Check out the recaps for SOL field hockey teams in action. CB West/North Penn photos provided courtesy of Tracy Valko. Lower Moreland/Cheltenham photos courtesy of Greg Zesinger, and Neshaminy/CR South photos provided courtesy of John Gleeson. Check back for galleries of all three games.
SOL Patriot Division
NESHAMINY 4, COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 1
The Redskins had a score to settle when they faced the visiting Golden Hawks in the first of two regular season meetings on Thursday. Last year, the two teams shared the SOL Patriot title with Rock South notching wins over Neshaminy in both regular season meetings.
There will be no reruns this season.
Sophomores Maddy Shtino and Kasey Rieger made sure of that as each scored a pair of goals to lead the Redskins to the big win.
“The girls played hard,” Neshaminy coach Jamie Pinto said. “It’s a good group of girls. They work hard together, they get along well together. We have fun at practice.
“They all stand out individually in their spots, but collectively, they play well together as a team. We have good leadership. (Avery) McGinty and (Olivia) Roscoe are good leaders. Even the seniors that aren’t captains – they’re good leaders on and off the field. Everything’s been clicking so far. They’ve been working hard, they want to win. I feel like they think they have a lot to prove, and I agree with them.”
Shtino scored a pair of goals during corner play in the first quarter – the first on the post with 7:45 remaining in the quarter after inserting the ball and the second on a beautiful reverse stick goal into the upper corner with 17 seconds remaining in the quarter.
With just over a minute remaining in the half, Rieger connected on an unassisted goal to send the Redskins into halftime with a 3-0 lead.
The Redskins upped that lead to 4-0 when Rieger scored two minutes into the third quarter, using a Molly Courtney assist. Rock South got on the scoreboard with 5:20 remaining in the fourth quarter when Amanda Green found the cage.
“Neshaminy came out of the gate strong and aggressive,” said Rock South coach Kelly Mason, an assistant at Neshaminy prior to taking over the helm at Rock South. “In the first half, they scored two goals quickly, and the momentum shifted in their direction.
“We dominated the second quarter but were unable to score a goal. We had plenty of opportunities to score on corners, but their goalie had some really nice saves. Amanda Green scored late in the game for us, but we came up short as team. Our goal for next game is to be more aggressive and pressure the ball coming down the field.”
Pinto credited the efforts of numerous players in the win.
“Maddy Shtino played in the center, and she played really strong today,” Pinto said. “She was aggressive in the circle, and she played well defensively too.
“Avery McGinty is just a solid leader and a solid defender. Especially this year, she’s a little more vocal directing and just leading in the back which is what we need. Kasey Rieger and Olivia Roscoe played well – Olivia in the center, and Kasey Rieger up top – she was really aggressive, good speed and attacked the circle.
“Our goalie, Brittany Mattoi, has played very well. She had a lot of saves – they had a lot of corners at one point, and our defensive corner unit played well, which was McGinty, Olivia Roscoe, Morgan Shaltens and Maddy Shtino.”
Neshaminy (2-0 SOL) will travel to Harry S Truman on Tuesday, and Council Rock South (1-2, 1-1) will host Council Rock North on Tuesday (7 p.m.)
Neshaminy 2-1-0-1 4
Council Rock South 0-0-0-1 1
PENNSBURY 8, HARRY S TRUMAN 0
(Submitted by Pennsbury Field Hockey)
The Pennsbury Falcons had one day to collect themselves and rise up from their loss (to Neshaminy) on Tuesday as they prepared for Thursday’s game against Truman. With the lessons learned slung over their shoulders, the orange and black arrived with a renewed perspective and mindset regarding the second game of the season and were ready to take the step forward.
Although they were still traveling, the overall landscape of this contest was very different – playing on turf instead of grass, a different level of pressure, and a varied lineup of players covering the field.
“It did not take long to get into a groove, and the comfort felt in every layer of our team set us up for success,” said head coach Traci Curtis.
Goals and assists were contributed by a variety of players, and every girl on the roster got time on the turf. We were able to explore many of our penalty corner options, which was helpful for that specialty unit. In the first quarter, Ava Jordan and Meg McClure (2) tallied three goals with the help of Rylie Borgman assisting Jordan. Theresa Vazapphilly added another in the second to make it 4-0 going into the half. Borgman and McClure struck again in the third with two unassisted goals for a 6-0 lead, and then Rachel Stein closed the game with two heads-up plays in the circle for the final 8-0.
“We were very proud of the effort today and the way our girls handled themselves both on and off the field,” said Curtis, who had a lot to say about the opponent. “Truman is being coached by two great women who are doing an awesome job of building from the ground up. The Tigers were stronger in many places than they have ever been – the defense worked super hard, and the cohesiveness was evident. It was great to watch.
“I have the utmost respect for their program and how hard they work to compete in our conference, never giving up. The Truman goalie, Stacy Cavillard, played an amazing game with about 16 saves and denying our team on a penalty stroke. Despite the lopsided score, the Tigers should be proud of how they battled us out there. We can never take our losses too seriously or our successes. We are all a work in progress and each of these 18 steps along the SOL regular season path will present an opportunity that we need to embrace and use to be better than when we started.”
Pennsbury (1-1 SOL) will host their first home game Friday against Hatboro- Horsham as they head into the holiday weekend. Harry S Truman (0-3, 0-2) will host Neshaminy on Tuesday.
Pennsbury 3-1-2-2 8
Harry S Truman 0-0-0-0 0
COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 2, BENSALEM 0
The Indians picked up their second win of the young season, notching a shutout win over the host Owls.
In the second quarter, Julia Ondria scored with an assist from Brynn Bogle. They sealed the Owls’ fate in the fourth quarter when Leah Abbe scored with an assist from Sierra Kim.
Council Rock North (2-0 SOL) will travel to Abington for a non-league game Friday (3 p.m.), and Bensalem (0-2) will be on the road at Pennsbury on Tuesday.
Council Rock North 0-1-0-1 2
Bensalem 0-0-0-0 0
SOL Colonial Division
CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 3, NORTH PENN 2
In a classic Colonial Division battle, it was the Bucks edging the visiting Knights in a contest that looked anything but the part of an early season game.
“Coach Shannon McCracken (and staff) always have their teams prepped and ready to go – this evening was no exception,” West coach Dave DeAngelis said. “Tonight, was a hard fought match – with
very good field hockey on display from both programs.”
“It was a fast-paced and intense game that had an October feel to it,” McCracken said.
The game was evenly matched – a fact that was underscored by the game stats the show both teams collecting 10 penalty corners while the Knights held a 16-12 advantage in shots.
The two teams exchanged goals in the second quarter. West’s Calista Boos (Aida Ierubino assist) scored with 8:23 remaining in the half, and North Penn’s Catherine McGeehan evened the score with a goal at the 1:06 mark. The two teams went into halftime deadlocked 1-1.
In the third quarter, the Bucks scored a pair of goals. Four minutes into the frame, Nina Mayo scored an unassisted goal, and then it was Kendall Siegle scoring as time expired to put the Bucks on top 3-1. The Knights pulled to within one when Caleigh Sperling scored with 4:10 remaining in regulation. That’s as close as they would get.
“Unfortunately, we couldn’t convert some early scoring opportunities after forcing multiple corners in the first quarter, which came back to haunt us later in the game,” McCracken said. “Sisters Catherine
McGeehan and Grace McGeehan were dynamic on the front line, creating corner opportunities. The defensive unit of Jocelyn Franek (two defensive saves), Melissa Sessler, Annabelle Smink and Kiera Holt had a great night in the defensive line as CB West has a skilled and fast attacking unit.”
North Penn goalie Kiera Holt was credited with seven saves while West goalkeeper Kendra Pitts turned away 13 shots.
“Our freshman goalkeeper made an incredible diving stick stop on a penalty stroke,” DeAngelis said. “Our defense rose to the occasion on several plays that featured two defensive stick saves – one each by Bronwen Rouse and Eve Damsker.
“Credit to the North Penn goalkeeper too – she made several difficult saves against us.”
Deangelis had nothing but good things to say about his team.
“North Penn has been a perennial top-level team in our conference and district, and we felt it was important to get off to a strong start,” the Bucks’ coach said. “We were able to generate several corners early but not able to execute or finish.
“We are proud of our team and the level of grit that they showed and maintained throughout the match. This truly is a special group of student-athletes; they continue look to grow and improve their game within our team structure.”
Central Bucks West (2-0, 1-0 SOL) will travel to Central Bucks South on Tuesday, and North Penn (1-1) will host Souderton on Tuesday (7 p.m.).
North Penn 0-1-0-1 2
Central Bucks West 1-0-2-0 3
SOUDERTON 3, PENNRIDGE 0
The Indians made their season debut a good one with the Avas stealing the spotlight by accounting for all three of Souderton’s goals – two from sophomore Ava Jones and one from senior Ava Shaw.
“We haven’t really done any full-field scrimmaging playing on a full–size field 11v11, and it looked like it,” Souderton coach Sue Casciato said. “We were out of position and looked kind of nervous. We got the job done, but it wasn’t a particularly clean game by any stretch.”
Jones scored on a deflection of a drive by Wagner commit Lauren Frye on a corner into the game’s first goal with just 2:27 remaining in the opening half. The Indians took that 1-0 lead into halftime.
“The first half was even, or they maybe even outplayed us,” Casciato said.
The Indians put the game out of reach with a pair of goals in the third quarter. With 11:26 remaining in the quarter, Ava Shaw scored with assists from Ava Jones and Rider commit Ang Borisow. Ava Jones – who had a hand in all three scores – connected on a reverse stick goal to close out the scoring with seven minutes remaining in the frame. Borisow had the assist.
“In the second half, we probably possessed the ball more than they did,” Casciato said. “We looked tired, so I would imagine they were tired too.
“Their goalie was phenomenal. We had some really nice hard shots, a lot of action in front of the cage, and she did a good job because all three of our goals were really nice goals.”
The Indians’ coach credited the play of sophomore center back Julia Blair, who finds herself with some big shoes to fill with the loss of Ashley Paturzo, a first team all-league defender, to an injury.
“She’a playing a tough position because she’s replacing Ash Paturzo,” Casciato said. “She had a very good game today. I told her after the game, ‘I think I’d give you MVP.’ They had a couple of breakaway opportunities, and she shut them down. She’s starting a lot of free hits in the back, and considering it was her first varsity start, she played really well.”
The Indians’ coach also acknowledged the strong effort of sophomore Ashley Magnus at left back.
“Ashley and Julia were super pleasant surprises,” Casciato said. “They’re both good players, but I didn’t expect them to be my strongest player of the day.”
Souderton (1-0) will travel to Archbishop Carroll for a non-league game Friday (11:30 a.m.), and Pennridge (1-2, 0-2) will host Upper Perk on Friday at 3:30 p.m.
Souderton 0-1-2-0 3
Pennridge 0-0-0-0 0
SOL Liberty Division
ABINGTON 3, HATBORO-HORSHAM 2
The Ghosts opened up a 3-1 halftime lead and then held off the Hatters in the second half to earn their first win of the young season.
“We needed it,” Abington coach Katie Small said. “We had a great game after two tough losses. It was nice to see the girls bounce back.”
The Ghosts had the better of play in the first half. Hofstra commit Camryn Stewart spotted Abington a 1-0 lead, turning an Erica Devlin pass during corner play into a goal. In the second quarter, freshman Maeve Link scored, also using a Devlin assist, and Devlin and Link were credited with assists on Stewart’s second goal of the game.
“Camryn Stewart, Erica Devlin, Maura Calldanoto and Olivia Dougherty did a great job of maintaining possession of the ball in the middle of the field,” Small said of her team’s strong first half.
Hatboro-Horsham’s Angelina Park scored an unassisted goal in the second quarter, and things got interesting when Molly McKenna scored in the fourth quarter to pull the Hatters to within one, but the Ghosts would not be denied.
“Our first two scrimmages, we’re scoring – it was easy,” Small said. “I knew CB West was going to be difficult, but Plymouth Whitemarsh was back and forth – they just got the lucky roll.
“Today we got three goals in the first half, and it was like, ‘This is great, here we go. We’re back in motion.’ The girls were having fun and enjoying themselves. The Hatboro-Horsham coach changed some things up, changed the positioning of some of her players, and they did really well the second half and made it difficult for us to get the ball into the net. We got tired. I’m playing all 16 girls, which is unusual for me. There’s ebbs and flows to every game, but we got the win. The girls were happy, and that’s all that matters.”
The Ghosts, according to Small, lost a lot of experience to graduation.
“We have a young bench that is really starting to set up with freshmen Maeve Link, Carly Hughes and Brooke Dougherty,” the Ghosts’ coach said. “I expect to see them continue to grow through the season.
“The back line held strong at the end to maintain the victory with Maddie Slavin and Grace Upham doing a great job protecting the circle.”
Abington (1-2, 1-1 SOL) will host Council Rock North in a non-league game Friday (3 p.m.), and Hatboro-Horsham (0-2) will be on the road at Pennsbury for a non-league game Friday.
Abington 1-2-0-0 3
Hatboro-Horsham 0-1-0-1 2
WISSAHICKON 9, UPPER DUBLIN 1
Riley Bell erupted for five goals and also had an assist in a glittering offensive performance that led the Trojans to the no-doubt-about-it win over the visiting Cardinals.
Neither team scored in the first quarter, but once the Trojans scored a minute into the second quarter – thanks to a Kayla Mullin goal (Ball assist), the floodgates opened. Six minutes later, Ball found the cage, using a Caroline Kirkpatrick assist. They added three goals in the final four minutes of the frame, beginning with a goal by Ella Hummel (Sophia Havrilla assist) that was followed by back-to-back goals from Ball – the first with a Mullin assist and the second assisted by Kayla Pak. By halftime, the Trojans led 5-0.
With six minutes remaining in the third quarter, Havrilla scored with an Ella Hummel assist, and then Kendall Crowley found the net, using a Havrilla assist. Upper Dublin made it a 7-1 game after a goal by Tess Malizia (Olivia Vitella assist) just over two minutes into the final quarter.
Bell wasn’t finished yet, scoring back-to-back goals in the final three minutes. Crowley assisted on the first, and the second was assisted by Avery Mullin.
Goalies Meredith Walsh (4 saves) and Ava Fell (3 saves) combined for seven saves in goal. UD’s Camryn Muth was credited with 25 saves.
Wissahickon (3-0, 2-0 SOL) will host Quakertown on Tuesday, and Upper Dublin (1-2-1, -0-1-1) will host Abington on Tuesday (4:30 p.m.)
Wissahickon 0-5-2-2 9
Upper Dublin 0-0-0-1 1
PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 1, QUAKERTOWN 0
The Colonials notched a tightly contested road win on Thursday night.
Kasey Johnstone broke a scoreless tie with an unassisted goal early in the fourth quarter, and the Colonials held on for the win, their second 1-0 win of the week.
“It was a hard fought win all the way until the end,” PW coach Jessica Randazzo said. “Kasey Johnstone scored early in the fourth, and we played tough defense for the remainder. The girls listened and worked together to come out on top.”
Plymouth Whitemarsh (2-1, 2-0 SOL) will host Hatboro-Horsham on Tuesday, and Quakertown (0-2-1, 0-1-1) will travel to Quakertown on Tuesday.
Plymouth Whitemarsh 0-0-0-1 1
Quakertown 0-0-0-0 0
SOL Freedom Division
NEW HOPE-SOLEBURY 2, SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP 1
Sophia Cozza turned a pass from Ava Cozza into a third quarter goal that broke a 1-1 tie in Thursday’s battle of perennial Freedom Division powers, and that successful sister connection proved to be the difference in the game as the Lions held on to earn the hard fought win.
“It’s always a battle,” NH-S coach Gwen Smith said. “It was an even game. We just kept fighting, we battled as a team, and we were able to capitalize on some of our opportunities.”
Thursday’s game was the third win of the young season for the Lions, and this one was a marked contrast from the first two that saw the Lions win both by double digits.
“We can’t scrimmage at practice – I don’t have enough people, so being able to see them all playing together tonight is a big deal for us,” said Smith.
The Lions got on the scoreboard with 3:26 remaining in the first quarter when sophomore Ava Cozza – who had a hand in both goals – scored with an assist from Rylee Logston. With 10 seconds remaining in the second quarter, the Spartans knotted the score on a goal by Norah Conlin (Emma Yoder assist).
“It was a close game – very well played by both teams,” Spartans’ coach Anita Stum said.
Lauren Trenti delivered the defensive play of the game for the Lions, coming up with a defensive save just shy of the goal line.
“Sophia Cozza controlled the middle of the field,” Smith said, lauding also the strong play of Avery Mendola, Ava Cozza and Madie Thistlewaite.
New Hope-Solebury (3-0, 2-0 SOL) will travel to Lower Moreland on Tuesday, and Springfield Township (1-1) will travel to Mount St. Joseph Academy for a non-league game on Friday.
Springfield Twp 0-1-0-0 1
New Hope-Solebury 1-0-1-0 2
UPPER MORELAND 1, WILLIAM TENNENT 0 (OT)
Jenna Piantieri scored an unassisted goal with 4:29 remaining in overtime, propelling the Golden Hawks to the emotionally charged win.
“Jenna dribbled around a few players in the circle before getting off a quick shot,” UM coach Marissa Elizardo said of the game-winner. “Overall, it was a great game, a hard-fought game by both teams.
“The majority of the game was played between the 25s. Tennent came out fast and got some quick looks on goal at the start of the game. Addi Hurley came up with a quick series of saves in the opening minutes to keep Tennent off the board. We struggled to adjust to playing on the grass and were caught on our heels at the beginning of the game. Addi’s early saves gave us some confidence.”
Hurley – taking over the spot occupied by her sister Emma – was credited with nine saves in the shutout win.
Tennent had two corners while the Golden Bears had just one.
“Zoe Longstreth had a phenomenal game in the midfield – she was all over the field today,” Elizardo said. “Liz Santry also did a great job moving the ball up the field for us.”
Upper Moreland (2-1, 1-1 SOL) will travel to Springfield Township on Tuesday, and William Tennent (0-3, 0-2) will be on the road at Cheltenham on Tuesday.
Upper Moreland 0-0-0-0-1 1
William Tennent 0-0-0-0-0 0
LOWER MORELAND 11, CHELTENHAM 0
The Lions turned in a complete team effort in Thursday’s win over the visiting Lady Panthers.
Liz Neeld and Mady Link led the scoring with two goals each, and Jess Pachman once again acted as a strong playmaker with three assists.
“Pachman has really stepped up this season at the center mid position and is the quarterback of our offense,” LM coach Janet Lutter said. Other goal scorers include Mia Peng, Bri Rocha, Haley Keller, Mia Rosala, Carlie Keller, Reagan Hopkins, and Jessica Shein. Cheltenham’s defense combined for four defensive saves and goalies Ryan Fillmore and Finn Boyle had 14 and 12 saves respectively. The
Lower Moreland (3-0, 2-0 SOL) will host Lower Moreland on Tuesday, and Cheltenham (0-2) will host William Tennent on Tuesday.
Cheltenham 0-0-0-0 0
Lower Moreland 2-4-4-1 11
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