Check out the recaps for SOL field hockey teams in action Friday. Pennsbury/CR South photos courtesy of Darryl Rule/J&D Photography. Check back for a gallery of photos.
SOL Patriot Division
PENNSBURY 1, COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 0
(Article submitted by Pennsbury field hockey)
Patience is a virtue, and the Pennsbury Falcons have proved that sometimes it just takes some time. The Falcons have been more than patient, riding a rollercoaster of ups and downs through the season, yet never losing their drive or heart along the way and best of all, gaining confidence across the board.
Tonight marked their fourth victory in a row behind an eight-game losing streak, and it was a sweet victory against Council Rock South who defeated them by one goal back on Sept. 12. The two teams are locked in the Patriot Division standings, seeming to mirror each other’s wins and losses, making this meeting very significant.
“We dug deep to prepare mentally and focus specifically on our individual skills, small game tactics, and large game pieces over the past week,” explained head coach, Traci Curtis. “It was imperative for us to put all of those things together to play a complete game if we wanted to beat a very talented Council Rock South. We knew we were capable, but not naive that at this point in the season teams may not look the same as the first time around.”
This battle of the birds got off to a slow start as both teams settled into the moment. The first quarter was scoreless with opportunities for the Falcons and the Hawks, but no one able to finish. The second quarter went by without a goal as well, keeping it locked at zeros going into halftime.
“We were happy with our performance, possessing the ball for much of the time, but wanting to get the battle out of the midfield and use our width better,” Curtis said. “CR South was slipping through and
getting breakaways that were fast and forcing us into panicked recoveries down the field. The coaches just kept emphasizing patient timing and more aggressiveness to the ball at the same time – it’s like an artful dance of knowing when to slow and when to go.”
Pennsbury did put it all together in the third quarter, amping up their passing sequences and connecting down the field. Three minutes into the quarter and with the help of Olivia Coen, Riley Askey found Mia Popovich for a great finish and the first goal of the game. It would stand as the only goal and the game-winner for the Falcons.
“Riley Askey gets the job done when she is in there and has helped us to score at important times in a couple of games,” Curtis said. “Mia Popovich is just an incredibly consistent athlete who provides the spark and energy we need to sustain. Her speed and step to the ball is unmatched, and she is always making thing happen. She is hard
to stop down the line – it’s really fun to watch her carry the ball.
“Mia’s goal in conjunction with stellar defensive play by Kaylin Flannery is what contributed significantly to this win. Defense wins games, and today, Flannery, along with a defensive save by standout defender, Gabby Darling, did just that. Senior defender, Riley Henderson also made many strong plays today, and goalie Kayla Shaffer earned the shutout with force.
“This was our best win of the season and one that we have been working for since August 14. We are not finished and know that right ahead of us is another serious battle with Council Rock North. Today’s game provided great momentum as we travel to North next week to close out the regular season. Our story has been building over the past two months, and we are ready to write our beautifully exciting ending.”
Pennsbury (7-10, 5-10 SOL) will travel to Council Rock North on Tuesday for its season finale, and Council Rock South (4-12, 4-11) will close its season at home against Harry S Truman on Tuesday at 6 p.m.
Council Rock South 0-0-0-0 0
Pennsbury 0-0-1-0 1
NESHAMINY 4, COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 0
Neshaminy made it official, clinching sole possession of the SOL Patriot Division title. It is the sixth straight year the Redskins have won at least a share of the division crown.
Friday’s win avenged a 3-2 loss to Rock North in the first meeting between the two teams.
“We came out today and did what we needed to do to win,” Neshaminy coach Jamie Pinto said. “Coming out we felt like we had a lot to prove from our first meeting with North.
“In both games, North played strong, but we were able to finish today. We learned a lot from our first matchup with North and have improved throughout the season. We have one more league game— we need to come out ready to play and finish our regular season strong.”
Mia Brooks put the Redskins on the scoreboard with 4:20 remaining in the opening quarter, using a Kasey Rieger assist. Brooks assisted on a goal by Maddy Shtino with 17 seconds remaining in the quarter that put the Redskins on top 2-0, a score they took into halftime.
Rieger found the cage with an unassisted goal late in the third quarter, and Brooks turned a Rieger pass into a goal two minutes into the fourth quarter for the 4-0 final.
Brooks and Rieger both had a hand in three goals with Brooks connecting for a pair and assisting on another. Rieger had one goal and two assists.
Neshaminy (12-5, 11-4 SOL) will host Bensalem on Tuesday in its regular season finale, and Council Rock North (10-7, 8-7) will host Pennsbury on Tuesday in its final game of the regular season.
Council Rock North 0-0-0-0 0
Neshaminy 2-0-1-1 4
SOL Colonial Division
CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 1, SOUDERTON 0
Not a whole lot separated the Indians and visiting Patriots statistically, but the Patriots had the advantage the only place it mattered – on the scoreboard where Sienna Valenti’s goal was the difference.
Friday’s win was the third 1-0 win of the week for the Patriots, who notched their second 1-0 win of the season over the Indians.
“It was amazing to close out the tough week of conference play with another win,” East coach Emma Rosenthal said. “Sienna Valenti had an incredible game today on both sides of the ball.
“We emphasize that the ugly goals count just as much as the pretty ones, but Sienna had a really pretty goal today. With 8:50 left in the first quarter, she dribbled through several defenders to the top of the circle, and then ripped it.”
That turned out to be the extent of the scoring for both squads as the remainder of the game belonged to the respective defenses.
“Credit to our defensive unit of Anna Daly, Maddie Mandia, Avery McCann, and Katie Szczypiorski for really containing the ball and limiting the number of opportunities,” Rosenthal. “Audra Szymborski had a fantastic game with eight saves in the shutout.
“The stats were dead even today with both teams at six penalty corners and eight shots on goal, so I’m really proud of their fight and the result.”
Central Bucks East (13-4, 12-3 SOL) will host North Penn in Tuesday’s regular season finale at 7 p.m. Souderton (8-7-1, 8-5-1) will host Central Bucks West on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.
Central Bucks East 1-0-0-0 1
Souderton 0-0-0-0 0
CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 6, PENNRIDGE 0
There was no disappointment this time around.
Central Bucks West – which saw a share of the division title slip away in the final game of the season last year – captured sole possession of the SOL Colonial Division title. It is the program’s first since 2015.
“This was a special evening,” West coach David DeAngelis said. “First, there are many student-athletes from both programs playing for the same club – they’re great friends and they know each other very well. Second, it is our version of Friday Night Lights – Field Hockey style, which is awesome, and third, our student-athletes earned and clinched the 2023 SOL Colonial Division championship this evening.”
The Bucks led by just a 1-0 score at halftime, thanks to a goal by Mimi Duffy (Aida Ierubino assist) with 5:50 remaining in the half.
Then came a third quarter that saw the Bucks blow the game wide open with a four-goal explosion. Duffy scored with a Nina Mayro assist two minutes into the quarter, and two minutes later, Calista Boos scored, also with a Mayro assist. That 3-0 score stood until 3:23 remained in the quarter when Mayro connected for a goal with a Duffy assist. Ierubino’s unassisted goal sent the Bucks into the fourth quarter with a 5-0 lead.
Four minutes into the final quarter, Mayro – who led the Bucks with two goals and two assists – turned an Ierubino pass into a goal for the 6-0 final.
“A lot of credit to coach Becky (Spahr) and Coach Melissa (Herd) – this was a highly competitive match throughout,” DeAngelis said. “Pennridge is very sound fundamentally and defensively step to the ball as good as any team we faced this season.
“We were not as crisp as we would have liked to be in the first half; we were able to transition the ball and connect our passes for most of the game. We believe that our relentless attacking and counterattacking was able to open up greater opportunities in the second half – where we were able to finish strongly. We continue to have a very balanced group of student-athletes that really enjoy competing as a team.”
Central Bucks West (16-1, 14-1 SOL) will travel to Souderton for its regular season finale Tuesday at 6:30 p.m., and Pennridge (6-10, 5-9) will host Central Bucks South on Tuesday.
Pennridge 0-0-0-0 0
Central Bucks West 0-1-4-1 6
NORTH PENN 3, CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 0
The Knights celebrated their eight seniors – Maddie Brown, Maddie Hanrahan, Sarah Heath, Grace McGeehan, Esther Park, Melissa Sessler, Caleigh Sperling and Kennedy Weidamoyer – with a shutout win over the Titans.
““It is easy to celebrate these eight players because they are a pleasure to coach,” NP coach Shannon McCracken said. “They are a special group – they are tremendous leaders by example because of their work ethic, commitment to the team, positive attitudes, and high character.”
The Knights broke a scoreless tie four minutes into the second quarter when Sperling scored on a penalty corner with a Laura Albert assist. They took that 1-0 into halftime.
North Penn upped its lead to 2-0 fifteen seconds into the second half when Erika Pickford scored with an assist from McGeehan.
“That was a key goal to come out and score quickly in the second half as we talked at halftime about making some adjustments and playing more of NP hockey – quick transitions, spreading the field, and passing crisper,” McCracken said. “Much of the play tonight was in the midfield and in our attack end, but we had difficulty capitalizing as CB South did a good job of having their sticks down in the circle, intercepting many of our passes.”
The McGeehan to Pickford connection accounted for the third and final goal two minutes into the fourth quarter. The Titans mounted some late pressure, but the Knights’ defense stood tall.
“Center back Melissa Sessler did a great job of holding CB South’s offense out of the circle and limiting their shots,” McCracken said. “Midfielder Caleigh Sperling had a big night in the midfield, setting up many opportunities for our attack.
“Our division games are always tough and physical – so I am glad we secured the shutout victory and had a great senior KNIGHT.”
The Knights held an 8-4 advantage in penalty corners.
“The score doesn’t really reflect the way CB South played tonight,” South coach Kelli Chioffe said. “The team played with all heart and soul in this very physical game. I applaud the team’s efforts in this North Penn Senior night. While North Penn is quick on free hits and getting the ball down the field, CB South was able to hold them to a scoreless first quarter.
“In the second quarter, North Penn scored on a corner that hit our goalie’s pads but ricocheted in. Unfortunately for us, North Penn’s next goal in the third quarter caught us off guard right at the start of play. The third and final goal occurred in the fourth quarter on another penalty corner. We will stay focused and continue to work hard at practice to finish strong next week.”
North Penn (13-3-1, 11-3-1 SOL) will close out its regular season at Central Bucks East on Tuesday at 7 p.m. Central Bucks South (8-8, 8-7) will travel to Pennridge on Tuesday (7 p.m.).
Central Bucks South 0-0-0-0 0
North Penn 0-1-1-1 3
SOL Liberty Division
PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 2, UPPER DUBLIN 1
Ella Bruno couldn’t have picked a better time to score her first varsity goal. The sophomore scored during corner play at 10:25 of the third quarter with an assist from Emily Dobrowolski, breaking a 1-1 tie and propelling the Colonials to the hard-fought win.
Earlier, the Colonials got on the scoreboard first just four minutes into the game when Gracie Kerns was fouled in the circle, and the Colonials were awarded a stroke. Dobrowolski converted the stroke to give the Colonials a 1-0 lead. UD tied the game in the second quarter, and the two teams went into halftime deadlocked 1-1, setting the stage for Bruno’s game-winner.
“Hadley Blake played a strong game and was often double teamed,” PW coach Charise Halteman said. “She did a great job maintaining possession.”
Plymouth Whitemarsh (10-6, 10-4 SOL) will host Wissahickon on Tuesday at 7 p.m., and Upper Dublin (9-5-1, 8-5-1) will travel to Mount St. Joseph Academy for a non-league game Monday. The Colonials are 16th in the latest District 1 3A rankings, and UD is eighth in the 2A rankings.
Plymouth Whitemarsh 1-0-1-0 2
Upper Dublin 0-1-0-0 1
WISSAHICKON 4, ABINGTON 1
Sparked by a hat trick from Kayla Mullin, the Trojans scored a goal in each of the four quarters, opening up a 3-0 lead before the Ghosts got on the scoreboard in the third quarter. They got that goal back in the fourth quarter for the 4-1 final.
With the win, the Trojans clinched at least a share of the SOL Liberty Division title.
Kayla Mullin scored just over two minutes into the game, using a Cait Connaghan assist. With 1:02 remaining in the second quarter, Mullin turned a Noelle Koop pass into a goal and a 2-0 halftime lead.
Kayla Pak made it a 3-0 game, scoring with 5:45 remaining in the third quarter with an assist from Riley Ball. Abington’s Maeve Link scored with 2:44 remaining in the quarter to make it a 3-1 game.
Mullin completed her hat trick with a goal three minutes into the fourth quarter, using a Carly Lehman assist.
Ava Fell was credited with six saves in goal for the Trojans. Abington Caitlin Murcar recorded 10 saves in goal.
Wissahickon (13-3-1, 13-1-1 SOL) will close out its regular season with a contest at Plymouth Whitemarsh on Tuesday at 7 p.m. Abington (6-9, 5-8) will host Cheltenham on Monday at 5 p.m. and then will travel to Quakertown on Tuesday.
Wissahickon 1-1-1-1 4
Abington 0-0-1-0 1
QUAKERTOWN 8, HATBORO-HORSHAM 0
The Panthers earned a big road win over the Hatters, opening up a 3-0 halftime lead and never looking back.
Cassidy Landis and Sunny Draper each had a goal in the first quarter to spot the Panthers an early 2-0 lead. In the second quarter, Paige Longacre added her name to the scoring column with a goal that sent Quakertown into halftime with a 3-0 lead.
The Panthers put three goals on the board in the third quarter with goals by Longacre, Landis and then Draper.
“Things started to click a little better in the second half of the game with passing and communication matching each other,” Quakertown coach MacKenzie Moser said.
In the fourth quarter, Landis completed her hat trick, and Ella Schubert also added a goal.
Quakertown (13-3-1, 12-2-1 SOL) will close out its regular season on Tuesday when the Panthers will host Abington, and Hatboro-Horsham (2-14, 2-12) – with two games remaining on its schedule – will host Upper Dublin on Tuesday and then will host Abington on Wednesday.
Quakertown 2-1-3-2 8
Hatboro-Horsham 0-0-0-0 0
SOL Freedom Division
SPRINGFIELD TWP 3, LOWER MORELAND 0
The Spartans broke a scoreless tie with a goal in the second quarter and added two second-half goals on their way to a win that ensured Springfield Twp sole possession of the SOL Freedom Division title.
“The game was between the 25 yards for the first quarter until both teams settled in,” Springfield Twp coach Anita Stum said.
Isabella Navo scored a goal that turned out to be the game-winner with 5:16 remaining in the first half.
Gabi Maletta connected on a pair of goals in the second half for the 3-0 final.
“Iona Stum played a very nice game, stepping up and stopping breakaways from LM and distributing the ball from the back,” coach Stum said. “Bella Navo got us on the board in the second quarter with a strong stick near the end line.”
Springfield Twp (13-3-1, 11-3-1 SOL) will travel to Cheltenham Tuesday for its regular season finale, and Lower Moreland (7-9-1, 5-9-1) will be on the road at William Tennent on Tuesday at 6 p.m. The Spartans are the second ranked team in District One 1A while Lower Moreland is 14th in Class 2A with 16 teams making the tournament.
Lower Moreland 0-0-0-0 0
Springfield Twp 0-1-1-1 3
UPPER MORELAND 4, CHELTENHAM 3
(Article submitted by Upper Moreland field hockey)
Upper Moreland was winning 3-1 after the first quarter and that score held until half.
One minute into the game, Olivia Meakim passed to Ava Bailey who accurately lifted her shot into the cage. Then during a corner, Kyleigh Convey made a pass to Bailey who shot, and Maggie Morrow tipped it in for the first of her three goals. These forwards along with mids Ella Gould, Melissa Torpey and Cambrie Richmond were really playing well in the circle to create scoring opportunities. For the third goal, Meakim passed to Morrow, and she used a pull right dodge to score with eight seconds left in the first quarter.
In the second quarter, the game became more even.
“I didn’t feel like we were playing poorly, but Cheltenham’s #14 Farrell became more dominant,” UM coach Pam Remmey said. “He’s a very fast kid who has a long arm span to make wide dodges, with a very hard drive which was often called for danger”
He got a few breakaways and was able to set up a score by Gardner. Then Cheltenham was able to force a corner and Farrell scored with an assist from Chaney. The game also became more physical in the second half with Cheltenham given three cards, including a yellow for five minutes. Izzy Duncan and Melissa Torpey were fearless defensively handling Cheltenham’s attackers.
The score was still tied in the fourth quarter.
“Cambrie Richmond was amazing in the midfield, using her dynamic stickwork to dribble through Cheltenham’s defense and create shooting opportunities,” Remmey said. “We were really pummeling their goalie with shots in the fourth quarter but nothing was going in – several wide shots. Our inserter, Kelly Bates got injured from a collision with Farrell, so we were off on our corners, missing post opportunities several times.”
Finally, with 2:23 left in the game, Richmond had possession in the circle again and took a shot which Morrow then pushed in to complete her hat trick.
UM goalies Tierney Hogan and Ash Conrad only had 2 saves each but did what they needed for us to win the game 4-3.
Thursday, Sept. 12
Non-league
BENSALEM 4, ST. HUBERT’S 0
The Owls broke a scoreless tie with a pair of second-quarter goals on their way to the non-league shutout win.
“Another great showing from this Bensalem Owls team,” coach Gary Kubik said. “Our last two weeks have been filled with so much energy and focus. Today was a total – and I mean total – team win.
“I was able to get contributions today from every player in the Bensalem program. It also showed us what we have in some of our younger players that don’t get much time on varsity. They are able to step up and rise to the challenge. The next few years look promising. And that’s what we’re trying to do here, establish a culture that will sustain for years to come. Baby steps, that’s what we’ve been saying all year.
“St. Hubert’s was a very solid team and completely took us out of any energy that we tried to start with. After a very emotional game the night before, they were able to hold down the energy we wanted to bring but didn’t.
The Owls broke the scoreless tie when Giuliana Pasquerella connected on an unassisted goal with 6:40 remaining in the second period.
“That goal brought back some of the life that we were looking for,” Kubik said.
Six minutes later, Megan Klein scored the first of her two goals with an assist from Kaila DeWees to send the Owls into halftime with a 2-0 lead.
Klein scored her second goal – this one unassisted – just over six minutes into the third quarter.
“Some of our younger players contributed to the final goal of the day when Maddie Kennedy took the ball down the right sideline, dribbled all the way to baseline, was able to cross the ball through the goalmouth to a finishing score from Ava Hood,” Kubik said. “It was a great way to end our week and get ready for homecoming and to our final week of the season.”
Bensalem (3-13, 1-13 SOL) will travel to Neshaminy on Tuesday and close out its season at home on Thursday against Harry S Truman (7 p.m.).
St. Hubert’s 0-0-0-0 0
Bensalem 0-2-2-0 4
About the Author
