Check out the recaps for SOL field hockey teams in action. Neshaminy/CB West photos provided courtesy of Jesse Garber (https://jsgarber.zenfolio.com/p131856016)
SOL Patriot/Colonial crossover
CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 1, NESHAMINY 1 (OT)
Things can change in a hurry.
Forty-eight hours after the Bucks celebrated an impressive win over Souderton to potentially win a share of the SOL Colonial crown, they were forced to settle for a tie in Thursday’s crossover game
at Neshaminy. As a result, Souderton owns sole possession of first place while the Bucks finish two points behind them in the division standings.
For the Redskins, it was gut check time when they fell behind 1-0 in the second quarter to a dangerous West squad, but the Patriot Division champions rallied, knotting the score in the third quarter and finishing with a tie.
“I couldn’t be more proud of the way we played today,” Neshaminy coach Jamie Pinto said. “They scored in the second quarter, and we didn’t back down. We were able to fight back from that and score in the third quarter. The rest of the third quarter and the fourth quarter – we had our chances. We played really well.
“Honestly, every person that stepped on the field today contributed. They played hard, they wanted to win. It was a physical, aggressive game, and we didn’t back down. This was a good game to lead us into the postseason because it was a tough, physical game.”
The Bucks got on the scoreboard less than two minutes into the second quarter when Kendall Siegle tipped a corner shot by Aida Ierubino into the cage. They took that 1-0 lead into halftime.
“We came out strong – I think we were prepared,” Pinto said. “We knew West was going to be skilled and aggressive.
“During the first quarter, I think West outplayed us a little bit. They had some more opportunities to score, but we played good defense, and we had our opportunities too in the first quarter. Once we realized – we’re hanging here, we really can do this, we really played well.”
The Bucks were still clinging to a 1-0 advantage when – with 4:39 remaining in the third quarter – Kasey Rieger scored during corner play 
with an Ava Arbakov assist. Neither team scored the rest of the way.
The Bucks held an advantage in shots (10-4) and corners (13-5).
“We were pleased across all of our lines and how much ball control we were able to have for the majority of the match,” West coach David DeAngelis said. “We had multiple chances but were unable to finish. Today was a great learning opportunity that will help us prepare for districts.”
Pinto lauded the play of her squad.
“Avery McGinty led the defense – she played really well and strong today,” the Redskins’ coach said. “Alayna Roscoe, Morgan Shaltens and Maddy Shtino all stepped up defensively, and our goal, Brittany Mattoi, played well.
“Caitlyn Colyar and Olivia Roscoe stepped up in the midfield today. Olivia battled back from an injury and came back strong. The forwards worked hard throughout the game and during overtime. Kasey Rieger and Ava Arbakov worked hard at generating offense. As we have done all season, we will continue to work and play together as a team in the postseason.”
Neshaminy (14-2-2, 13-1-2 SOL), the 10th seed, will host 23rd seed Owen J Roberts in an opening round game in the District One 3A Tournament Monday. Central Bucks West (16-1-1, 14-1-1), the 7th seed, has an opening round bye and will face the winner of the Neshaminy/Owen J Roberts contest in a second round game on Wednesday.
Central Bucks West 0-1-0-0-0 1
Neshaminy 0-0-1-0-0 1
CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 3, PENNSBURY 1
It was a must-win, according to South coach Pat Toner, and if it wasn’t a must-win, it was something mighty close to that for a Titans squad that was firmly on the bubble of the District One 3A Tournament.
The Titans did what they had to do, earning the road win in a crossover game at Pennsbury, and when the final numbers were calculated, the Titans were firmly in the tournament as the 20th seed.
“It was a must-win situation in order to get into the playoffs,” Toner said. “Knowing we had to play a very tenacious Pennsbury team on grass was a daunting task as we only practiced on turf this entire season.”
Lily Haag gave the Titans an early lead, scoring an unassisted goal four minutes into the contest.
“With Pennsbury’s style of play, we knew that would probably not be enough,” Toner said.
Late in the second quarter – with 4:43 remaining in the half, Rebecca Zakrzewski scored with a Megan Reilly assist to send the Titans into halftime with a 2-0 lead.
The Falcons cut that lead in half four-and-a-half minutes into the second half on a goal by Mia Popovich.
“As the momentum began to shift, we had to slow Pennsbury’s quick transition and look for an opportunity to score,” Toner said.
That opportunity came midway through the fourth quarter when senior Marielle Mauri connected on an unassisted goal for the 3-1 final.
“We had trouble adjusting to the grass, but I am so proud of this team for finding a way to make it into the playoffs by winning all three games this week,” Toner said, going on to credit the efforts of several players. “Megan Reilly played very well this week as did Rebecca Zakrzewski and Kaeli VanderSluis.
“Congrats to both teams on a hard-fought game.”
The Titans held an advantage in shots (14-2) and penalty corners (7-4). Pennsbury goalie Jordan Vradenburgh was credited with 11 saves. South’s Emma Kraft had one save.
Central Bucks South (9-7-2, 7-7-2 SOL), the 20th seed, will travel to 13th seeded Kennett for an opening round game in the District One 3A Tournament on Monday. Pennsbury closed out its season with an 8-10 record overall. The Falcons were 6-10 in the SOL.
Central Bucks South 1-1-0-1 3
Pennsbury 0-0-1-0 1
(Article submitted by Pennsbury field hockey)
The scheduled game between Pennsbury and CB South had to be postponed twice due to field conditions. It was a home game for Pennsbury, so the grass field caused complications when the rain hit each time they were supposed to play. It was a good thing that the weather cooperated today because the PIAA deadline had arrived, and we had to play or like Cinderella and her glass slipper fiasco, we would have turned into pumpkins and the game would have just disappeared. “There is always a heightened anticipation for me when facing PT and her South team,” explained head coach Traci Curtis. “Pat Toner is a huge mentor in the field hockey world and is someone I admire tremendously. She is full of endless knowledge of the game and has been successful for so long, but even better, she is just a great person. What I love most is that as she guides her own team through a season, she never hesitates to listen and share ideas with me about anything and everything. All I have to do is ask. I can reach out to her, and she is always willing to talk and help.
“It is still surreal that I played against her when she coached at Council Rock back in the day and I was a player for Neshaminy. Now here we are standing on the sideline coaching opposite one another as SOL peers. It makes me both terrified and excited at the same time. Combine that crazy combo of feelings with the fact that it was our final game of 2022, and there I am aboard an emotional rollercoaster leading me out of the season.”
Despite the feelings of “finality” that hung in the air, our girls came ready to play and leave it all on the field. South struck first on a scrappy corner play, putting them up 1-0 four minutes into the first quarter. The game went back and forth much of the time with both teams making great plays in all layers of the field.
“I feel like we forced them to alter their game a bit and react to our playing, which gave us the confidence to go with strength and take risks,” Curtis said.
The score remained 1-0 into the second quarter until the Titans connected on a cross and tip with five minutes left before half time.
“The energy was high and very positive in our halftime huddle,” said Curtis. “The girls were proud of themselves and excited to get out and battle back from the 2-0 deficit. They weren’t allowing the losing score to harm their game and that was great to see.”
The Falcons had offensive opportunities that just missed by inches, but they never let down. Five minutes into the third quarter, Mia Popovich and Meg McClure did what they do so well and cleaned up after a corner shot to put it past the goalie.
“They are such sparks for us and work so well together with their combined speed, skill, and grit,” Curtis said.
It was a 2-1 game and getting more exciting by the second as PHS kept pushing forward and earning a few corners along the way. It was still a one-goal game as the final fifteen minutes began.
“We were so proud of how everyone was playing, and we could see it in their faces that the whole season of hard work had come together in that moment,” Curtis said. “It was happening right before our eyes – the ‘work in progress’ mentality made sense.”
South is not a team that is going to just roll over and make it easy for anyone. They came out harder and more determined to protect their lead.
“You could sense their frustration with the flow of the game on grass, but their skill and game IQ far outweighed any lack of momentum,” Curtis said.
The Titans put in their third goal with eight minutes left in the game and that is where the score would stay. It was another great showing by PHS goalie, Jordan Vradenburgh, who tallied 11 more saves to add to her impressive career total. Liv Graebner, Riley Henderson, Reagan Ward, Gabby Darling, Angelina Kenney, Rylie Borgman, Ava Jordan, Kaylin Flannery, and Molly Murray battled hard and won many small moments as individuals and as a unit.
We called a timeout with five minutes left and put all ten of our seniors into the game.
“It was the perfect way to finish – watching them all play together one last time was really special, said Curtis. “Our season theme, #workinprogress, played itself out perfectly today. So many things came together, and the growth of our team was palpable. When we look back starting at August and think of the story of the past two months, it is awesome and written the way only we can write it.
“We are grateful for the time we had to coach our seniors – Graebner, Martin, McClure, Murray, Patel, Stein, T. Vazapphilly and I Vazapphilly, Vradenburgh, and Ward. We stand behind them always as we send them off to finish out their senior year.”
Congratulations to a very talented CB South team. We wish them and all other teams the best of luck in playoffs. Thank you also to all of the refs who called our games and kept us playing safely. Until next year…
Wednesday, Oct. 19
SOL Liberty/Freedom crossover
HATBORO-HORSHAM 7, CHELTENHAM 1
“It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish.”
That was coach Marie Schmucker’s message to a young Hatters squad that closed out its season on a high note.
“It was only 2-0, and Cheltenham scored a goal,” Schmucker said. “I said to them, ‘Listen, this is your last game. You need to empty your tank. I told you that you need to play your A-plus game, you cannot take anything for granted. Just play and have fun. Do what comes natural.’
“That was the bottom line, and at the end of the day, I told them, ‘It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish, so let’s see how we finish. The season isn’t determined how you start, it’s determined how you finish the season.’”
Seniors Maddie Gregory and Charlotte Elwell as well as junior Kali Fulmer each scored a pair of goals. Senior Emily Nelson added a goal.
“I tried to get every senior to score, and the only one that didn’t was Ang (Parker), but she had opportunities, and she really steered the ship this year,” Schmucker said. “Just to see the team’s improvement, and the fact that they’re all improving and they’re young is fabulous. I was just pleased that we improved.
“They didn’t quit, they were energized. We have some young talent and hope to continue to improve next season. It was great to see them happy, smiling and having fun. If I put smiles on their faces, I did my job.
Hatboro-Horsham closed out its season with a 3-15 record overall, 3-13 in the SOL. Cheltenham finished its season with a 0-15-1 record.
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