Neshaminy & CR South were winners in Monday’s opening round of the District 1 3A Tournament. Neshaminy/OJR photos courtesy of John Gleeson. Check back for a gallery of photos.
#10 NESHAMINY 2, #23 OWEN J ROBERTS 1
The Redskins opened up a 2-0 lead midway through the second quarter and remained in control even after the visiting Wildcats trimmed that lead in half.
“We were playing well today,” Neshaminy coach Jamie Pinto said. “Our passing looked good, we were moving together, we were getting good touches in the circle.
“The girls played hard. They played their game – they played composed when they needed to be, they played smart, and they played aggressive. I know they want to win. They just want to take one game at a time. They all played really well.”
Kasey Rieger gave the Redskins an early 1-0 lead when she scored just over five minutes into the game, using an assist from Olivia Roscoe. Neshaminy doubled its lead with 6:43 remaining in the second quarter when Avery McGinty cashed in during corner play, using an assist from Maddy Shtino.
“We had some corner opportunities, and the second goal we scored on a corner, which we haven’t always been able to execute the way we wanted to throughout the year,” Pinto said. “Today as soon as it was inserted and Avery stopped it, we all had a feeling – this was going to go in. You could just tell”
Just over a minute after the Redskins took a 2-0 lead, Ava Clemson (Emily Morrissey assist) scored for the Wildcats to make it a 2-1 game. The Redskins, according to their coach, continued to play with confidence.
“There was about five minutes left in the second quarter when that happened,” Pinto said. “We didn’t get down.
“The whole second half we had our opportunities to score – we just didn’t finish. We applied pressure, we hustled, we were doubling. The defense was stepping up nicely, we had good passing down the sideline the second half. We played well today.”
The Redskins’ coach had plenty of praise to go around after Monday’s win.
“The defense played well – we were able to connect on passes, and the offense played hard and put on pressure,” Pinto said. “Avery McGinty and Olivia Roscoe led the way, both stepping up when needed and playing good defense.
“Goalie Brittany Mattoi played well, and defender Morgan Shaltens played strong and composed. Alayna Roscoe and Maddy Shtino, stepped up well defensively. Kasey Rieger had nice touches up top, Ava Arbakov applied pressure and Caitlyn Colyar and Mia Sermarini did a nice job on the left. We played smart and were composed when needed to be, we played our game today.”
Neshaminy (15-2-2, 13-1-2 SOL) will travel to #7 Central Bucks West for Wednesday’s second round contest.
Owen J Roberts 0-1-0-0 1
Neshaminy 0-2-0-0 2
#17 COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 2, #16 PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 1
Megan Rafter hadn’t forgotten. Neither had her Golden Hawk teammates.
Last year’s season-ending loss in overtime in the opening round of districts at Avon Grove still evoked less-than-pleasant memories.
“it was pouring, it was cold, and it was a really good game,” Rafter said. “We had played so good, and they scored in the second overtime with three minutes remaining, so this win means a lot. Especially to go to the second round.
The weather wasn’t exactly ideal for Monday’s district opener that was played in gray dismal conditions with occasional drizzle, but according to Rafter, that did not dampen the Golden Hawks’ spirits.
“It was easy to get excited,” Rafter said. “We were pumped up on the bus, we were pumped up during warmups. We were ready to go.”
The two teams went into the fourth quarter locked in a scoreless tie, but the Golden Hawks – who had come up empty on more than a few corners – drew a corner less than a minute into the frame. This time they capitalized as Rafter – the insertor on corners who was on the left post – deflected Breanna Gable’s corner shot from the top of the circle into the cage.
“It was extremely frustrating, but we were working really hard, and it finally happened,” Rafter said. “During warmups, I feel like I have multiple post balls, and I make at least half of them, but some go by me. I think it’s just important to keep your stick down and don’t swing at it. Keep your whole body composed.”
That 1-0 lead lasted less than two minutes as the Colonials had an immediate answer when – with the goalie out of the cage – Ella Catania turned a pass from Maddie Carr into the equalizer.
“That’s the best feeling because it’s so easy, at that point, to just roll over,” PW coach Jessica Randazzo said of her team’s response to Rock South taking a lead. “My girls fight to the very end, and that’s something you can’t teach.”
Both teams continued to battle, and with 4:11 remaining in regulation, Kylee Hager slammed home a shot from the top of the circle, giving the Golden Hawks a lead they would not lose.
“I won the ball at midfield, and I dribbled up to the circle and shot it at the top,” Hager said of the sequence leading up to the game-winner. “It was an amazing feeling.
“We definitely deserved to have a goal. We were so close, we just needed to tap it in.”
Rock South coach Kelly Mason was especially proud of her team’s response after the Colonials knotted the score.
“I’m super proud of this team because that’s something we’ve been working on all season,” the Golden Hawks’ first-year coach said. “When we get punched in the face, we don’t lay down. We come back and we fight harder.
“At the end of the game, we started to play smart, and that’s what we needed most. We needed composure, and that’s what they brought to the table. I’m very proud of them. We haven’t been out of the first round in a little bit, so I’m proud of them for making it to the second round. They deserve it – they worked hard for it.”
Mason went on to laud the play of her team’s defense in the win.
“Grace Franchini did a great job,” the Hawks’ coach said. “Sarah Freeman did a great job bringing the ball up the field for us. I moved her to multiple positions to play defense against their best player, and she stuck with them the whole time.
“So my juniors and my sophomores were a huge part of this win, so I’m proud of the underclassmen for stepping up because for some of them – today was the first time playing in districts.”
The Golden Hawks, who say they are playing their best hockey of the season, won five of six to close out the regular season, and Hager pointed to Rock South’s 3-2 road win over Haverford as a turning point.
“We weren’t sure how it was going to go, but we just went up from there,” Hager said. “We’ve worked as a team since then, and we’ve pulled out a few more wins.”
For a young Colonials’ squad that drew a corner as time expired and was in Monday’s game until the final whistle, the loss can serve as a learning experience.
“We have a lot of good young players, and I think we’re only going to get better,” sophomore Hadley Blake said. “I think we can move on and be a really good team in the future and win these games.
“Today we could have done a better job of giving up less corners, and I think we could have communicated a bit more and had some better passes. I think we did good though.”
Blake would get no argument from her coach.
“We have a young team, but I couldn’t be more proud of these girls,” Randazzo said. “From August 15 to now, they’re a completely different team, different players, and I’m super excited for our next chapter.
“I don’t think today was our best game. I think we all played a little bit off. However, Council Rock South is a great team. It’s always hard to come out the day after a weekend, but this game does not reflect our whole season. I’m super, super proud of the girls. I’m going to miss the seniors. I wish them the best of luck, but I’m excited to get back out here next year and go further in the tournament.”
Council Rock South (12-6-1, 10-5-1 SOL) will travel to top-seeded Conestoga for Wednesday’s second round. Plymouth Whitemarsh closed out its season with a 10-8-1 record (10-5-1 SOL).
Council Rock South 0-0-0-2 2
Plymouth Whitemarsh 0-0-0-1 1
#19 WEST CHESTER HENDERSON 5, #14 ABINGTON 3
Goals were not in short supply in Monday’s district opener at Memorial Field.
The two teams exchanged goals in the opening quarter, but the visiting Warriors scored three unanswered goals in the second quarter to take control of the game.
“It was a tough loss today,” Abington coach Katie Small said. “Both teams were pretty much evenly matched, but WC Henderson was able to capitalize on their penalty corners.”
The Warriors got on the board on a goal during corner play by Molly Cicampli (Kendall Brandon assist), but Camryn Stewart (Maura Calladanoto assist) answered with a goal for the Ghosts. In the second quarter, the Warriors received goals from Lucy Donnelly (McKenna McGee assist), Brandon (Lindsay Hoffman assist) and McGee. Brandon’s goal also came on a corner.
Maddie Slavin scored on a broken corner play for the Ghosts in the third quarter, but the Warriors also scored with Brandon once again connecting on a corner. Maeve Link closed out the scoring with a fourth-quarter goal on a corner, using assists from Stewart and Olivia Dougherty.
“I so proud of this team as West Chester Henderson scored first and we bounced back with a late first quarter goal to tie it up going into the second,” Small said. “Unfortunately, Henderson was able to put three in the net going into half, and we were unable to recover. We never gave up though and fought to the end. This team defied all odds this year, and it was such a great group of girls. We are going to miss our seniors – Camryn Stewart, Maddie Slavin, Emma Brown, Erica Devlin and Nina VanEkelenberg – but also looking forward to next season.”
Henderson held a 13-8 advantage in corners. Caitlin Murcur (3 saves) and Nina Van Ekelenburg (3 saves) shared time in goal for the Ghosts. Henderson’s Peyton Grim recorded six saves.
Abington closed out its season with an 11-7-1 record (10-5-1 SOL).
WC Henderson 1-3-1-0 5
Abington 1-0-1-1 3
#18 SPRING-FORD 5, #15 QUAKERTOWN 2
The Panthers spent the first quarter exchanging goals with the visiting Rams but could not keep up with their visitors, who eventually pulled away for the win.
Coach Mackenzie Moser explains the scoring sequence.
“Alex Bevan-Xenelis put us on the board early, capitalizing off of a corner with 12:10 left to go,” the Panthers’ first-year coach said. “Then Spring-Ford retaliated. Next Kiera Gallagher added to the score off a corner as well, receiving the pass from (Katelyn) Landis and completing a hard post shot with 2:22 left to go. Again, Spring-Ford retaliated.
“We held them for a while but then got two strokes called against us and a lifted post shot that gave Spring-Ford the advancing score. We pretty much held it there. The team worked hard, and they worked well together. That’s all I ask, is that they give it their all and they work as one unified team.”
Moser had nothing but praise for her squad
“We started the season off a little bumpy (0-3), but we came back, going on a nice winning streak,” the Quakertown coach said. “The team began to mesh, and they were working hard.
“As a team and a head coach, we all grew together. We continued to put in the time, work and effort. I’m proud of them all, they never stopped, and I continued to push them. We are a young team, so during the offseason, we will continue to work and show resilience in the upcoming year.”
Quakertown closed out its successful season with a 10-7-2 record overall (9-5-2 SOL).
#13 KENNETT 2, #20 CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 0
A Titan squad that was longshot to earn a district berth as recently as two weeks ago made an inspired late-season surge to earn a coveted spot in the postseason, and although South saw its season come to an end in Monday’s opening round, there were no regrets.
And the Titans did not go down without a fight, giving the Blue Demons their money’s worth and then some.
“Sometimes, some of the most enjoyable and rewarding seasons do not have a trophy to show,” South coach Pat Toner said. “This group of girls left nothing on the field against a very talented Kennett team tonight.
“Kennett was the strongest team we faced this year, and we held our own throughout. We dominated the first quarter and took a beautiful shot on goal resulting in a penalty stroke. Kennett’s goalkeeper made an amazing save to deny CB South the goal. Early in the second quarter, Kennett was awarded a penalty stroke and converted on it. Kennett also scored on corner play with a waist high drive that counted. Both teams had opportunities to score but the game remained 2-0.”
The final stats underscore just how close the game was as Kennett held a 5-4 edge in corners while both teams took eight shots on goal. South goalie Emma Kraft was credited with six saves.
“Saying ‘goodbye’ is always difficult, but the unbelievable growth this team showed makes it especially hard to see the season end,” Toner said. “Our forwards (Megan Reilly, Kaeli VanDerSluis, Tessa Walls) played their hearts out tonight, and Rebecca Zakrzewski played the best game of her career.
“Our defense has been playing with intensity and poise all season long and tonight Lily Haag, Ella Haag, Sam Thomas, Maddie Orr and Emma Kraft were outstanding. Bella Schute had a great game at mid as did Marielle Mauri and Avery Tyler. I’d like to say a special thank you to our coaching staff of Kerry Dietzel, Kelli Chioffe, and Steph Bardell, and also thanks to our parents who made the trip. Good Luck to our FH friends who are still playing.”
Central Bucks South closed out its season with a 9-8-2 record (7-7-2 SOL).
Central Bucks South 0-0-0-0 0
Kennett 0-2-0-0 2
#11 DOWNINGTOWN EAST 7, #22 NORTH PENN 2
Downingtown East has a proud tradition in field hockey. That apparently has not changed. The Cougars may be the 11th seed in the district tournament, but they sure didn’t look like it in Monday’s opening round win, opening up a 5-0 halftime lead on their way to the decisive win.
“Downingtown East was too much for the Knights to handle,” NP coach Shannon McCracken said. “Their skills were sharp, they were fast – especially in transition, and they capitalized on every opportunity offensively.”
The Cougars Faith Faqua (Nia Massey assist) and Della Beck scored back-to-back goals in a two-minute span just over five minutes into the opening quarter, and they were off and running. They put the game out of reach with three more goals in the second quarter – one each from Megan Latch, Beck (Faqua assist) and Massey assists.
In the third quarter, Rylee Dennis added a goal, and the Cougars led 7-0 when Faqua scored just over a minute into the final quarter. Laura Albert put the Knights on the scoreboard when she scored an unassisted goal with 8:53 remaining in regulation, and Caleigh Sperling also scored late in the quarter.
The Cougars held an advantage in shots (15-8) and penalty corners (9-4). NP goalie Kiera Holt recorded seven saves. Smink also had a defensive save.
McCracken credited the strong play of forward Grace McGeehan, midfielders Sperling and Albert and defender Annabelle Smink.
North Penn closed out its season with an 8-10-1 record (8-7-1 SOL).
North Penn 0-0-0-2 2
Downingtown East 2-3-1-1 7
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