Check out the recaps for SOL boys’ soccer teams in action Wednesday. (CB South photos provided courtesy of Luka Okoniewski/CB South boys’ soccer)
SOL Patriot/Freedom Crossovers
Springfield Twp 2, Council Rock North 0
Harry Drapkin scored in the first half and Eden Ha scored in the closing seconds of the game to propel Springfield to the statement victory over visiting CR North in a Freedom/Patriot crossover game on Wednesday afternoon.
The Spartans – fourth in the latest District 1 4A power rankings – are 2-0-1 in crossover battles of last year’s champions with wins over Rock North and Abington (2-1) and a tie with Central Bucks East (1-1).
Scoring Summary
First Half –
Harry Drapkin (S) from Harry Bates
Second Half –
Eden Ha (S) from Owen Hastings
Springfield coach Dan Meder on the win: “It was a great win. The game was definitely back and forth. We took advantage of an opportunity and finished the goal, which is not easy to do. We struggled a little bit in our last game to do it. It was a good game.
“We scored our second goal in the very last second of the game. They were pressing to try and get one back, and the last play of the game – the goalie punted it out, it was a 50-50 ball with the center back and the goalie, Eden (Ha) came out with the ball and put it in the net.”
–Props: “Owen Hastings, our goalie, played great. Chase Rubincam, one of our captains, is terrific back there. He’s playing hurt but is still playing really well. Kayden Sowell was so good – all of our captains were. Kayden is one of our captains, Ben Hubley is one of our captains. They worked really hard today.
“The entire defense played well – Brendan Noonan, Igor Hyvel, Luke Sharpe – and everybody in the midfield. Our kid who scored, Henry Drapkin, played terrific for us. He played the midfield. We moved his position today due to other injuries, and he ended up getting a goal and playing really well. Eden Ha, who scored the goal at the end, that was the best he’s played for us. It was actually the first time he started for us, and he was outstanding.”
–The gauntlet: “They’re banged up, and we’re banged up. I know they’re missing some key players. We’re just trying, like everybody else, to survive this gauntlet that is this week. These crossover games are rapid fire. It’s intense. I just don’t know that the schedule appreciates the physicality of the game. The guys are sore, and we have a Saturday game this week, so it’s actually four games this week.”
Council Rock North assistant coach Andrew Roberto on the game: “It was a good battle. We’ve got to put a ball in the back of the net. Their goalie did what he had to do. We didn’t test him too much. He made a good save on a free kick in the second half. That was probably his biggest save of the game.
“It was back and forth. I would say both teams had an equal amount of chances. Their goal came in the first on a counter off a free kick. We had a free kick, their goalie caught it, made a quick throw out to the right. The kid flew down the side for a 2-on-1 breakaway, and they put it away. It was a good goal on their part.
“After they scored, they definitely slowed the pace down, that’s for sure. Two good teams, it was what we expected. It was no different than Abington (in a 1-0 loss Monday). I think we controlled the second half more in that game. This game, it was back and forth the entire game. It’s good to play a team with that much talent. You see what you’re made of. We’re still missing some starters, but hats off to them for playing a good game.”
–Props to the Spartans: “They definitely had some really good talent. Their one kid in the middle – Kayden Sowell – was a beast. He won every header. Everything was running through him.”
–New face in goal: “Our goalkeeper, Calvin Hopkins, is going to be out. It’s a shoulder injury, and he thinks 2-3 weeks. Our sophomore goalie, Elias Berman, is playing really well. It’s a shame we go two games without scoring to help him out at all.”
–Props: “Dominic Czachor played well today in the back.”
Next up: Springfield (7-1-2) plays at New Hope in an important Freedom Division game on Friday. CR North (9-1-1) takes on Truman at home on Friday.
CR North 0 0 – 0
Springfield 1 1 – 2
Neshaminy 1. Cheltenham 0
Rezi Tebidze scored the game winner in the 77th minute as Neshaminy went on the road and pulled out the shutout win over Cheltenham in a rare meeting between the two programs.
Scoring Summary
Second Half –
Rezi Tebidze (N) from Dylan Reheil 77th minute
Coach Tom Folley on the win: “We scored in the 77th minute, and we just bunkered in for the last three minutes and just knocked balls forward to see the game out. It was a good win for our guys. We certainly didn’t get artistic points for it.
“In the end, it was a win. You don’t get bonus points for playing great. We did just enough to win. I feel fortunate getting out of there with a win, plus it moves us up the power rankings too. All in all, it was a good day even though we didn’t play particularly well.”
–The goal: “Dylan Reheil really worked hard. He beat two guys, got to the end line and served a ball across the goal mouth, and Rezi Tebidze was right there to tap it in. All the hard work went to Dylan, but Rezi was the beneficiary, so it was nice.”
–Props: “Dan Raivitch, our goalkeeper, made a really great save in the first half to keep it 0-0. Overall, the team dug down late. They knew they wanted to treat it like a playoff game because they needed the points to move up the (district) rankings. Credit to them. They knew they weren’t having a good day, and they just kept plugging and plugging and plugging, and they finally got rewarded with a goal late. We’ll take it and get out of Dodge and move on to Bensalem on Friday.”
Cheltenham coach Bill Tonkin: “Tough loss today. It was a very good game. I thought we had more of the play throughout the game. We had more scoring chances, but we fell on the wrong side of a questionable no call in our penalty area that Neshaminy took advantage of.
“We had opportunities to score, but we are struggling again to find the back of the net. We have a lot more season left to figure things out, and I think we will. We are playing really good soccer right now just missing that final piece of the puzzle. Lower Moreland tomorrow so hopefully we get back on the right path.
Next up: Neshaminy (6-2-2) plays at Bensalem on Friday. Cheltenham (5-3-1) hosts Lower Moreland on Friday.
Neshaminy 0 1 – 1
Cheltenham 0 0 – 0
New Hope-Solebury 4, Harry S. Truman 1
Santiago Estrada and Joe Picone scored in the first nine minutes of the game, as New Hope started fast and cruised to the win over Truman in a win for the Freedom Division over the Tigers, from the Patriot Division.
High scoring Aramis Shire added two goals in the second half.
Scoring Summary
First Half –
Santiago Estrada (NHS) from Ben Stein, 3rd minute
Joe Picone (NHS) from Santiago Estrada, 9th minute
Second Half –
Aramis Shire (NHS), 71st minute
Aramis Shire (NHS) from Joe Picone, 77th minute
New Hope coach Chris Van Pelt on the win:
“We came out pretty flat in the first half, and we’re probably lucky to be up at halftime. The second half was much better – we had some young guys come off the bench and make the difference, which is massive especially since we have some guys out with injuries.”
Next up: New Hope (8-3) hosts Springfield on Thursday. Truman (1-9) hosts CR North on Friday.
Truman 0 1 – 0
NH-S 2 2 – 4
Pennsbury 4, William Tennent 0
Vincent Manney scored two back-breaking goals three minutes apart in the second half and Pennsbury broke open a close game and blanked host William Tennent in crossover play on Wednesday.
Anjur Curvec and Aidan O’Donnell also scored goals. Fillip Malik picked up the shutout in goal for the Falcons.
Scoring Summary
First Half –
Anjur Curvec (P), 15th minute
Second Half –
Vincent Manney (P) from Caleb Mangiaracina, 52nd minute
Vincent Manney (P) from Sean McGroarty, 55th minute
Aiden ODonnell (P) from Wes Rittenhouse in 73rd minute
Pennsbury coach Tom Stoddart on the win: “The two goals back to back by Vin was a huge relief to have someone finish. Looking to build off this offensive game moving forward.”
Next up: Pennsbury (3-6-1) hosts CR South in a Patriot Division game Friday. Tennent (1-8-2) hosts Upper Moreland on Friday.
Pennsbury 1 3 – 4
Tennent 0 0 – 0
Council Rock South 3, Lower Moreland 0
CR South went on the road and shut out a very good Lower Moreland squad that was coming off a huge upset of Central Bucks South on Monday.
Sean Davis, Ronan Harding and Reid Vandemark scored goals for the Golden Hawks.
Scoring Summary
First Half –
Sean Davis (CRS) from Ronan Harding
Ronan Harding (CRS) from Reid Vandemark
Second Half –
Reid Vandemark (CRS) from Diego Soto-Pinzon
CR South coach Alan Nicholl said about the victory: “We played our most complete game of the season with a 2-0 halftime lead and a third coming in the opening minutes of the second half. Diego Soto was a machine today, the best I’ve seen from him in a South shirt.
“The first half was very competitive, and I could see how they’ve taken points from highly-ranked Springfield and CB South. Bob (Barnhart) has his team playing hard, disciplined, and organized.”
–The goals: Our two goals came late in the first half and came within 5 minutes of each other, which allowed us to settle in and play a bit tighter. When we scored in the first three minutes of the second half, it put the game to bed.
“It felt really good to win against such a quality opponent. I also got the chance to go deep on my bench and get some guys in, which always feels good! Adrian Cardone returned from a lengthy injury layoff and put in an industrious shift today, and Reid Vandemark got on the scoresheet today after two weeks on the sideline.”
Next up: CR South (4-4-2) plays at Pennsbury on Friday. Lower Moreland (7-3-2) is at Cheltenham on Saturday.
CR South 2 1 – 3
Lower Moreland 0 0 – 0
Bensalem 5, Upper Moreland 0
Aboubacar Bayo scored twice and Bensalem blew open a close game in the second half for the complete 5-0 shutout on the road at Upper Moreland on Wednesday.
Tejas Sassan scored a first-half goal. Chase Esposito and Angel Duran added second-half goals.
Scoring Summary
First Half –
Tejas Sassan (B) from Matt Rowan
Aboubacar Bayo (B) from Brian Bock
Second Half –
Chase Esposito (B) from Andrew Price
Aboubacar Bayo (B)
Angel Duran (B)
Bensalem coach Kevin Bock on the win: “Upper Moreland came out on fire. It was their Senior Night, the energy level was high, and they put us under immediate pressure. We basically weathered the storm for the first 5 to 10 minutes and were then able to start settling in.”
–The goals: “We broke through with the first goal when our keeper, Matt Rowan, was able to play a long ball that found Tejas Sassan and sent him on a breakaway that he was able to finish. We got a second goal in the first half when Brian Bock was able to send a ball across to Abou Bayo, who beat a defender 1v1 and scored.
“We talked at halftime about keeping our intensity up, remaining focused, and not allowing them an opportunity to get back into the game. The boys responded by scoring twice in the first ten minutes of the second half (Chase and Abou). Matt Rowan then made a great save on a PK and we got a final goal late from Angel.
–Props: “Our defense – Tommy Hurst, Tyler Anderson, Nick Petrone, and Isaac Mathieu – played a really strong game. Matt Rowan made several saves, including the PK, and picked up his third shutout of the season.”
Next up: Bensalem (3-6-1) hosts Neshaminy on Friday.
Upper Moreland (4-6) plays at William Tennent on Friday.
Bensalem 2 3 – 5
UM 0 0 – 0
SOL Colonial/Liberty Crossovers
Central Bucks South 3, Upper Dublin 2
Anthony Bice scored twice, and CB South outlasted visiting Upper Dublin late as the Titans shook off their first loss this season with a solid crossover victory on Wednesday night.
The Titans also scored on an own goal.
Scoring Summary
First Half –
Anthony Bice (CBS)
Chase Rappaport (UD) from Reilly McLaughlin
Second Half –
Anthony Bice (CBS) from Josh Dozier
Own Goal (CBS)
Brady Hillman (UD) from Jimmy Smith
CB South coach Ed Brnardic on the win: “It was great to bounce back with a win coming off our dramatic loss at home Monday night (against Lower Moreland), especially against a quality team like Upper Dublin. They gave us fits tonight. But our fellas deserve a lot of credit for their ability to move on so quickly from the heartbreaker on Monday and for their preparation for this match.” 
–Props: “We had some injuries and illness to deal with, so it was great to see so many players step up. Specifically, Lukas Tyson and Rowan MacDonald on the defensive end, both had solid games. Our midfield of Brennan Franklin, Tyler Jaskelewicz and Josh Dozier was tireless, and up top, Anthony Bice was doing Anthony Bice things, scoring two goals again tonight. The second one was on a beautiful diagonal ball from Andrew Sherstynov that found Josh Dozier. Josh collected the ball so well and immediately dropped it off to a running Anthony Bice, who made no mistake scoring another goal with his left foot.
“The light rain created a bit of a mess with a slick ball for both teams and we were lucky with our third goal.”
Upper Dublin coach Noah Johnson on the game: “It was a good game back and forth between both sides. It was definitely a match we could see ourselves playing in the playoffs, where both teams are fighting really hard and are doing really well at keeping the ball and moving the ball around.
“Overall, I think it was a great game from both sides. For us, if we take away the little errors, that game could go either way. It’s definitely a game that’s doable for us. It’s good right now to see teams we might see in playoffs. For us, the biggest focus now is breaking this losing streak and getting back on the other side. That’s going to be the hardest battle.”
—UD goals: “Reilly McLaughlin crossed the ball and Chase (Rappaport) jumped over the defender and was able to head the ball in the back of the net to tie the game 1-1. Earlier, they scored on a penalty kick. Their kid struck the ball, and it hit Reilly in the hand. There’s not much he could do. He couldn’t get out of the way. After they went up 1-0, it kind of woke us up a little bit.
“Our second goal, a ball was played into the box and Jimmy Smith was able to flick the ball on to Brady Hillman, who was able to tap the ball in past the keeper to make an interesting last five minutes of the game.”
—Props: “I’m very proud of my guys fighting through that game even with the mistakes, but staying together and keep fighting to produce one heck of a game. I think all of my guys played really well. Sometimes things just don’t go your way. Great game from CB South. It was really nice to be able to play against those guys and just have a great game in a great atmosphere.”
Next up: CB South (11-1) travels to CB East on Saturday morning. Upper Dublin (7-2-1) hosts Wissahickon on Friday.
Upper Dublin 1 1 – 2
CB South 1 2 – 3
Abington 2, Central Bucks East 2 (2 OT)
CB East jumped ahead two goals in this one, only to see Abington score a pair one minute apart late as these two inter-divisional rivals played to a 2-2 tie in crossover play on Wednesday night.
Jeremy Salazar and Sean O’Donnell had CB East’s goals.
Scoring Summary
First Half –
Jeremy Salazar (CBE) from Dustin Weber 40th minute
Second Half –
Sean O’Donnell (CBE) after a Dan Frye corner kick that deflected off Eric Schmidt’s head 65th minute
Brandon Murataj (A) Penalty Kick 70th minute
Brady Hartman (A) 71st minute
CB East coach Josh Isaacsohn: “This game was pretty unbelievable, it really was. It was a great game. Unfortunately, we gave up a couple of late goals that ended up in a tie, but all in all, it was one of the better high school soccer games that I’ve been involved with in a while.
“Huge kudos to Randy (Garber) and the guys over at Abington. It was both teams going at it really, really hard. I thought both sides played tremendously well and showed a lot of grit and a lot of effort. I honestly feel the game was a bit more in our favor, and we really have to try and see these out, but I’m very happy with another solid result against a really good team.”
—The game: “The first half they came out and almost scored within 10 seconds. They hit the post, and after that, the game really balanced out. Both sides had multiple opportunities. I felt that we had a bit better of possession and really went to goal a few more times than they did in the first half, and eventually, right at halftime with 52 seconds left, Dustin Weber put the ball in for an assist that kind of got knocked around a little bit and Jeremy Salazar scored to put us up 1-0.
“At halftime, we obviously talked about keeping the shutout and trying to maybe put another one on the board. To the boys’ credit, in the 65th minute, Dan Frye hit a corner, and it bounced off Eric Schmidt’s head a bit, and Sean O’Donnell finished it for us to go up 2-0.
“Around the 70th minute, what I actually thought was an appropriately called penalty kick in the box happened, and they converted it. Literally, a minute later, they ended up scoring the equalizer. Then it just became an absolute grudge match through overtimes just to see it through.”
—Props: “Dan Frye, as usual, was just an unbelievably hard worker. They were double and triple teaming him. I think the refs missed a lot of calls on him. He was really getting beat up, and he just played his way through it. Eric Schmidt, our freshman in the back, was just taking a beating, and he just played a tremendous game as well. All around from the bench through the guys on the field, it’s been a total team effort and it’s been getting better and better and better every game. I’m pretty happy with where we’re at right now.”
Next up: Abington (7-2-1) hosts Hatboro-Horsham on Friday. CB East (5-4-1) hosts CB South on Saturday morning.
Abington 0 2 0 0 – 2
CB East 1 1 0 0 – 2
Central Bucks West 2, Hatboro-Horsham 1
Luca Testani broke a 1-1 tie late in the second half, as CB West won a close one Wednesday night, putting away visiting Hatboro-Horsham in a Colonial/Liberty crossover game.
Scoring Summary
First Half –
Beck Walton (CBW)
Second Half –
Logan Gisondi (HH) from Logan Clayton
Luca Testani (CBW)
CB West coach John Adair on the win: “To start the game, I thought the first 20 minutes or so was some of the best soccer we’ve played so far this season. We were in control and got an early goal off a cross that was headed in by Beck Walton. After that, I thought we took our foot off the gas just a little and allowed them to play a bit more than we had in their half.
“We gave up an early goal in the second half, but this group of boys has almost always responded so well to adversity. It’s a huge part of why I’ve come to love coaching them.
“Shortly after conceding, we started to create high quality chances and eventually Luca Testani was able to tuck away the game-winner.
–Props: “After giving away some cheap goals earlier in the season, I’m really proud of the pride that the boys have started to take in defending and not conceding goals or chances, so the entire back line of Kieran Thompson, Michael Panno, Brayden Grau, and Francis Grasso deserve a ton of credit not just tonight, but over the course of the last few games.
“As a coach, Luca is a kid that you can’t help but love and root for. His work rate, his energy, his willingness to do whatever he needs to for the team is second to none, and he constantly leads by example so to see him get two assists on Monday and end up on the scoresheet today just makes me incredibly happy for him.”
Next up: CB West (2-5-3) hosts North Penn on Friday afternoon. H-H (5-4) looks to battle back at Abington Friday/
H-H 1 0 – 1
CBW 1 1 – 2
Pennridge 1, Plymouth Whitemarsh 0
Logan Lamaina scored in the first half and Pennridge survived having to play a man down because of a red card and blanked visiting PW on Wednesday night.
Scoring Summary
First Half –
Logan Lamaina (P) from Parker Annan
Pennridge coach Aaron Rapsinski on the victory: “We started strong and were able to score 14 mins into the game. Logan Lamaina was able to flick the ball in for Parker Annan, and Parker was able to get it back to Logan to walk into the net. Keeper was a bit unfortunate on the play, but we’ll take them where we can get them.
“Unfortunately, we picked up a red card a few minutes later. We had to adjust our formation and our game plan from there. Our guys played their butts off being down a man for so long. We shifted, we stepped, we even created a handful of other chances we just couldn’t get on the end of.
“Credit to PW. I know they haven’t been having the season they are looking for, but they fought the whole game, right down to the last second. They had a chance at a corner with 15 seconds or so and we were lucky to get a block and a clear. Now we regroup as we get back into league play.”
Next up: Pennridge (3-6-2) hosts Souderton on Friday. PW (0-10) hosts Quakertown on Friday.
PW 0 0 – 0
Pennridge 1 0 – 1
Souderton 3, Quakertown 0
Tannor Wiszneski scored twice, breaking open a close game as Souderton survived Wednesday’s rivalry game against Quakertown.
Cam Taylor scored unassisted for the Indians’ final goal. Noah Watkins and Zach Vaszily picked up assists on Wiszneski’s two goals.
Scoring Summary
First Half –
Tannor Wiszneski (S) from Nolan Watkins
Second Half –
Tannor Wiszneski (S) from Zach Vaszily
Cam Taylor (S)
Souderton coach Frank DeMas on the win: “Quakertown made things hard and played really hard tonight. Hats off to them on a good game plan. Ultimately, we broke through after a number of chances when Tannor headed home a corner late in the first half.”
–Props: “Tannor has been coming up for us day after day. That, along with our boys in back, it was a good result.”
Next up: Souderton (9-1) plays at Pennridge on Friday. Quakertown (2-7-1) is at PW on Friday.
Quakertown 0 0 – 0
Souderton 1 2 – 3
North Penn 5, Wissahickon 0
Five different players scored goals for the Knights, who jumped out to a 3-0 halftime lead on their way to the shutout win.
Carson Schell and Ryan Miller both had a goal and an assist to lead the Knights.
Brady Schwengels and Matt Torres combined for the shutout in goal.
Wednesday’s win was the third in a row after a four-game skid.
Scoring Summary
First Half
Bruno Brnardic (NP) from Ryan Miller
Matt Haines (NP) from Demetri Ilovski
Carson Schell (NP) from Matt Bakir
Second Half
Ryan Miller (NP) from Carson Schell
Shafiq Henaidy (NP) penalty kick
North Penn coach Chris DePeppe on the game: “Wissahickon probably deserved to get a goal and we had a very good night around goal, so the score looks lopsided but it wasn’t all one-way traffic. We scored three in pretty quick succession in the first half, but they created a few chances and looked dangerous in transition. But Ian Balisalisa was very solid at center back again and put an end to a lot of their rushes.”
–The scoring: “Ryan Miller and Demetri Ilovski really showed their quality, and they demanded a lot of attention whenever they had the ball. Ryan has impeccable control, and the baseline drag move that set up Bruno Brnardic for our first goal was so slick. And Bruno finished it nicely just inside the near post. Keeper had no chance.
“Demetri matched that effort with a great solo run followed by a tempting ball that Matt Haines hit first time at the far post.
“Carson Schell took a pass from Matt Bakir and put one away from close range for our third goal.
“But Wissahickon came out with energy in the second half, and we were mainly defending for 20 minutes. They were close on a header and just missed on a free kick. And it took Joey Demaria’s great overhead kick on the goal line to deny a certain goal that would have made the last 20 minutes tense.
“Instead, we had a nice quick strike for the killer fourth goal. Carson Schell did all the hard work and used his pace to fly up the left touchline and find Ryan Miller in front of goal for an easy finish,
“Our fifth was a PK created by Ian’s hard-charging run into the box that drew the foul. Shafiq Henaidy converted from the spot.”
–Props: “Brady Schwengels and Manuel Torres combined for the shutout, and we got a tremendous performance from Ryan Smith, our junior left back. His first half was flawless, and he is having a great season. He was always a smart player with great technique but this year he has really matured physically.
“Junior Fionn Regan is right there with him as one of our most consistent and valuable players. He is playing as well as any central midfielder in our conference.”
—Back on track: “We appear to be back on track, and I like the enthusiasm and resilience I see in this team. There’s plenty of soccer to be played yet, and we are still improving every game. At our best, we can play with anyone, and I know the lads are looking forward to some conference rematches. But there are no easy wins in the Colonial conference.
CB West on Friday will be another tussle, but we get a few days rest after that. This is when the real fun starts.
Next up: North Penn (7-5, 1-4 SOL) will be on the road at Central Bucks West Friday, and Wissahickon (6-4, 2-2) will travel to Upper Dublin Friday.
Wissahickon 0-0 0
North Penn 3-2 5
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