CB East defeated CB West in a rivalry game Thursday to capture sole possession of the SOL Colonial Division crown. Photos provided courtesy of Tracy Valko. Check back for a gallery of photos.
SOL Colonial Division
CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 5, CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 1
Kenzie Lever was a one-woman wrecking crew for the Patriots, connecting for the hat trick in the opening quarter and propelling East to a win that clinched sole possession of the Colonial Division crown. The Patriots have won at least a share of five consecutive titles.
“What I’m most happy about – I don’t know what’s going to happen in playoffs, but I was thinking it’s the last home game for my seniors and their last East/West game,” East coach Meghann Spratt said. “All of my seniors got a lot of playing time today, which made me very happy. I had two – Abby Gray and Kaylie Schorn – that were unable to attend the game, and we missed them greatly, we missed them tons.
“Overall, it truly was a great team effort. We had some really good practices leading up to the game, which was very helpful for us. We capitalized early, and I think that disrupted West’s mental play. Just the physicality of the game – I think they were a little defeated.”
Lever ignited the Patriots with a goal four minutes into the game, using a Phia Mannino assist. The Patriots went on top 2-0 when Lever turned a pass from Paige Keller into a goal with 2:43 remaining in the opening quarter, and the Lever onslaught continued when she scored an unassisted goal just over a minute later, giving East a 3-0 lead after one quarter.
“I always say to my girls that scoring first is important,” Spratt said. “We set the tone, which was great.
“Kenz Lever coming away with a hat trick. I love seeing that – that’s what you want from your center forward, somebody to put the ball away, and she did that really well today.”
West coach Dave DeAngelis tipped his hat to East.
“Credit to Coach Meg, Coach Lori (Ierubino) and CB East field hockey as they were clicking on all cylinders and demonstrating what very good field hockey looks like,” the Bucks’ first-year coach said.
Three minutes into the second half, sophomore Allie Troth turned the rebound of a Mannino shot into a goal. Troth (Mannino assist) connected on her second goal to close out the scoring for the Patriots with 1:31 remaining.
West broke up East’s shutout bid with two seconds remaining on a goal by junior Bella Aulisio.
‘We challenged our team during the halftime break and were pleased that we began to display multiple passing connections that at times led to shots on goal or corners,” DeAngelis said. “Just as play was expiring at the end of the match – Bella Aulisio was able to put back a rebound to get us onto the board.
“Our record is not indicative of the fight and the spirit regarding our team. Led by our senior class, our players continue to train and look to continuously improve as a team.”
Thursday’s game was a Pink Out for breast cancer awareness, and when the game was over, the two teams gathered for a photo, a united front in the battle against breast cancer.
“I just loved the unity and camaraderie,” Spratt said. “Regardless of the outcome, I love the relationship we have with CB West.”
Central Bucks East (8-1 SOL)) will close out its regular season on Monday at North Penn (3:30 p.m.). Central Bucks West (3-5-1) will host Souderton Monday at 7 p.m. for its Senior Night game.
Central Bucks West 0-0-0-1 1
Central Bucks East 3-0-2-0 5
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