Pennridge will be at Neshaminy for Thursday’s boys District One 4A title game, and Pennridge will host Spring-Ford on the girls side in Thursday’s title game. Check back for recaps of both games.
The Suburban One League will be well represented in Thursday’s District One 4A soccer title games. On the boys’ side, Pennridge – in its first ever district final – will travel to Neshaminy to take on the SOL Patriot Conference champions. Neither team has allowed a goal in the postseason. On the girls’ side, Pennridge will look to defend a title it owns when it hosts the only non-SOL school in the mix – Spring-Ford – in a battle of the Rams.
The teams will be playing for more than just a district crown Thursday. The winner of both games will advance to the PIAA 4A state tournament. The winner of the girls’ title game will take on the winner of Saturday’s PIAA state contest pitting District 11 champion Parkland against District 4 champion Williamsport. The winner of the boys’ title game will face the winner of Saturday’s state contest between District 11 champion Emmaus and District 12 champion La Salle. The loser of both district title games will go home for the season.
Boys
#12 PENNRIDGE at #7 NESHAMINY (Thursday, Nov. 12, 6 p.m.)
Neshaminy
- 11-1-2 overall
- 6-0-2 SOL Patriot Division champions
- 11 shutouts in 14 games
- Redskins scored eight goals in first eight games and 17 in last six.
- Key players include senior Gavin Rowan (MF), senior Cole Jackson (F), junior Jose Rivera (F), senior Lou Salmi (D), junior AJ Rivera (D), senior Mike Albarran (D), senior Trevor Rush (GK), junior Connor Steele (MF), senior Ryan Schoeneman (D/MF) and junior Richie Faul (D/MF)
- Gavin Rowan has scored two goals in each of the team’s three postseason games.
- Only loss at hands of PCL power La Salle (0-3).
How they got here: In Tuesday’s district semifinal, Neshaminy defeated #6 North Penn 2-0. Gavin Rown scored a pair of second-half goals to break a scoreless tie.
In a second round contest, Neshaminy defeated #15 Pennsbury 3-0. Gavin Rowan scored a pair of goals and Ryan Schoeneman also had a goal.
In an opening round game, Neshaminy defeated #10 Great Valley 3-0. Gavin Rowan had a hand in all three goals, scoring a pair and assisting on the third. Jose Rivera also had one goal.
Pennridge
- 10-5-0 overall
- 5-5-0 SOL Colonial Division, tied for second
- Rams – who have nine shutouts this season – are 6-1 in last seven games with all six of those wins by the score of 1-0.
- Forwards Aiden Castle and Kevin Link lead the Rams’ attack while Carlos Erazo, a first team all-league selection last year, and Ben Scary are major contributors in the midfield. Shane Velez and Colin Monahan anchor a solid defense.
How they got here: In Tuesday’s district semifinal, Pennridge upended #9 Spring-Ford 1-0 in double overtime. Senior Ben Scary brought a dramatic end to the game when he converted a penalty kick with 6:34 remaining in the second OT.
In a second round contest, Pennridge defeated #13 Upper Dublin 1-0. Ben Scary scored a goal nine minutes into the contest that turned out to be the game-winner. Shane Velez had the assist.
In an opening round game, Pennridge edged #5 Abington 1-0. Senior Carlos Erazo scored the game-winner with 40 seconds remaining in regulation.
Girls
Central Bucks West coach Mike Moyer had the opportunity to face both teams that will be playing for the District One 4A title on Thursday night. The Bucks split their conference games with the Rams, winning the first 2-1 and falling 1-0 in the second. In an opening round district game, Spring-Ford edged West 1-0. Moyer shares his take on what promises to be an interesting contest.
SuburbanOneSports.com: As someone whose team has faced both Pennridge and Spring-Ford, share your thoughts about Thursday’s District One 4A title game.
Mike Moyer: “If both teams play the way they’re supposed to, it’s going to be a really good game. I’ve played both of these teams, and I think they’re going to match up well against each other.
“When I look at both teams and I compare the different players of each team, I think Spring-Ford has the advantage at goalie. I think the back lines for both teams are very equal. I think the midfield for both teams are also very equal, but I feel like Pennridge has the edge when it comes to the forwards.
“At the end of the day, I think Pennridge is going to win this game 2-1, but out of all the teams I’ve seen this year – and I’ve seen a lot of the games whether I was there watching or watching it streaming on some of the networks, I think the rankings were completely wrong this year, but at the end of the day, I think these are the two best teams coming out of District One that were in the tournament.”
SuburbanOneSports.com: Talk about some of the impact players from both sides.
Mike Moyer: “Obviously, Pennridge has Lindsey DeHaven, and I have a ton of respect for her in the middle. Leah Malone and their freshman Liv Grenda – I just think with all the firepower that Pennridge has and the chemistry they have in their midfield and their forwards, I don’t see them not scoring at least two goals against Spring-Ford. As good as Spring-Ford is, their center midfielder Hope Flanegin is one of the best center midfielders I’ve seen play. She and Lindsey (DeHaven) are going to have a great battle in the middle.
“Their center back, Olivia Curry, in my opinion, is the best center back I have seen or played against this year. She’s going to give Liv and Leah a run for their money, but I don’t think Spring-Ford has that scoring threat. They have Ally McVey who is their target forward, but I don’t think she has the supporting cast Pennridge has in order to win this game.
“Riley Wallace is Spring-Ford’s goalie. I coach club soccer, and she’s in the same year I coach. I’ve watched her over the last five or six years, and I’ve got a lot of respect for her. She’s a really good goalie. You’re not going to get any easy goals on Riley, but as much as I like her, I just don’t see Pennridge not being able to score.”
#9 SPRING-FORD at #3 PENNRIDGE (Thursday, Nov. 12, 7 p.m.)
Pennridge Rams
- 12-1-0 overall
- 9-1-0 SOL Colonial
- SOL Colonial champion
- The Rams have scored 49 goals in 14 games and have not been shut out this season.
- Senior Lindsey DeHaven, a High Point recruit, leads a Hydra-like midfield that fuels the Rams attack but also works hard for possession and ball-winning. Freshman Liv Grenda is an established scoring threat with good ball skills while Riley Hepler, Zoe Sabol, Jess Levush and Raina Adelman bring different looks to the pitch.
- Attack led by junior Leah Malone flanked by young but energetic players like freshmen Tori Angelo and Sophie Craig, sophomore Joey Tomlinson and junior Riley Hepler.
- Stout defense has allowed multiple goals just once, anchored by keeper Sierra Sheaffer. Freshmen Anna Croyle and Casey Malone along with seniors Kera Dam, Cady McKean and Lauren Atchley make up a back line that also contributes offensively.
How they got here: In Tuesday’s district semifinal, Pennridge defeated #2 Abington 3-0. Anna Croyle connected on a first-half goal while Riley Hepler and Sophia Craig each added a goal in the second half.
In a second round game, Pennridge notched a 3-1 win over #11 Pennsbury. Freshman Liv Grenda connected on a pair of goals, and freshman Tori Angelo added a single goal.
In the tournament opener, Pennridge rolled to a 6-1 win over #14 Great Valley. Lindsey DeHaven had a pair of goals, Liv Grenda, Joey Tomlinson & Lindsey Balmer each added a goal. The Rams also benefitted from an own goal.
Spring-Ford Rams
- 13-1-1 record, PAC co-champions
- Rams have 10 shutouts on the season with three in a row in the postseason.
- Junior defender Olivia Curry, a Wisconsin recruit, is one of the top players in the state. Raven Wellington, Caitlin Norwood and Maddie O’Donnell make up the back line with senior Riley Wallace in goal.
- Seniors Molly Thomas (holding) and Lehigh commit Hope Flanegin (attacking) anchor a midfield that is very solid offensively and defensively.
- Emily Higgins and Ally McVey are hard-working forwards up top for the Rams.
How they got here: In Tuesday’s district semifinal, Spring-Ford handed top-seeded Downingtown East its first loss of the season with a 1-0 win. Junior Reese Kershner scored the game-winner 12 minutes into the second half.
In a quarterfinal contest, Spring-Ford edged PAC co-champ #4 Owen J Roberts 1-0 in double overtime. Ally McVey scored the game-winner.
In an opening round contest, Spring-Ford edged #12 Central Bucks West 1-0. Junior Liv Curry scored the game’s only goal in the 63rd minute.
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