Check out the recaps for SOL field hockey teams in action Friday.
Non-league
NESHAMINY 3, PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 1
Sparked by a pair of goals from Kasey Rieger, the defending Patriot Division champions opened the season with road win over the Colonials.
“Today was a good way to start our season,” Neshaminy coach Jamie Pinto said. “We were able to connect on our passing and finish.”
Rieger’s unassisted goal with 12:34 remaining in the first quarter put the Colonials on the scoreboard, and the floodgates were opened. At least for one quarter.
The Colonials answered less than three minutes later when Gracie Kerns turned a pass from Maddie Carr into the equalizer. With 2:46 remaining in the frame, Maddy Shtino scored the go-ahead goal with an assist from Ava Arbakov, and that 2-1 stood until halftime.
The Redskins added an insurance goal when Rieger connected for her second unassisted goal of the game with 8:31 remaining in the third quarter. That closed out the scoring for both sides.
Pinto was pleased with her team’s performance and lauded the efforts of several players.
“Defensively, Morgan Shaltens and Maddy Shtino played strong,” the Redskins’ coach said. “Cait Colyar and Ava Arbakov did a nice job controlling the center and distributing the ball, and Kasey Rieger did a nice job generating offense.”
For the Colonials, the game marked the return to the sidelines of Charise Halteman.
“We played a hard-fought game against a quality Neshaminy team,” the PW coach said. “Freshman Gracie Kern scored her first goal of high school off an assist from forward Maddie Carr.
“Neshaminy made the most of their offensive opportunities today, even as sophomore goalkeeper Carly Spinner recorded 17 saves.”
Neshaminy (1-0, 0-0 SOL) will travel to Pennsbury for Wednesday’s SOL opener, and Plymouth Whitemarsh (0-1, 0-0) will host Boyertown in a non-league game on Monday.
Neshaminy 2-0-1-0 3
Plymouth Whitemarsh 1-0-0-0 1
CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 4, BOYERTOWN 3
Trailing the visiting Bears 2-0 after a goal in the opening minutes of the third quarter, the Bucks came to life, erupting for three unanswered goals in less than eight minutes. They led the rest of the way.
“Our team turned it up a notch in the second half with greater connections resulting in opportunities in the circle,” West coach David DeAngelis said. “We were happy with our overall fitness and ball transition across the field and through the middle.
“It was a very good, hard played match for both teams. This was a learning opportunity, and we begin with conference play next week.”
The visiting Bears took a 1-0 lead into halftime, thanks to a Kendal Gilbert goal off a corner early in the second quarter. They upped that lead to 2-0 during corner play early in the third quarter, but the rest of the half belonged to the Bucks.
West scored back-to-back goals on corners – the first with 9:15 remaining in the third quarter by Calista Boos with a Lily Cosner assist. Just over two minutes later, it was Mimi Duffy scoring on a tip of a Cosner shot. Late in the third quarter Boos converted a penalty stroke to give the Bucks their first lead, 3-2.
In the opening moments of the final quarter, the Bucks hit paydirt for the third time on a corner. This time it was sophomore Aida Ierubino scoring on a Cosner and Boos pass. Boyertown’s Sarah Rotheberger scored with 29 seconds remaining for the 4-3 final.
DeAngelis credited the play of sophomore goalie Kendra Pitts, who recorded nine saves.
“It’s our front seven – three forwards and four mids – that make our team go,” the Bucks’ coach said. “They are very well conditioned, fast and skilled.”
The Bucks held a slim advantage in shots (13-12) and corners (15-11).
“It was important for both programs to a highly competitive match to formally begin the season,” DeAngelis said. “It did not disappoint.
“Coach Alicia (Terizzi) and staff continually have a very well coached and skilled team. We did not look or play as cohesively as we should early in the match, credit Boyertown for some of that and taking advantage of their opportunities.”
Central Bucks West (1-0, 0-0 SOL) will host Central Bucks East in Wednesday’s SOL opener at 7 p.m.
Boyertown 0-1-1-1 3
Central Bucks West 0-0-3-1 4
LOWER MORELAND 8, JENKINTOWN 0
The Lions rolled to a no-doubt-about-it win over their visitors in Friday’s non-league opener.
“Overall, this was an entire team effort with 22 players getting playing time,” LM coach Janet Lutter said. “We lost eight starters from last season, so we have many less experienced players who have been working hard getting comfortable with our style of play and adjusting to some changes in positions.”
Senior captain midfielder Jess Pachman led the Lady Lions with two goals and two assists. Senior Reagan Hopkins and junior Skylar Lowry also netted two goals each. Senior captain Bri Rocha and freshman Mollie Martin notched a goal each. Junior Ashley Avington contributed with three assists.
“Our focus over the past three years has been to play as a team and we accomplished that today,” said Lutter, whose team opened a 2-0 lead after one quarter and took a commanding 5-0 lead into halftime.
Lower Moreland (1-0, 0-0 SOL) will host Upper Moreland in Wednesday’s SOL opener.
Jenkintown 0-0-0-0 0
Lower Moreland 2-1-2-3 8
ARCHBISHOP CARROLL 3, SOUDERTON 0
DOWNINGTOWN WEST 7, WISSAHICKON 0
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