Check out the recaps for SOL field hockey teams in action Monday. CB South/CB East photos provided courtesy of Tracy Valko. Check back for a gallery of photos.
SOL Patriot
COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 3, PENNSBURY 0
Ignoring the inclement weather, the Golden Hawks notched a shutout win over the visiting Falcons.
“It was a great game,” Rock South coach Lisa Belz said. “Pennsbury had some nice players. They did a lot of good passing, but overall, I felt like my team came out – we have a strategy, and they executed the game plan pretty well today.”
Less than six minutes into the game, Kerry Kaufman scored on a corner shot with an assist from Brigid Morgan, and with 3:35 remaining in the opening period, the Golden Hawks led 2-0 when Ava Haurin (Emilia Elko assist) scored on a tip.
The Golden Hawks took that 2-0 lead into halftime and put the game out of reach when Karissa Smedley scored with a Kaufman assist at the 8:31 mark of the fourth period for the 3-0 final.
“Emilia Elko had a great game in the center and Kerry Kaufman – I thought they really controlled play and distributed the ball well,” Belz said. “Kylee Hager, our freshman, was a standout to me also. She was able to carry the ball down the right side and generate some offense.”
The Golden Hawks held an advantage in shots (8-2) and corners (10-4).
Abby Levine recorded one save in goal in the shutout win. Rianna Shields also was credited with a defensive save.
Council Rock South (5-3, 5-2 SOL) will host Bensalem on Wednesday at 6 p.m., and Pennsbury (3-4) will travel to Council Rock North on Monday.
Pennsbury 0-0-0-0 0
Council Rock South 2-0-0-1 3
Falcons Battle in First Turf Game but Fall Short
(Submitted by Pennsbury field hockey)
It was another rain-soaked game between Pennsbury and Council Rock South, the difference this time being turf instead of grass. This was Pennsbury’s first turf game of the season, so they knew they would have to make some adjustments on both sides of the ball. South’s Kerry Kaufman scored midway through the first quarter on corner play to go up 1-0. The Falcons were slow to make those imperative adjustments, especially in the midfield and finding openings on free hit opportunities.
South is a strong, fast team with great ball anticipation so PHS struggled connecting and working the ball through the layers of the field. Despite the chill in the air, Pennsbury was still fired up going into the second quarter, staring a 2-0 deficit in the face after CR South notched another goal from Emilia Elko. They were having fun, playing hard, and doing the work, but struggled keeping possession in their scoring zone.
The Falcons defense stepped up big time in the backfield, denying opportunities throughout the game and holding Council Rock scoreless in the second and third quarters. The score remained 2-0 at the half. Junior Sophia Curtis handled the sideline channeling like a champ and stopped many a ball from getting into the circle from the right. She also had some big stops inside the circle with strong heads up plays. Hannah Aker broke through the back a few times to give a spark on defense as well. Helena Sosa stepped in for a senior defender who was out with an injury and handled her job well, adding to the solid playing in the red zone. Goalie Jordan Vradenburgh protected the cage with great clears, stepping out to deny shots, and consistent communication.
South was able to score another in the fourth quarter making it 3-0 on a goal from Karissa Smedley, but the Falcons never let up and in the final quarter had a sequence of three penalty corners in a row, but just could not finish. We were proud of how the girls handled the weather, the travel, the turf, and the entire game experience. Playing on turf is an entirely different game that requires a skill set that Pennsbury is striving to master. Each game provides the chance to learn, reevaluate, and get better. With three games left on their schedule, Pennsbury looks to be the best version of themselves when they reach the final moments of the 2020 season. The Falcons will travel back to Council Rock North’s turf to face CR North on Monday.
SOL Continental
CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 2, PENNRIDGE 1 (OT)
Junior Bella Aulisio scored on a two-on-one break in overtime, giving the visiting Bucks the exhilarating win.
“After an infraction call, Bella self-started and broke directly towards goal, scoring on a short side shot past the goalkeeper for the win,” West coach Dave DeAngelis said. “We talk with this group of student-athletes that right now it’s all about hard work.
“Tonight was the first time all season that not only four quarters but overtime – it was great to see their efforts rewarded. We believe the team learned and took an important valuable step forward in being able to finish strong against a talented Pennridge team in overtime. This was a total team win.”
The two teams battled to a scoreless halftime tie, and it was the Rams getting on the scoreboard first with a third quarter goal by Emma Schlotter (Payton Muth assist).
“Pennridge created multiple offensive opportunities throughout the match with their transition game by getting the ball upfield quick and relentlessly,” DeAngelis said. “Going into the fourth quarter, I said, ‘Guys, it’s a one-touch game. One touch is all it takes.’”
With less than three minutes to play, freshman Mimi Duffy connected on her first goal of the season, scoring from the back side on a rebound shot.
“We were coming up on the right side of the circle, and we were able to get the ball coming across the circle,” DeAngelis said. “We’re constantly reminding them about off-ball movement, back side, the importance of being in position.
“The ball came across, and Bella basically put it on her stick and shot it inside the back post, but the beauty is – it was basically a two-on-one against their goalkeeper. We’re a young, inexperienced group. Tonight was the first night they learned how to finish a game.”
West’s win came on the heels of a 4-0 loss to CB South last Friday.
“To me the highlights of today’s game – we were transitioning the ball, whether it was wide, or when Pennridge adjusted, we then redirected it through the middle,” DeAngelis said. “I felt it was a very well-balanced game for both teams with possession, but I really, really liked the connections we were making.
“Pennridge is a big hitting team. We are connections, working our way up the field, give and goes, people rotating in transition. They really, really did a nice job with that. This group never had overtime before, so it was a little dicey at first where we gave up the ball a few times.”
The Bucks’ first-year coach credited the play of the Rams.
“They were good, they have good stick skills,” DeAngelis said. “Some of their long hits gave us some challenges because they had opportunities on our cage, but it was probably overall our best four quarter-plus performance of consistency and hard work.
“We’ve been in almost every single game. We have had challenges finishing, and tonight was just one of those nights where I think that some learning and the belief in what we’re all doing collectively as a staff and as a team – they could see it working.”
DeAngelis lauded the efforts of his squad.
“Our defense was anchored by our senior goalkeepers – Brooke Golbeski and Sadie Fergiuele – along with Claire Engebreth (center back),” the Bucks’ coach said. “Reagan Levant (sophomore) and Lily Cosner (freshman) stepped up numerous times to help defend against the Pennridge attack.
“Our midfielders – Julia Bunch, Meg Weyer, Caroline Crecca, Kate Waskey – played inspired and continued to help and support on both ends of the pitch. Our forwards – Bryn Spoerl, Bella Aulisio and Mimi Duffy – played their best match of the season in creating multiple attacking opportunities.”
Pennridge coach Becky Spahr acknowledged it was a tough game to lose in OT.
“The game was very even in the first half with a lot of back and forth play,” the Rams’ coach said. “We were able to step up and keep possession in our offensive end most of the third and fourth quarters, scoring early in the third, but missing out on a few offensive chances.
“The game ended on a strange call that got us out of position, and West took advantage and scored the game-winner. Credit to West for finishing on their opportunities. West’s goalkeepers did very well, stepping up and stopping some of our fast break chances.”
The duo of Golbeski and Fergiuele stopped eight of nine shots. Pennridge goalie Maia Machado was credited with three saves.
Central Bucks West (2-5 SOL) will be on the road at Central Bucks East Thursday for a 3:15 p.m. game. Pennridge (3-5, 2-5) will travel to Souderton Wednesday for a 7 p.m. game.
Central Bucks West 0-1-1 2
Pennridge 0-1-0 1
CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 2, CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 0
The Patriots broke a scoreless tie with a pair of second half goals en route to a win that clinched at least a share of the program’s sixth consecutive conference title.
“I was just pleased that we came away with a win, but aside from that – the resilience and the second half effort of everyone on the field was huge,” East coach Meghann Spratt said. “When it was 0-0 at halftime and the effort of CB South was great both defensively and offensively, it was a back and forth game between the 25s with kids running, kids passing. It was just anyone’s game in the midfield.
“CB South beat us to the ball a number of times in the first half, so we made some adjustments in the second half, we made more of an effort to beat them to the ball. We made a couple changes of players on the field, and then we started to generate (attack).
“I always say – if you can score first, that really has an impact on the game, and going into the second half, I said, ‘It’s still a 0-0 game. We have to score first,’ and we did. Once we did, the momentum shifted and I felt that was a huge factor in our win.”
According to Spratt, South’s varsity arrived during the first quarter of the jayvee game and elected to avoid the elements by waiting in the bus until halftime.
“It’s just little factors that in the freezing cold and the rain that have an effect,” Spratt said. “I think starting out a little flat and cold and wet is never good for either team, and it’s anyone’s game when the elements are like that.”
Kenzie Lever (Phia Mannino assist) put the Patriots on the board with 3:46 remaining in the third quarter, and the Patriots tacked on a goal when Grace Bethke found the cage midway through the fourth quarter, also using a Mannino assist.
“Despite the score, I feel that CB South outplayed East for the majority of the game,” South coach Pat Toner said. “Sophia Wasyliw had a fantastic game for South and controlled the midfield.
“East did a better job of finishing, although CB South’s defense held strong throughout the game and gave East minimal opportunities. Our defense of Sarah and Julia Cooper and Grace and Lily Haag played with poise and composure. I could not be more proud of the way our team is playing, and I’m even more proud of the way they treat and respect each other on and off the field.”.jpg)
Spratt also handed out praise to several of her players.
“I thought Grace Bethke, Paige Hussie and Emily Bullard played great on defense,” the Patriots’ coach said. “Especially in the fourth quarter, Emily Bullard played really strong. I give her a lot of credit.
“I thought Phia (Mannino) defensively transitioning the ball to attack – she covered tons of ground and did really, really well having a hand in both goals. I felt my forwards were all over the place. In the second half, having everyone involved made it work.”
Both teams had eight corners. The Titans held a 7-4 edge in shots.
Central Bucks East (7-1 SOL) will host Central Bucks West on Thursday at 3:15 p.m., and Central Bucks South (3-4-1) will travel to North Penn on Wednesday.
Central Bucks East 0-0-1-1 2
Central Bucks South 0-0-0-0 0
SOL Liberty
PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 6, UPPER DUBLIN 1
Kaleigh Missimer handed out four assists and teammate Ava Borkowski connected for a hat trick to lead the Colonials to a win that moved them one step closer to yet another conference crown. Monday’s win was the eighth in as many games for PW.
Borkowski turned a Missimer pass into a reverse stick goal to open the scoring only to watch the Flying Cardinals answer with the equalizer a few minutes later.
“Despite earning numerous corners in the first half, PW had trouble executing and finding the back of the cage,” PW coach Charise Halteman said.
With just under three minutes remaining in the opening half, Borkowski scored her second goal to send PW into halftime with a 2-1 advantage. After earning several corners in the third quarter, the Colonials found their offensive strike. Hailey Copestick (Missimer assist) scored on a well-executed corner play, and then it was Regan Gehman tipping in a Molly Lynch cross shortly thereafter.
Copestick scored her second goal of the game on the same corner play in the fourth quarter, and Borkowski connected on her third goal of the game with 2:52 remaining off another Missimer assist.
“Despite struggling to finish early in the game, PW maintained its composure and persistence to secure the win,” Halteman said. “Kaleigh Missimer played a strong game in the midfield to set up key plays and organize the team, evidenced by her four assists.”
Plymouth Whitemarsh (7-0) will host Abington on Wednesday, and Upper Dublin (5-3) will travel to Wissahickon for a 5 p.m. game.
Upper Dublin 1-0 1
Plymouth Whitemarsh 2-4 6
WISSAHICKON 6, QUAKERTOWN 0
Aiden Drabick had a hand in four goals, scoring one and assisting on three others to lead the Trojans to the convincing win.
“It was a cold and windy night, but the game must go on,” Wissahickon coach Lucy Gil said. “Creating their own heat, Wissahickon used each quarter to put some points on the board.”
Brynne Miller scored six minute into the game with a Sophia Havrilla assist, and a goal by Kendal Williams (Drabick assist) early in the second quarter sent the Trojans into halftime with a 2-0 lead.
The Trojans added a pair of goals in the third quarter, scoring both in the final 3:22 of the period. Julia Schools turned a Drabick pass into a goal, and then it was Drabick converting a penalty stroke. Ella Hummel’s goal with a Drabick assist closed out the scoring.
Wissahickon (7-2, 6-2 SOL) will host Upper Dublin at 5 p.m. Wednesday, and Quakertown (0-8-1, 0-7-1) will be on the road at Hatboro-Horsham for a 7 p.m. contest on Wednesday.
Quakertown 0-0-0-0 0
Wissahickon 1-1-2-1 6
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