Check out the preview capsules for the SOL field hockey teams in action Monday.
#2 CENTRAL BUCKS WEST (Opening round bye)
Central Bucks West
–16-2 overall
–10-0 SOL Colonial Division champs
–Second consecutive division title and second straight year with 16-2 regular season record.
–Wins over Class 3A #8 Souderton (3-2, 3-0), #10 Neshaminy (4-1), #17 North Penn (2-1, 3-1), #22 CB South (6-0, 4-1), #23 CB East (3-0, 2-0), Class 2A #2 Wissahickon (8-3) & #10 Gwynedd Mercy (2-1).
–10 straight wins to close out regular season
Next up: CB West will play the winner of the #15 Ridley/#18 Owen J Roberts game.
Coach Lori Ierubino: “We are young, yet playing very well together against tough competition. This team is resilient and flexible because they have needed to be given the various injuries we have had to deal with and life heartbreak. We plan to take it one game at a time and enjoy competing with and for one another.”
CB West senior captain Calista Boos/junior captain Aida Ierubino: “As we head into postseason play, we are reflecting on how far we’ve come this season. We have a variety of talent across all grades, and we have grown to work really well together as a team. We’ve faced challenges, pushed through tough games and grown stronger as a unit since the season began. Our hard work and dedication have brought us to this point, and we’re really excited to see where it takes us. Every practice and game have prepared us for playoffs, and we will continue to support each other and play with the same passion and determination that got us here in hopes to make it further in states compared to the past two years.”
#8 SOUDERTON (Opening round bye)
–14-4 overall
–7-3 SOL second place Colonial Division to CB West
–Led on attack by Julia Blair (Sr/Mid, 6g,10a), Ava Jones (Sr/Def, 19g,5a), Tatum Andrews (Sr/F, 8g,4a) & Gianna Radliffe (Sr/F, 7g)
–Other key contributors are Charlotte McNeill (Jr/Def), Hannah Cornes (Jr/Def), Hannah Fuente (Jr/Mid) & Lydia Lynch (Jr/Mid)
–Sophomore forwards Lexie Yanchunas (6g, 2a) & Autumn Wagner (2a) also have stepped up for the Indians.
–Wins over Class 3A #11 Quakertown (3-1), #21 Council Rock South (5-0), #22 CB South (3-1, 3-2), #23 CB East (1-0, 3-0), Class 2A #2 Wissahickon (4-2) & #10 Gwynedd Mercy (4-0).
–Shut out opponents in four of the last five games of the season
Next up: Souderton will face the winner of the #9 Plymouth Whitemarsh/#24 Perkiomen Valley game.
Coach Sue Casciato: “At this point in the season, there are no easy games. But we’ve been playing some of our best hockey the last few weeks, so hopefully we can match that effort going forward. Our team defense has been our best asset, and we’ll need that to continue if we’re going to be successful.”
Souderton senior captain Ava Jones: “Not all of our team has played together before, so I feel like as the season progressed, we really jelled, and our communication started working, and I think a big thing is – any time the other team has the ball, we double team and even triple team the ball. We all communicate, and we all work together. As soon as the other team has the ball, we swarm the ball, and I think that’s helped us a lot.”
Souderton senior captain Gianna Radcliffe: “I also think a major thing is – we’re a family. Outside of field hockey, we try to do as much as possible, so we’re all connected. I feel like that is helping us 10 times more on the field. We understand each other on different levels, so we trust each other 10 times more than we did at the beginning of the season, which is very helpful.”
Souderton senior captain Tatum Andrews: “At the end of the day, It’s really fun playing with your best friends. We’re all best friends on this team going into this, so we want to make the most of it.”
Souderton senior captain Julia Blair: “I am extremely proud of the strides this team has made throughout the season. We are coming into districts ready to leave everything on the field.”
#24 PERKIOMEN VALLEY at #9 PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH (Monday, Oct. 21, 4 pm)
Plymouth Whitemarsh
–13-4 overall
–8-2 SOL Liberty Division tri-champions with Quakertown & Wissahickon
–Led by a young but veteran nucleus Emily Dobrowolski (Jr/Mid), Gracie Kerns (Soph/F), Ava Matthias (Sr/Def), Kate Dobrowolski (Jr/Def), Hadley Blake (Sr/Def)
–Wins over #10 Neshaminy (4-3), #17 North Penn (4-2), #19 Council Rock North (3-1), #21 Council Rock South (2-1) and Class 2A #2 Wissahickon (4-1, 5-3).
–Five-game winning streak to close out regular season for the Colonials, who won eight of their last nine games.
PW coach Charise Halteman: “We are excited to compete in the District 1 playoffs after a strong regular season. We play great team defense and can use our speed to create some dangerous attacking opportunities.”
#24 Perkiomen Valley
–6-12 overall
–Win over #13 Haverford (4-3)
–1-11 record against District 1 3A Tournament teams
#23 CENTRAL BUCKS EAST at #10 NESHAMINY (Monday, Oct. 21, 7 pm)
Neshaminy
–14-4 overall
–10-0 SOL Patriot Division champions
–Seventh straight year Neshaminy has won at least a share of the division title.
–Attack led by senior Kasey Rieger, who surpassed the 200-point mark recently.
–Other key contributors are Ava Arbakov (Sr/Mid), Megan Gonzales (Sr/Goalie), Alayna Roscoe (Sr/Def), Claire Saloky (Sr/Mid), Maddy Shtino (Sr/Def) & Taylor Tenaglia (Soph/Def)
–Wins over #17 North Penn (4-1), #19 Council Rock North (4-0, 6-1) #20 Pennsbury (2-0, 5-0) & #21 Council Rock South (3-0, 1-0).
Next up: Winner will travel to #7 Boyertown in the second round.
Neshaminy coach Jamie Pinto: “Heading into the postseason, we will be looking to our eight seniors for leadership and to set the tone. Our four captains – Ava Arbakov, Kasey Rieger, Alayna Roscoe, and Maddy Shtino -have been a part of the team for four years. They have been to the postseason for the past three years, and I know this one is the most important to them. They have worked hard to get where they are— they have demonstrated leadership, dedication, and hard work as captains, and I’m excited for them that they have the opportunity to lead the team into districts.”
Central Bucks East
–5-10-3 overall
–3-7-1 SOL Colonial Division
–Led by Anna Daly (Sr/Mid), Avery McCann (Sr/Mid), Maddie Mandia (Sr/Mid), Camryn Puhalla (Jr/GK)
–Win over #19 Council Rock North (5-1) and tied #21 Council Rock South (2-2)
–First time in eight seasons the two teams have not met during the regular season (excluding the shortened 2020 COVID season).
CB East coach Emma Rosenthal: “We squeaked our way into playoffs this year, and I’m incredibly happy that we did. Our record does not reflect the team that we are or the growth that we’ve had. We had a tough schedule this year, and I think we’re going to be highly underestimated in the postseason.”
CB East senior captain Anna Daly: “We’re really excited for playoffs to start. We’ve worked hard every practice and improved every game, so we are really excited to see what we can do in this next phase of our season. We can’t wait to play Neshaminy on Monday”
#22 CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH at #11 QUAKERTOWN (Monday, Oct. 21, 7 pm)
Quakertown
–15-3 Overall
–8-2 SOL Liberty tri-champions with PW & Wissahickon
–Sunny Draper (Soph/Mid) leads the attack with 29 goals and 11 assists, Katelyn Landis (Sr/Mid) added seven goals and nine assists, and Paige Longacre (Soph/F) has 11 goals and one assist.
–Emma Retter (Sr/Def) & Penny Longacre (Fr/Def) anchor the defense in front of sophomore goalie Darcy Baxter, who is averaging double-digit saves and had a big save of a penalty stroke earlier this season.
–Wins over #9 PW (3-0, 2-0), #19 Council Rock North (2-0), #20 Pennsbury (3-1), #21 Council Rock South (2-0) & #23 Central Bucks East (2-1).
Next up: The winner will travel to #6 Avon Grove.
Quakertown coach Mackenzie Moser: “The work this team has put in all season has definitely prepared them for playoffs. They are hungry to advance further than we did last year, so we are keeping that mindset at the forefront. The connection between the whole team is at a high right now, and that is something we need going into playoffs. We worked hard to get here, but the work is not done yet.”
Central Bucks South
–8-9-1 overall
–3-7 SOL Colonial Division
–Co-captains Ella Haag (Sr/Def) & Erin Kelly (Sr/F) provide leadership at both ends of the field. While Haag anchors the defense, Kelly leads attack with 10 goals and nine assists
–Also contributing to the attack are Tessa Walls (Jr/F, 10g,2a), Kaeli VanDerSluis (Jr/F, 5g,6a) & Addison Edwards (Jr/F, 4g,1a)
–Sophomore defender Sophia Kraft has six defensive saves
–Also making important contributions are Ella Marchesi (Soph/Mid), Avery Tyler (Jr/Mid), Amy Hazell (Soph/F), Carrie Williams (Jr/Mid), Kelly Hemsley (Jr/Def), Jordyn Jaffe (Def) & Nora McQueen (Fr/GK)
–Swept season series with #23 Central Bucks East (1-0, 3-1) & tied #21 Council Rock North (0-0).
–Fun Fact: Goat Yoga was one of the Titans’ team building activities this year. It was so much fun!
Central Bucks South coach Kelli Chioffe: “We are so pumped to have earned a spot in the first round of the District 1 3A Playoffs. The SOL Colonial Division is very competitive and has prepared us for this opportunity. Our coaching staff believes in this team, and knows they are focused and ready to play on Monday night.”
CB South senior captain Ella Haag: “I am really looking forward to the playoffs and so proud of our team.”
#17 NORTH PENN at WEST CHESTER HENDERSON (Monday, Oct. 21, 7 pm)
North Penn
–10-8 overall
–6-4 SOL Colonial Division
–Led by senior midfielder Laura Albert (20g,7a), senior midfielder Ashleigh Barwis (5g,5a) and junior forward Kylie Barwis (5g,12a)
–Wins over #18 Owen J Roberts (4-3), #19 Council Rock North (4-3), #22 CB South (2-0, 2-1) & #23 Central Bucks East (3-2, 3-0).
–Split season series with #8 Souderton (3-2, 0-2).
North Penn coach Shannon McCracken: “We are looking forward to competing in the always competitive District 1 Tournament. We play in a very competitive SOL league and have a non-league schedule that hopefully prepares us for postseason. Our focus will be to play team first hockey and leave everything on the field.”
North Penn senior captain Laura Albert: “We want to leave each game of the postseason proud of what we put out there and not have any regrets. The hard work we put into this team and out on the field is what we are most proud of.”
West Chester Henderson
–10-6-2 overall
–Wins in Class 3A over#6 Avon Grove (2-0) and Class 2A #9 Unionville (3-2), #11 Oxford (3-1), #12 Harriton (3-0) & #13 WC East 4-2
–Tied Class 2A #8 Bishop Shanahan (2-2)
Next game: Winner will played #1 Villa Maria Academy.
#19 COUNCIL ROCK NORTH at #14 SPRING-FORD (Monday, Oct. 21, 6 pm)
—9-8-1 overall
–7-2-1 SOL Patriot Division second place behind Neshaminy
–Led by Brynn Bogle (Sr/F, 6g 8a), Izzy Teitelman (Sr/Mid, 7g, 2a), Sierra Kim (Sr/Mid, 9 g), Kailyn Smith (Jr/Mid, 7g, 5a) & Megan Reichenbach (Sr/Mid, 5g)
–Also making major contributions are Julia Lyons (Sr/Def, 2 defensive saves), Morgan Owens (Sr/F, 6g, 1a), Taylor Dahms (Sr/Def, 2g, 1a, 1 defensive save), Kate Horan (Sr/Def, 2g,1a, 1 defensive save), Addie Kohler (Sr/F, defensive save) & Cara Moriarty (77 save percentage, 1.8 goals against, 5 shutouts)
Council Rock North coach Jules Singer: “I’m very excited to be in playoffs again this year . The girls have worked very hard and are ready to play some competitive hockey.”
Council Rock North senior captain Sierra Kim: “I’m so proud of our team. We have worked really hard, and it has been such a special season especially because it is our senior year for many of us. Hoping to make a lasting memory and get as far as we can. Let’s go North!”
Council Rock North senior Keiley Lyons: “I am so unbelievably proud of this team and how much we have improved over the season! This season has been full of ups and downs both individually and as a team, but what I love most is that everyone supports one another, just like a family would. I love this team so much, and I can’t wait to watch everyone grow! Go North!!”
Spring-Ford
–11-6-2 overall
–8-3-2 PAC Liberty third place
–Fell to Boyertown in PAC semifinals
–Led by seniors Marissa Cagliola, Aubrey Grossman & Hailey Mozi.
–Sophomore goalie Norah Kirsch allowed one goal or less in 11 of 18 games.
–Wins over Class 3A #24 Perkiomen Valley (3-0, 5-1), Class 2A #5 Kennett (3-0), #8
–Split season series with Class 3A #5 Methacton (5-2, 1-4) and defeated #18 Owen J Roberts in the initial meeting (2-1) and tied (2-2) the second meeting. Also defeated Class 2A #8 Upper Perkiomen (4-1) after tying 2-2 in the initial meeting.
Next up: Winner will travel to #3 Conestoga for a second round game.
#20 PENNSBURY at #13 HAVERFORD (Monday, Oct. 21, 7 pm)
Pennsbury
–10-6-1 overall
–4-5-1 SOL Patriot Division
–First trip to postseason since Traci Curtis took over the helm in 2019.
–Wins over #23 Central Bucks East 2-1 & tied #19 Council Rock North (1-1).
Pennsbury coach Traci Curtis: “The hundreds of players that have come through the program have certainly paved the way along with coaches who have left their mark. The current coaching staff – Traci Curtis, Lori Riley, Lauren Gerth, and Michelle Siegle – are a fierce foursome who are bonded by a shared vision and plans for how to get there.
“Over the years, we have been close in the rankings, sitting at 27, 26, 25, but had not been able to break that barrier to #24 until now. As the orange and black step into this adventure at #20 in the rankings, there is no one player to watch because they do not operate in isolation – they are here because of the whole. Their 2024 season theme, THE POWER OF ONE, has proven to be very impactful. Captains Ayla Alon, Ava Jordan, and Angelina Kenney are proud of their FH family and shared the following thoughts:
Pennsbury captain Ava Jordan: “I’m so excited to have the opportunity to compete in playoffs. I’m looking forward to seeing how well our team will play.”
Pennsbury captain Ayla Alon: “’Raising the Bar’ and embodying ‘The Power of One’ has truly paid off, and I’m so proud of all of us for making this happen.”
Pennsbury coach Angelina Kenney: “Making it to playoffs is such an exciting feeling and I am so happy that I’m doing it with my best friends! I can’t wait to see how well our team will play!”
Pennsbury will travel to Haverford High School on Monday night for a 7:00PM start and put their Power of One mentality into action.”
HAVERFORD
–13-5 overall
–9-2 Central League tied for second place
–Scored 73 goals and allowed 29
–Wins over Class 3A #15 Ridley (8-2), #16 WC Henderson (3-1), Class 2A #3 Springfield-Delco (3), #4 Radnor (3-2), #12 Harriton (5-1), #16, Penncrest (5-0).
Next up: Winner will travel to #4 Downingtown West in a second round game
#21 COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH at #12 GARNET VALLEY (Monday, Oct. 21, 6:30 pm)
Council Rock South
–8-7-3 overall
–6-4 SOL Patriot Division
–Led by Sarah Freeman, Captain (Sr/Mid), Maria Freeman, Captain (Sr/Mid), Kelly Longmore (Sr/Mid), Carly Conetta (Fr/Def)
Council Rock South Kelly Cappellano: “This team has worked hard to get back to competition level after suffering a devastating season last year. I am proud of the progress they have made and their dedication to our program to turn back around to punch our playoff ticket.”
CR South captain Sarah Freeman: “I am excited to make a run that we didn’t get a chance to make last year.”
CR South captain Maria Freeman: “We have been improving all season as a team and I look forward to being able to showcase that in the playoffs”
Garnet Valley
13-4-1 overall
7-3-1 Central League
Defense anchored by junior goalie Maggie Hilden for reaching 100-plust saves this season.
–Wins over Class 3A #13 Henderson (2-1), #16 WC Henderson (4-1), #18 Ridley (3-), #23 Central Bucks East (4-0), Class 2A #5 Kennett (1-0), #13 WC Rustin (5-2) & #16 Penncrest (9-1).
Next up: Winner will travel to #5 Methacton for a second round game.
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