Check out the recaps for SOL field hockey teams in action in Monday’s opening round of the District 1 3A Tournament. Quakertown/CB South photos courtesy of Sharon Shipe, & Neshaminy/CB East photos courtesy of John Gleeson. CLICK HERE to view Suburban One Sports FIELD HOCKEY GALLERIES.
#11 QUAKERTOWN 2, #22 CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 1 (OT)
The Panthers had plenty of reasons to lose.
None bigger than the fact that they came up empty on a pair of penalty strokes during regulation, but they found a way to win in dramatic fashion when senior Katelyn Landis scored on a ball off the South goalie’s pads during corner play with 57 seconds remaining in overtime.
“That was amazing,” Landis said. “Playoffs and districts when you’re in single elimination, there’s a lot riding on it, so to have that intense atmosphere and to come out on top was really exciting.”
For Landis, it was redemption of sorts after uncharacteristically misfiring on a penalty stroke in a scoreless first quarter.
“I think it was definitely a mix of a little bit of jitters,” the senior captain said. “It was right at the beginning of the game, it was still scoreless, and I wanted it. I was overthinking it a little bit. I should have stuck with what I know and what I’ve scored on before.
“But I trusted the rest of my team – I had confidence we’d get a goal on the board, so we just kept working our butts off.”
The Panthers trailed 1-0 for the better part of the contest after South sophomore Ella Marchesi scored on a textbook fastbreak, turning a pass from teammate Tessa Walls into a goal early in the second quarter.
South took that 1-0 lead into the fourth quarter, and four minutes into the frame, the Panthers evened the score after sophomore Cassidy Landis delivered the equalizer to cap off an unusual sequence.
The Panthers’ forward found herself locked in a battle with a South defender for the ball in the circle – both had their sticks on the ball between them, and neither was giving an inch.
“There was a long pause between me and their center back – it was so long, and I didn’t quite know what to do,” Cassidy said. “I couldn’t see where either of my midfielders were because they normally do a great job backing me up.
“All I could see was the line CB South defenders behind her, so I knew I had to get the ball in the air because all of them were low. Their goalie was even low, so I was thinking – ‘Up.’ That’s what my dad tells me to do – shoot up. I have a good flick, so I utilized it and put the ball in the back of the net.”
That set the stage for her big sister’s overtime game-winner.
Scoring Summary
First quarter – No score
Second quarter
Ella Marchesi (CBS) from Tessa Walls 11:09
Third quarter – No score
Fourth quarter
Cassidy Landis (Q) 8:14
Overtime
Katelyn Landis (Q) 0:57
By the numbers:
Shots: Q 15, CBS 6; Penalty corners: Q 10, CBS 4
Saves: Nora McQueen (CBS) 10.
Defensive saves: Sophie Kraft (CBS) 2.
Quakertown coach MacKenzie Moser on the win: “We started off a little slow. At halftime I said, ‘We’re not moving to the ball, we’re not moving as one unit. We’re trying to hit the stretch, but the stretch isn’t there. It’s going right to the other team.’ We said, ‘Slow your momentum down, but have those connections. You have to hit your girls fast, quick and with intention. I think after Cass’s goal, it sent a message – ‘We’re in this game,’ and they seemed to connect.
“We’ve been talking a lot about capitalizing, hitting those posts, things along those lines. It’s good to see Kate in a playoff game hit the last goal, senior year – good things from her.”
–On 7v7 in OT: “This whole year we haven’t had to go to 7v7. Last year we had the 7v7 games, so we had the practice. Going into playoffs and you’ve had no overtime, I was a little nervous, but those seven – not only are some of them siblings, but they’re good friends. The way they move – they don’t even have to say, ‘I’m to your left, I’m to your right.’ They just know they’re going to be there at the right time.”
–On missing a pair of penalty strokes: “I asked Kate right away – ‘What happened?’ She said, ‘It’s me, it’s my fault.’ That’s something wonderful about the team – they take so much accountability and responsibility for the things that they do, and it’s never this person’s fault or that person’s fault – it’s my fault. I said to Kate and Sunny (Draper), ‘That’s not normal for you guys. You guys are like stroke queens.’ Jitters and pressure – there was a lot going on.”
–On the equalizer: “For me personally, it was huge to see Cassidy Landis) do a popup like that only because a lot of games – I’ve been saying, ‘When the goalie’s down or when you see, the post – lift, lift, lift.’ We’ve been saying that game after game, and that was one impressive lift.”
–On playing a tough non-league schedule: “I think that helped a lot. Last year, we weren’t used to playing competition that was at a higher level where CB South is in a conference like that, so they’re used to it. I think that was huge for us this year. We scrimmaged Neshaminy, we played the Council Rocks and then Souderton right smack in the middle. It was good preparation for playoffs.”
Sophomore Cassidy Landis on scoring the equalizer: “For the whole team, it was a great mood boost. Once we have momentum going, we roll, nothing can stop us. Our scoring gives us momentum, and that can carry over into our passing, into our dribbling and into all of our skills.”
Senior Katelyn Landis on the game-winner during corner play: “Corners when we’re 7v7 in overtime are a little bit different. There’s a more
intense feel to them, and you’re down a few players. I watched the goalie step out – she got the initial save, but she was far out of her cage, so I knew that I could take the ball to the right, and I would have an open cage. Once I had her beat, I shot the ball, and I hit it in there.
Central Bucks South coach Kelli Chioffe on the game: “I’m so proud of them. The whole team played phenomenal. They were passing, communicating and even re-defending more than we saw this year.
“Scoring first just fueled us, and they never gave up. They didn’t want it to be the last game. They’ve come a long way. It’s sad to see it end, but everyone on that field and on the sideline tonight deserves a standing ovation.”
–Marchesi’s goal: “The ball came from our defensive 25-yard line and was passed to Erin Kelly, who passed it to Tessa Walls on the run and then up to Ella Marchesi on the run, who was running into the top left of the circle. She dribbled once or twice and shot it past the goalkeeper.”
–Panthers’ tying goal: “It was a defensive block tackle duel between CB South and Quakertown that seemed to last forever. The ball popped up and went into the goal from the top of the circle. You had to see it to believe it.”
–Props: “Ella (Marchesi) scored the goal to fuel the fire in us all. But every girl that played and every girl on the sidelines gave it their all tonight – despite a concussion in gym class (to our starting center forward) and the bus arriving late. Quakertown was gracious to wait for us to start warmups.
“Our goalkeeper Nora McQueen turned away 10 shots. She frazzled those stroke takers, for sure.”
Up next: Quakertown (16-3, 8-2 SOL)) will travel to #6 Avon Grove for Wednesday’s second round game. Central Bucks South closed out its season with a 8-10-1 record overall, 3-7-0 SOL.
Central Bucks South 1-0-0-0-0 1
Quakertown 0-0-0-1-1 2
#9 PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 6, PERKIOMEN VALLEY 1
Gracie Kerns had a four-goal day to lead the Colonials to the decisive win.
Bridget Fullerton scored the game’s first goal two minutes into the contest, and the Colonials didn’t score again until 5:27 remained in the first half when Kerns connected on her first goal – this one with an assist from Emily Dobrowolski.
Kerns connected on a goal with seven seconds remaining in the second quarter to send the Colonials into halftime with a 3-0 lead.
Kerns scored her third consecutive goal in the third quarter, giving PW a 4-0 lead heading into the fourth quarter when the Vikings broke up the Colonials’ shutout bid with a goal.
Kerns and Leah Caucci each added a goal for the 6-1 final.
Although the Vikings came into Monday’s game with a sub-.500 record, coach Charise Halteman knew that wasn’t indicative of their skill level.
“Looking at their schedule, they had a lot of tough games,” Halteman said of the PAC school that played both #5 Methacton and #7 Boyertown twice each.
Scoring Summary
First quarter – No score
Bridget Fullerton (PW) 13:04
Second quarter
Gracie Kerns (PW) from Emily Dobrowolski 5:27
Gracie Kerns (PW) from Leah Caucci 0:07
Third quarter
Gracie Kerns (PW 10:10
Fourth quarter
Perk Valley goal 12:22
Gracie Kerns (PW) from Emily Dobrowolski 10:16
Leah Caucci (PW 3:58
Plymouth Whitemarsh coach Charise Halteman on the win: “Perk Valley had a nice group of midfielders with some nice skills, but scoring early in the first two minutes of the game – in the playoffs, that’s huge getting the first goal. It took us until almost the end of the second quarter to score again.
“I didn’t think our second half was great, but in some ways, it was nice not to have the bye because you get a little bit of the playoff jitters out and kind of recognize the level of competition and things like that. I think that was good for us.
“We had homecoming last week, we had our Senior Night last week, so a lot has been going on, so I feel like it was good to just go in and have a game today rather than sit and wait. It gives us some good things to work on tomorrow before we play on Wednesday.
“I believe we can play better than we did today, but it’s certainly good to get a playoff win.”
–Props: “Emily Dobrowolski, our center mid, was really seeing what they were giving her, and if they weren’t playing her, she was taking it and carrying it and then passing at the right time so we got a lot of good breakaway opportunities. That’s how Gracie (Kerns) and Leah (Caucci) scored some of their goals.”
Up next: Plymouth Whitemarsh (14-4, 8-2 SOL) will travel to #8 Souderton for a second round game Wednesday at 7 pm.
Perk Valley 0-0-0-1 1
Plymouth Whitemarsh 1-2-1-3 6
#10 NESHAMINY 4, #23 CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 2
Kasey Rieger had herself a game to remember in the Redskins’ final home game.
The University of Delaware bound senior had a hand in all four goal, scoring a pair and assisting on two other.
“Kasey Rieger was a dominant force at forward,” Neshaminy coach Jamie Pinto said. “She’s been a playmaker throughout the season, and she really stepped up tonight.”
The Redskins took a 2-0 lead into halftime. Mia Brooks put the ‘Skins on the scoreboard four minutes into the second quarter, using a Rieger assist, and with two minutes remaining in the half, Rieger scored with an assist from Maddy Shtino.
A goal by Paige Comer (Rieger assist) just over a minute into the second half extended that lead to 3-0 heading into the final quarter when the visiting Patriots scored a pair of goals. Rieger scored her second goal of the game with two minutes remaining to give the Redskins their final margin of victory.
“It was definitely a good win,” said Pinto, whose team was upset in the opening round last year. “Going into districts – I think all my years coaching we either were out the first or second round. This was just a good team win.”
Scoring Summary
First quarter – No score
Second quarter
Mia Brooks (N) from Kasey Rieger 11:01
Kasey Rieger (N) from Maddy Shtino 2:01
Third quarter
Paige Comer (N) from Kasey Rieger 13:49
Fourth Quarter
CB East goal
CB East goal
Kasey Rieger (N) 1:50
Neshaminy coach Jamie Pinto on the win: “It was a great way to start the postseason. The girls were excited. We got together yesterday just for an hour or so – the girls wanted to be there. They were excited all day at school, and they were just ready to play. All the lines were playing well, supporting each other on and off the ball— we had some nice passing sequences and good looks at the goal. We recovered well and were able to pressure the ball.
“The seniors set the tone. Our four captains have been part of the team for four years, and they’ve been through some disappointing losses along the way in the postseason. I think those girls are just trying to pick everybody up and lead by example. All four of them played really hard today. This is a good step going into the next round. Hopefully, we can continue playing the way we did today.”
–Props: “Kasey played really well today. Her goals were good goals – they were timely goals when we needed to score. Even her fourth goal – we needed that
because they were knocking on the door a little bit in the fourth quarter, and that set us apart.
“Ava Arbakov did a nice job in the center— she has been a great leader all year and has really been stepping up in the middle when we need her. Paige Comer hustled at the mid creating turnovers and giving us some nice offensive opportunities. Maddy Shtino was a strong defensive presence, she did a nice job coming out of the back and distributing the ball. Defensively we have played well all year— Alayna Roscoe, Reese Merrill, Taylor Tenaglia, and goalie Megan Gonzales have been working well together.”
Up next: Neshaminy (15-4, 10-0 SOL) will travel to Pottsgrove High School for a second round game against #7 Boyertown at 4 pm. Central Bucks East closed out its season with a 5-11-3 record overall, 2-7-1 SOL.
Central Bucks East 0-0-0-2 2
Neshaminy 0-2-1-1 4
#17 NORTH PENN 5, #16 WEST CHESTER HENDERSON 1
The 16-17 game is either team’s game, but any thought that it was going to be closely contested went out the window in the second half when the visiting Knights erupted for four goals.
“We had a lot of time of possession, but the halftime score was only 1-0,” NP coach Shannon McCracken said. “It was one of those games that makes you nervous as a coach because we had a lot of possession – we had 15 corners overall, so we had corners in the first half, and time of possession was on our side.”
The Knights got rid of any nerves McCracken may have had in the second half.
For the game, five different players scored goals for the Knights.
“It took everyone” McCracken said. “We have some kids that are the top goal scorers, but to have different kids get touches on the ball – I had a sophomore (Devon Crowley) with two assists and a sophomore (Brooke Goewey) who had a goal.
“It was really just a nice team win where you needed everyone, and everyone stepped up on a big stage where a couple of them haven’t played in a game like this.”
Ashley Barwis (Laura Albert assist) broke a scoreless tie with two minutes remaining in the first half.
Paige Shearer scored an insurance goal midway through the third quarter, and three minutes later, Goeway scored to send the Knights into the fourth quarter with a 3-0 lead.
In the final quarter, the Knights closed out the scoring with goals from Albert and Kylie Barwis.
Scoring Summary
First quarter – No score
Second quarter
Ashleigh Barwis (NP) from Laura Albert 1:50
Third quarter
Paige Shearer (NP) 7:39
Brooke Goewey (NP) from Devon Crowley 4:54
Fourth quarter
Laura Albert (NP) from Kylie Barwis 12:16
Kylie Barwis (NP) from Devon Crowley 8:47
Cali Greskiewicz (WCH) 2:22
By the numbers:
Shots: NP 15, WCH 7; Corners: NP 15, WCH 7
Saves: Kiley Moister (NP) 1, Grace Rongaus (WCH) 10.
Defensive save: Rhyan Poole (NP)
North Penn coach Shannon McCracken on the win: “My kids played the best game of their season tonight, which is exciting because we just came off two losses where we weren’t really feeling great about things.
“I was just really proud of the way we came out tonight. They played as a team.
–On the second half: “We were just playing really well, but it was making me nervous because all it takes is one breakaway. The defense isn’t getting as many touches, so they’re a little bit cold.
“We talked about it halftime – continue to do what we’re doing, but just finish the ball more, get a little more gritty in the circle. The second half we just had a good half. Today we scored five goals – two were set corner plays and one was a corner that just got broken up that we put a rebound in, so that was exciting because we earned 15 corners, so it’s really important to execute. Two of the corners were just beautifully executed corners.”
–Props: “Laura Albert had a great night. She’s such a playmaker for us. She’s the quarterback of our team. She has excellent stickwork, but the way she distributed the ball tonight – her passing was excellent. She’s a special player. She understands the game so well – she’s like a student of the game. She’s really mature, and she’s a really good leader, and it’s just natural leadership, which anymore is a little more rare to come by.”
Up next: North Penn (11-8, 6-4 SOL) will travel to top-ranked Villa Maria for a second round game Wednesday.
North Penn 0-1-2-2 5
WC Henderson 0-0-0-1 1
#13 HAVERFORD 3, #20 PENNSBURY
(Article submitted by Pennsbury field hockey)
The Pennsbury Falcons boarded the bus headed toward Haverford High School fired up to compete in their first playoff game in six years. The long bus ride was a welcome adventure, as the team embraced the moment and let the joy of being together guide the way. PHS landed at #20 in the PIAA rankings, the highest they have been since head coach Traci Curtis took over in 2019.
“We earned that spot as a solid group across the board – all coaches and all players working side-by-side with a common vision,” Curtis said. “Our theme, THE POWER OF ONE, carried us through to this game and we could not be more proud of ourselves.”
Pennsbury came out strong, and despite going down 1-0 in the first five minutes of the game, they never missed a step and just fought harder with every passing minute. Haverford stayed on top 1-0 into the second quarter, but that quarter belonged to the black and orange on possession and opportunities.
“Unfortunately, we were not able to capitalize in the circle when we were there or on penalty corners, but our passing and connecting up both sides of the field was beautifully executed,” explained Curtis. “It was exciting to watch our girls moving at high speed and playing such smart hockey. They were not intimidated by Haverford at all and truly played with heart from start to finish.”
The score remained 1-0 going into halftime, and it was obvious that PHS had taken Haverford out of their game.
“When you don’t know the other team well, it’s easy to rely on looking at superficial information such as ranking, win/loss record, and strength of schedule, but the reality is, you won’t know a team until you hit the pitch and play,” said Curtis. “I love that we caught them a little off guard and made them adjust to our game for a bit.”
The Falcons’ defense denied many of the Fords’ offensive opportunities with goalkeeper Abby McCole leading her unit solidly from the cage. Haverford did not get another one past McCole until halfway through the third quarter.
“They scored on a beautifully placed reverse stick shot straight into the corner,” explained Curtis. “McCole had a couple of saves in the moments leading up, but the Fords were able to pick up the rebound and have second and third chance opportunities, which is lethal in the circle.”
It was a tight battle for the remainder of the third, and the score was 2-0 to start the final quarter.
“The game was nowhere near over for us, and our girls were ready to prove it with grit and strength,” said Curtis.
Haverford had a slew of earned corners in the fourth quarter, but the PHS defensive unit held their ground. The Fords did connect for their third goal with ten minutes left to play.
“What we loved most about watching them out there was their pure fight and their willingness to give everything they had for themselves and each other,” said Curtis. “Haverford is a talented team whose strength lies in their shot selection and ability to shoot with power from anywhere. They were able to finish three times, and we were not, but we will walk away from this experience with our heads high knowing we went out there and competed at a very high level for 60 minutes.
“We want to thank our seniors for all that they gave to our field hockey family – Ayla Alon, Rylee Askey, Alaina Bird, Ella Bray, Olivia Coen, Allison Goldfarb, Ava Jordan, Angelina Kenney, Sam Nesteruk, Avalee Shumski, and Jacqueline Sullivan – your legacies will forever impact us as individuals and as ONE.”
Pennsbury closed out its season with a 10-7-1 record overall, 4-5-1 in the SOL.
Pennsbury 0-0-0-0 0
Haverford 1-0-1-1 3
#14 SPRING-FORD 7, #19 COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 0
#12 GARNET VALLEY 4, #21 COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 1
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