Check out the results for SOL field hockey teams in action on Tuesday and Wednesday. To view photos of Wednesday’s CR South/Neshaminy game, please visit the Photo Gallery.
National Conference
COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 3, COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 2 (OT)
The Golden Hawks simply would not be denied.
And with just over eight remaining in overtime of Wednesday’s riveting showdown, Mollie Sheehy scored the game winner, propelling the Golden Hawks to the dramatic win and their first title since joining the SOL National Conference.
“I’m just so proud of the kids,” Rock South coach Tina Reinprecht said. “They came to play tonight. They played a tremendous game.
“They’ve been working so hard, and it fell into place tonight. They really played a good possession game, transferred the ball really well. They played a really top notch game against a really tough team tonight, and I couldn’t be prouder of them.”
Winning a league title, according to the Golden Hawks’ coach, is a goal every team sets at the beginning of the season.
“In the past, they’ve been close – a bounce here or a goal there could have swung it one way or the other,” she said. “Tonight really epitomized – we’re going to keep plugging away, create our bounces and create our opportunities.”
The Indians struck first nine minutes into the game when senior Madison Gouza scored, using an Amrit Ahluwalia assist. Rock South’s Katie Bagdon (Mollie Sheehy assist) scored the equalizer with eight minutes remaining in the half, sending the teams into intermission deadlocked 1-1.
“I thought North was really in a good position at halftime,” Reinprecht said. “It was back and forth, but I really felt we had more shots on goal in the first half, and that puts you in a precipitous position if you don’t capitalize, but they hung in there,”
Kristen Meihofer gave the Golden Hawks their first lead when she scored an unassisted goal 21 minutes into the second half. That lead was anything but secure, and with 90 seconds remaining in regulation, Anna Lehman scored the equalizer for North, setting the stage for overtime and Sheehy’s heroics.
“I’m just so happy with the possession game they played and the poise they showed and their confidence,” Reinprecht said. “Everything you want to say as a coach you want to say on a night like tonight.”
The Golden Hawks coach acknowledged that it was a special night for everyone.
“I think it’s a big deal to them, and I’ll be honest – as a coach, it’s a big deal to me because they have just not waivered since day one in their work ethic, and it’s just been really impressive,” Reinprecht said. “Whatever (coach) Liza Belz instilled in them – they brought a hard work ethic every day at practice, and you can’t beat that.”
Leading the way for the Golden Hawks this season are the team’s five seniors – Sheehy, Meihofer, Kristen Donahue, Amanda Besselman and Mary Melnick.
“It’s an eclectic group in terms of leadership,” Reinprecht said. “Some lead by intensity, some lead by cool calm heads, some lead by doing the simple powerfully.
“Amanda Besselman is in a new role at left back, and she’s just been so strong tracking to the middle and passing. Kristen Meihofer gets knocked down in the circle, and she gets right back up and fights for every ball. Within their positions, they do everything you want them to do.”
According to Reinprecht, the seniors have embraced and nurtured the younger players on the squad since day one of the preseason.
“They really were all a family right off the bat,” the Golden Hawks’ coach said. “In a tough game, it’s the intangibles that become tangible. It’s that gut check they provide.
“I think they’re leaving a very powerful legacy behind in terms of including everybody, playing as a team, everybody is important. They’re just a great bunch of kids, and I’m very lucky to be in this position right now. This was a very special night.”
The Golden Hawks held a 13-12 advantage in shots. Rock South goalie Anna Sternberg was credited with seven saves, and Rock North’s Julia Singer had eight saves.
The Golden Hawks closed out the league season with a 12-1-1 mark (13-4-1 overall) while the Indians are 10-3 (12-4 overall).
Council Rock South 1-1-1 3
Council Rock North 1-1-0 2
NESHAMINY 1, PENNSBURY 0
The Redskins used a second half goal by Josafinne McIlvaine (Abby Alexis assist) to earn the win. The Redskins improved to 10-2-1 in league play (11-5-1 overall), and they will host Abington in their league finale on Thursday. The Falcons closed out their league season with a 7-5-2 record (8-7-3 overall).
Pennsbury 0-0 0
Neshaminy 0-1 1
WILLIAM TENNENT 2, HARRY S TRUMAN 1
Rachael Mueller scored both goals for the Panthers, both with assists from Sam Huttick. The Panthers are 5-7-1 in league play (5-9-1 overall), and they will close out league play on Friday when they travel to Abington. The Tigers are 1-13 in the league (3-13 overall)
COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 1, NESHAMINY 1 (OT) (Tuesday, Oct. 15)
Seventy-five minutes could not determine a winner when the two National Conference powers battled it out on Tuesday. The Redskins used a goal by Maria Palmieri (Josafinne McIlvaine assist) with 5:32 remaining in regulation to knot the score and set the stage for overtime.
The Golden Hawks had the early advantage, getting on the scoreboard at the 18:27 mark of the first half when Kristin Donahue scored, using assists from Katie Bagdon and Mollie Sheehy. The Redskins had the better of play in the second half and OT.
The Redskins held the edge in shots (10-6) and corners (10-8)
Rock South goalie Anna Sternberg was credited with six saves while her counterpart, Neshaminy’s Haille Sheppard had three saves.
Neshaminy 0-1-0 1
Council Rock South 1-0-0 1
ABINGTON 3, BENSALEM 0 (Tuesday, Oct. 15)
Sam McGee broke a scoreless tie when she scored an unassisted goal that turned out to be the game winner with 12:20 remaining in the second half. Three minutes later, she scored her second goal, this one with a Jackie Farides assist, and with 1:29 remaining, Heather Trainor (McGee assist) scored the final goal.
Coach Amanda Deering lauded the strong play of junior Jess Moretti and senior Jackie Farides.
The Ghosts (6-10, 4-8 SOL) will travel to Neshaminy on Thursday and close out their season with a home game against William Tennent on Friday. The Owls are 1-11-1 in league play (1-14-1 overall).
Continental Conference
CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 5, CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 0
The Titans clinched sole possession of their seventh consecutive conference crown with their shutout win over the Patriots.
“We are very fortunate to have a group of girls and families that are very supportive, humble and eager to make individual sacrifices for the betterment of the team,” co-coach Jeff Harding said. “We have such a great conference that is very competitive.
“Winning the conference championship exemplifies the passion and commitment each athlete in our program demonstrates on a continual basis. Every coach and every team will always bring their best against us and we respect that.
“We believe in these girls and feel that they will fight for each other until the end.”
The Titans closed out the regular season a perfect 13-1 record in conference play (17-1 overall) while the Patriots fell to 2-12 (4-14 overall).
QUAKERTOWN 5, SOUDERTON 1
Last year, the Indians handed the Panthers a 5-0 drubbing in the regular season finale for both teams. This year, the tables were turned.
“The game was completely different from last year,” Quakertown coach Mel Lepko said. “What a difference a year makes.
“We played with the speed and intensity that we have been hoping to see every game this season.”
Sara Reigh (Emma McLaughlin assist) put the Panthers on the scoreboard just over three minutes into the game. Josh Schwartz (McLaughlin assist) made it a 2-0 game before the Indians got on the scoreboard on a goal by Ali Casciato (Abbey Gabriel assist). The Panthers led 3-1 after McLaughlin scored (Reigh assist), and a goal by Chris Chookagin (Schwartz assist) sent the Panthers into halftime with a 4-1 lead. McLaughlin (Megan Thompson assist) connected for a goal five minutes into the second half close out the scoring.
“McLaughlin was the spark throughout the game, and Hillary Scott was consistent on defense,” Lepko said. “Josh Schwarz controlled the midfield, and Jordan Potynski did an amazing job with her role as our key marking back. Sara Reigh's speed on the right wing helped us maintain our offensive pressure.”
The Panthers held a 25-6 advantage in shots.
The Panthers closed out league play with a 5-9 record (8-10 overall) while the Indians were 0-14 (1-15 overall).
Quakertown 4-1 5
Souderton 1-0 1
CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 2, HATBORO-HORSHAM 0
The Bucks have rebounded from Monday’s setback at the hands of North Penn to win back-to-back games, this despite the absence of Kim Hitchcock from the lineup due to an injury.
“It’s a lesson learned,” West coach Courtney Hughes said. “We were on a bit of a (winning) streak. If you have to look at it as a blessing, we can use that as a restart going into the postseason.
“It helps you re-evaluate what you want. As terrible it was for us in our positioning, taking away that opportunity for a league championship – hopefully, it will be a good thing as we continue on.”
In Wednesday’s win, Erick Fiorelli accounted for both of West’s goals. The first came with an assist from Madison Shields at the 14:14 mark of the first half, and the second came with a Cadera Smith assist eight minutes later. That would be the extent of the scoring for both teams.
“We created a lot of great opportunities and really kept the pressure on them,” Hughes said. “We knew Hatboro was going to be hungry, and that’s what we tried to focus on all week – how hungry these teams are for wins against us.
“The last two games, Kim was not in the lineup at all, so they really came together as a team and got offense going without one of our main pieces, and that was exciting to see. I think it only improves the rest of the team when you do that.”
A key to Wednesday’s win, according to Hughes, was West’s ability to keeping Hatboro junior Casey Swezey under wraps.
“That was important,” Hughes said. “Erick Fiorelli played well. In the last couple of games, Bryn Boylan has really stepped up in the middle.
“Sammi Zarett and Cadera Smith really played well on the forward line in place of Kim. They really filled in well. They got our offense going, they created shots. I’ve been really impressed with them coming in.”
The Hatters had 15 shots on goal, forcing West keeper Brianna DeAngelis to make 12 saves. Hatboro’s Emily Braunewell had five saves.
The Bucks closed out their league season in second place with a 12-2 mark (16-2 overall). The Hatters are 8-5 in the league (10-5-1 overall), and they will host North Penn in a key battle for third place on Thursday.
Central Bucks West 2-0 2
Hatboro-Horsham 0-0 0
NORTH PENN 3, PENNRIDGE 1
Chessa Kownurko spent a busy first half turning away one Ram shot after another – nine all told, allowing the Maidens to go into halftime deadlocked 1-1. When it was over, the senior goalie was quick to deflect the credit to her teammates.
“My ‘D’ stopped them from coming in and getting a touch, but even if they do, I know if I make that first save, my defense is right there with me,” said Kownurko, who finished the game with 14 saves. “They have my back so completely, and they clear it right out so I don’t have to worry about it.”
The Rams, who appeared to have all the momentum, snuck one past Kownurko at the 8:31 mark on a textbook play that saw Kelly Wolff turn a deflection off the stick of teammate Kari Moyer into a goal. They led for all of 26 seconds as the Maidens went right down the field and connected on just their second shot of the half when Amanda Laessig scored on the rebound of a goalie save.
“That was huge because in recent games we’d been scoring first, so I was a little bit nervous how we were going to react to being scored on, but (26) seconds later, they were driven to go on attack and made the most of their opportunity,” North Penn coach Shannon McCracken said.
The two teams went into halftime deadlocked 1-1, and when Emma Herb scored in the chaos at the goal line after her team’s fourth corner of the second half, the Maidens had a lead they would not lose. Laessig scored her second goal of the game with 12:39 remaining, deflecting a reverse stick shot from teammate Shannon Talbot into the cage.
The win was the Maidens sixth in seven games since a 1-0 loss to Pennridge on Sept. 26.
“This really keeps us going,” Kornurko said. “We just beat CB West, which was huge, and this game shows it wasn’t just a fluke and that we’re going to keep going and keep rolling.”
The Maidens (10-7, 7-6) will travel to Hatboro-Horsham on Thursday while the Rams completed league play with an 8-6 league mark (11-6 overall).
Pennridge 1-0 1
North Penn 1-2 3
CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 2, SOUDERTON 1 (OT) (Tuesday, Oct. 15)
The Bucks celebrated Senior Night with an overtime win over the Indians. West was able to generate all kinds of scoring opportunities, but the Indians’ defense held strong. The two teams battled to a 0-0 halftime tie
Erick Fiorelli, who scored both of his team’s goals, connected for the game winner with 12:40 remaining in OT, using a pass from Elena Romesburg on a penalty corner.
Abbey Gabriel accounted for Souderton’s lone goal, scoring on a tip of a corner shot by Nikki Palmer.
“We have been trying new corner plays at practice, and this one worked tonight,” Souderton coach Lauren Whiteside said. “Nikki plays defense and has an incredibly hard hit, so we wanted to utilize it more. She had a shot right on goal, and Abbey helped it in. It was beautifully executed.”
West coach Courtney Hughes lauded the performances of several players in the win.
“Sammi Zarett and Cadera Smith played well in relief on the forward line,” she said. “Christian DeAngelis and Bryn Boylan did a great job controlling the midfield.
“I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the outstanding play of all of our seniors – Fiorelli, Romesburg and Madison Shields played stellar in the midfield. Kate Varallo and Caitlyn Lowry also played well.”
West had 25 shots and 15 corners while the Indians had six shots and three corners. West goalie Brianna DeAngelis was credited with five saves. Souderton keeper Shelby Landes turned away 23 shots in a busy night in goal.
“Shelby has really stepped up these last few games and made some incredible saves,” Souderton coach Lauren Whiteside said. “She kept us in the game and brought lot of confidence to our defensive unit.
“We played a great game today. We continue to fight, and that is what Souderton hockey is all about.”
American Conference
PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 1, SPRINGFIELD (MONTCO) 0
Senior Rachel Konowal (Alison Spinelli assist) scored with 12 minutes remaining in regulation during corner play to propel the Colonials to the important win. Tori Byrne had three saves to earn the shutout in goal.
The Colonials are 13-0 in league play (16-1 overall) with only Thursday’s showdown against Wissahickon remaining on their regular season schedule. The Spartans closed out league play with an 8-6 record (9-7 overall).
Springfield 0-0 0
Plymouth Whitemarsh 0-1 1
WISSAHICKON 6, UPPER MORELAND 0
The Trojans opened up a 3-0 halftime lead and then doubled that score with three more goals in the second half. Melanie Fry got the ball rolling when she broke a scoreless tie with 11:12 remaining in the first half. Angela Virtu and Delaney Doran both added unassisted goals for the 3-0 halftime score.
Stacie Rocco opened the second half with back-to-back goals, using an assist by Fry on the first and Virtu on the second. Doran collected her second goal of the day to close out the scoring, this time using a Fry assist.
Trojan keeper Clair Tarzia was forced to make just one save in her stint in goal while teammate Shayna Chermak had four saves. Brianna Miles was credited with a defensive save. Upper Moreland’s Bridget Meade was credited with 10 saves.
The Trojans are 12-1 in league play (12-5 overall), and they will travel to PW for a key SOL showdown Thursday. Upper Moreland closed out league play with a 2-12 record (3-14 overall).
Upper Moreland 0-0 0
Wissahickon 3-3 6
NORRISTOWN 2, CHELTENHAM 1
Shilo Dorley (Mads Gianelle assist) gave the Lady Panthers an early lead when she scored just over six minutes into the game. Three minutes later, Norristown’s Keifonna Ferguson (Danielle Mortorella assist) scored the equalizer. Vanessa Fosco (Mortorella assist) scored the game winner six minutes into the second half.
The Eagles held an advantage in shots (19-10) and corners (13-7)
Norristown keepers Lauren Whitley and Sierrah Slaughter each had three saves. Cheltenham’s Emily Hawkins had 15 saves.
“Emily Hawkins had a really nice game for Cheltenham,” Norristown coach Stacie Staufenberg said.
Norristown closed out its league season with a 5-9 record (5-12 overall) while the Lady Panthers were 2-10-2 (2-14-2 overall).
UPPER DUBLIN 3, UPPER MERION 2
The Flying Cardinals and Vikings couldn’t find the cage in the opening half but combined to score five goals after the intermission.
“The girls played well after a heartbreaking loss to PW on Monday night,” coach Heather Boyer said. “The seniors rallied to finish the regular season on a positive note.”
UM’s Mia DiBella got things started with a goal 90 seconds into the second half, and three minutes later, Alycia Hildebrand scored the equalizer, using a Jen Harchut assist. That opened the floodgates for the Flying Cardinals, who scored back-to-back goals in a four-minute span six minutes later to go on top 3-1. Jenna Mandel scored an unassisted goal, and then it was Shannon Reape turning a Courtney Vincent pass into a goal for a two-goal Upper Dublin advantage. The Vikings trimmed that lead to one when Dasia Aranjo scored with 2:34 remaining in the game.
Boyer lauded the effort of defensive back Kara Hiltwine.
“I was very proud of the effort the team put forth today against a well-coached Upper Merion squad,” the Flying Cardinals’ coach said.
The Flying Cardinals had an advantage in shots (10-7) and corners (7-5). UD goalie Sara Weinberg was credited with eight saves while UM’s Devyn Antonucci had seven saves.
The Flying Cardinals closed out their season with an 8-6 mark in league play (8-10 overall).
Upper Merion0-2 2
Upper Dublin 0-3 3
CHELTENHAM 3, UPPER MORELAND 1 (Tuesday, Oct. 15)
The Lady Panthers jumped out to a 3-0 lead before the Golden Bears got on the scoreboard with a goal in the closing seconds of the opening half. Neither team scored in the second half.
Shilo Dorley (Mads Gianelle assist) spotted the Lady Panthers an early 1-0 lead just over a minute into the game. Five minutes later, it was Gianelle scoring for the Panthers, using an Amy Huynh assist. An unassisted goal by Huynh gave the Panthers a 3-0 edge until Maura O’Leary scored an unassisted goal with 16 seconds remaining in the first half.
Cheltenham’s Emily Hawkins was credited with six saves while Upper Moreland’s Bridget Meade had one save.
Upper Moreland 1-0 1
Cheltenham 3-0 3
SPRINGFIELD (MONTCO) 4, UPPER DUBLIN 1
Juli Cardamone and Katherine McVeagh each scored a pair of goals to lead the Spartans to the big win. Alycia Hildebrand accounted for Upper Dublin’s only goal.
Upper Dublin 1-0 1
Springfield 2-2 4
- Log in to post comments
