Check out the recaps for SOL boys’ soccer teams in action. CR South/CR North photos provided courtesy of John Gleeson. Pennsbury/Neshaminy photos courtesy of Darryl Rule of J&D Photography. Check back for a gallery of both games.
SOL Patriot Division
PENNSBURY 0, NESHAMINY 0 (OT)
According to Tom Foley’s count, his Redskin squad held a 20-5 advantage in shots, but all those shots never resulted in a goal.
“We’re definitely working on finishing tomorrow,” said the Neshaminy coach, whose team had seven corners to just one for the Falcons. “We got ourselves in a good position to score, and their goalkeeper made a good save or we shot it right at the goalkeeper or we shot it over the net. It
was one of those days.
“We were down in their end 80 percent of the game, we had opportunities. With any luck, we could have beaten them 4-0. We just were snakebit all day today. I really can’t come down on our guys because they played hard, they bottled the other team up, they created opportunities. They just couldn’t finish today.”
The scoreless tie was the second in as many games for Neshaminy. The Redskins were forced to settle for a 0-0 tie in Tuesday’s opener against Council Rock South.
“We had the game on our foot a couple times on Tuesday and couldn’t finish,” Foley said. “South didn’t really have many good clean looks on Tuesday either.
“Part of it is we didn’t have the luxury of scrimmages where you can try different combinations out. Usually they’ll get a goal in a scrimmage and kind of feel good about themselves. The bulk of this group is seniors, and they want to have a good senior year. They know they don’t want to drop any early games because it’s only a 10-game season. I think they’re putting a little pressure on themselves, and it’s showing up on the score sheet. The best thing about the two games – we didn’t lose, but we have to take care of business. I think we’re on the right track. I’d be worried if we weren’t creating opportunities. Five or six guys got in really good positions today, and some guys who didn’t play on Tuesday got in and did a really nice job. It will come.”
For the Falcons, Thursday’s tie came on the heels of a 3-2 loss to Bensalem.
“We actually looked good the other night, we looked very good at times – credit to Bensalem for sticking it out,” Pennsbury coach Tom Stoddart said. “But today we didn’t even deserve to be on the field at some points.
“It’s just tough. We lost our rhythm altogether. We couldn’t just settle in and focus on our jobs, move the ball and have fun. We were getting frustrated, and we were just all over the place.”
The Falcons’ best opportunity to get on the scoreboard came in the final seconds of overtime.
“We almost stole it at the end,” Stoddart said.
“They didn’t really have any dangerous opportunities until my team decided to all-out flood the box with 25 seconds left in the second overtime,” Foley said. “They got their most dangerous opportunity on a breakaway. Fortunately, our goalkeeper – Trevor Rush – made a save to save our bacon. I didn’t think we deserved to lose today, so I’m glad our goalkeeper baled us out.”
Foley lauded the play of his defense, which has not given up a goal in 200 minutes. The Redskins’ back four of Lou Salmi, Ryan Schoenemann, Mike Albarran and AJ Rivera played every minute of Thursday’s game.
“I couldn’t be happier with the way we’re playing defense,” the Redskins’ coach said. “They’re playing great. As soon as a guy gets the ball, someone is in their shorts. We were forcing turnovers all day. We just couldn’t score. We had a couple of great opportunities, a couple of good saves by their goalie. You have to give Pennsbury credit – they clogged up the box, they blocked shots when they had to, and they did what they needed to do to get out of there with a tie, and they almost won it at the end. Kudos to them.”
Stoddart also acknowledged the stellar play of his defense.
“Neshaminy definitely had the better of play, without a doubt,” the Falcons’ coach said. “They had a much better rhythm, definitely pushed the ball around and played a much more attractive game. We were kind of thrown off our rhythm. From the get-go, they were putting pressure, and we just didn’t respond very well.
“But on defense, we played really well, we stayed organized and we stayed composed. I got great goaltending play today. Michael Caissie was great in the first half as well as Steven Nuzzolo was very solid in the second half. Michael Caissie, in particular in the first half – he saved us a couple of times and at least threw a little frustration Neshaminy’s way.”
Stoddart credited Trevor Hart and Gustav Mednis for their strong showings on defense and also acknowledged disappointment that his squad lost a player to a red card for an incident immediately following the game.
“We’re going to be working very hard on making sure we develop character, hopefully, winning a couple of games and then eventually getting back to a good brand of football,” he said. “I’m glad we’re playing. We’re doing the best we can. We’re trying to mitigate risk, so tomorrow I won’t bring the boys in. They’ll be on their own.
“We’ll supply some tape, we’ll utilize Google and put out a session to work out on their own. As long as everything is clear, we’ll boot back up Monday afternoon and try to get back at it Tuesday. Today was a marquee matchup, but everyone’s head is not where it needs to be at this point, which is understandable. We’ll get there one way or the other.”
Neshaminy (0-0-2) will host Holy Ghost Prep in a non-league game Tuesday, and Pennsbury (0-1-1) will host Council Rock South on Tuesday.
Neshaminy 0-0-0-0 0
Pennsbury 0-0-0-0 0
COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 4, COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 0
Alan Nicholl couldn’t remember the last time South had defeated North on the soccer pitch.
“I know it’s been a few years,” the Rock South coach said.
The last Rock South win over North came on Oct. 17, 2012 – the Golden Hawks won 6-0. Since then, the Indians were 13-0-1 against the Golden Hawks.
In Thursday’s showdown, Shane Cohen scored midway through the first half to give the Golden Hawks a lead they would not lose.
“He’s actually a fullback, and he kind of just picked up a ball as it came off a bad clearance just outside the box,” Nicholl said. “He caught it well and put it over the keeper’s head.”
The Golden Hawks took that 1-0 lead into halftime. Approximately 15 minutes into the second half, the Hawks were awarded a penalty kick.
“Dylan Bennett took the penalty, it was saved, and Luke Evans followed up and scored the rebound,” Nicholl said. “Had they saved it and the ball stayed out, that’s a great momentum shifter for North. Instead, we ended up scoring on the rebound, and you could almost feel they were deflated.”
Three minutes later, Conner Weinberg scored a highlight reel goal.
“He scored the goal of the game,” Nicholl said. “He received the ball maybe 35 yards out, just picked it up on the dribble, beat probably two or three players at the top of the box, turned himself onto his left foot and slid it beyond the keeper. It was absolutely a terrific goal, a great solo effort, and it was well timed.
“I thought this was the best games he ever played for South. Every touch he took was the right one. A lot of our offensive schemes came through his ability, his technique. He reads the game exceptionally well, so his ability to move into gaps and receive balls and pick out the right pass at the right moment really showed tonight. I think Council Rock North really struggled trying to contain the space he was exploiting tonight.”
Weinberg’s goal capped a three-minute stretch that all but put the game in the win column for South.
“I got the sense – they were just banging on the door, and then three minutes later, we’re winning 3-0,” Nicholl said. “It was a weird five-minute stretch where the game just flipped on its head. To say we took it to them and were hammering them would be terribly unfair to North and the effort they put in.”
With 12 minutes remaining, Andrew Rosenfeld set up a goal by Gavin Hagan that gave the Hawks their final margin of victory.
“Andrew just won a great physical battle at the top of the box, pulled it back to Gavin Hagan who scored from literally maybe a yard or two out,” Nicholl said. “It was a terrific assist – the work rate, the effort, the physicality. It was just all effort and will. It was brilliant.”
Earning ‘Man of the Match’ honors for Thursday’s big win was someone whose name didn’t show up in the boxscore. Captain Nick Demarino, who plays center back, received that honor.
“You look at the scoreboard, and it was 4-0 – it looks like a relatively comfortable win, but if I’m being honest, there was probably a 12-15-minute spell in the second half where we were hanging on to a one-goal lead,” Nicholl said. “It seemed like North was winning a lot of tackles, a lot of headers. They were actually putting an awful lot of pressure on us.
“My center back sort of rode the waves. He’s experienced, he’s a multi-year starter as a captain, and he kept them at bay. He didn’t give them any looks. He won a lot of tackles, he was always in the right place, and he closed down angles correctly. Things could have gone a lot different if Nick had taken a bad touch or two. He was flawless today, and as a result, North had very little looks on goal. I really put that on the shoulders of Nick, who did everything right to shut it all down. I think a lesser experience and certainly less talented player wouldn’t have been able to shut a team down like Nick did. As you would expect from a senior captain, he took a lot of responsibility to dictate how it was going to go. I’m experienced enough to know when I see a player who made a difference, and Nick Demarino was certainly that today.
“To be fair, I think all of our fullbacks – Shane Cohen, Damon Andreoli and Lex Lenoir – played very well. It was a very professional game by us today.”
The Golden Hawks have 11 seniors on their roster.
“In a North/South game particularly this early in the season, I think we really showed our maturity, we showed our experience,” Nicholl said. “The North/South game can oftentimes get very emotional, and that emotion can get away from you a little bit. Being able to maintain their composure and being able to respond in the moment – you’re seeing these senior players are able to do that.”
Council Rock South (1-0-1) will be on the road at Pennsbury on Tuesday, and Council Rock North (0-2) will host Bensalem on Tuesday.
Council Rock North 0-0 0
Council Rock South 1-3 4
SOL Colonial Division
CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 1, CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 0
The Titans weren’t happy with their performance in Tuesday’s season-opening 2-1 loss to Souderton that saw a 1-0 lead slip away on a South own goal. The Titans, according to coach Joe Coscia, also had a role in the Indians’ game-winner.
“This was a great comeback after that disappointing loss on Tuesday,” Coscia said. “I talked to the team on Wednesday and said, ‘They didn’t score the goals – we scored the goals. It just happened to be in the wrong net. We clean up the mistakes, and it’s a 1-0 game.’”
In Thursday’s showdown, a pair of sophomores teamed up to score the game-winner with 12 minutes remaining, propelling the Titans to the exhilarating victory over the defending state runner-up Bucks.
“My one attacking center midfielder – sophomore Sean Reiber – got on the ball, kind of laid it off to my other attacking center midfielder, sophomore Colin O’Hara, and he hit a beautiful shot from 25 yards out into the far corner,” Coscia said. “After we scored the goal, we were fired up. They really didn’t have any answer or any change in their game plan to try to break us down and get a tying goal.
“At that point, we were able to just clear our lines and hold the ball up high and let them try to win it back. We were able to see the game out and get the crucial victory against a tough rival.”
Coscia was pleased with his team’s execution of the game plan.
“The first half was just a tough contest, but we were really proving that the way that we were playing was going to break them down,” the Titans’ coach said. “We just hadn’t quite figured out that final pass.
“They came out in the second half and really started throwing everything at us. It was putting us under more pressure than I was hoping we’d be under at that point. As the half progressed, basically, I think it turned into the fact that they got tired from just having the ball shelled over the top and having to run onto it. We were able to turn the ball around, start moving it up quickly and do a pretty passage of play.”
West coach Stefan Szygiel tipped his hat to the Titans.
“We did some great things tonight and also had some mental lapses,” the Bucks’ coach said. “South created some really dangerous chances from wide areas all night, and their back line and goalkeeper kept us off the board. Credit to them for getting the result tonight.”
The Titans’ defense was anchored by senior captain Ryan Gross in goal and a back line of senior captain Cory Bethel (center back), junior Logan Campbell (center back) and senior Shane Landue (outside back). Splitting time at left back were junior Eric Green and sophomore Mike Monser.
“Both had fantastic games,” Coscia said. “The whole back line was fantastic. They absolutely locked everything down.
“We really did not let them create anything. The few shots they had on target – Ryan made them look like pedestrian saves even though a few of the shots were not.”
Central Bucks South (1-1) will travel to Central Bucks East on Tuesday, and Central Bucks West (0-2) will host Pennridge on Tuesday.
Central Bucks West 0-0 0
Central Bucks South 0-1 1
NORTH PENN 2, PENNRIDGE 1
Jojo Dalwadhi was in the right place at the right time, scoring the game-winner on a follow of teammate Dominik Gedek’s shot with 8:36 remaining in regulation.
“I’m very happy for Jojo Dalwadhi,” NP coach Chris Depeppe said. “He is the student body president at North Penn, and he has put in a lot of effort to make this season possible. I’m glad he was able to get the game-winner. He definitely earned that goal in every sense.”
The Knights took an early lead when Jovani Gonzalez – on the heels of scoring Tuesday’s game-winner – connected on a shot with an assist from Nate Kim. That 1-0 lead held up until Ben Scary converted a penalty kick four minutes into the second half.
“Jovani’s first goal should have been enough, but a penalty kick is always a whistle away, and they converted it nicely,” Depeppe said. “We played a scrappy Pennridge team that kept us from getting into any flow offensively, and we were not very tidy with the ball today, but we kept our heads and made one play more than them.”
Coach Pete Valimont liked what he saw from his team.
“North Penn, as expected, has another solid squad all over the field,” the Rams’ coach said. “That being said I thought we played a much stronger and better second half. We were creating lots of opportunities and restarts. Unfortunately, we were not able to finish those opportunities, which was the difference on the scoreboard.”
Valimont lauded the play of several players.
“Carlos Erazo, Shane Velez, Dalton Guthrie, Ben Scary really stepped up their play against the defending state champs,” he said. “Colin Monahan was all over the field marking Josh Jones and fought back from an injury to keep playing. Our effort and work rate has been great our first two games. Unfortunately, the scoreboard and the results table doesn’t show it.”
Depeppe praised the performances of Gonzalez, Roman Ilovski, Ryan Mindick, Achilles Triantafyllos, Josh Jones and Hunter Stiles.
“Sawyer Meade made an outstanding save just moments after we went up 2-1,” said Depeppe of his senior keeper. “For the second game, he has saved our butts late.”
North Penn (2-0) will travel to Souderton on Tuesday, and Pennridge (0-2) will host Quakertown on Friday (3:30 p.m.).
Pennridge 0-1 1
North Penn 1-1 2
SOUDERTON 0, CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 0
The visiting Indians and Patriots found themselves locked in a defensive battle, and neither team ever found the net.
“The league is so good, the teams are all so well coached and balanced – scoring goals is hard to do,” Souderton coach Matt Benner said.
“Both teams played extremely hard,” East coach Josh Isaacsohn said. “We have a lot of respect for coach Matt and Souderton.
“There were a few goal-scoring opportunities both ways, but it was a close, hard fought game.”
Souderton keeper Aidan McClure recorded seven saves to preserve the shutout.
“Aidan McClure was excellent in goal,” Benner said.
Isaacsohn also had high praise for his goalkeeper – Kyle Dunigan.
Souderton (1-0-1) will host North Penn on Tuesday, and Central Bucks East (1-0-1) will host Central Bucks South on Tuesday at 4:45 p.m.
Souderton 0-0-0-0 0
Central Bucks East 0-0-0-0 0
SOL Liberty Division
HATBORO-HORSHAM 3, PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 0
Kyle McGrath is looking for Tommy Harmon to step up this season with the graduation of several key players from last year’s SOL American Conference championship squad.
In Thursday’s win, the junior midfielder answered the call.
Harmon had a hand in all three goals, converting a penalty kick and assisting on the other two.
“He’s a guy that’s been on varsity for two years, and we need him to step up this year, and he did that in a big way today,” HH coach Kyle McGrath said. “It was awesome to see him do that.”
Nick Katherine turned a Harmon pass to give the Hatters the early lead.
“Tommy got the ball down in the corner and beat two guys on the dribble pretty nicely and played a ball across the box to Nick, who just slotted it home into the open net,” McGrath said. “PW actually had the first real good chance about two minutes in. They played a great ball into the box and their kid got on the end of it, and my goalkeeper, Noah Schlosser, made a good save. I think that woke us up a little bit.
In the 21st minute, Harmon connected on a penalty kick after PW was whistled for a hand ball. Caleb Hudson closed out the scoring with a goal off a Harmon corner kick in the 36th minute.
“Tommy put a great ball in to Caleb, and Caleb volleyed it in to the back post for a long touch finish,” McGrath said.
The Hatters’ coach credited the play of his back line of Hudson, Jack Weiss, Paul Guevara and Ryan Toporowski.
“Our back four bounced back from the tough loss on Tuesday to get a shutout,” McGrath said of the Hatters’ 1-0 loss to Wissahickon. “We talked yesterday in practice about putting Tuesday’s result behind us because we can’t look back, we need to move forward, and the guys did that today.
“It was good to get a shutout first and foremost, and then to score some goals was good. Hopefully that helps us move forward throughout the season.
Schlosser was credited with six saves to record the shutout in goal.
Hatboro-Horsham (1-1) will host Abington on Tuesday (4 p.m.), and Plymouth Whitemarsh (1-1) will be on the road at Upper Dublin Tuesday.
Hatboro-Horsham 3-0 3
Plymouth Whitemarsh 0-0- 0
ABINGTON 2, WISSAHICKON 1
The visiting Ghosts roared out of the starting gate, scoring a pair of goals in the opening 10 minutes. That was enough to hold on for the win.
“It was a nice game,” Abington coach Randy Garber said. “Especially at their place – they’re used to playing on turf, and we play all our games on grass. It was a good win for us.”
William Hartman spotted the Ghosts a 1-0 lead, and Tommy Santangelo’s goal minutes later made it a 2-0 game.
“Tommy stripped the (defensive) back of the ball and went one-on-one with the goalkeeper, and he just beat the goalkeeper,” Garber said. “Obviously, they pushed up the second half and had some chances.”
Midway through the second half Wissahickon’s Christian Vorcheimer scored to make it a one-goal game.
“He’s a very good midfielder,” Garber said. “He scored, and the rest of the game it was a dog fight.
“We had a lot of chances – we had two or three chances with the goalkeeper completely out of the goal, and we missed. We made life difficult for ourselves.”
Leading the Ghosts once again were captains Gavin O’Neill and Bryce Lexow.
“They played extremely well,” Garber said. “Tony Ditri played right back, and he really had a stellar game. He did a nice job for us.
“The whole defense – Alex Woll played well again, and so did Steven Fajardo – he did a nice job.”
Abington (2-0) is off until next Thursday when the Ghosts will host Plymouth Whitemarsh (4 p.m.). Wissahickon (1-1) will be on the road at Quakertown on Tuesday.
Abington 2-0 2
Wissahickon 0-1 1
UPPER DUBLIN 3, QUAKERTOWN 0
The Flying Cardinals celebrated Senior Night with a shutout win, and listening to coach Andy Meehan tell it – the night belonged to the seniors.
“We came out much better then our first game – that was our focus since our game against Abington,” said the Cardinals’ coach, whose team fell to the Ghosts 3-1. “Our seniors came ready to play, our senior goalie Spencer Beidner held the shutout with two other senior defenders, Karan Achaya and Ethan Hill.
“Sam Moss and James Goldstein controlled the midfield and played hard all game. Sean Bainbridge was one of the hardest workers on the field, creating havoc for Quakertown. I can’t say enough about their leadership. They aren’t just good soccer players they are excellent young men. My only gripe is that we only get to play an abbreviated season. I would love to coach these boys for full season, but looking at the big picture I’m just happy that we are able to play a season.”
The Cardinals took a 1-0 lead into halftime, thanks to a goal by sophomore Chris McMeel from 40 yards out.
“He was able to get the ball, settle it and noticed the goalie way off his line and ripped a shot that broke the tie,” Meehan said.
In the second half, junior Zach Berman scored off a senior Luke Rappaport assist, and senior Sean Seabrook closed out the scoring with his second goal of the season.
Upper Dublin (1-1) will host Plymouth Whitemarsh on Tuesday at 3:45 p.m., and Quakertown (0-2) will travel to Pennridge on Friday for a 3:30 p.m. contest.
Quakertown 0-0 0
Upper Dublin 1-2 3
SOL Freedom Division
NEW HOPE-SOLEBURY 3, LOWER MORELAND 2
Davis Nagg connected on a pair of goals to lead the visiting Lions to a win in a battle of former BAL foes. The win was the first of the SOL season for NHS.
“I’m very pleased with our start,” said NHS coach David Bachart, whose team was coming off a 2-2 tie with Springfield Township. “In our game against Springfield, we fell behind 2-0. They got up on us quick. We finally woke up in the second half, got two quick goals and should have had them finished off, but their goalkeeper made a phenomenal save on a breakaway.
“This is a great start in a new league despite everything that’s going on right now.”
NHS fell behind early when Lower Moreland’s Javin Cooper scored with a Braden Alicea assist. Nate Donohoe’s goal off a free kick knotted the score.
With 14 seconds remaining in the half, NHS had another opportunity to get on the scoreboard.
“We got a free kick just outside their 18 – we hurried up and did it,” Bachart said. “Nate Donohoe took the kick and Davis Nagg scored the goal with six seconds left.”
Nagg’s goal gave NHS a 2-1 halftime lead, and the visiting Lions went on top 3-1 when Nagg connected on his second goal, using an Ethan Sirkin assist on the corner kick. Lower Moreland made things interesting when – with six minutes remaining – Eden Attias scored with a John Kroll assist.
“They were putting on a pretty good attack at the end, but we held them off,” Bachart said.
The NHS coach credited the play of his midfield comprised of Davis Nagg, Donohoe and Declan Curran. When Curran left the game with an injury, Sirkin filled his spot
“I think the three best players on Lower Moreland were their three midfielders – they were very good,” Bachart said. “We did as much as we could to hold them off. It was a good fight.”
New Hope-Solebury (1-0-1) will host William Tennent on Tuesday, and Lower Moreland (0-2) will host Springfield Township Tuesday when the Lions will celebrate Senior Day.
New Hope-Solebury 2-1 3
Lower Moreland 1-1 2
WILLIAM TENNENT 2, SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP 1
The Panthers scored a pair of first-half goal and held on for the win in their first division game of the season.
“The new conference is going to be competitive with a lot of young talent on the field for both teams,” Tennent coach Nick D’Andrea said. “Today could have gone either way, so we were fortunate to get a win and look forward to playing them at home in a few weeks.”
Senior Damian Dangler scored on a corner kick by Paul Nedeoglo, and then it was sophomore Sandu Zama with a great finish to the far post from a pass by Nedeoglo.
The Spartans cut that lead in half when Riley Martin buried a penalty kick.
“He really played well for their side up top – he’s a quality forward,” D’Andrea said of Martin. “This was a well played game by both sides and was a typical SOL clash.
“Credit Springfield – they are well coached and a tough team.”
D’Andrea praised the strong defensive play of senior center back Ben Weir against Martin.
William Tennent (2-0, 1-0 SOL) will travel to New Hope-Solebury on Tuesday, and Springfield Township (0-1-1) will be on the road at Upper Moreland on Tuesday.
William Tennent 2-0 2
Springfield Twp 0-1 1
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