Check out the recaps for SOL field hockey teams in action Wednesday. PW/Quakertown photos provided courtesy of Kim Supko Photography. Check back for a gallery of photos.
SOL Patriot
PENNSBURY 2, BENSALEM 1
It was a special night for Bensalem field hockey for reasons that went well beyond the game.
In fact, the only place the Owls came up short was the scoreboard as the team used Monday night’s game to raise money for the family of one of their own. Dave Richardson – the father of senior defender Ella Richardson – is battling pancreatic cancer, and while the final tally for funds raised will has not been finalized, the team raised over $3,000 towards the cause. Dave is a lieutenant with the Bensalem Police Department.
“The family is a huge part of the community,” Bensalem coach Morgan Buechner said.
As for the game, the Owls got on the scoreboard first on a goal by Alexa Lendzinski, assisted by Megan Klein.
“They are both coming off of concussions, and they worked together to really execute in the circle,” Buechner said.
The visiting Falcons came back to knot the score in the opening minutes of the second quarter when Meg McClure scored on a deflection during a penalty corner. Midway through the quarter, Liz Jordan (EB Rafferty assist) scored the go-ahead goal, and that 2-1 score stood the rest of the way.
Buechner lauded the efforts of several players.
“Our goalie, Emily McGivern, made some amazing saves under pressure,” the Owls’ coach said. “Ella Richardson made some crucial clears out of the circle when we needed it the most.”
Pennsbury (6-7, 5-7 SOL) will host Neshaminy on Wednesday, and Bensalem (1-11) will travel to Harry S Truman on Wednesday for a 7 p.m. game.
Pennsbury 0-2-0-0 2
Bensalem 1-0-0-0 1
(Article submitted by Pennsbury field hockey)
Monday night lights proved to be just as exciting as Friday can be in Bensalem Memorial Stadium. Set against a sea of purple in the stands, the Pennsbury field hockey team battled their way to their first win in six games and scored for the first time since Sept. 28. It was an adrenaline filled event as Bensalem dedicated the game to raising money for one of their families faced with a fight of a different kind, pancreatic cancer.
“It was an honor to be a part of the whole evening and a great reminder of why our team shirts read, ‘More Than the Sport,’ explained coach Traci Curtis. “The whole Bensalem community came together for the cause and created a really fantastic atmosphere of hope, strength, and camaraderie. The Pennsbury field hockey team wishes the family the very best as they face this difficult obstacle. It is nice to know that they have that amazing community behind them to hold them up and help them through.”
Bensalem came out with a fire in their hearts and everything to prove. With three minutes remaining in the first quarter, the Owls scored the first goal of the game and went up 1-0. It was a beautiful cross and tip goal that was executed very well.
“The excitement in the stands was unbelievable and a little intimidating,” Curtis said. “We knew this was not going to be easy – you can never underestimate Bensalem and especially on a night like this. It took a bit for our girls to adjust to the stadium, the lights, the fans, and the field, but once we got in a groove, we dominated with great passing and ball movement.”
One minute into the second quarter the Falcons answered back, tying the game 1-1 on a penalty corner deflection by Meg McClure. The Owls never let down and continued to capitalize on breakaway scoring opportunities, but Pennsbury’s defense held up the back field like a brick wall once again. Graebner, Darling, Curtis, Sosa, and goalkeeper Vradenburgh denied shots and the few penalty corners Bensalem earned, holding them to that single goal.
“We are so proud of our defensive unit and how they work together,” Curtis said. “They are staying strong in their layers, supporting one another, stepping to the ball better, and distributing out as needed throughout the game. Each of those players has a role that they have naturally fallen into, and it just works.”
Liz Jordan pushed the Falcons ahead 2-1 on a pass from EB Rafferty with seven minutes left in the second quarter. That was the last of the scoring from both teams. Big shoutout to Bensalem’s goalie (Emily McGivern), who had an outstanding game. She made a dozen saves that were really game changing. Despite PHS having 15 corners and 20 shots on goal, the Owls held us to two goals and scoreless in the second half. They should be so proud of themselves and what they did out there tonight. They made our girls work for everything on that field.
The Falcons’ coaching staff is proud of their team’s progress across all layers and how well they executed penalty corners.
“We ran through all of our plays multiple times but just need to take it to the next level where we finish inside the chaos in the circle after the initial shot,” Curtis said. “Jaclyn Gorgo and Molly Murray were outstanding in the midfield tonight being very creative with the ball and playing confidently. It was really nice to see that pair step up and use the mighty talent they have from start to finish. They did exactly what they needed to do and be that important connecting piece. It makes me really happy to see kids getting to that place in their game at this point in the season.
“Tonight was the whole package – great community, great hockey, exciting match up, and an awesome focus on things that really matter. It was the best way we could have started off the week and prepare for what comes next. Sincere thanks, once again, to Bensalem for a wonderful night of field hockey and family.”
The Falcons have another busy week ahead of them. They host Neshaminy on Wednesday for their second meeting and will be celebrating PINK OUT to raise money for breast cancer. Friday is the senior game against CR South at home and then they continue playing into the weekend with their only Saturday game against Conwell. That game will be a GOLD OUT game for PHS to raise money for Mini THON!
COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 7, HARRY S TRUMAN 0
The Indians celebrated Senior Night with a shutout win over the visiting Tigers.
“It was a great way to honor the seniors with a total team effort,” North coach Heather Whalin said.
Riley Clark led the Indians with a hat trick to go along with one assist. Ali Carpentier had a hand in three goals, scoring once and assisting on two others. Adding one goal each were Bella Carpentier, Megan Reichenbach, Brynn Bogle and Megan Moriarty.
Brenna Schoenfeld contributed a pair of assists while Aubrey Williams and Charlotte Ondria each had an assist.
Council Rock North (5-9, 4-8 SOL) will take on Council Rock South on Wednesday, and Harry S Truman (0-12, 0-11) will host Bensalem on Wednesday.
SOL Colonial
SOUDERTON 4, CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 1
The Indians brought a streak of seven straight shutouts into Monday’s division rivalry game but found themselves on the short end of a 1-0 score at halftime. In the second half, they reeled off four straight goals – three on penalty corners – to earn the come-from-behind-win.
“I thought we played a strong game for all four quarters even though it took us quite a while to get on the scoreboard,” Souderton coach Sue Casciato said. “It’s nice to get a win against a talented opponent.
“Defensively, we hadn’t really been challenged the last few weeks, so I wasn’t sure what to expect today. But our team defense was solid, and I’m proud of the effort the entire team put forth.”
Underscoring the Indians’ dominance in their seven-game shutout streak was the fact that they allowed just nine corners in that span. The Titans – Casciato knew – would provide a difficult challenge.
“They’re always well coached, and (coach Pat Toner) has them working hard all the time,” the Indians’ coach said. “We struggled with them the last time. Our goalie (Tegan Farina) had to make a really good save to keep them from going up on us 2-0.”
Erin Smith put South on the scoreboard at the 10:25 mark of the second period with an assist from Julia Cooper.
“South had a free hit, and it came into the circle quickly,” Casciato said. “Someone stopped it initially, and somebody pulled it back. It was a nice lift shoulder level high on the right side. My goalie was upset, but sometimes you’re going to give up good shots.”
The Indians responded with five corners in the quarter, including one with time expired, but South goalie Emma Kraft and the Titans’ defense stood tall, allowing South to take that 1-0 lead into halftime.
“We were dominating, we clanked one off the post,” Casciato said. “We did have the ball behind the goalie, and one of their defenders made a save on the goal line. I felt like we played pretty soundly the whole game. It just took us a while to punch it in.”
That 1-0 score stood until Reiley Knize (Ang Borisow assist) scored the equalizer with five minutes remaining in the third quarter.
“Ang Borisow hit a hard drive, Reiley was standing on pads, she stopped it with one touch and flipped it in with a second touch,” Casciato said. “It was really a nice goal because CB South is really good about packing the circle, so it is really difficult to get good shots off against them. You really have to move them.”
Two minutes later, freshman Ava Jones scored off a corner with a Lauren Frye assist, giving the Indians their first lead.
Five minutes into the fourth quarter, Frye connected on a direct corner shot, benefitting from a Borisow assist.
“It was kind of funny because it was basically a ball she mishit,” Casciato said. “I said – sometimes those are harder to defend. You rocket one in there, and all they have to do is block it back and it’s out of the circle.”
Lauren Kenah turned a Frye assist on a penalty corner into the game’s final goal with 6:23 remaining.
“I felt we played pretty well every quarter, but the second half our passing was really good, and we looked like a team,” Casciato said. “The nice thing was – we had four different people score. I felt like we were pretty strong at every position today. Everybody had moments where they really contributed.”
The Indians’ coach credited the play of her team on both attack and defense.
“I thought our whole forward line played well today – Reiley Knize, Lauren Kenah and Ava Shaw,” Casciato said. “Ava is our right forward, and she’s been phenomenal the last three games. I felt like she got off to a slow start this season – we kept trying her at different positions. She was on my indoor team this year, so I’m like – I know she’s better than this. I knew she could be more aggressive, and she’s had some really strong games.
“Our defense was very sound – Ang Borisow played a great game and so did Ashley Paturzo, our sweeper.”
The Indians held an advantage in shots (9-6) and corners (14-3).
“Souderton is a very strong and well-coached team,” South coach Pat Toner said. “They have excellent skill, good speed, good defense and deserve their current number one ranking in the District One seedings.
“We played well today, but we definitely have some areas that we need to continue to improve. Congrats to both teams on a hard-fought game.”
Souderton (12-1, 11-0 SOL) will travel to Central Bucks East on Wednesday, and Central Bucks South (9-4, 8-4) will host Central Bucks West on Wednesday at 7 p.m. for Middle School Field Hockey Night.
Central Bucks South 0-1-0-0 1
Souderton 0-0-2-2 4
NORTH PENN 5, CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 1
Maddie Waldspurger collected a hat trick and Bella Sparango added a pair of goals to lead the Knights to the big win in the first game of the second round of divisional play.
“The game was physical and fast, but the Knights rose to the occasion, making the most of their offensive opportunities,” NP coach Shannon McCracken said.
Waldspurger scored an unassisted goal two minutes into the game, and Sparango found the cage with 1:28 remaining in the opening quarter to put the Knights on top 2-0. Sparango turned a Catherine McGeehan pass into a goal midway through the second quarter to put the Knights on top 3-0, but the Bucks answered with a goal by Bella Aulisio (Mimi Duffy assist) to make a 3-1 game at halftime.
Waldspurger scored a pair of goals in the third quarter – the first unassisted and the second with a Bay Detweiler assist.
Kiera Holt recorded five saves in goal for the Knights.
“Annabelle Smink and Melissa Sessler played strong defense to hold the Bucks to one goal,” McCracken said.
North Penn (10-3, 9-2 SOL) will host Pennridge on Wednesday (7 p.m.), and Central Bucks West (6-7, 5-7) will travel to Central Bucks South on Wednesday (7 p.m.).
Central Bucks West 0-1-0-0 1
North Penn 2-1-2-0 5
SOL Liberty
PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 1, QUAKERTOWN 0
It was a night for Plymouth Whitemarsh to honor its six seniors – Aniya Bond, Hailey Copestick, Lauren Levin, Molly Lynch, Carly McGee and Sydney Scannapieco. The Colonials celebrated their seniors by earning a hard-fought win over the visiting Panthers.
Julie Price scored the game-winner with 11:06 remaining in the third quarter, using assists from Carly McGee and Jules Tulio.
“It was such an exhilarating game to watch and be part of,” PW coach Jessica Randazzo said. “The seniors had such a great game and poured their hearts onto the field tonight.
“The energy was amazing, and we had to change our game plan after the first quarter to adjust to their style of play. I am so proud of the girls, and I can’t wait to see what the next couple of weeks bring.”
The Colonials’ coach also pointed to underclassmen Jules Tulio and Ava Matthias as key players in Monday’s win.
Quakertown goalie Kylie Lerch was credited with seven saves.
“We played a really great game of hockey tonight but just couldn’t find the back of the net,” Quakertown coach Kate Kemp said.
Plymouth Whitemarsh (10-2-1, 10-1-1 SOL) will host Hatboro-Horsham on Wednesday, and Quakertown (7-6, 6-5) will travel to Upper Dublin.
Quakertown 0-0-0-0 0
Plymouth Whitemarsh 0-0-1-0 1
ABINGTON 1, UPPER DUBLIN 0
Rachel Kallan scoring with a Camryn Stewart to break a scoreless tie with a goal early in the third period, and that was the difference in Monday’s tightly contested division contest.
“It was another hard-fought game today – the team is certainly not concerned about my nerves these days,” Abington coach Katie Small said after yet another close game. “Both teams played great, and it honestly could have gone either way.”
Neither team scored in the first half, and it was Stewart carrying the ball down the right alley from just past midfield and sending a cross to Kallan, who converted it into a goal from her spot in the middle of the circle. That 1-0 lead stood the rest of the way.
“We have been practicing crosses and tip-ins at practice,” Small said. “It was nice to see one go in the net today.”
The Ghosts’ coach lauded the efforts of several players in the win.
“Tara Hughes, Maddie Slavin and Devan DiMaria did a great job staying low and clearing the ball out of the circle,” Small said. “Marilynn Capps had some great saves in cage and recorded her eighth shutout.
“Camryn Stewart and Erica Devlin played really well together, getting the ball down into our offensive end.”
Capps was credited with five saves in a shutout effort in goal. UD’s Dara Fishman recorded five saves.
Abington (9-5, 8-4 SOL) will travel to Wissahickon on Wednesday, and Upper Dublin (6-6) will host Quakertown on Wednesday.
Upper Dublin 0-0-0-0 0
Abington 0-0-1-0 1
WISSAHICKON 6, HATBORO-HORSHAM 0
Kendall Crowley connected for a hat trick, and the visiting Trojans erupted for four goals in the second quarter – two from Crowley – to blow open a close game on their way to the shutout win.
With 4:25 remaining in the opening quarter, Crowley turned a Caroline Kirkpatrick pass into a goal and a lead the Trojans would never relinquish.
It was still a 1-0 game when – with 7:50 remaining in the second quarter – Julia Schools (Ella Hummel assist) scored a goal that ignited a three-goal tear in a three-minute span and also included goals by Crowley (Kate Lovensheimer assist) and Sophia Havrilla (Brynne Miller assist). With four seconds remaining in the quarter, Crowley connected on her third goal of the game, using a Hummel assist.
The Trojans put the finishing touches on the win when Morgan Risnychok scored with a Faith Jampo assist early in the fourth quarter.
Wissahickon goalies Julianna Thomas and Jillian Pileggi combined to make just one save. Hatters’ goalie Raven Hiller turned away 33 shots in a stellar outing.
Wissahickon (13-1, 12-0 SOL) will host Abington on Wednesday, and Hatboro-Horsham (1-11-1, 1-10-1) will travel to Plymouth Whitemarsh on Wednesday.
Wissahickon 1-4-0-1 6
Hatboro-Horsham 0-0-0-0 0
SOL Freedom
NEW HOPE-SOLEBURY 3, SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP 0
The Lions were a resilient bunch in Monday’s win. After misfiring on a penalty stroke in the first quarter, they cashed in on a second seven minutes into the third quarter. Sophia Cozza’s stroke broke a scoreless tie and provided a spark for the Lions.
“It didn’t look like it totally affected us,” NHS coach Gwen Smith said of her team coming up empty on its first stroke. “It was a fairly even game, and (Cozza’s) stroke fired us up.”
Five minutes later, Madie Thistlewaite scored a textbook goal with a Cozza assist.
“That goal was beautiful,” Smith said. “Sophia Cozza got it at the top just outside the circle and just hit a beautiful shot on goal, and Madie Thistlewaite was there to deflect it in right on the post.”
The Lions took that 2-0 lead into the fourth quarter and closed out the scoring with an unassisted goal from Kat Thistlewaite.
“It was off of a corner as well, and it was like the fifth shot – we’d shoot it, they’d save it, and we finally got it into the cage,” Smith said. “I was proud that they continued to try. We didn’t give up on it, and we just kept shooting.”
The win, according to the Lions’ coach, was a team effort.
“Sophia Cozza played a really strong game,” Smith said of her defensive center mid. “Today we did a lot of little things that we hadn’t been doing in games, so that was something that elevated our game today. We were paying a little bit more attention to the details we need to in order to keep moving forward, and it was across the board. It was really nice to see.”
Both teams had five penalty corners. The Lions held a 10-4 edge in shots.
New Hope-Solebury (10-2-1, 9-2-1 SOL) will travel to Lower Moreland on Wednesday, and Springfield Township (8-5, 7-4) will host William Tennent on Wednesday (5 p.m.).
New Hope-Solebury 0-0-2-1 3
Springfield Township 0-0-0-0 0
LOWER MORELAND 2, UPPER MORELAND 0
Senior Zoe Karros scored a pair of goals – one in the third quarter and one in the fourth, propelling the visiting Lions to the win in a battle of neighboring rivals. Liz Neeld assisted on both.
“It was a very even game,” UM coach Marissa Elizardo said. “We went into halftime tied 0-0. We maintained possession but struggled to get shots on cage.”
UM goalie Emma Hurley was credited with 11 saves.
Lower Moreland (7-7, 5-7 SOL) will host New Hope-Solebury on Wednesday, and Upper Moreland (3-11, 2-10) will travel to Cheltenham on Wednesday.
Lower Moreland 0-0-1-1 2
Upper Moreland 0-0-0-0 0
Non-league
NESHAMINY 8, ST. HUBERT’S 0
The Redskins came out of the gate on fire, exploding for four unanswered goals in the first quarter on their way to the no-doubt-about-it non-league win. Eight players contributed a goal for the ‘Skins.
Kasey Rieger’s unassisted goal three minutes into the game ended up being the game-winner. A minute later Avery McGinty connected on an unassisted goal. Midway through the quarter, Mia Martin scored with a Colette Schardt assist, and just over a minute later, Emily Papeo connected on an unassisted goal to put the Redskins on top 4-0.
In the second quarter. Megan Hollenbaugh (Michelle Baradziej assist) and Baradziej each scored a goal, and the Redskins closed out the scoring with goals from Mia Sermarini (Papeo assist) and Schardt in the fourth quarter.
Neshaminy (9-5, 7-5 SOL) will travel to Pennsbury on Wednesday.
St. Hubert’s 0-0-0-0 0
Neshaminy 4-2-0-2 8
Saturday, Oct. 9
QUAKERTOWN 2, PALISADES 1
Alexis Mowrer tipped in a Megan Roth pass for the go-ahead goal two minutes into the third quarter, and the visiting Panthers held on for the non-league win, their fourth in the week and fifth in a row.
The host Pirates got on the scoreboard first, but the Panthers rallied to knot the score six minutes into the second quarter when Kaitlin Calvello scored on a beautiful tip-in goal off a Kiera Gallagher pass.
“It was a good game between two evenly matched teams,” Quakertown coach Kate Kemp said. “Palisades has some really strong players and moves the ball well.
“It’s been a long week for our team, playing four games, but they kept up the intensity the entire 60 minutes.”
Quakertown goalie Kylie Lerch was credited with eight saves in a winning effort.
Quakertown 0-1-1-0 2
Palisades 1-0-0-0 1
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