Check out the recaps for SOL field hockey teams in action Monday.
SOL Patriot Division
PENNSBURY 10, BENSALEM 1
(Article submitted by Pennsbury field hockey)
It was an all-SENIOR kind of afternoon for the Pennsbury Falcons as they celebrated their sisters in the sport who will be leaving the nest after this season. Even Mother Nature paused to celebrate the 10 incredible athletes, holding off her storm so everyone could enjoy the festivities and game rain free.
Just five days ago, Pennsbury played Bensalem for their senior recognition game, walking away with a 4-0 win, but coach, Traci Curtis, reminded her players about never taking any game lightly.
“These senior days are jam-packed with emotions and create such a joyful atmosphere, but they can also potentially throw a team off and create unbalance for game time,” the Falcons’ coach sadi. “It always makes me nervous when we have a shortened, wacky warmup and are distracted from the task at hand. However, I do believe, at the same time, that celebrating our seniors can be a wonderful way to unite and prepare to face our opponent.”
The Falcons proved they were not distracted and came out dominating offensively. We had all ten seniors on the field at once to start the game, and it was great to watch them work together to get the job done. Some girls were in new positions in order to accommodate all ten, but they handled it with strength and found themselves up 2-0 after the first quarter. Rachel Stein notched both goals on assists from Isabelle Vazapphilly and Meg McClure continuing her offensive contributions that have improved throughout the entire season.
The senior show continued in the second quarter when Reagan Ward converted a penalty corner opportunity into a beautiful goal off a perfect pass from Molly Murray at the top of the circle. Meg McClure followed with the Falcons’ fourth goal (unassisted) making it a 4-0 game going into halftime. The Bensalem goalie protected the cage well. We had 14 penalty corners and 16 shots on goal, and she stopped two thirds of them.
Halfway through the third quarter, Rylie Borgman was able to finish on a scrappy penalty corner soon after McClure’s goal. Borgman was assisted from Riley Henderson, and the score was 5-0 in a blink. The Owls refused to let down and found the back of the cage with 34 seconds left in the third to stop a shutout and prove they had grit.
It was 5-1 as the final 15 minutes began, meanwhile, the sky was darkening by the second with a storm looming in the distance. The Owls just couldn’t stop the senior-powered Falcon lineup in the fourth quarter. The orange and black, fueled by the excitement of the atmosphere (or barometric pressure), went on to score five more goals in the fourth quarter, closing the game out with a 10-1 win. Olivia Graebner lifted one to the back corner assisted by Mia Popovich, Meg McClure added another unassisted goal, Theresa Vazapphilly scored on an assist from Reagan Ward, Graebner scored the Facons’ ninth goal assisted by McClure, and McClure racked up more points, scoring one in the back corner on an assist from Graebner.
“Multiple players scored and assisted for us today, and it was awesome to see the unselfish play across the board,” Curtis said. “We still have two more tough games left to play, and with no opportunity to practice, this was our means of preparation – real game moments that force us to read and react in every layer of the field.
“This season we have struggled a lot with scoring and keeping possession, so it felt good to have success in those areas today in addition to really good passing and off ball movement. Congratulations to the Bensalem seniors and to our Falcon Families celebrating their seniors as well. Meg McClure, Molly Murray, Rachel Stein, Jessie Martin, Isabelle Vazapphilly, Theresa Vazapphilly, Jordan Vradneburgh, Siya Patel, Liv Graebner, and Reagan Ward are extremely special members of our field hockey family. They have helped us to build something special here and will leave a beautiful legacy behind. We thank them and their families for all they give to us each and every day.”
Pennsbury (7-9, 5-9 SOL) will host Council Rock North Tuesday and then finish the regular season on Thursday against CB South. Bensalem (2-13-1, 1-13-1) will host Neshaminy on Tuesday and close out its season with a non-league game at Northeast High School on Wednesday.
Bensalem 0-0-1-0 1
Pennsbury 2-2-1-5 10
SOL Liberty/Freedom crossover
ABINGTON 5, WILLIAM TENNENT 0
The Ghosts bounced back from a loss to division-leading Wissahickon to defeat the visiting Panthers a loss in Monday’s crossover game.
“We are back in the win column after a hard-fought game today,” Abington coach Katie Small said. “We did a great job of controlling the tempo and maintaining possession of the ball. William Tennent really did a great job defensively keeping us out of the cage. Their corner defense was stellar today. Five different people had a hand in goals today, showing that we are really coming into our own on the offensive side.”
Skylar Beal scored with a Maeve Link assist to spot the Ghosts a 1-0 lead in the first period. Camryn Stewart’s unassisted goal in the second quarter sent the Ghosts into halftime with a 2-0 lead.
Abington put the game out of reach with a three-goal third quarter. Beal connected on her second goal of the day, this one with a Stewart assist, and then it was Erica Devlin scoring with a Maura Calladanoto assist. Olivia Dougherty closed out the scoring, using a Devlin assist.
“Senior Emma Brown, who is usually a back, put one in with time expiring, but unfortunately, the ref didn’t see it so it didn’t count, but she played so well for us up on the front line today so there was no way I couldn’t mention her hard work,” Small said. “The center of the field – Stewart, Beal and Olivia Dougherty did a great job today distributing the ball to the wings to take it down the field.
“Maeve Link had one of her best games on the right wing today. This was our ninth shutout of the season for Nina Van Eckelenberg and Caitlin Murcur, who split time today in the net.”
Abington (11-6, 10-5 SOL) – 14th in the latest District One 3A power rankings – will close out the regular season Tuesday at home against Quakertown, and William Tennent (2-12-1, 2-11-1) will travel to Lower Moreland on Tuesday.
William Tennent 0-0-0-0 0
Abington 1-1-3-0 5
Non-league
CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 3, HATBORO-HORSHAM 0
The Titans scored a pair of goals on corners in Monday’s non-league road win.
“Hatboro is a much-improved team, and coach Marie Schmucker always does a great job,” South coach Pat Toner said. “Bella Schute scored on a beautiful corner play assisted by Lily Haag, and Bella and Meg Reilly also combined for a well-executed corner. Congrats to both teams on a hard-fought game.”
Reilly scored the Titans’ second goal, and Rebecca Zakrzewski closed out the scoring with a goal assisted by Marielle Mauri.
“Freshman Mia Fisher keeps us in games, but our offense struggles to get anything going,” HH coach Marie Schmucker said of her rookie goalie. “We have definitely improved since the beginning of the season, and we hope to end on a positive note with two more games Tuesday and Wednesday.”
Central Bucks South (10-6-1, 9-5-1 SOL) will host Pennridge on Tuesday and will close out its regular season at Pennsbury on Thursday. The Titans are 25th in the latest District One 3A power rankings in what will be a 24-team field while Pennridge is 24th. Hatboro-Horsham (2-14, 2-12) will travel to Upper Dublin on Tuesday and will close out its season at Cheltenham on Wednesday.
LOWER MORELAND 1, ARCHBISHOP WOOD 0
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