Check out the recaps for SOL field hockey teams in action. CR South/CR North photos provided courtesy of John Gleeson. Check back for a gallery of photos.
SOL National Conference
NESHAMINY 3, PENNSBURY 1
The Redskins clinched sole possession of the conference crown – the program’s first since 2015 – with a hard-fought win over their archrivals.
“They always come out hard, they’re always fired up, and same with us,” coach Jamie Pinto said. “We told them, ‘Girls, they’re going to come out hard. We just have to come out harder today.’
“We’ve just been playing together as a team, and truthfully, the first time we played them (a 2-1 Neshaminy win in overtime) starting in the second half, we really started just clicking and rolling and just playing our game.
“That was one of first games within the league that we went to overtime, so we had to work together, come together and step it up. We’ve kind of continued that, and I hope that we will continue to do that.”
A goal by Sophie Schardt (Kayla Connelly assist) midway through the first half sent the Redskins into halftime with a 1-0 lead.
Three minutes into the second half, Caroline Angerer found the back of the cage with assists from Peyton Ritchey and Jamie Pennington, but the Falcons cut that lead in half when Samie Hackman scored with a Maya Geller assist. Nancy Lynn got that goal back for the Redskins, turning a Connelly pass into a goal and the 3-1 final.
“Defensively, we played well,” Pinto said. “Brooke Cordisco stepped up today and controlled the right side of the field.
“Our goalie, Maddie Tiemann, made some great saves. Midfield-wise, Maddie Neiman played really well. She stepped up for us, and everyone else just worked off of that. It’s kind of a repetitive thing, but honestly, everyone who has stepped on the field for us and everybody that’s been out there has been playing well and doing what they’re supposed to be doing and really helped us.
“Today we came out hard and played well together as a team – that is something that we have been doing this season, playing as a team.”
Neshaminy (13-3, 11-0 SOL) will travel to Gwynedd Mercy on Wednesday, and Pennsbury (7-9, 6-6) will host Hatboro-Horsham in a non-league game on Wednesday.
Pennsbury 0-1 1
Neshaminy 1-2 3
COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 4, COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 1
Katelyn Cocco opened the game on a bona fide tear, scoring three goals in the first five minutes to give the Golden Hawks control of the game before fans had settled in their seats.
“She came out really strong, and everyone was kind of like, ‘What?’” Rock South coach Lisa Belz said. “(Rock North coach) Heather (Whalin) called a timeout, and I said to my team, ‘Just because we have three on the board doesn’t mean that it’s over.’ There was still 55 minutes to play.”
Cocco actually did all of her damage in a span of just two minutes and 32 seconds, beginning with a goal two minutes and 18 seconds into the contest – this one with a Kerry Kaufman assist. Her next two – just over a minute apart – were unassisted.
“Sometimes teams when you do get a couple on them kind of sink down, but they didn’t,” Belz said. “They fought back.
“After that, (Villanova commit) Hannah Barsky from North – she not only is a strong player, but she plays with heart. She was really controlling that game.”
The Golden Hawks took that 3-0 lead into halftime. The Indians got on the scoreboard just over 12 minutes into the second half on a Rebecca Rippans goal. Rianna Shields answered for the Golden Hawks, using an assist from Cocco.
“Although it was 4-1, I thought we played better as a team the last time we played them and we came out with a (scoreless) tie,” Belz said. “We didn’t have the intensity we had the last time, and they really did.”
The Golden Hawks coach acknowledged the efforts of several players.
“Some of our backs really stood out today,” Belz said. “Fiona McGinley did really well. Defense doesn’t get a whole lot of props, but she’s strong back there and is able to hold her own against some really strong forwards. I was pleased with her today.
“Bridget Doherty stood out. We had to switch some people around, but she was pretty much matched up with Hannah (Barsky), and I thought she did a good job.”
The Golden Hawks held a 6-3 advantage in shots.
Rock South goalie Aspen Handel recorded two saves in the win. Rock North’s Kyra Deehr-Lewis also had a pair of saves.
Tuesday’s win came on the heels of a 2-0 non-league loss to Pennridge last Friday.
“Pennridge is a good team,” Belz said. “They’ve gotten so much better over the years.
“We’ve played them the last few years at the end of the season, and it’s always been a competitive game. We were disappointed because now we have one non-league game left and we’re 0-5 in our non-league games. I want them to play hard team non-league so they’re prepared for the playoffs.”
Council Rock South (10-6-1, 9-1-1 SOL) will host Wissahickon in a non-league game on Wednesday, and Council Rock North (10-6-1, 8-3-1) will host Souderton in a non-league game on Thursday.
Council Rock North 0-1 1
Council Rock South 3-1 4
WILLIAM TENNENT 2, HARRY S TRUMAN 1
The visiting Panthers scored the game-winner with 8:06 remaining in the second half, breaking a 1-1 halftime tie.
Olivia Kerns scored the Tigers’ lone goal, using a Grace Pool assist. Also for Truman, Grace Sutton was credited with a goal line save.
William Tennent (2-10-1, 2-9 SOL) will travel to Upper Merion for a non-league game on Wednesday, and Harry S Truman (2-13, 0-11) will host Bristol in a non-league game on Thursday.
William Tennent 1-1 2
Harry S Truman 1-0 1
SOL Continental Conference
PENNRIDGE 3, NORTH PENN 2
In a game between two teams battling for playoff position in the District One 3A power rankings, it was the Rams rallying from a 1-0 halftime deficit to earn the important win. While North Penn remained the 24th seed in what will be a 24-team field, Pennridge also remained 20th.
“We talked to the girls before the game and said, ‘Yes, we’re in a position right now to make playoffs, but let’s really earn it,”” Pennridge coach Becky Spahr said. “That was our thing – showing people we deserve where we’re at. I think we should be a little bit higher, and hopefully a win will help us out with that.”
The Knights went on top 1-0 when Emily Crawford connected on an unassisted goal with 12:28 remaining in the first half.
“We had a lot of the possession, but we were definitely a little nervous to start,” Spahr said. “At halftime, we said, ‘It’s going to happen. We’ve been scoring goals. We just have to relax and play our game,’ and they did that.
“They really stepped up. It’s been cool to see the change in intensity and the desire is really fun to see.”
Just over five minutes into the second half, Monica Kerins scored with an assist from Abby Ludlow. Sydney Borneman (Cait Amsden assist) scored the go-ahead goal midway through the half, and two minutes later, Kayla Richards scored with a Maddie Bross assist to put the Rams on top 3-1.
The Knights pulled to within one when Crawford converted a penalty stroke with 4:28 remaining, but the Rams held on for the win.
“Both teams knew this game was important, and Shannon (McCracken) and I talked at the end, and both teams have improved so much, it’s really cool to see,” Spahr said. “The skills definitely (have improved), but I think just the attitude. I think we realized we can compete. We’re in every game. In the past, we’ve been blown out at times, but this year we’re learning we have the ability to compete. You have a little bit of success – it feels great, and we’re hoping to keep that going.”
Spahr credited the efforts of several players.
“Monica Kerins and Shannon Griffin stepped up their play today and made a huge impact on our overall team play,” the Rams’ coach said. “Both teams fought hard and played great hockey.”
Pennridge goalie Mac Bross had seven saves in the win. North Penn goalie Mallory Stowell had eight.
Pennridge (8-9, 5-8 SOL) will host Cheltenham on Wednesday at 7 p.m., and North Penn (6-10-1, 4-7-1) will travel to Conestoga for a non-league game on Wednesday (6 p.m.).
North Penn 1-1 2
Pennridge 0-3 3
CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 3, CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 0
The Titans silenced the Bucks in a battle of crosstown rivals.
“Both teams played well today,” South coach Pat Toner said. “The win was a total team effort.”
Megan Weeks scored during corner play with an assist from Annie Brady to put the Titans on the scoreboard at the 23:37 mark of the first half.
Five minutes into the second half, Arianna Conte turned a Casey Reilly pass into a goal, and a 2-0 South lead. Reilly also had a hand in the game’s final goal, dodging several defenders and feeding Sophia Wasyliw for a goal and the 3-0 final.
“Defense did a great job today with goalkeeper Jillian Heilig turning away two shots and Sofia Sonnet making a defensive save to preserve the shutout,” Toner said.
The Titans held a decided advantage in shots (21-2) and penalty corners (10-4).
Central Bucks South (9-6-2, 6-4-2 SOL) will travel to Episcopal Academy on Friday for a non-league game. Central Bucks West (3-13-1, 3-7-1) will host Quakertown Wednesday in its final regular season contest at 7 p.m.
Central Bucks West 0-0 0
Central Bucks South 1-2 3
SOUDERTON 6, QUAKERTOWN 0
The Indians led by just a 1-0 score at halftime but exploded for five goals in the opening 15 minutes of the second half.
Anna Gwiazdzinski and Courtney Kenah both had two goals. Randi Hess and Jess Schmidt each had one. Freshman Lauren Kenah was credited with three assists.
Souderton held a decided advantage in shots (23-1) and corners (21-1).
Souderton (14-2, 10-2 SOL) will travel to Council Rock North for its regular season finale on Thursday, and Quakertown (3-13, 0-11) will travel to Central Bucks West on Wednesday.
Souderton 1-5 6
Quakertown 0-0 0
SOL American Conference
UPPER DUBLIN 2, SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP 0
The Flying Cardinals put a damper on the Spartans’ Senior Night by notching a shutout win in their final game of the regular season. UD is 12th in what will be a 16-team field in District One 2A.
“We did everything we could – we won our last two league games against Wissahickon and Springfield, so that’s all you can worry about,” said UD coach Heather Boyer, going on to credit her team. “Sometimes you get teams towards the end of the season that look like, ‘All right, this has been a long season,’ and they kind of run out of steam.
“This group doesn’t appear to be doing that at all. They’re really starting to play some good field hockey and improve with each and every game and are kind of picking up momentum at the right time, which is exciting.”
Underscoring the team’s improvement is the fact that the two teams battled to a scoreless tie in their initial meeting.
“The seniors continue to be a really strong group of leaders,” Boyer said. “Our three captains – Ryann Kullmann, Madeleine Casey and Emma Kate Powell – and the entire group of seniors as a whole are excited, they’re working hard, and they’re setting a good tone for the underclassmen to follow because they’re leading by example. They’re not just talking one game and demonstrating something else, and the underclassmen are rising to that challenge and stepping up and meeting that level, which is fun to see.”
Jenn McCarry turned an Allie Rock pass into a goal with 7:11 remaining in the first half, and nine minutes into the second half, Ryann Kullmann scored with an assist from Peyton Kullmann for the 2-0 final.
The Cardinals held a 9-7 edge in shots. Both teams had eight penalty corners.
UD goalie Meghan Muth had six saves in the shutout win. Springfield’s Rebecca Berglund also had six saves.
Upper Dublin closed out its regular season with a 9-7-1 record overall (8-5-1 SOL). The Cardinals will be competing at the Class 2A level for the first time this year.
“It is exciting,” Boyer said. “It’s a smaller bracket. We’ve always struggled to keep up with the bigger schools. It’s really tough when you’re competing against teams with a lot more talented kids than what we can pull from with a smaller population.”
Springfield Township (9-7-1, 8-5-1 SOL) will close out its regular season at Cheltenham on Thursday.
Upper Dublin 1-1 2
Springfield Township 0-0 0
PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 9, HATBORO-HORSHAM 0
The Colonials celebrated Senior Night and the careers of the team’s four seniors – Jen Byrne, Meghan DiGiacomo, Kennedy Reardon and Sam Spera – with a shutout win over the visiting Hatters.
“We are so proud of Jen, Meghan, Kennedy and Sam, and we wish them all the best in their future endeavors,” PW coach Charise Halteman said.
Kaleigh Missimer’s hat trick – which included the first two goals of the game – led the Colonials. Ava Borkowski had a pair of goals, and Sam Spera had a hand in three goals, scoring one and assisting on two others. Kennedy Reardon, Alexis Minor and Autumn Luptak each had one goal, and Hailey Copestick added an assist.
Not to be lost in the shuffle of PW’s big win was the performance of Hatter goalie Abby Ransom.
“Abby had an amazing game tonight that wasn’t reflected in the score,” HH coach Laura Swezey said. “But when you look at how many shots were taken at her that she turned away, it was a standout night for Abby, who had 25 saves.
“We also had a couple of defensive saves by Jessica Shaffer and Angelina Spiezio.”
Plymouth Whitemarsh (16-1, 13-0 SOL) will travel to Upper Moreland on Wednesday for its regular season finale, and Hatboro-Horsham (3-14, 2-12) will be on the road at Pennsbury on Wednesday for a non-league game.
Hatboro-Horsham 0-0 0
Plymouth Whitemarsh 7-2 9
ABINGTON 2, CHELTENHAM 0
The Ghosts dominated play in Tuesday’s Senior Day game but managed just two goals.
“It was a hard fought battle as Abington was able to get off 42 shots but only found the net twice,” coach Katie Small said. “Cheltenham’s goalie was brilliant.”
Abington capitalized on two corners plays – one in each half – with Alainna Swift scoring both goals. Paige Doyle had assists on both.
Abington closed out the regular season with an 11-7 overall record (10-4 SOL). It is the most wins for the program since the 1990 season.
Cheltenham (1-13, 0-13) will travel to Pennridge for a non-league game on Wednesday.
Cheltenham 0-0 0
Abington 1-1 2
Non-league
BENSALEM 1, UPPER MERION 0
The Owls celebrated the team’s five seniors with a non-league win over the visiting Vikings in Tuesday’s Senior Night contest. The team’s sixth senior, Ashley Hinshaw, is the team manager this year after playing on the field the three years prior. She made a cameo appearance at the start of each half.
“She took this year off after a second concussion last season,” coach Dottie O’Neill said. “She started the game today and came right off, and we had possession the second half, so she took the hit and came off.”
Lauren Wayda scored a first-half goal with an assist from Kenzy Tryon, and that proved to be the difference in the game. Neither team scored the rest of the way.
“We held strong all game to pull through with the win,” O’Neill said.
The Owls’ coach credited the strong play of Morgan Kubik, Danielle News, Ally Chew, and goalie Emily McGivern.
Bensalem (4-11, 2-9 SOL) will host William Tennent on Thursday in its season finale.
Upper Merion 0-0 0
Bensalem 1-0 1
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