Twelve SOL field hockey teams will be in action when the District One Tournament begins this week – 11 at the Class AAA level and one at the Class AA level. Check back for recaps of all the games involving SOL schools.
By Mary Jane Souder
Strange how things work out sometimes when the district playoffs roll around.
When the brackets were announced Thursday night, a pair of SOL conference rivals found themselves staring across the District One AAA bracket at each other. Pennridge, the fourth place team in the Continental Conference, will travel to War Memorial Field on Monday night to face eighth-seeded Central Bucks West, the second place team out of the conference.
Pennsbury, the fourth place team in the National Conference, will travel just down the road to face 10th-seeded Neshaminy, the second place team in its conference.
Both Pennridge and Pennsbury are hoping that the third time is the charm since both squads lost twice to their conference rivals.
For the Rams, this is their first trip to the postseason since 2007. Interestingly, that was the year coach Brieann Wolfe was a senior, and that trip capped a three-year run to districts for Pennridge.
Wolfe admits that earning a postseason berth was in the back of her mind when she took over the helm of a Ram squad that last year finished league play 5-8-1 (9-8-1 overall).
“I knew their previous coach had high expectations for them,” the first year coach said. “We just took it one game at a time.
“The key thing was getting them all to work together and use their abilities to the best of their advantage.”
Senior Addison Marshall echoed similar sentiments.
“Our expectations were to get where we are because we have a really strong team this year, and we knew that coming into the season,” she said. “This feels really good because our hard work paid off.”
Marshall pointed to the Rams’ early season overtime win at Hatboro-Horsham as an indication that the team was on the right track.
“And when we went into overtime with Central Bucks West in the first game, that was definitely when we all realized that we could be really good because those are big contenders,” Marshall said. “Also beating North Penn – those first couple games against our rivals were the turning point.”
“We did really well at the beginning of the season,” Wolfe added of her team’s 8-2 start. “We kind of died off, and it got to us mentally.
“We’ve been working hard through the weekend and really brought our focus back to what we need to work on. I have high expectations.”
Wolfe admits she is looking for an opportunity to face the Bucks a third time.
“It can be bad and good,” the Rams’ coach said of playing a team three times. “We went into overtime the first time we played them, and the second time we played them it was our Senior Night, so some of our girls had their minds elsewhere.
“I think we played really defensively, and we need to keep on our toes and be on attack the entire time. I really think we have a chance. I like that we’re matched up with them.”
Kari Moyer leads a potent Ram attack with 25 goals while Melissa Herd, Madison Reis, Ben VanPelt and Marshall will also be expected to step up for the Rams.
“It’s really exciting because we get to spend more time together,” Marshall said of advancing to the postseason. “Playing West tomorrow is even more exciting because we all want to beat them.
“We’ve been so close the two times we’ve played them, and we want this really bad.”
Pennsbury was shut out of districts last year as well, but the Falcons have earned a berth in three of the four years since Jamie Parell took over the helm.
Parell admits she was surprised to find her squad facing such a familiar foe in the opening round.
“At first it was kind of a letdown because you look forward to seeing other teams,” the Falcons’ coach said. “On the other hand, we went 0-2 with Neshaminy, and they were both really close games, so I think my team is looking for a little bit of redemption.
“Not that league play doesn’t count, but this is a do or die situation. I think they’re fired up and ready to play.”
Making Monday’s matchup even more unusual is the fact that it comes just five days after the two teams did battle in conference play last Wednesday. The Redskins won 1-0.
“There are no secrets with the field, there are no secrets with what they’re capable of,” Parell said. “I don’t think we played to our best abilities, and I’ll be curious to see who comes to play tomorrow.
“I told them – play with no regrets because it’s over if we lose. They know what’s on the line. There’s always a little fire when they play Neshaminy, and I hope that fire stays with them tomorrow.”
Leading the Falcons on attack will be juniors Sarah and Emily Zazzu while center midfielder Marguerite Salamone will also be key.
“She’s such a play creator, and her intensity – I rarely, if ever, take her out,” Parell said. “Even at practice. Her intensity is like 110 percent, and people feed off of that.
“I think the girls are excited to be back in the playoffs.”
Even though it means playing a familiar conference foe.
#2 CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH (Bye)
Central Bucks South
- 17-1 overall
- 13-1 SOL Continental Conference champions (seventh consecutive conference title)
- Notched wins over seventh-seeded Council Rock South (2-0), eighth-seeded Central Bucks West (2-0), 14th-seeded Hatboro-Horsham (4-0, 2-1), 25th-seeded Pennridge (3-1, 3-2) and 27th-seeded North Penn (3-0, 3-0) as well as PCL power Cardinal O’Hara (2-1).
- Saw 15-game winning streak to open season snapped with 1-0 overtime loss to eighth-seeded Central Bucks West on Oct. 10.
#3 PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH (Bye)
Plymouth Whitemarsh
- 17-1 overall
- 14-0 SOL American Conference champions
- Remarkable turnaround after a 7-10 season in 2012, a turnaround that coincided with the return of coach Marianne Paparone, who did not coach last year.
- Pair of wins over 13th-seeded Wissahickon (3-2 OT, 1-0)
- Led on attack by twins Rachel Konowal (20 goals, 23 assists) and Courtney Konowal (22 goals, 16 assists) as well as sophomore Aurora Mills (12 goals, 6 assists) and junior Alison Spinelli (6 goals, 11 assists).
- PW’s defense – which boasts 10 shutouts - is anchored by sophomore goalie Tori Byrne and sweeper Sierra Spencer.
Coach Marianne Paprone says: “We have had a great regular season because of hard work and great team chemistry, especially after not making playoffs last year. We are very proud and excited to have the third seed and will use the two extra days to prepare and are happy to be playing on our own turf. We were playing some of our best hockey as we ended the season so we hope to continue on that roll. We don't know yet who we will play but we recognize that all of the teams in the playoffs are strong teams.”
#26 HAVERFORD at #7 COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH
Council Rock South
- 13-4-1 overall
- 12-1-1 SOL National Conference champions
- Defeated 15th-seeded Council Rock North 3-2 in overtime last week to capture the conference crown.
- Earned wins over 10th-seeded Neshaminy (1-0) and 23rd-seeded Pennsbury (3-0, 1-0).
- Led by seniors Amanda Besselman, Kristen Donohue, Kristen Meihofer, Mary Melnick and Mollie Sheehy
- Offense sparked by dangerous trio of Sheehy (16 goals, 14 assists), Meihofer (16 goals, 14 assists) and Donohue (6 goals, 10 assists).
Haverford
- 7-3-1 Central League (fourth place)
- Returned all-league senior forward Natalie Bova and all-league junior goalie Katie Wyman from last year’s Central League championship squad
- Earned a 2-1 win over third-seeded Plymouth Whitemarsh
#25 PENNRIDGE at #8 CENTRAL BUCKS WEST (7 p.m.)
Central Bucks West
- 16-2 overall
- 12-2 SOL Continental Conference (second place)
- Only team to defeat Central Bucks South (1-0 OT, Oct. 10)
- Boasts wins over seventh-seeded Council Rock South (2-1), 14th-seeded Hatboro-Horsham (1-0, 2-0), 23rd-seeded Pennsbury (2-1), 25th-seeded Pennridge (3-2, 2-0) and 27th-seeded North Penn (3-0).
- Swept season series with Pennridge (1-0 OT, 2-0).
Pennridge
- 12-6 overall
- 8-6 SOL Continental Conference (fourth place)
- First postseason berth since 2007
- Notched wins over 14th-seeded Hatboro-Horsham (2-1) and 27th-seeded North Penn (1-0).
- Led offensively by Kari Moyer (25 goals, 8 assists), Melissa Herd (10 goals, 4 assists) and Addison Marshall (5 goals, 9 assists)
- Madison Reis anchors defense, and Ben VanPelt is key to the team’s transition.
#23 PENNSBURY at #10 NESHAMINY
Neshaminy
- 12-5-1 overall
- 11-2-1 SOL National Conference (second place)
- Finished season 12-2-1 after dropping first three games.
- Swept regular season series with Pennsbury (2-0, 1-0)
- Earned wins over 15th-seeded Council Rock North (2-1) and 21st-seeded Unionville (2-1). Tied seventh-seeded Council Rock South 1-1.
Pennsbury
- 8-7-3 overall
- 7-5-2 SOL National Conference (fourth place)
- Tied 14th-seeded Hatboro-Horsham 1-1, defeated 13th-seeded Wissahickon 2-0 and 15th-seeded Council Rock North 1-0.
- Led by junior forwards Sarah and Emily Zazzu and center midfielder Marguerite Salamone
#20 MOUNT ST. JOSEPH at #13 WISSAHICKON
Wissahickon
- 12-6 overall
- 12-2 SOL American Conference (second place)
- Only conference losses were to Plymouth Whitemarsh (3-2 OT, 1-0)
- Led offensively by Stacie Rocco (23 goals, 2 assists), Melanie Fry (10 goals, 13 assists) and Angela Virtu (7 goals, 11 assists)
Coach Lucy Gil says: “We are very excited to be playing in the tournament this year. We got off to a slow start, but I feel that we are playing really well right now. Senior Angela Virtu and junior Ashley Laskowitz hold down the center while seniors Melanie Fry and Stacie Rocco spearhead the forward line. Junior sweeper Brianna Miles and sophomore goalkeeper Claire Tarzia are allowing very few goals. In the second half of the season, we have scored 31 goals and only allowed seven. I think we are ready.”
Mount St. Joseph
- 12-6 overall
- 7-5 Catholic Academies League (fourth place0
- Defeated 10th-seeded Neshaminy (3-0) and Class AA top-seeded Gwynedd Mercy 2-1.
- Christina Black, a three-year varsity starter, anchors the Magic’s defense in goal.
#19 SPRING-FORD at #14 HATBORO-HORSHAM
Hatboro-Horsham
- 11-5-1 overall
- 9-5 SOL Continental Conference (third place)
- Earned wins over seventh-seeded Council Rock South (3-2), 10th-seeded Neshaminy (3-1), 25th-seeded Pennridge (2-0) and 27th-seeded North Penn (4-2, 4-3)
- Balanced offensive attack is led by senior Colby Eldridge with nine goals and seven assists.
Coach Laura Swezey says: “Our discussions as a team are to play each game one game at a time. We have done bonding activities throughout the season, and this past week have spent a few extra days doing bonding as a team with different activities. The mental aspect and chemistry of the team are just as important as the skills and game sense. We have achieved our success thus far as a team. The support of each team member for one another is evident from freshmen through seniors. We feel we are peaking at just the right time.”
Spring-Ford
- 11-7 overall
- 7-6 PAC-10 Liberty Division (fourth place)
- Led offensively by Gabby Major (25 goals)
- Notched wins over ninth-seeded Downingtown East (3-1), 10th-seeded Neshaminy (2-1), 13th-seeded Wissahickon (3-2) and 17th-seeded Perkiomen Valley (6-1).
#18 STRATH HAVEN at #15 COUNCIL ROCK NORTH
Council Rock North
- 13-4 overall
- 11-3 SOL National Conference (third place)
- Led by the team’s only seniors, captains Madison Gouza (committed to Temple University) and Kate Keller.
- Boasts wins over seventh-seeded Council Rock South (2-1), 10th-seeded Neshaminy (2-0), 13th-seeded Wissahickon (4-3 OT), 20th-seeded Mount St. Joseph’s (2-1) and 23rd-seeded Pennsbury (4-2).
Strath Haven
- 12-6 overall
- 8-3 Central League (third place)
- Led by senior attacking midfielder Alex Bonser, the top returning starter from last year’s successful squad. Bonser has made a verbal commitment to play hockey at Dickinson
- Defeated #26 Haverford 3-2 in a battle for third place, Andrea Govannicci contributed the hat trick.
#27 NORTH PENN at #6 DOWNINGTOWN WEST
North Penn
- 10-8 overall
- 7-7 SOL Continental Conference (fifth place)
- Opened season 4-1 but then dropped five straight before recuperating from five-game skid to win six of eight to close out regular season.
- Earned wins over eighth-seeded Central Bucks West (1-0), 12th-seeded Methacton (3-0), 25th-seeded Pennridge (3-1) and PAC-10 champion Upper Perkiomen (7-1).
- Offense is led by junior forwards Casey O’Donnell and Amanda Laessig while senior co-captains Shannon Talbot and Katrina Marger anchor the midfield. Senior goalie Chessa Kownurko and senior defensive back Cassidy Barrow lead the Maidens’ defense
Coach Shannon McCracken says: “We are excited to be in the district tournament, and we feel that we had good momentum at the end of the season that we plan to carry into the playoffs. The players are excited to compete and look forward to facing a tough Downingtown West team.”
Downingtown West
- 15-2 overall
- 12-1 Ches-Mont National Conference (second place)
- Opened season with 11 straight wins
- Notched wins over ninth-seeded Downingtown East (4-2), 16th-seeded West Chester East (3-0), 21st-seeded Unionville (6-3), 22nd-seeded Avon Grove (2-0), 26th-seeded Haverford (5-0) and PCL power Cardinal O’Hara (2-1).
- Only two losses came at the hands of Ches-Mont champion and top-seeded West Chester Henderson (2-1) and fifth-seeded Conestoga (3-2).
- Lost in the first round of districts in each of last two years.
Tuesday, Oct. 22
CLASS AA
#10 MARPLE NEWTOWN at #7 SPRINGFIELD (MONTCO)
Springfield
- 9-8 overall
- 8-6 SOL American Conference (third place)
- Juli Cardamone leads the Spartans offensively.
- Common opponent is Norristown – Springfield split its season series with the Eagles, losing the first game 4-2 but winning the second 3-1.
Marple Newtown
- Defeated Norristown 5-2, the lone common opponent
- Earned 2-1 win over a Strath Haven squad that is seeded 18th in the District One AAA Tournament
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