The 2012 soccer season got underway on Friday. Check out the scores of some the SOL teams in action. To view photos of the Wissahickon/Council Rock North game, please visit the photo gallery.
BOYS’ SOCCER
Wissahickon 2, Council Rock North 0
The Trojans started off their season with an impressive win over the 2011 National Conference Champion Indians.
“Bigger school, bigger division, and I am pleased to get the result we did as well as the opportunities we were able create,” Wissahickon coach Stuart Malcolm said.
The Trojans’ fire was lit by an assist from Tim Ko to freshman Sam Hunt, who scored the first goal of the match in his varsity debut. Ko connected seven minutes later to put the Trojans on top 2-0, using an assist from Devon Memis, and the Indians never recovered.
Wissahickon kept CR North keeper Matt Moller busy, collecting 14 shots. Moller was credited with seven saves.
Keeper Neal Guaglianone recorded four saves for the Trojans, who have a young squad.
“We were not quite sure of our identity after losing six seniors (three of which are playing Division I) and we have been working on finding out what works in preseason,” said Malcolm.
Clearly, the Trojans found something that worked in Friday’s opener, and they hope to build on that success throughout the season.
Quakertown 6, Plymouth Whitemarsh 1
Quakertown opened its season with a convincing win over a Plymouth Whitemarsh squad that finished fourth in the American Conference last year. The Panthers’ offense was consistent, scoring three goals in each half. Quakertown’s attack was led by a trio of juniors: Kyle Wolfe who scored three goals, Connor Floyd who added two and Albert Haynes who scored one.
First-year coach Kevin Woulfe was pleased with his team’s performance, most notably the efforts of Wolfe and Floyd who are expected to be top goal scorers this season.
“No one expects wins from Quakertown but I expect them to do well,” said Woulfe about his squad that was 0-12 last year.
Quakertown also showed its improvement in one-goal loss to two-time Class A state champion New Hope-Solebury in a preseason scrimmage. Woulfe points to his team’s depth and consistency as a key to its strong showing early season showing.
“Our goal is definitely making playoffs,” the Panthers’ coach said. “The Continental Conference sent five teams last year. Obviously it’s a very competitive conference.”
Phoenixville 3, Upper Moreland 2 (2 OT)
Upper Moreland took 20 shots in an attempt to take down Phoenixville, but it wasn’t quite enough to come away with a win. Phoenixville scored on half of its shots, led by the two-goal effort of Aaron Kramer while teammate Isaac Levine added a single goal. Brian Baist and Nate Roberts each scored a goal for the Golden Bears.
Bensalem 2, Archbishop Ryan 1 (OT)
Josh Peprah scored in overtime to propel the Owls to the exciting win. Eric Corry also scored for the Owls.
Father Judge 5, Springfield 1
Springfield could not contain the offensive firepower of a Father Judge squad that received goals from four different players - Joey Hansen (two goals), Ryan Nork, Kevin Lockhart and Francis Gresko. Springfield’s lone goal scorer was Peter Trueman. Springfield keeper Colin Axel had a strong showing in goal, turning away 10 of Judge’s 15 shots.
Academy Park 3, Truman 2
A.J. Kolar led the Tigers with a pair of goals, but it wasn’t enough. Academy Park scored all three of its goals in the first half, which included goals by Mohammed Fakolee (2) and Mohammed Konneh. Truman had 12 shots on goal, while Academy Park only had 8.
North Penn 4, Lansdale Catholic 0
The Knights received a pair of goals from Matt Robinson and well as single goals from Matt Amendola and Alex Evans. It was Robinson scoring on a PK to give the Knights a lead they would never lose. The Knights held a 14-6 advantage in shots.
Pennsbury 1, Strath Haven 0
In the 77th minute of the Falcons’ season opener, Brendan Cooper connected to score the only goal of the contest to put Pennsbury ahead and avoid OT.
Council Rock South 4, Hatboro-Horsham 1
GIRLS’ SOCCER
Quakertown 5, Wissahickon 1
Coach Mike Koch couldn’t have been happier with his team’s convincing season opening win over Wissahickon. The Panthers exploded offensively in the first half, scoring all of their five goals in the first 40 minutes. Shannon Gibat was the first to connect after an assist from Linzi Wolfe, but the Trojans responded quickly to tie the game.
The Panthers, howevever, controlled the game from that point on, scoring four unanswered goals - two each from Linzi Wolfe and Line Kjaer. Kjaer also recorded an assist. Linzi, a sophomore who also started as a freshman, is one of the players Koch will be relying on this season. Jami Soriano added two assists and Robin Kramme had one assist.
Both teams received solid efforts in goal with seven saves from Rachel Stone of Wissahickon and a combined five saves from the pair of Quakertown keepers, Erinne Finlayson and Olivia Masseloff. Defensively, Quakertown was anchored by Lindsey Rathjens and Jess Minnichbach.
Koch noted that his team’s biggest asset this season is that his players are dangerous and skilled in transition.
“You never know who will break out” he said.
Koch credited Finlayson for her performance in key games like Friday’s against the Trojans.
“It starts with a goalie who pushes the ball up and allows them to attack the goal,” the Panthers’ coach said, going on to note that that this year’s roster has more depth than previous years and he plans on maintaining this momentum throughout the season.
Archbishop Wood 1, Council Rock South 0
Council Rock South is looking to work out some minor kinks as the season begins under coach Kim Francis. The first-year coach called junior Gabby Rosenfeld, a central defender, “a huge asset to team,” and she hopes to see more standout performances from Rosenfeld as the Golden Hawks look to build their young team.
Elissa Dotzman also was strong defensively, consistently shutting down the Viking attackers. Francis noted that her team, “did very good on possession but did not take as many shots we would like.” South kept Wood off the scoreboard until the Vikings finally connected with about 12 minutes left with a long shot on goal that soared over the keeper’s head.
Pennsbury 1, Garnet Valley 0
Coach Kaitlyn Battiste was holding her breath when - five minutes into the game - starting keeper Courtney Bennett was ushered off the field with a shoulder injury after a penalty kick. Luckily, her fellow goalkeeper and junior classmate Sarah McDonald had no problem finishing the job and leading her team to a victory. Neither team scored for close to 75 minutes when Uche Onuoha, a sophomore and second year varsity starter, broke the scoreless tie and put the ball in the net with an assist from Emily Vogel.
Battiste credited Onouha.
“She has a lot of speed and is an all-star on track team as well,” the Falcon’s coach said. “She is doing a much better job of finishing opportunities.”
Battiste, thrilled with her team’s strong start, is looking ahead to a busy week. The Falcons will play three games, including their league opener against a Bensalem squad that is returning many key players.
Harriton 2, Springfield 0
Springfield, new to the SOL and struggling with low numbers, is uncertain at this point how the season will go. Considering some minor preseason injuries and the fact that the Spartans lost six seniors to graduation, coach Suzette Wolf was pleased with their performance. Wolf admits, “There are gaps to fill, and people will have to be moved around a lot.”
Both Harriton goals were scored in the second half despite the stellar efforts of Paige Morrison at sweeper and Courtney Ameye in goal.
Unionville 4, Hatboro 3
The Hatters opened up a 2-1 halftime lead but could not hold off the Indians in the second half. Defensively, Rachel Kaplan and Maria Guerra had solid performances while Marykate Bateman scored a pair of goals for the Hatters, one assisted by Ramsey McMenamin. Ramsey McMenamin also added a goal, assisted by Marykate Bateman.
North Penn 2, Lansdale Catholic 1 (OT)
North Penn opened its season with a dramatic win over neighboring Lansdale Catholic. Kate Miller put the Maidens on the scoreboard after 73 minutes of play only to be answered seven minutes later by Michaela Crimlish of LC, which sent the game into OT. Mackenzie Daniels finished off the Crusaders after only four minutes of overtime when she scored the game winner. LC goalie Alyssa Messina recorded two saves while North Penn’s keeper, Laura Leonard, stopped six.
Downingtown West 3, Neshaminy 2 (OT)
Neshaminy’s Megan Shafer and Gabby Farrell each added a goal, but the Redskins could not stop Jennifer Wittick who scored her 3rd goal of the game and completed her hat trick in overtime.
William Tennent 3, New Hope-Solebury 0
Tennent coach Dan Russo was pleased with his team;s performance, especially with his trio of goal scorers - Renee Turgyan, Taylor Hopkins and Alyssa Ferraro. Madison Massaro, Emily Decker and Ashley Swaim each added an assist in a team effort to shut out New Hope-Solebury.
Pennridge 9, Upper Dublin 0
The Flying Cardinals never could find their wings in Friday’s 9-0 shutout loss to the Rams. While some may have been unconvinced that Pennridge would be able to sustain its dominance under first-year coach Audrey Anderson, the Rams proved they are a force to be reckoned with in Friday’s season opener.
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