Check out the results for SOL field hockey teams in action Friday.
SOUDERTON 3, CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 2
The visiting Indians stunned the Patriots, breaking 2-2 tie with a goal during corner play after time expired at the end of the first half. Neither team scored in the second half.
“Souderton, to their credit, fought hard the entire game,” East coach Michelle Finegan said. “(We) also fought hard but fell short, which sometimes happens.
“We will regroup and be ready after some much needed rest.”
Riley Donnelly (Mackenzie Boyle assist) scored just over a minute into the game to spot the Patriots an early lead, but two minutes later, Souderton answered with a goal from Nina Disco (Courtney Kwiatkowski assist). Rachel Kagarise scored an unassisted goal with 11 minutes remaining in the half to put the Indians on top 2-1, but Donnelly connected for her second goal of the game to knot the score. Erin Saybolt (Disco assist) scored a goal during corner play that turned out to be the game winner.
“Going into halftime, the momentum and positivity was going in our direction,” Souderton coach Lauren Whiteside said. “It was crazy exciting when we scored to take the lead on the corner when time expired. It was the type of situation you always wish happens and it was literally, the game changer.”
The win was just the second in conference play for the Indians, whose last win in the conference came on Sept. 9.
“I think the girls were finally sick of hearing me say, 'We can do this' and 'Let's show the league what we are made of,’ because today we put together two solid halves of play and 60 minutes of consistent hard pressure,” Whiteside said. “When East scored first, we didn't let that get to us. It's easy to give up and start to play down when you're losing- the hard thing is to battle back.
“I'm so proud of the girls for battling back. So proud. We have been through a lot this season, and the girls love playing this game and love being on the field together. We continue to fix things that we did wrong the game before which is a testament to the friendship the girls have on the field and the desire that they have to be better for each other.”
East held an advantage in both shots (20-11) and corners (14-3). Souderton goalie Megan Mehaffey was credited with 14 saves in the win.
“CB East has some very good offensive players, and our defense really stepped up and beat them to the ball and got them flustered,” Whiteside said. “Our midfield played a lot of defense today and did a great job making the transition. With our midfield focusing on stopping East's offensive game, the forwards were able to get the ball in the midfield and take it up and split their defense and finish with some quality shots.
“Megan Mehaffey had a great game today in goal. She turned away some really good shots from East up high and from very close. She kept us in the game until the very last second, turning away a flurry of shots at the end.”
The Indians’ coach went on to credit the performance of several players in the win.
“Courtney Kwiatkowski and Juliana Borisow did a great job communicating and staying low on defense,” Whiteside said. “Rachel Kagarise was an energizer in the midfield, marking East's high quality players and also getting open to take shots and score.
“Jessie Gabriel, Erin Saybolt and Nina Disco on the forward line made a lot of connecting passes to split the defense and get us in the circle and make things happen.”
Souderton (4-7-1, 2-7-1 SOL) will host Pennridge on Monday, and Central Bucks East (11-3, 7-3) will host Central Bucks South.
Souderton 3-0 3
Central Bucks East 2-0 2
BENSALEM 4, LITTLE FLOWER 1
The Owls exploded for four goals in the second half on their way to a convincing non-league win.
Katie Mulvey got the ball rolling with back-to-back goals – the first with a Madison Kubik assist at the 24:14 mark and the second with an assist from Alyssa Dalrymple at 22:27.
Little Flower cut that lead in half with a goal at the 12-minute mark, but the Owls responded with Gabby Greco connecting for an unassisted goal just 23 seconds later. Greco picked up her second goal of the game with nine minutes remaining, using a Mulvey assist. Mulvey led the Owls with two goals and an assist.
Faith Dydak and Dalrymple each had a defensive save for the Owls.
Bensalem (4-8, 1-8) will host Abington on Tuesday.
Little Flower 0-1 1
Bensalem 0-4 4
CHELTENHAM 1, SAINT BASIL ACADEMY 0
Haley Wilken turned a Madison Gianelle pass into a first-half goal, and that 1-0 lead stood the rest of the way. Tegan Dorley earned the shutout win in goal.
Cheltenham (5-8, 4-6) will travel to Norristown on Monday.
St. Basil Academy 0-0 0
Cheltenham 1-0 1
PENNRIDGE 2, WILLIAM TENNENT 0
Meghan Griffin scored a pair of goals to lead the Lady Rams to the non-league win.
The senior captain put the visiting Lady Rams on the scoreboard with four minutes remaining in the opening half, and she tacked on an insurance goal – with an assist from Larissa Motts early in the second half.
Tennent’s Trish McCoy recorded eight saves while Carley Wingate had one save in the shutout win. The Rams held an advantage in shots (15-2) and corners (15-0).
Pennridge (6-6, 4-6 SOL) will travel to Souderton on Monday, and William Tennent (2-10-1, 2-6-1) will be on the road at Council Rock South.
Pennridge 1-1 2
William Tennent 0-0 0
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