Check out the results for SOL field hockey teams in action Wednesday.
NESHAMINY 2, COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 0
The two teams braved the elements to battle it out for a share of the coveted conference crown. The Redskins had the better of play, scoring a goal in both halves to defeat the defending champion Golden Hawks. Both teams entered the game with identical conference records.
“Going into this game, it was the last game of the regular season, so we wanted to come out big,” coach Caitlin Koczynski said. “It was on our home field, so the girls were ready to play.
“It was a whole team effort from Haille (Sheppard) coming up big with saves, our defense getting it out, our midfield working it up and our forwards putting it away. It was a team effort from the first whistle to the last whistle. We played the whole entire game. The girls wanted it, and they played with heart.”
It took some serious heart to gut it out in conditions that deteriorated as the game progressed.
The Redskins – who held a 20-4 advantage in shots – found the cage at the 21:04 mark when Abby Alexis turned a pass from Marlena Koellner into a goal. That 1-0 lead held until Christen Pennington scored during corner play midway through the second half, using a Maria Palmieri assist.
“Once halftime hit, it was a downpour,” Koczynski said. “Once the downpour happened – it was like ‘We need to dig deep at this point and finish our plays stronger because of the rain.’
“The girls stepped up and put another one in – it was phenomenal to see.”
The conference title was the second in three years for the Redskins, who will share the crown with Council Rock North.
“It’s every team’s goal to win that championship,” Koczynski said. “We have such a strong league, and I was so happy to see the girls’ faces when they won that game. You could see pure heart went into that game and what they achieved. The girls earned it.”
The Redskins have won six straight since a stretch midway through the season that saw them drop four of seven games. During their winning streak, they avenged league losses to Council Rock North and Council Rock South.
“We did have some losses, but all of our losses were to very strong teams,” Koczynski said. “At one point, three of our losses came from the top four teams in the power rankings.
“The girls could see that and reflect and say, ‘Hey, we can do it.’ They turned it around, and each game since those losses they have been building and building. I’m glad we’re going strong into districts.”
Rock South goalie Anna Sternberg was credited with 10 saves and Sheppard had two.
The Redskins closed out the regular season with a 12-2 record in conference play (13-5 overall) while the Golden Hawks finished 11-3 in the league (12-5-1 overall).
Council Rock South 0-0 0
Neshaminy 1-1 2
PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 4, NORRISTOWN 1
The Colonials put the finishing touches on a memorable regular season, rolling to the win over the Eagles and finishing conference play with an impressive 12-1-1 record.
Making the Colonials’ accomplishment especially impressive was the fact that it came on the heels of a shaky 0-2 start to the regular season.
“We have never lost the first two games in a season since I’ve been here,” Paparone said. “In addition, we gave up nine goals in the first two games. We might not give that up in five or 10 games, but to give up nine goals and get (crushed) in the first two games – that was pretty disheartening.
“That was a rough Labor Day weekend for us.”
The Colonials responded to that rough start by winning nine straight conference games.
“I think it was just a matter of getting a comfort level with each other and realizing the seniors from last year were gone and they weren’t coming back and they needed to step up,” Paparone said. “I also started two freshmen, and they needed to get their legs underneath them a little and get a little bit comfortable.
“I really only had two seniors out there most of the season. It was just a lot in the beginning. They practiced pretty hard, but then they got out on the field for the first game, and a little bit of panic set in. They were looking around for Rachel and Courtney (Konowal) from last year and realized they weren’t there. It was a lack of confidence, a lack of composure in those first games.
“It seemed like we got into our regular (conference) season, and that just changed. We started to come together a little bit, gained confidence. We played Upper Moreland that first game and played really well. That seemed to give us the confidence we needed.”
The Colonials opened conference play with wins over Upper Moreland (6-0), Upper Merion (2-0) and Wissahickon (4-1).
“We were kind of fortunate to start the (conference) season against teams we felt comfortable with, starting with Upper Moreland and Upper Merion – teams that turned out to be strong teams, but they were teams we’d had success against in the past,” Paparone said. “I think they were very excited to play Wissahickon, and we played them well, and that really gave them confidence.
“I think we just gained confidence and starting the league 9-0 was the confidence they needed.”
Paparone credited several players for their roles in the team’s successful season.
“Our two senior starters, Alison Spinelli and Rita Lynn Trainer, did a good job in leadership roles and trying to show kids the way, and I think that was helpful,” Paparone said. “Aurora Mills has had a real solid year for us and was probably the most improved player over the course of the season. She started to come into her own.
“Frankie O’Brien was very solid on defense. She’s probably our most competitive kid, so that definitely helped. I switched things around and put Grace McGuire at sweep who hadn’t played there before, and she solidified the defense a little bit. I think it was a combination of things.”
In Wednesday’s regular season finale, the Colonials – sparked by two goals from Aurora Mills and single goals from Jess Dixon and Paige Totten – opened up a 2-0 halftime lead on their way to the 4-1 win. Alison Spinelli and Shannon McKee each contributed an assist. Amanda Falcon scored for the Eagles.
“Today was obviously very difficult conditions to play in – it might have been the hardest rain I have ever seen a team play in, and it was very fortunate that we were on turf,” Paparone said. “But I was overall pleased with the way we played and the way we handled the conditions.
“We worked on some things in order to get ready for District One playoffs, and it gives us a 13-win season, which means it was very successful.
“I thought Norristown played well also. They have some talented players, especially #13 (Natalie Mitchell). We are excited for the ‘second season.’”
The Colonials closed out the regular season 13-4-1 overall while the Eagles were 0-14 in league play (0-17 overall).
Plymouth Whitemarsh 2-2 4
Norristown 0-1 1
CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 3, SOUDERTON 1
The Patriots had a Senior Day to remember Wednesday. In addition to recognizing the team’s eight seniors, the Patriots also picked up an impressive win to close out their season under first year coach Brittany Kocis.
Seven of the eight seniors saw action with Maggie Stella, who has been sidelined with an injury, the only one who did not play.
“They did such a fantastic job of passing,” Kocis said. “It was beautiful to watch. They were passing to one another stick to stick.
“I’m almost speechless. I’m so proud of them and how they performed today.”
Senior Conner Allen spotted the Patriots a 2-0 halftime lead, connecting for her first goal at the 22:25 mark and then scoring again with 13:20 remaining in the half. Freshman Riley Donnelly assisted on both.
“Riley Donnelly did a beautiful job of bringing the ball up the field and getting it to our post players,” Kocis said. “Conner did an excellent job of being ready for it and getting the ball in the cage.”
The Indians cut that lead in half when Jessica Gabriel (Erin Saybolt assist) connected at the 19:50 mark of the second half, but seven minutes later, Katelyn Stout turned a pass from Sydney Badger into a goal for East’s 3-1 final margin of victory.
The Patriots closed out their season with a 5-9 record in SOL play (8-10 overall), a marked improvement over the past two seasons saw the team win just four games each year.
“This season is a learning and building year,” Kocis said. “But they really did a fantastic job from start to finish.
“We were on a little losing streak for a while, but they were in every game. To finish with a win and a win like this, it just proved that these girls are dedicated, they’re hard workers, they never give up, and they’re all so talented. It’s been such a great season – very positive and also a learning experience for them and also myself and my coaching staff.”
The Patriots return a nucleus of young players but lose some major contributors in the graduating class.
“It’s exciting and also sad,” Kocis said. “We’re losing some great players, but they were able to teach the underclassmen a lot, and we’re very grateful for that.”
The Indians closed out the season with a 3-11 record in league play (6-12 overall).
Souderton 0-1 1
Central Bucks East 2-1 3
COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 6, BENSALEM 0
The Indians made it official, clinching a share of the National Conference title with their win at Bensalem. Gigi Tutoni led the Indians with two goals and one assist, and Anna Lehman added two goals. Devon Mela had a goal and an assist while Bridget Thompson had a single goal. Theresa Delahanty and Hannah Stalker both chipped in an assist.
The Indians closed out the regular season with a 12-2 record in league play (16-2 overall) while the Owls are 2-12 in the league (4-13 overall).
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