Central Bucks West & Souderton were winners in Wednesday’s District 1 3A second round. CB West/Neshaminy photos courtesy of Tracy Valko. Check back for a gallery of photos. CLICK HERE to go directly to Suburban One Sports’ FIELD HOCKEY GALLERIES.
District 1 3A second round
#3 CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 8, #14 NESHAMINY 0
Aida Ierubino had a hand in five goals – connecting for a hat trick and assisting on a pair – to lead the Bucks to the decisive win in an All-SOL second round contest.
Ierubino turned an Ellie Tweddale pass into a goal during corner play seven minutes into the opening quarter, and the Bucks were off and running. By the time the quarter had ended, the Bucks led 4-0 on their way to the win.
Zola Morelli added a pair of goals while Clair Demmer, Evelyn Knight and Tori Taurino each had one goal. Taurino also had an assist.
Scoring summary:
First quarter
Aida Ierubino (CBW) assisted by Ellie Tweddale, 8:15
Aida Ierubino (CBW) 5:34
Claire Demmer (CBW) assisted by Grace McGrath 4:31
Zola Morelli (CBW) 1:48
Second quarter
Aida Ierubino (CBW) 10:38
Third quarter
Zola Morelli (CBW) assisted by Aida Ierubino, 5:15 on corner 5:15
Fourth quarter:
Evelyn Knight (CBW) assisted by Tori Taurino,10:37
Tori Taurino (CBW) assisted by Aida Ierubino, 6:39
By the numbers: CBW 21, N 2, Penalty corners: CBW 8, N1; Goalie saves: CBW 2, N 13.
Central Bucks West coach Lori Ierubino:
–On the game: “We took control early, scoring four in the opening quarter, which set the tone for the game. There’s always pressure to perform in a must-win game when the expectation is that you should win, but the girls came out and played our game with purpose and determination.
“I reminded them we are at the point in the season where you don’t expect or wish or hope something happens — you take control and make it happen, and that’s exactly what they did. It wasn’t a perfect game, and we made some mistakes that future opponents will capitalize on, but overall, with the time off since our last game, I’m really pleased with our performance.”
Neshaminy coach Jamie Pinto: “Tonight we fought hard against a very strong CB West team. Even though it was not the outcome we wanted, I can’t fault the girls for their effort— we played hard until the very end. We had a great season, and the girls have nothing to be ashamed of— we improved throughout the season, worked hard and played together as a team. We will continue to work hard in the offseason, continue to improve and pick up from where we left off this year.
“The coaches and players would like to thank our 5 seniors, Reese Merrill, Layla Agster, Hailey Wert, Peyton York, and Bhakti Patel for their leadership on and off the field. We wish them the best of luck as they finish their senior year and in their future.”
Up next: Central Bucks West will host Conestoga in a quarterfinal contest. The Pioneers defeated #11 Owen J Roberts 7-2 on Wednesday. Neshaminy, the SOL Patriot Division champions, closed out the year with a 10-6 record.
Neshaminy 0-0-0-0 0
Central Bucks West 4-1-1-2 8
#5 SOUDERTON 1 (3), #12 CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 1 (2)
Talk about a riveting ending, this was it.
While both teams held their collective breath, Souderton’s Charlotte McNeill pulled right, took an extra dribble, and deposited the ball into the cage, bringing a tense shootout to a dramatic end in Wednesday’s second round contest pitting the SOL rivals.
“To win this is everything,” McNeill said. “I didn’t want our season to end. I love all these girls – I love this team. It meant everything to get that in. I just knew it just had to go in.”
Souderton’s senior captain – as she had done after scoring each of her team’s three goals in the shootout – turned around, saluted and then disappeared in a mob of jubilant teammates.
“You have to appreciate the amount of composure that took at the end,” Souderton coach Sue Casciato of McNeill’s game-winner. “The ball almost went out of bounds, she knew she had a couple seconds left. She didn’t try to do anything crazy with it.”
This was one of those rare games neither team deserved to lose, and determining a winner for a team sport with a one-on-one shootout was destined to be a cruel ending for whichever squad came up short.
“It’s a (heck) of a way to win, but it’s a worse way to lose,” Casciato said. “I told them, ‘Look we can’t celebrate this too much because it just as easily could have been the other way. You need to show that team some grace because they played a (heck) of a game,’ and the bad thing was – it’s an elimination game, which makes it worse.”
Shootouts are not used during the regular season to determine a winner in tie games, so it’s a new wrinkle to the game for everyone.
“For the past week of practices, we have been doing shootouts, so I’m very grate to my coaches for preparing me,” said Souderton goalie Nina Coll.
Coll and South’s Nora McQueen both stood tall in goal for their respective squads, fending off one player after another during the 1v1. The eight seconds allotted each player in the 1v1s is the very definition of pressure.
“When that whistle blows, I just sprint out there,” Coll said. “I don’t even remember half the goals I saved because I black out. I have instincts and I just use it.”
Both goalies faced six players in the 1v1 with the Indians winning the shootout 3-2.
“Mentally – it’s very, very tough, but you really just have to think about it as – ‘This ball cannot get away from me,’” said Coll, clutching a large Mexican sombrero for earning ‘unofficial’ Player of the Game honors from her friends. “You just have to keep them in front for those eight seconds. Those eight seconds – I worked harder on my footwork than I ever have. I just cannot let that ball in.”
Interestingly, McNeill – the first in the group of five Souderton players who participated in the shootout – scored all three of her team’s goals. Her first came with 00.1 second remaining on the scoreboard clock after Jenna Butler connected for the Titans on their very first attempt.
McNeill’s second came after the Indians were awarded a penalty stroke when Autumn Wagner – in a must-score situation after the Titans’ Kaeli VanDerSluis found the cage – was tripped in the circle. McNeill calmly delivered and connected on the stroke to even the score 2-2. The game-winner came as the first player in the second round of five in the sudden victory setting.
“I just knew I had to keep my composure,” McNeill said. “Eight seconds might seem like a short amount of time, but for me, that’s a long amount of time. I knew I beat the goalie, and I just had to take my time.
“When it went in, I just started melting down. I love this team, and I just wanted to move on. I’m so happy.”
Wednesday’s second round game ended in a 1-1 tie with the Indians taking a 1-0 with 5:15 remaining in the second quarter when Giana Bocchino scored on a tip of a Lexi Yanchunas shot during corner play.
With 1:26 remaining in the quarter, Caroline Williams evened the score, using a Jenna Butler assist. That tie stood through regulation and a pair of overtimes.
Scoring summary:
First quarter – No score
Second quarter
Giana Bocchinio (S) assisted by Lexi Yanchunas, 5:15
Caroline Williams (CBS) assisted by Jenna Butler, 1:26
Third & fourth quarters – No score
First & second overtime – No score
By the numbers: S 9, CBS 9, Penalty corners: CBS 8, S 7; Goalie saves: Nina Coll (S) 8; Nora McQueen (CBS) 7.
Souderton coach Sue Casciato: “We had opportunities – they turned us away. My defense held tight when they had to. I haven’t looked at the stats, but I have to believe they were very close.
“I really feel like our fitness is pretty good, but that second overtime – even with a little break (between the two overtime periods) – within one minute we weren’t running anymore.”
–Props: “Sophie DuBois played both overtimes and was still running hard to the ball when everyone was pretty whipped. Hannah Fuente played a great game in the back. Nina Coll also did a good job.” “
Souderton senior Nina Coll on the ending: “It felt amazing. I was like -‘Are we sure this is sudden death?’ I see my team running in, and I’m so happy right now.
“I was so nervous coming into today, and I’m so glad our season is not over. I’m so excited to come to practice tomorrow and just continue this. I love this team.”
Souderton senior captain Charlotte McNeill:
–The salute after scoring: “I started doing that the beginning of the season. It’s something I do for my boyfriend, Jayden Bergey, who’s in the Army. He’s taught me motivation and drive.”
–On going 1v1: “It’s very mentally challenging because I knew if I didn’t get it in, we would have to do it again. I didn’t try to do anything fancy – just simple skills.”
Central Bucks South coach Kelli Chioffe: “This is the first time we’ve gone to overtime all season and then to go double overtime and then go to a shootout. We wanted it more. We told them – ‘third time’s the charm.’ You should keep playing overtimes because you know someone will score. You can’t put all that pressure on a goalie.”
Up next: Souderton will travel to #4 Methacton for Friday’s quarterfinal. The Warriors edged Souderton 3-2 in overtime in an early season contest. Central Bucks South closed its season with a 14-6 record with three of its losses at the hands of the Indians – all three games tightly contested.
Central Bucks South 0-1-0-0-0-0 1 (2)
Souderton 0-1-0-0-0-0 2 (3)
#4 METHACTON 6, #13 NORTH PENN 1
Methacton took a 2-0 lead into halftime and then put the game out of reach in the third quarter. The Knights got on the scoreboard on goal by Tallie Smink during corner play with an assist from Devon Crowley.
“It wasn’t the result we wanted tonight and we had some opportunities to get on the scoreboard, but Methacton is relentless in the attacking circle and made the most of every opportunity, especially because they did an excellent job of putting back rebounds,” said North Penn coach Shannon McCracken, herself a Methacton grad.
The PAC champion Warriors were led by the two-goal effort of Calie Fisher while Lea DeWan had a pair of assists.
Scoring summary:
First quarter
Calie Fisher (M) assisted by Lea DeWan, 11:37
Second quarter
Ally Mitchell (M) 3:40
Third quarter
Ceci Rehak (M) assisted by Lea DeWan, 12:24
Calie Fisher (M) 10:35
Nicole Walsh (M) 5:51
Tallie Smink (NP) assisted by Devon Crowley, 3:36
Gabi Dwyer (M) 0:48
Fourth quarter – No score
By the numbers: Shots: M 20, NP 7; Penalty corners: M 6, NP 5; Goalie saves: Kiley Moister (NP) 10, Maddie McKenney (M) 6, Defensive saves: Emma Hoffman (NP) 3.
North Penn coach Shannon McCracken: “Congratulations to Methacton who is a very talented team with a fast attack, and talented midfield. The Knights were outmatched tonight but played strong and never gave up.”
–Props: “The defense was being peppered, and I was really proud of the play of outside back, Lily Brown, who came up with a lot of stops on the left side of the field when Methacton was working the ball up the right. Senior Back Emma Hoffman made some great efforts in the backfield and had three defensive saves. The midfield was led by outstanding play from senior Kylie Barwis and junior Devon Crowley as they were given the job to go up against a tough midfield in Methacton. Senior back Tallie Smink had a beautiful penalty corner shot to put the Knights on the board in the third quarter.”
Final record: North Penn closed out its season with an 11-9 record.
North Penn 0-0-1-0 1
Methacton 1-1-4-0 6
#7 DOWNINGTOWN WEST 5, #10 PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 0
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