup to the first one,” McGrath said. “We played a long ball, Logan Clayton flicked it on this time, and Luke Weiss ran onto it and was able to get in on a breakaway and finish it to make it 3-2 at halftime.”
H-H scored eight minutes into the second half to finish off the scoring and give it a two-goal cushion. Clayton hit a corner kick into the box and Isaac Kakiko was there to finish it.
The Hatters (1-0, 1-0 SOL) look to make it two in a row Thursday at home against Abington.
Wissahickon (1-1, 0-1 SOL) plays at Upper Dublin on Thursday.
Hatboro-Horsham 3 1 - 4
Wissahickon 2 0 - 2
Abington 4, Plymouth Whitemarsh 1
Braden Delgado scored back-to-back goals to open the game as the Galloping Ghosts dominated play on their way to 3-0 halftime lead. Abington went on to notch a 4-1 win over PW in its Liberty Division opener.
“They worked hard, they played tough,” said Abington coach Randy Garber of the Colonials. “Their bus was late - they had bus problems at PW (and) they got there late, and it just wasn’t a good day for them.”
Braden Brownholtz made it a 3-0 game, and then Sebastian Morina added another in the second half to put the Ghosts on top 4-0 before PW scored an own goal.
“Jose Rosario-Martinez and Daniel Oliveira - the two big strong kids in the back - played extremely well,” Garber said. “I thought Brady Hartman did a nice job up top and Oscar Hoffmann did a nice job.”
Also for the Ghosts, Brownholtz and Peter Cleary each contributed an assist.
Abington (2-0, 1-0 SOL) is back Thursday at Hatboro-Horsham.
PW (0-2, 0-1 SOL) looks for its first league win at home Thursday against Quakertown.
Abington 3 1 – 4
PW 0 1 - 1
Upper Dublin 3, Quakertown 0
The Flying Cardinals scored twice in the second half to break this game wide open to post a SOL Liberty Division opening win over Quakertown on Tuesday.
“It was a great team win today,” UD coach Noah Johnson said.
Jackson Bryan scored on a header off a corner kick from Brady Hillman in the first half to give UD the 1-0 advantage at halftime.
In the second half, Campbell Heckler scored on a free kick and then Dom Plaku had a breakaway goal, off the assist from Gabe Copley.
UD (2-0, 1-0 SOL) hosts Wissahickon on Thursday.
Quakertown (0-1, 0-1 SOL) plays at Plymouth Whitemarsh on Thursday.
UD 1 2 – 3
Quakertown 0 0 - 0
SOL Freedom Division
Cheltenham 5, New Hope-Solebury 2
Junior Freedy Kelman made his first varsity start count in the Panthers’ season opener on Tuesday, scoring three goals as his team went up early and put away New Hope-Solebury in an SOL Freedom game.
“It was a good start to our season with all 19 players contributing today,” said Cheltenham coach Bill Tonkin. “We built off of our momentum from beating Bensalem in our second scrimmage, and hopefully, that momentum continues to build for Thursday. Very proud of how the boys performed today.”
Kelman opened the scoring in the game with a goal off of an assist from Cameron Rhoades, and that just got things started.
“His first goal came in the first 10 minutes or so, assisted by Cameron Rhoades, who beat his defender and played a ball across the box that found Freedy in the center of the goal for the tap in,” Tonkin said. “Freedy scored his second goal about five minutes later when Beck Toledo played a ball down the line that Freedy ran into and attempted to cross but found the far corner of the goal instead. Logan Schlappich scored the third goal to put us up 3-0 on a beautiful pass from John Bowden that spilt the center of the defense.
“New Hope scored on a free kick from about 25 yds out that was nicely placed in the top corner of the net. Then, Freedy finished off the first half with his hat trick
on a cross from Arlo Kemmerer-Scovner.”
The Panthers took a 4-1 lead into halftime.
“The second half was played more even and New Hope scored on a ball played out from my goalkeeper and went right to a New Hope player who hit the ball from about 35 yards out into the net,” Tonkin said. “We then went down a man due to a red card and we rallied for a quick goal after that. Keegan Peet finished off a through ball from Xavi Chanoine.”
The Panthers, who won just two games last year, are hoping Tuesday’s SOL opener is an omen of good things to come.
Cheltenham (1-0, 1-0 SOL) hosts Lower Moreland on Thursday.
New Hope (0-1, 0-1 SOL) plays at Springfield Thursday.
Cheltenham 4 1 – 5
New Hope-Solebury 1 1 - 2
Springfield 2, William Tennent 1
Two first-half goals stood up as Springfield held off William Tennent in the SOL Freedom opener for both teams.
“Both teams had chances; we had a few more, but it was a close game,” said Springfield coach Dan Meder. “I think we played okay. I’ve seen us play better, but credit to William Tennent. They did a great job against us. They were dangerous. They had a couple of good chances, and they put one in.”
Harry Bates opened the scoring for the Spartans, off an assist from Justin Whang 13 minutes into the game.
Tennent’s Connor Hanratty tied it in the 17th minute, only to see Nick Hunuschak break the tie with a penalty kick five minutes later.
Meder acknowledged the strong play of sophomore Henry Drapkin in the win.
“He played defense for us today,” Meder said. “He’s a kid who can play anywhere. In the last game against Holy Ghost, he was playing attacking mid, he was playing striker, he played out wide. He even scored a goal against Holy Ghost that was called back - they called him offsides - so he’s a good player. we needed some help on the defense, and we put him back there and really liked the way he played today.”
Springfield (2-0, 1-2 SOL) is back in action Thursday at home against New Hope-Solebury.
Tennent (0-1, 0-1) plays at Lower Moreland on Thursday.
Springfield 2 0 – 2
Tennent 1 0 – 1
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