Check out the recaps for SOL boys’ soccer teams in action Saturday. Neshaminy/Radnor photos provided courtesy of Michael Rice Photography. Check back for a gallery of photos. (Upper Moreland photos courtesy of Danielle Hendrickson/UM soccer). CLICK HERE to go directly to Suburban One Sports’ BOYS’ SOCCER GALLERIES.
Non-league
PENNRIDGE 2, QUAKERTOWN 1
The visiting Rams scored a pair of early goals – one each by Damian Perkowski and Ibrahim Ly – and then held on for the non-league win in a battle of neighboring rivals.
Scoring summary
First half
Damian Perkowski (P)
Ibrahim Ly (P)
Quakertown goal
Second half
No score
Pennridge coach Aaron Rapinski:
–On the game: “We started the game really well and had a really strong first 25-30 mins and were able to go up 2-0. Damian Perkowski scored early. Ibrahim Ly (who we pulled up from JV to help with our injuries) stepped up and scored the second. We’ve had such a tough go of it with injuries that I’m asking guys to step up from deep on the bench or from JV and today it paid off. We still need to do a better job putting away our chances because we could have had a few more but we are constantly working on it.
“Credit to Quakertown though. I know they’re having similar issues as us with injuries. Those kids battled the whole game. It really felt like a Pennridge/Quakertown rivalry game. They pulled one back before halftime and created a handful of chances second half to keep us on our toes.”
Up next: Pennridge will host Neshaminy on Tuesday, and Quakertown will be on the road at New Hope-Solebury Tuesday.
Pennridge 2-0 2
Quakertown 1-0 1
CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 2, NOTRE DAME ACADEMY (NJ) 1 (OT)
Eight minutes into the first overtime period, Jack Thibeault brought a dramatic end to Saturday’s non-league game when he scored a goal to cap a passing sequence that began with Aidan Pasternak finding Dan Frey, who connected with Thibeault.
As wins go, this was a big one.
“They were a very, very, very good team, and honestly, I’m going to say – the best team we faced so far this year,” East coach Josh Isaacsohn said. “I think the players felt similar.”
Notre Dame had the better of play in the first half and took a 1-0 lead into halftime. Early in the second half, Finley Rennie connected on the equalizer. Neither team scored until Thibeault’s game-winner.
Scoring summary
First half
Notre Dame goal
Second half
Finley Rennie (CBE) assisted by Dustin Weber, 56th minute
OT
Jack Thibeault (CBE) assisted by Aidan Pasternal & Dan Frey, 88th minute
Central Bucks East coach Josh Isaacsohn:
–On the game: “They had the better first half. We were a bit disorganized. I would say we gave too much space, and they had some really, really talented players, particularly in the midfield. It kind of felt like the first 15-20 minutes it was a matter of time until they put one in, and they did. It was 1-0 at halftime.
“We regrouped at the half, changed a few things around, and in the 56th minute, Dustin Weber had a flick to Finley Rennie, who got by his defender on a beautiful play, took the goalkeeper on one-on-one and put the ball away. It’s great because Finley has been struggling this year to put the ball in the net. He had a major change in mindset this week, and I really give him a lot of credit. He changed his view of how he wanted to put the ball away, and he just did a beautiful job to get us back on the board and took us into overtime.
“About eight minutes into the first overtime, Aidan Pasternak to Dan Frey, who slipped it to Jack Thibeault for the game-winning goal. Again, it’s the same thing – Jack Thibeault has been sniffing goal for about six games and hasn’t been able to put one away, so, we’re not only thrilled with the win against a really, really good team, but got two guys off the schneid, if you will.”
–Props: “We put a freshman – Dario Grimaldi – in the back because we had a yellow card issue and some injuries. He just held it down and absolutely did everything we needed him to. He was an absolute stud. I can’t wait to see what not only the rest of this year has in store for him but what the next three seasons after this have. He’s a great player.”
Up next: Central Bucks East will host Council Rock North in a non-league game Tuesday.
Notre Dame (N J) 1-0-0 1
Central Bucks East 0-1-1 2
NORTH PENN 1, BOYERTOWN 0
Early in the first half, Kevin Keijzer Jr turned Carson Schell’s corner kick into a goal that stood as the game-winner in Saturday’s non-league contest.
Brady Schwengels was credited with the clean sheet in goal for the Knights.
Scoring summary
First half
Gavin Keijzer Jr (NP) from Carson Schell
Second half
No score
North Penn coach Chris DePeppe:
–On the game: “Boyertown almost surprised us in the first five minutes when their #12, Mason Cavalero, outran our center backs to a ball in behind and cracked a hard low shot that hit the point of the far post so hard it went out for a throw-in near midfield. We converted a corner kick soon after. Carson Schell served it, and Gavin Keijzer Jr rose up and buried a strong header. We were controlling play, but they still launched a few quick counters.
“Our backs – Cole Taylor, Ryan Smith and Rylan Weed – did a nice job adjusting our shape a bit, and I think our best player today was junior Logan Bocklet in a very unsung role. Logan saw the danger all day and filled the gaps all over the field. Logan is essential in that role for us, and it’s probably the most demanding role physically and mentally. Logan makes good decisions and reads the game well, but the lesson from today is that we have to convert the good chances because we are leaving two goals on the field every game.”
–Props: “Boyertown’s keeper played very well as did their #6. They are hardworking and organized, but we kept them at bay for the most part, and our defense looks to be getting much tighter and coherent so that’s comforting.
“Brady Schwengels played great and adds another shutout to his career total.
“I thought our reserves were great today. Caleb Kalitsi, Karam Alkoudsi, Ethan Jones, Chase Miller – they’re all making a case for more minutes.”
Up next: North Penn will host Bensalem on Tuesday.
Boyertown 0-0 0
North Penn 1-0 1
NESHAMINY 2, RADNOR 2 (2 OT)
The Redskins used a late goal by Ryan MacMullen to knot the score and send Saturday morning’s non-league game into overtime where neither team could find the net.
MacMullen’s equalizer came with three minutes remaining in regulation.
“It was kind of a melee, and it kicked out to him,” Neshaminy coach Tom Foley said. “Ryan hit a low hard shot, the keeper made the initial save, but it had enough spin that it crawled over the line and thankfully went in.”
Earlier, the Redskins took a 1-0 lead midway through the first half when Damien Castro converted a penalty kick. Radnor – the defending PIAA 3A state champion – evened the score by halftime and took a 2-1 lead early in the second half, setting the stage for MacMullen’s equalizer
Both teams not only battled each other but also the heat.
“It was a wild day – it was hot too,” Foley said. “They have a huge turf field, and it didn’t look like it was going to be all that bad today, but it was ridiculously hot on the field today. It was crazy. It was like 95 on the turf at 11 o’clock this morning.”
Scoring summary
First half
Damien Castro (N) Penalty kick, 20th minute
Radnor goal, 30th minute
Second half
Radnor goal, 50th minute
Ryan MacMullen (N)
2 OT
No score
Neshaminy coach Tom Foley: “In the first half, it took a while to find ourselves. We just weren’t really competing all that much. Midway through the half we started competing and winning more balls, created some opportunities. Brody Collins was taken down in the box, and that’s how we got our PK.
“It was unfortunate – we gave up a free kick, and we just didn’t handle it very well. The ball bounced in. Our goalkeeper made the initial save, and they tapped it in for the equalizer in the half.
“Their second goal was off a free kick too. It was a head ball – they got a head on it, and it was one of those that went against the grain. Our goalkeeper planted his foot, and he slipped. They got a shot off. He just was able to get a hand on it, but there was someone there to knock it in.
“With about eight minutes, we pulled one of our center backs to get an extra attacker, and we were pressuring them quite a bit, and that’s what helped create the tying goal. I was happy that the boys dug down and really worked at it to get that equalizer.”
–Props: “Damien Castro was all over the field today. He’s one of our center midfielders, and he looked like a warrior when he came off. He had band-aid on his knee, he had an ice pack on his quad. He took a beating, but he played probably 95 percent of the game in between getting some ice and getting his knee wrapped and all that stuff. He was quite a warrior.
“Kudos to Ryan MacMullen for putting his head down and just ripping a shot that found its ways into the back of the net to get the tying goal.”
Up next: Neshaminy will be on the road at Pennridge Tuesday for a non-league SOL crossover game.
Neshaminy 1-1-0-0 2
Radnor 1-1-0-0 2
CONESTOGA 2, CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 0
Friday, Sept. 12
UPPER MORELAND 10, POTTSTOWN 1
The Golden Bears boys’ soccer team defeated Pottstown in a non-league game on their home turf.
Upper Moreland coach Dave Darnesto; “The Bears played a fundamentally sound game. This victory was a testament to the team’s depth and future potential. Mostly underclassmen were on the pitch, allowing them to gain valuable varsity experience and showcasing the promising talent that will shape the team in the coming seasons.
Up next: The Golden Bears will look to carry this momentum into their next home game on Tuesday against Wissahickon.
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