Check out Tuesday’s soccer results for SOL boys’ and girls’ teams in action. To view game action photos of the CB West vs Abington game, please visit the Photo Gallery.
GIRLS’ SOCCER
HATBORO HORSHAM 2, UPPER DUBLIN 1
The Lady Hatters continued their early season success with a come-from-behind victory over an excellent Upper Dublin squad. UD opened the scoring at the 21st minute when a volley beat Hatboro keeper Miranda Royds, but the Hatters bounced back in the 30th minute as freshmen Lauren Kim shook her defender and crossed a ball to a streaking Lauren Brophy. Brophy's head ball tied the game, and it stayed that way until midway through the second half. Senior captain Cait Smith drove an accurate corner kick into the box, and Mikaela Malofiy got on the end of it to give the Hatters the go-ahead goal. In the waning minutes, Upper Dublin pressured the Hatters, but HH senior GK Brianna Cummins was up to each attack.
"Bri is our senior anchor and is playing with real confidence,” coach Ben Winderman said. “To have two excellent varsity GK's is a real blessing."
Winderman also praised the play of junior defender Kelly Griffin and junior midfielder Sara Thuerer. Both teams competed hard, and according to Winderman, his Hatters were fortunate to secure the win.
The Hatters now enjoy a few days of practice to prepare for Continental Conference action. With willing and versatile players, they are a team with promise.
For Upper Dublin after two tough 2-1 losses to HH and Pennridge, their outlook is bright. Expect both of these balanced squads to compete for district playoff spots come October.
Hatboro Horsham 1-1 2
Upper Dublin 1-0 1
TRUMAN 5, MAST CHARTER 0
The Tigers don’t have a whole lot of history in their soccer program, but second year coach John Kinloch is hoping to build their reputation step-by-step. Opening their season with a 5-0 rout over MaST Charter is certainly a step in the right direction. The Tigers are a very young team that includes only two seniors. However, a trio of returning sophomores who were key starters since last season led the way in Tuesday’s shutout. Jillian East led the sophomore attack, connecting for a hat trick, while Amanda McElhare and Samantha Ricciardi each added single goals to close out the scoring for the Tigers, who led 3-0 at the half.
Kinloch also credited freshman Gabby Harder and junior Casey Conwell with important contributions.
“Harder had an assist and did really well on the right side for us,” said Kinloch. “Conwell did a fantastic job defensively in the middle of the field. The few times we had anything to worry about, she took care of it.”
When Kinloch inherited the program, there were hardly enough players to make a varsity and a junior varsity, but entering his second year, he has already improved those numbers.
“Our numbers are better and we are getting better,” said Kinloch. “But it’s a challenge. I would like for our girls to get a league win. It would be good for the program.”
Kinloch’s team will face face some tough opponents in the National Conference.
“It’s really important for us the first time through the schedule to try and get results, whether that’s a tie or a win,” he said.
The Tigers begin league play by facing defending champion Neshaminy next Tuesday.
Truman 3-2 5
MaST Charter 0-0 0
PENNRIDGE 5, CHELTENHAM 0
The Rams rolled to their second victory of the season, shutting out the Panthers 5-0. Audrey Butcher opened up the scoring for the Rams, capitalizing off a corner kick from Julia Rufe. Rufe and Jackie Stevens both added first half goals to send their team into halftime with a 3-0 lead. Six minutes into the second half, Stevens found the net again for her second unassisted goal while Julia Cardie closed out the scoring with eleven minutes remaining (Ashley Butcher assist). The Rams held a lopsided advantage in scoring chances, racking up 26 shots on goal while they held the Panthers to only 2 shots.
Pennridge faces Wissahickon Wednesday and begins league play by visiting CB South next Tuesday while the Panthers will host Springfield (Montco) on Tuesday.
Pennridge 3-2 5
Cheltenham 0-0 0
LANSDALE CATHOLIC 4, UPPER MORELAND 0
The Golden Bears kicked off their season against one of the Philadelphia Catholic League’s top teams, and LC proved to be too much for the Bears to handle. The Bears kept it a 1-0 game in the first half before the Crusaders put the game out of reach by adding three goals in the second half. Shannon Ozzimo scored a pair of goals for the Crusaders, while Jillian Giampa and Greta Sheridan each added single goals. Keeper Kim Benge had a standout performance for the Bears turning away 15 shots in goal.
Upper Moreland will host Plymouth Whitemarsh on Sept. 10th as league play begins.
Lansdale Catholic 1-3 4
Upper Moreland 0-0 0
CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 2, ABINGTON 0
The Bucks claimed a shutout victory in their season opener at home against the Ghosts in Jorge Rodriguez’s debut at the helm.
Rodriguez has had his share of experience in SOL soccer after a successful coaching stint at Pennridge, and he was impressed by what he saw from the Ghosts.
“Abington looked really good, a better team than I’ve seen since coaching,” said Rodriguez. “They definitely pressured us a little bit, and we looked okay with the possession game which is newer with this group.”
Sophie McKnight was the first to connect off an assist from teammate Emily Grove in the 28th minute to put the Bucks on the scoreboard.
“McKnight is a great, strong player,” said Rodriguez. “With Grove, they both give us a lot of presence on the field.”
The Bucks final goal was scored by Shae McCarty midway through the second half (McKnight assist), securing the win despite Abington’s advances from some speedy attackers that caught the Bucks off guard a few times.
“I would’ve liked to see more goals,” said Rodriguez. “We created some very good opportunities to score, but the last pass or play to get to the shot was off. I’m happy with every idea that the girls had, and things we worked on in preseason are being executed or at least attempted by most girls.”
The Bucks started off their season as a true unit, and just about every girl on the roster saw playing time, but Rodriguez was especially pleased with the play of Mackenzie Carroll, Holly Pyles and Carmen Telesco.
The Bucks host Boyertown on Saturday afternoon, and the Ghosts begin play in their conference with a game against Council Rock South on Tuesday.
CB West 1-1 2
Abington 0-0 0
QUAKERTOWN 10, SPRINGFIELD (Montco) 2
Shannon Gibat proved all but impossible for the Spartans to stop as she led the Panthers to the decisive win, scoring five goals and registering one assist. Gibat found the net for the first time after only 1:15 had elapsed and scored three more as the half went on, while teammates Linzi Wolfe, Victoria Sturgess and Cassidy Owens each chipped in a goal, propelling the Panthers to a 7-1 lead at halftime. Springfield’s only goal came in the first half by Molly Dugan. Gibat scored one more in the second half, and Katie Crouthamel, Sam Ramsden and Katelyn Gillinger closed out the scoring.
Crouthamel, Sturgess, Owens and Ramsden all registered their first varsity goals as Panthers upped their record to 2-0. Quakertown keeper Erinne Finlayson was credited with five saves, and teammate Kelsey Carroll had six while Spartan keeper Yulia Conway turned away eight shots.
Molly Dugan and Kaitlyn Gillinger accounted for the Spartans goals.
The Panthers host CB West on Tuesday while the Spartans (0-1) visit Cheltenham.
WILLIAM TENNENT 2, RADNOR 0
The Panthers earned an impressive non-league win over the Red Raiders, using goals by Kelly Burns and Nicole Baldassari. They received strong performances from keeper Brenna Diehl and defenders Terry Barker and Rachel McCabe.
The Panthers return to action on Tuesday when they will host Council Rock North in the SOL opener for both squads.
NORTH PENN vs. PERKIOMEN VALLEY (Postponed)
NESHAMINY vs. CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH (Postponed)
Wednesday’s games:
Garnet Valley at Pennsbury (3:45)
Pennridge at Wissahickon (3:15)
Marple Newtown at Upper Merion (3:45)
BOYS
PENNRIDGE 2, HAVERFORD 0
The Rams’ coaches and players are beginning the season with a new “no-nonsense” approach that seems to be working since their record now stands at a perfect 3-0, tying the team for the total amount of wins they had for the entire 2012 season.
“I tell the kids to say ‘I’m going to be the one to change this instead to going down the same path,’” Valimont said. “(I tell them), ‘You are good team and you are going face some teams that you can beat if you play to your potential, but you will be down goals and then will you fight back?’”The Rams’ successful run started with back-to-back wins over Moravian Academy and Southern Lehigh as they took home the title of the Southern Lehigh Tournament.
On Monday, the Rams used that momentum to take a 1-0 lead over the Fords after sophomore Casey Giblin found the net from a Connor Russolli assist. In the second half, the dangerous offensive combo of Chris Gross and Ethan Aigeldinger put the game further out of reach for the Fords as Gross placed his corner kick in Aigeldinger's path, and he headed it past the goalie.
Senior keeper Zack Jarrett, who was credited with the shutout, has also been a key component to the Rams’ early success as is his backup Steven Catlett, who has been contributing minutes as a field player as well and actually helped spark the play that led to the game-winning goal. Evan Gray has proved to be a wildcard for the Rams, returning to soccer as a senior after a four-year hiatus, and bringing drive and a great attitude to the field.
Valimont is proud of the leadership his captains - Chris Gross, Justin Csaszar and Adam Gebert - have shown thus far.
“We have such a better cohesive group because everyone has each other’s back,” said Valimont of his balanced roster. “ Every player has gotten at least 10 minutes of playing time, and we have used a different starting lineup every single game.”
Although the Rams are off to a great start, they know their greatest challenges lie ahead as they attempt to break the trend of being a sub-.500 team.
“If we could go 4-0 out of league, that is huge,” said Valimont. “Our small goal is 10 wins, but we can’t take anything for granted in our league.”
The Rams host Wissahickon Wednesday and know this will be their true test.
“This is the game that people will use to really measure and gauge us,” said Valimont. “This will prove whether we are either legit or if people will say we’ve played a soft schedule.”
Pennridge 1-1 2
Haverford 0-0 0
CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 5, ABINGTON 2
The Titans and Ghosts hadn’t seen each other since the second round of districts last year when Abington upset South and continued on to win the district title. With that kind of history, Monday’s rematch was destined to be a hard fought battle.
“I know they said they lost a lot and so did we,” said South coach Don Brady. “Both teams were cautiously optimistic about what the game could define so early in the season.”
The Titans set the early tone when Danny Remick scored a pair of goals within three minutes of each other to put his team on top 2-0 in the first thirty minutes of the contest. Matt Bevilaqua, however, answered back for the Ghosts in the 34th minute (Juan Castillo assist), closing the gap to 2-1 at the half.
The Ghosts continued to rally as Matt Bachman found the net in the 59th minute for the equalizer. The Titans, determined to ensure they wouldn’t end with the same result as last year, regained the lead four minutes later. The ball was played down the flank to Remick who served a perfect cross in front of the goal where Dean Helwig headed the ball in as it slipped through the keeper’s hands.
At a crossroads in the match, the Titans had a decision to make
“We felt good,” said Brady. “But we were thinking, what can we do here? Should we try to play safe?”
Soon after the Titans regained the lead, keeper Matt Weigner (five saves) made a foot save on a post shot that ricocheted over his head, and he was able to control the rebound as well, providing his team with a spark.
In the 74th minute, Danny Busichio beat his defender wide on a 1 v 1 and drilled the ball into the far left side, allowing the Titans to breath a little easier. But Busichio wasn’t finished as he was awarded a penalty kick with five minutes remaining and scored to officially put the game out of reach for the Titans.
Brady also credited central defender Andrew Denno for being a crucial part of the game, noting he has “done a nice job anchoring our defense.”
The Titans, who improved to 2-0, will host Neshaminy on Monday while the Ghosts will travel to Central Bucks East for a rematch of last year’s district title game on Monday.
CB South 2-3 5
Abington 1-1 2
HARRY S TRUMAN 9, CHICHESTER 0
Nine players had a hand in scoring goals in the Tigers’ rout of the Eagles on Tuesday. Jeremy Beese (Joe Nyumah assist) put the Tigers on the board with a goal in the 12th minute, and that lead grew to 2-0 when Tim Hild turned an Edgar Rodriguez pass into a goal in the 25th minute. The Tigers took that 2-0 lead into halftime and then blew the game wide open with seven second-half goals.
The fun started early when Hild turned an Edgar Rodriguez assist into a goal in the 41st minute. Then it was Patrick Smith (David Rodriguez assist) and Edgar Rodriguez (Hild assist) scoring back-to-back goals in a five-minute span. Kwaku Dokyi connected on back-to-back goals of his own in a span of three minutes to put the Tigers on top 7-0, the first with an assist from Mark Harder. Beese scored an unassisted goal in the 70th minute, and Matt Week (Angel Rodriguez assist) closed out the scoring with a goal in the 73rd minute.
Truman held a decided advantage in shots (22-5). Keeper Fernando Mendez was credited with three saves in the shutout.
The Tigers (1-0-1) are off until next Tuesday when they will travel to Neshaminy for the SOL opener for both teams.
Chichester 0-0-0
Harry S Truman 2-7 9
BENSALEM 5, MaST CHARTER 0
Mike Henry scored a pair of goals while teammates Brian Kilcoyne, Chris Jeurgenson and Avery Nyekan each added single goals to lead the Owls to the decisive win.
ARCHBISHOP WOOD 4, CHELTENHAM 0
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