Check out the recaps for SOL field hockey teams in action.
Non-league
VILLA MARIA ACADEMY 4, CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 3
In a battle of two of the district’s elite squads, it was defending district champion VMA escaping with an overtime win.
VMA opened up a 2-0 lead with a pair of goals in the second quarter. In the third quarter, a goal by Aida Ierubino cut that lead in half, but VMA answered with a goal to go into the final quarter with a 3-1 lead.
Back-to-back goals by Claire Demmer evened the score with the equalizer scored during corner play with 1:14 remaining. That set the stage for OT where VMA connected on the game-winner.
Scoring summary
First quarter – No score
Second quarter
Sadie Niewinski (VMA) 13:14
Caitlin Connell (VMA) 6:24
Third quarter
Aida Ierubino (CBW) 9:12
Caitline Connell (VMA) 8:05
Fourth quarter
Claire Demmer (CBW) from Aida Ierubino. 13:21
Claire Demmer (CBW) from Zola Morelli, 1:14
Overtime
Caitlin Connell (VMA) 7:54
By the numbers: Shots: CBW 5, VMA 25; Penalty corners: CBW 5, VMA 11; Goalie saves: Kendra Pitts (CBW) 21, VMA 2. Defensive save: VJM 1.
Central Bucks West coach Lori Ierubino:
–On the game: “We played a very competitive Villa Maria Academy today. We had a slow start. We held them to no score in the first quarter but then let in two goals in the second.
“We made some adjustments and played with more confidence in the second half. Kendra (Pitts) was spectacular in goal and was the talk of the sidelines. In the fourth quarter, she saved a stroke by UNC commit Jack Shaw. Villa had a defensive save in the fourth that would have given us the lead.
“Our corners could have really made a difference for us today, but they were not well executed and that is something that has to improve going into playoffs. Likewise, our overtime play is not good enough and will have to be a focus moving forward. I am super proud of our team and the fight they showed. We have work to do but these competitive games are just what we need to help highlight where the focus of that work needs to be.”
Up next: Central Bucks West will travel to Pennridge Tuesday for its regular season finale.
Central Bucks West 0-0-1-2-0 3
Villa Maria Academy 0-2-1-0-1 4
NOTRE DAME (NJ) 2, PENNSBURY 1
(Article submitted by Pennsbury FH)
The Pennsbury Falcons took their game across the river on this rainy Saturday morning to face Notre Dame High School for the first time. The teams were set to play at the end of the 2024 season, but there were circumstances that hindered the opportunity, and the game never happened.
The anticipation for this matchup was building for a year and was predicted to be a great battle. And that it was. The opening whistle blew just as the rain dissipated. The pace was speedy from the start as Pennsbury set the tone with beautiful fast passing connections all over the field. The defense was locked and loaded, and great hockey was being played on both sides.
The orange and black struck first halfway through the first quarter on a well-executed passing combo between Abby Iacona, Ava Pinto, and Ryan Burdette.
“Iacona set up the first pass out to Pinto, and she sent it across into the circle to a waiting Burdette who one timed it with power past the keeper,” explained head coach, Traci Curtis.
The Falcons went up 1-0 and held that lead going into the second quarter. The second fifteen minutes was a back-and-forth battle with the fans’ heads on a swivel as if they were watching a tennis match. Both sides had scoring opportunities that were not amounting to any goals – Pennsbury still holding much of the advantage and so close so many times.
“Our girls were playing beautiful hockey and working together really well. We just were not putting an exclamation point on our scoring chances. Close is never enough,” said Curtis.
The scoreboard was lit with the 1-0 score going into halftime – it was a much-needed breather for both teams as they strategized and hydrated. Pennsbury had yet to earn a penalty corner, while the Irish had a couple in the books. Shots on goal were pretty even. It was a neck-and-neck game despite the PHS lead.
“It was obvious that Notre Dame (players) were fighters, and they had skill in a lot of key places that were challenging us the entire time. Their goalie was making saves and we definitely had to work for everything, but our team was giving it right back and it was just fun to watch the level and intensity,” Curtis said.
The Falcons earned their first penalty corner of the game about halfway through the third quarter, but unfortunately didn’t execute with precision, and the Irish found themselves on the attack at top speed turning defense into a breakaway run.
“Payton Worth broke up the play nicely as they came down the field, but there was some confusion about the ref’s call with an incorrect hand signal, and an additional missed foul in consecutive moments that lost us possession,” said Curtis. “We found ourselves in trouble on our heels and Notre Dame was given the advantage and put one past goalie Amelia Fernandes during a scramble at the stroke. It was a very frustrating series of events and allowed them to tie it up halfway through the quarter. We still had plenty of hockey to play so we just had to keep pushing and work double time.”
It was still tied at one going into the final quarter, and it was anyone’s game. The tight battle lasted for fifteen more minutes without a decision in regulation, forcing the game into overtime. Ten-minute sudden victory was pushing the players to dig in for over sixty minutes – the barometric pressure may have been sinking with impending storms, but the pressure on the pitch was rising high.
The Falcons had several great opportunities in the first few minutes of the 7v7 to notch the winning goal, but the ball wasn’t rolling their way. They earned their second penalty corner of the game and despite creative execution, couldn’t find the back of the cage. The Irish refused to back down and returned the pressure tenfold.
Four minutes into overtime Notre Dame dribbled onto a quick free hit, passed into the circle to their forward who took a sharp reverse shot from the left and hit the far corner with authority. Game over.
“Games like that are so exciting and awesome to be a part of, but they sting like crazy and sit heavy for a long time,” said Coach Curtis. “We played great hockey in so many ways but need to also clean up many pieces of our game. The girls fought hard, worked hard, and did it together – we will take the lessons learned and apply them on Tuesday when we close out our regular season against Council Rock South.”
Pennsbury will celebrate their seniors Tuesday night at Falcon Field under the lights.
Thursday, Oct. 9
Non-league SOL crossover
QUAKERTOWN 1, PENNRIDGE 0
The Panthers needed a late goal to eke out a win over the Rams in Thursday’s non-league rivalry contest.
Appropriately, it was a senior scoring the game-winner on Senior Night with Casey Rosenberger turning a pass from Paige Longacre into the game’s only goal late in the fourth quarter.
Scoring summary
Fourth quarter
Casey Rosenberger (Q) from Paige Longacre
Quakertown coach Peach Draper: “It was an incredible Senior Night victory against our hometown rival Pennridge. The game was intense from start to finish, with every player leaving it all on the field for our seniors.
“Late in the fourth quarter, Paige Longacre threaded a beautiful pass to senior Casey Rosenberger, who buried the game-winner. All four of our seniors, Emma Stalletti, Casey Rosenberger, Shayna Williams, and goalie Anna Haberle played with heart, grit, and passion.
On the defensive end, Penny Longacre was outstanding, shutting down Pennridge’s attack and limiting their chances on goal. We are deeply grateful for our seniors and all they have brought to this program. They will be greatly missed as we now turn our focus to finishing the season strong and making a run in districts.”
Pennridge coach Chris Chookagian on the game: “Rivalry games are always so fun. This one was particularly special because Quakertown is my alma mater, and Coach Draper was my very first coach. This game could have gone either way, and it was the best we played all season. This is the growth and hockey you want to see in October. We have three games left and know what we need to do.”
–Props: “Congrats to the Quakertown Seniors on their Senior Night. Big props to our defenders for being patient on the outlets, midfielders for moving the ball quickly up the field, and our forwards giving a relentless press everywhere on the field. Also, huge shoutout to our goalie, Charlotte for making some incredible saves tonight to keep us in the game to the very end!”
Up next: Quakertown will host Wissahickon Monday, and Pennridge will be on the road at Central Bucks South on Monday (7pm).
Pennridge 0-0-0-0 0
Quakertown 0-0-0-1 1
SOL Freedom Division
NEW HOPE-SOLEBURY 2, SPRINGFIELD TWP 0
Abby Varghese broke a scoreless tie when she found the cage in the second quarter, and Danielle Wilson added an insurance goal in the third quarter. Both goals were scored on rebounds.
Scoring summary
First quarter – No score
Second quarter
Abby Varghese (NH-S)
Third quarter – No score
Fourth quarter
Danielle Wilson (NH-S)
Springfield assistant coach Brianna Buckley: “Springfield Township fell to New Hope-Solebury in a competitive matchup where both teams battled hard for the win. New Hope managed to capitalize on a pair of scoring opportunities to edge ahead, while the Spartans continued to press throughout the game.
—Props: “Defender Ella McLaughlin worked tirelessly to move the ball up to the midfield, where Julia Cooney fought to advance play into the attacking zone. Forward Klara Ochab created strong scoring chances, but Springfield just couldn’t quite break through to find the back of the net.”
Up next: New Hope-Solebury will host Council Rock North for its Breast Cancer Awareness game in an SOL crossover contest Monday (6:30pm). Springfield Twp will travel to Cheltenham for its regular season finale Tuesday.
New Hope-Solebury 0-1-0-1 2
Springfield Twp 0-0-0-0 0
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