Check out the results for SOL boys' soccer teams in action on Friday.
By Jarrad Saffren
Twenty Suburban One League teams played league games Friday. Contenders battled contenders in the American and National conferences. The results and recaps are below.
Continental Conference
Souderton 1, North Penn 1 (2 OT)
As the final minute of the second overtime period ticked off the scoreboard clock, the Knights mounted one last offensive surge. Souderton keeper Kevin Dustin was ready, capping a brilliant performance with a diving save in the closing seconds to preserve the 1-1 tie.
“That was one of many,” Souderton coach Matt Benner said of Dustin’s late-game save. “When you look at a team and you’re looking for leadership and you’re looking for quality, you look to seniors like Kevin.
“He really showed why he’s been part of our program for the last number of years. He waited a long time to have his shot as a senior, and today he really, really showed what he’s about. He just played a phenomenal game.”
Dustin finished the game with 14 saves, several of the spectacular variety.
“I just shook my head after a couple of the saves he made,” Benner said. “He pulled out all the stops.”
The Knights got on the scoreboard in the 23rd minute when Liam Parker turned a Mike Kohler pass into a goal. That 1-0 lead stood until the 58th minute when the Indians scored the equalizer on a John O’Keefe header off a Nick Marculo corner kick.
“We talk about senior leadership, and John O’Keefe stepped up with a quality head ball today to give us a tie game,” Benner said. “He scored goals before as a junior, but he really, really showed today as a senior that he understands, he gets it.”
That 1-1 tie stood through 42 minutes, thanks in no small part to the performance of Dustin who turned away four legitimate scoring opportunities.
“It’s good for our boys to get a little bit of confidence going because there have been some results that have gone against us this year where we felt we played well enough and they just took an unfortunate turn,” Benner said. “I’m really, really proud of all the boys today.
“First of all for Kevin carrying us, and then for the rest of the guys responding and really rallying behind him. I think that was a good confidence booster for our boys today.”
Benner also credited the strong play of his back line, which included Abbel Carranza, Ryan Griffin, Cameron Hart, Dylan Molyneaux and Thomas Sonn.
“They all did a fantastic job,” the Indians’ coach said. “A team like North Penn with the athleticism, size and speed they possess, they’re a handful for every team they play.
“I thought our backs did a really nice job running with them, trying to close down space. We want to win, and we felt we had opportunities to win, but this is something we can build on, and we think hopefully it will propel us the second time through the league.”
Souderton (1-7-1, 1-4-1 SOL) will travel to Central Bucks East on Tuesday, and North Penn (6-1-1, 4-1-1) will host Hatboro-Horsham on Tuesday.
North Penn 1-0-0-0 1
Souderton 0-1-0-0 1
Central Bucks South 2, Quakertown 0
South scored in the seventh and 41st minutes to pull even with CB West in the Continental standings.
Connor Bethel scored the first goal and Colin Fagan netted the second. Both were assisted, the first by Fagan and the second by Shawn Biemuller.
South (5-2, 4-2 SOL) plays Coatesville Saturday and CB West Tuesday. Quakertown (0-8, 0-6 SOL) goes to Pennridge Tuesday for a 7:30 p.m. start.
Central Bucks South 1-1 2
Quakertown 0-0 0
American Conference
Plymouth Whitemarsh 2, Cheltenham 0
The Colonials pulled even with the Panthers in second place behind Wissahickon. PW and Cheltenham both have 13 points.
The loss was Cheltenham’s first of the league season after five straight wins or ties.
Gavin Hendrick and Skyler Goldstein scored for PW. Hendrick’s goal came on a penalty kick.
Cheltenham (4-2-1, 4-1-1 SOL) hosts first-place Wissahickon Tuesday at 3:30 p.m. Plymouth Whitemarsh (6-1-1, 4-1-1 SOL) travels to Norristown to play the Eagles on the same day and time.
Wissahickon 1, Upper Dublin 0
Tom McHale scored in the 65th minute to lift Wissahickon over Upper Dublin and into first place in the SOL American.
Brad Schwartz turned away seven shots to earn the shutout win in goal for the Trojans. Upper Dublin’s Thomas Juelke was credited with five saves. The Flying Cardinals held an 11-8 advantage in shots.
Wissahickon is now two points ahead of Plymouth Whitemarsh and Cheltenham and three up on UD.
The Trojans (5-2, 5-1 SOL) play at Cheltenham Tuesday afternoon in a big matchup. The Cardinals (4-3, 4-2 SOL) welcome Springfield at 7 p.m.
Wissahickon 0-1 1
Upper Dublin 0-0 0
National Conference
Pennsbury 3, Council Rock South 0
Pennsbury stayed undefeated in league play and distanced itself from the tight National field.
Colin Marks netted two goals and Zach LoBasso scored one. Both also had one assist.
Anthony Rosso earned the shutout.
The Falcons are now four points up on Bensalem and five ahead of Council Rock North.
Pennsbury (5-1-1, 5-0-1 SOL) takes on Strath Haven Saturday and William Tennent Tuesday afternoon. South (1-6, 1-5 SOL) buses to Neshaminy Tuesday for a 3:30 p.m. start.
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