Three SOL field hockey teams will be in action when the PIAA Tournament gets underway Tuesday.
Class 6A
#1-2 PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH vs #11-2 EASTON at Wissahickon High School (Tuesday, Nov. 5, 5 p.m.)
Plymouth Whitemarsh
- 20-2 overall
- 14-0 SOL American Conference champions
- Program’s seventh consecutive conference crown
- Advanced to district title game for first time since 2004
- Colonials have not lost in conference play since Sept. 16, 2015 (4-0 to Wissahickon)
- Ava Borkowski, who surpassed the 100-goal mark, leads the Colonials with 55 goals and eight assists. The UNC commit has scored at least one goal in 21 of 22 games. Kaleigh Missimer (22g, 21a) and Hailey Copestick (14g, 13a) are also key contributors on attack.
- Senior co-captains Liv Truong and Kayla Link anchor the defense.
How they got here: In Saturday’s district title game, Plymouth Whitemarsh fell to eighth-seeded Downingtown West 3-2 in overtime. Ava Borkowski scored both PW goals, spotting the Colonials a 2-0 lead only to watch the Whippets rally to knot the score late and win in overtime.
In a district semifinal, Plymouth Whitemarsh defeated third-seeded Owen J Roberts 1-0. Ava Borkowski scored the game’s only goal six minutes into the second half. Goalie Sarah Trask had nine saves in the shutout.
In a quarterfinal contest, Plymouth Whitemarsh edged 10th-seeded Council Rock South 2-1. Hailey Copestick gave PW a 1-0 lead, but the Golden Hawks knotted the score by halftime. Kayla Link scored a goal that turned out to be the game-winner early in the second half.
After an opening round bye, Plymouth Whitemarsh rolled to an 8-2 win over 18th-seeded Council Rock North. Ava Borkowski led the way with three goals and one assist while Kaleigh Missimer had two goals and one assist and Livia Truong added a goal and an assist. Alexis Minor and Haley McCourt each added one goal for the Colonials, who led 6-0 at halftime.
Easton
- 19-4 overall
- 13-3 Eastern Pennsylvania Conference third place
- Fell to Parkland in EPC semifinals
- Led by senior midfielder Olivia Watson, a University of New Hampshire recruit, and a pair of University of Delaware recruits – senior forward Riley McDonald and junior forward/midfielder Lanie Stem.
- Third straight trip to states after three straight District 11 runner-up finishes
How they got here: In the district title game, Easton fell to top-seeded Emmaus 4-1. Olivia Watson’s penalty stroke late in the first half accounted for Easton’s only goal. Senior goalie Dani Swallow had 13 saves.
In a district semifinal, Easton defeated seventh-seeded Stroudsburg 2-0. Junior Lanie Stem had a goal and an assist, and Riley McDonald also had a goal.
In an opening round game, Easton downed sixth-seeded Northampton 4-3.
#1-6 SOUDERTON vs. #3-1 LOWER DAUPHIN at Milton Hershey High School (Tuesday, Nov. 5, 7 p.m.)
Souderton
- 18-4 overall
- 11-1 SOL Continental Conference co-champions with Central Bucks East.
- Program’s first conference crown since 2004
- Senior co-captains Courtney Kenah (University of Pennsylvania commit) and (Anna Gwiazdzinski (committed to Indiana University) provide a dangerous one-two punch. Kenah has 30 goals and 20 assists and Gwiazdzinski, who has played some sweeper to solidify a young defense, has 24 goals and 12 assists.
- Sophomore Lauren Kenah (six goals, four assists) anchors the midfield.
- Rematch of last year’s opening round state game – a 2-0 Lower Dauphin win.
How they got here: In a playback game for fifth place, Souderton fell to top-seeded Garnet Valley 1-0 in overtime.
In a playback for a spot in the state tournament, Souderton rallied from an early 1-0 deficit to defeat 10th-seeded Council Rock South 2-1. Anna Gwiazdzinski scored both of the Indians’ goals.
In a quarterfinal contest, Souderton fell to third-seeded Owen J Roberts 5-4. The Indians, who led 3-2 at halftime, received a pair of goals from Courtney Kenah. Anna Gwiazdzinski and Ange Borisow each added a single goal.
After an opening round bye, Souderton rolled to a 4-0 win over 11th-seeded Kennett in a second round game. Courtney Kenah contributed two goals and an assist and Reiley Knize added a pair of goals.
Lower Dauphin
- 20-0-2
- 9-0 Mid-Penn Keystone champions
- This year’s District 3 4A title was the program’s 14th district crown
- Hall of Fame coach Linda Kreiser has 813 career wins.
- Offense is led by forwards Kaleigh Kindall (Lock Haven commit), Erin Shifflet (Kutztown), Andie Sierer (Kutztown) and Katelyn Sparks (Slippery Rock).
- Michigan State recruit Emma O’Neill and Syracuse recruit Sienna Pegram lead the midfield.
- Defense anchored by goalkeeper Brandelynn Heinbaugh, a JMU recruit, as well as Saint Francis recruit Abbe Tarczynski and University of Louisville recruit Sofia Pendolino.
- Only ties came at the hands of Wyoming Valley West (0-0) and Greenwood (2-2).
How they got here: In Saturday’s district final, Lower Dauphin defeated second-seeded Wilson 2-0. Emma O’Neill scored a first-half goal, and Kaleigh Kindall iced the win with a late goal.
In a district semifinal, Lower Dauphin earned a 3-2 win over fifth-seeded Central Dauphin. Alexa Shaffer scored a pair of goals to give LD a 2-0 halftime lead, but Central Dauphin rallied to knot the score. Kate Sparks won it when she scored with 16.3 seconds remaining in regulation.
After an opening round bye, Lower Dauphin rolled to a 4-1 win over eighth-seeded Manheim Township in a quarterfinal contest. Kaleigh Kindall, Lauren Hunter, Kate Sparks and Erin Shifflet each scored a goal. Three of the goals were scored on penalty corners.
Class 1A
#1-2 SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP vs. #12-1 LANSDALE CATHOLIC at The Proving Grounds (Tuesday, Nov. 5, 1 p.m.)
Springfield Township
- 16-5 overall
- 10-4 SOL American Conference third place
- Attack led by Anya Kochanowicz, Maddie Yoder & Kate Wojeck
How they got here: In the district title game, Springfield Township fell to top-seeded New Hope-Solebury 2-0.
In a semifinal contest, Springfield Township defeated third-seeded Lower Moreland 2-0. Charlotte Henry and Ella Marino each scored a first-half goal.
In an opening round game, Springfield Township routed seventh-seeded Bristol 10-0. Maddie Yoder had three goals and two assists while Kate Wojeck and Brigid Roy each added two goals and two assists. Charlotte Henry had assists on the game’s first three goals. Anya Kochanowicz had a goal and an assist. Ella Marino and Molly McGoldrick each had one goal.
Lansdale Catholic
- 4-4-1 Philadelphia Catholic League fifth place
- Led by senior defender Clair Clauss and junior forward Grace Shragher, who both received second team All-PCL honors. Junior defender Lauren Grello and senior forward Karly Kane earned third team All-PCL honors.
How they got here: In a PCL semifinal, Lansdale Catholic fell to top-seeded Cardinal O’Hara 8-0.
In a PCL quarterfinal contest, fifth-seeded Lansdale Catholic edged fourth-seeded Archbishop Ryan 2-1 in double overtime.
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