Check out the recaps for SOL boys/girls soccer teams in action Monday.
Boys
SOL Freedom Division
SPRINGFIELD TWP 3, LOWER MORELAND 2
The Spartans completed their first go-round in Freedom Division play with their fifth win in as many contests. This one was anything but easy as they had to rally from an early 2-0 hole, thanks to a pair of goals by Lower Moreland’s John Kroll.
“They went ahead early,” Springfield Twp coach Dan Meder said. “John Kroll is a terrific player. We made a couple of mistakes, and he made us pay for them, so we were fighting an uphill battle.
“Lower Moreland played good – they were well organized, well coached. It was a tough game.”
The Spartans cut the Lions’ lead in half with a goal by Kayden Sowell (Ben Hubley assist), and it was a 2-1 game at the intermission.
Henry Drapkin’s unassisted goal evened the score 2-2.
“He was pretty far out, and he ripped a really nice shot from distance,” Meder said. “We were game planning because it was 2-1. I looked up, and he ripped a shot.”
With nine minutes remaining in regulation, Sowell gave the Spartans their first lead when he found the net with his second goal that stood as the game-winner, this one with an assist from Adam DiBattista.
“It was awesome that we came back – I’d probably live a lot longer if they didn’t go down 2-0 and then try to come back,” Meder said. “I thought we played well. We had a couple of letdowns – they made us pay. It was a good team effort to come back and make it happen.”
Springfield Twp (8-0, 6-0 SOL) will host Quakertown for a crossover game Tuesday, and Lower Moreland (4-2, 4-2) will be on the road at Hatboro-Horsham on Tuesday.
Springfield Twp 1-2 3
Lower Moreland 2-0 2
Girls
SOL Patriot Division
COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 2, NESHAMINY 1
Gavin Flannigan knew it wasn’t going to be easy when his team hosted the Redskins. It never is, and this was no exception.
The two teams exchanged best shots for 80 minutes, and it was the Indians – thanks to Mia Cairone’s goal in the closing minute of regulation – eking out the hard-fought win.
“(It was) another tough game against a divisional opponent, and we managed to get it done with a late win,” Flannigan said. “Neshaminy is always a competitive game, and they were the better side in the beginning – quicker with their ball movement and more aggressive in their play.
The Redskins got on the board first with a goal from Bryn Taylor midway through the first half.
“They scored on a great header from a corner kick about 20 minutes into the game,” Flannigan said. “We began to settle down, and once we started to connect some passes, we were able to get into some dangerous spots.
“Our equalizer came on a good build up, a cross from Mia Cairone was deflected, and Isabel Diaz was there to finish it off the post. Isabel has been a bright spark for us recently. She’s only a freshman, but scoring today was a great reward for her hard work and overall play in the last few games.”
The second half, according to Flannigan, was similar to the first.
“Neshaminy was more dangerous in the beginning, but as the half went on, I thought we improved,” the Rock North coach said. “We hit the crossbar on a long shot from Taylor Fischer and had some good efforts on corner kicks too.
“As the game went on, we tried to take advantage of some things we saw tactically, and with a less than a minute left, Mia Cairone found the ball on a clearance from the Neshaminy keeper and hit a long shot on target for the winner.
“It definitely wasn’t our best performance, but getting a divisional win against a good opponent is always satisfying, Neshaminy has some very good players, and we had to gut it out in the second half a little. Credit to Mairin Coghlan in goal today, she was forced into some good saves at times. Her handling and overall play give us confidence in the back.”
Council Rock North (5-1-1, 4-1-1 SOL) will travel to Central Bucks South for a 7 p.m. crossover game on Tuesday, and Neshaminy (3-3, 3-3) will host North Penn on Tuesday.
Neshaminy 1-0 1
Council Rock North 1-1 2
SOL Liberty Division
PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 2, UPPER DUBLIN 1
The Colonials found themselves staring at an early 1-0 deficit but displayed their resiliency, battling back for the hard-fought road win.
“This is a big win for our program as we haven’t beaten Upper Dublin since 2019,” PW coach TJ DeLucia said. “The team is aware of our past records against our league opponents. It isn’t something we hide from. We talk about it, and they’re determined to put this program back on the map.”
The groundwork for Monday’s big win might well have been laid on Sunday.
“They held a Captain’s practice yesterday morning,” DeLucia said. “I got them onto the field, opened the shed for equipment and left. It wasn’t something I pushed.
“So, credit to our captains – Caitlyn Dinh, Bri Reynolds, and Meg Wendler – for taking the initiative. The three of them – in addition to our other six seniors – are really taking this season seriously. It sets a great example for the underclassmen.”
The Cardinals got on the board when Jane Hillman connected, using a Peyton Ward assist.
“Upper Dublin scored early on a set piece that we did not defend well,” said DeLucia. “Later in the first half, sophomore midfielder Maddie McGuckien took a free kick and placed it right in front of the keeper. Sophomore forward, Keira Whelan, poked it in for her fourth goal of the season.”
Whelan’s goal sent the two teams into halftime deadlocked 1-1.
“In the second half, freshman Maddi Lazaroff placed a corner kick in a perfect spot that found Maddie McGuckien’s head,” DeLucia said.
That goal – McGuckien’s seventh of the season – turned out to be the game-winner, although the second half was not without its anxious moments.
“Senior keeper Caitlyn Dinh made a point blank save in the second half on a free Upper Dublin header to hold onto the lead,” DeLucia said. “Defenders Katie Lukens, Bri Reynolds, and Meg Wendler were outstanding – handling a dangerous UD attack.”
Plymouth Whitemarsh (5-1-1, 4-1-1 SOL) return to action Tuesday when the Colonials will travel to New Hope-Solebury for a 6 p.m. crossover contest. Upper Dublin (1-3-2, 1-3-2) will host William Tennent on Tuesday.
Plymouth Whitemarsh 1-1 2
Upper Dublin 1-0 1
SOL Freedom Division
SPRINGFIELD TWP 3, UPPER MORELAND 2
Sparked by a pair of Kaley Noonan goals, the Spartans opened up a 3-0 halftime lead only to watch the visiting Golden Bears stage a tenacious second-half rally in the final minutes of regulation.
Kaleigh Evans set up the first two goals – the first 6:12 into the game to Noonan and the second 20 minutes later – this one to Lenia Rumer to put the Spartans on top 2-0. Noonan’s unassisted goal in the 34th minute sent the Spartans into the intermission with what seemed like a commanding 3-0 lead.
The Golden Bears did not go down quietly. Willow Taylor found the back of the net with an assist from Mickie Soroka in the 71st minute, and with just over a minute remaining, Kyra Favors scored with a Taylor assist.
“We came off the bus today flat, and Springfield was able to capitalize on that in the first half,” UM coach Lisa Benvenuto said. “In the second half, we regained our composure and settled in a bit.
“We weren’t able to (score) until the 71st minute, and then found the back of the net again in the 78th. We ran out of time, but we showed some true grit and determination. We will continue to learn from games like these and rebound quickly for Wissahickon tomorrow.”
Springfield Township (5-1-1 4-1-1 SOL) will travel to Quakertown for a 7 p.m. crossover game Tuesday, and Upper Moreland (4-3, 3-3) will be on the road at Wissahickon Tuesday.
Upper Moreland 0-2 2
Springfield Twp 3-0 3
Non-league
LOWER MORELAND 5, INTERBORO 1
Monday’s non-league game did not start off on the best of notes for the visiting Lions as Interboro converted a penalty kick 90 seconds into the game. It turned out to be the Buccaneers’ last hurrah as the Lions responded with five unanswered goals – three in the opening half.
“Once we got past a sloppy start, we settled into our game,” LM coach Todd Hill said. ”I think the girls worked hard to stay disciplined and play sharp soccer. It was nice to get everyone involved for a good team win.”
Val Sellecchia and Shannon Mahon, a freshman, both scored two goals, and Amelia Brown added a single goal. Contributing assists were Gabby Fogarty, Keira Huber and Kenna Rozanski.
“I think our midfield group played a really strong game – led by Val Sellecchia, who really opened up the field for us,” Hill said. “The group also includes Kenna Rozanski, Gabby Fogarty, Keira Huber, Edona Selemaj and Ruby Levin, who did a good job controlling the middle of the field for us.”
Lower Moreland (4-3, 2-3 SOL) will host Hatboro-Horsham on Tuesday.
Lower Moreland 3-2 5
Interboro 1-0 1
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