Check out the results for SOL field hockey teams in action Friday.
National Conference
NESHAMINY 7, ABINGTON 1
Neshaminy is one of three teams tied atop the National Conference standings after one week, but they are the only squad of the big three (Neshaminy, CR North and CR South) with a perfect 3-0 record.
For the nine seniors who form the nucleus of the squad, this is the season they have been building toward since they stepped onto the field as freshmen.
"We're an experienced group, so I think we have high expectations for ourselves," said senior Marlena Kollner, one of four senior captains. "A lot of us also play travel as well, and we're used to playing with each other the four years we've been here.
"It's really helped us that we've gotten to know each other and we know how we all play."
Talk to Maria Palmieri, and according to the senior captain, this group is more than just a team.
"I think we're really a family," she said. “All of us seniors are role models for the underclassmen. We really work together and take the opportunities that we have and capitalize on them."
The seniors admit there’s a decidedly different feeling as they begin their final high school season.
"It's a lot more responsibility," said captain Amanda Blum. "We have to be leaders this year and set a good example for the younger kids.
"I think we have a lot of potential this year, and as a team, we work together so well."
In Friday’s SOL contest at Abington, the Redskins turned a 3-1 halftime lead into a 7-1 win to improve to 3-0 on the young season (2-0 SOL).
"In a game like this, we try to really work on passing and trying new things," said captain Christen Pennington. "We tried a new corner play that's kind of like a trick play, and we scored on it."
"One of our goals we have for every game is we try and get a goal in the first minute of the first half to set the tone for the game," Kollner added. "That way it gets everyone intense for the start of the game, and it keeps the intensity throughout."
The Redskins got on the scoreboard at the 25:22 mark of the opening half when Emily Alexis – on a corner – turned a Mia Sexton pass into a goal. Six minutes later, Palmieri connected, also using a Sexton pass, and when Pennington scored with a Palmieri assist, the Redskins led 3-0 with 8:14 still left to play in the half. All three goals were scored during corner play on a day that saw the Redskins convert five corners into goals.
Abington got on the scoreboard with a goal by Kaila Brown at the 5:47 mark to make it a 3-1 game at the intermission. It was the first goal allowed this season by the ‘Skins, who have outscored their opponents 18-1.
The Redskins scored four unanswered goals in the second half with Pennington accounting for two of those – the first with a Palmieri assist. Lauren Duckenfield (Elena Curran assist) and Emily Curran (Kollner assist) each added single goals for the 7-1 final.
The Redskins might have had even more, but Abington goalie Alyssa Herman turned away 27 shots.
"Every game is as important as the next, but some games we need to push ourselves and take the opportunities that we have so we can go further, so we can make it into playoffs," Palmieri said.
Unity is a big theme on this year's Neshaminy squad, and a point of pride is the team's wall.
"We each decorate a cinder block, and we each make it our own – we put our name and maybe a cool design," Pennington said. "We set (the wall) up on the corner of our field as a pyramid. It symbolizes our team unity and how we come together and how we're strong."
For each game, two players make snack bags for all their teammates. Perhaps more important than the snack is the motivational quote included in each bag that the players have in their possession during games for good luck.
So far, so good for a Redskins squad with high hopes.
Neshaminy (3-0, 2-0 SOL) will travel to William Tennent Wednesday, and Abington (2-2, 0-1) is at Council Rock South.
Neshaminy 3-4 7
Abington 1-0 1
WILLIAM TENNENT 3, HARRY S TRUMAN 0
Tennent took a 2-0 lead into halftime and never looked back en route to its first win of the young season.
“This year is all about growth,” Tennent coach Kaitlyn Rauchut said. “We have a tremendous amount of young talent.
“We also have a core of upperclassmen that are stepping up to the challenge of always looking to improve. In the first three games, we have seen significant growth. My assistant Amanda Brockman and I are extremely excited and proud of the drastic improvements from last season and look forward to our future contests.”
The Panthers led 1-0 lead when Isabelle Michaud connected nine minutes into the opening half, and when freshman Jenna Cragin turned a Maddy Murtha pass into her first varsity goal, the Panthers found themselves on top 2-0.
A goal by Kylie Weiss 10 minutes into the second half closed out the scoring.
Rauchut lauded the play of freshman Samantha McDonald and Victoria Poust on the defensive end as well as the “excellent presence” of Kylie Weiss, Maddy Murtha, Jessie Betz, Libby Betz and Colleen Killoran.
Tennent held a commanding 26-5 advantage in shots. Truman goalie Maria Dea kept her team in it with 23 saves. Tennent’s Trish McCory turned away four shots.
William Tennent (1-2, 1-1 SOL) will host Neshaminy on Wednesday while Truman (0-3, 0-2) returns to action Thursday when it will host Council Rock North.
Harry S Truman 0-0 0
William Tennent 2-1 3
COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 5, PENNSBURY 3
The Falcons led 3-2 in the second half of Friday's contest at Rock North only to watch the Indians respond with three goals in four minutes to take a lead they would not lose. For the Indians, Rachel Pomerantz played a role in three goals, scoring one and assisting on two others. Julianne Mangano added a pair of goals, and Jennica Jonovich contributed a goal and an assist. Bridget Thompson scored one goal, and Devon Mela had a pair of assists.
Pennsbury was led by the two-goal effort of Kate Chesney. Marguerite Salamone contributed a goal and an assist, and Nell Webber chipped in an assist.
Council Rock North (3-1, 2-0 SOL) will travel to Truman on Thursday, and Pennsbury (1-2, 1-1) will host Bensalem on Wednesday.
Pennsbury 2-1 3
Council Rock North 2-3 5
COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 8, BENSALEM 0
Continental Conference
CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 3, NORTH PENN 1
The Patriots remained perfect on the young season with an impressive win over the visiting Maidens.
The two teams exchanged first half goals with Riley Donnelly putting the Patriots on the board with an early goal only to watch sophomore Brianna O’Donnell answer with a goal for the Maidens at the 11:54 mark.
Abbey Butler scored seven minutes into the second half, and that one-goal lead stood until Butler connected for her second goal with 26 seconds remaining, this one with a Rachel Fife assist.
“The defense was successful in clearing the ball out quickly, and the forwards were working well together by cutting for each other and reading the open spaces,” East coach Michelle Finegan said. “The midfielders were able to apply pressure on the player with the ball and created a high intensity game.
“Abbey Butler was a tremendous threat in the offensive circle along with Riley Donnelly and Rachel Fife. The defense was solid in front of Sydney Richter.”
The Patriots held a 16-7 advantage in penalty corners. Maiden goalie Brynne Schoppe was credited with 22 saves.
“She had an excellent game in goal,” North Penn coach Shannon McCracken said.
Central Bucks East (4-0, 2-0 SOL) will travel to Hatboro-Horsham while North Penn (0-3, 0-2) will be on the road at Downingtown West Saturday before hosting Central Bucks West on Tuesday.
North Penn 1-0 1
Central Bucks East 1-2 3
QUAKERTOWN 4, SOUDERTON 3 (OT)
Emma McLaughlin – breaking free after receiving a pass from teammate Becky Gerhart – scored on a reverse stick goal at the 7:16 mark of overtime to propel the Panthers to the hard-fought win. The goal was the third of the game for the senior captain.
It was the McLaughlin-Gerhart connection that put the Panthers on the scoreboard three minutes into the game when McLaughlin scored. The Indians wasted little time before getting that goal back with Erin Saybolt connecting for the equalizer. With seven minutes remaining in the half, Nina Disco connected, giving the Indians a 2-1 lead. McLaughlin answered by slamming home the tying goal, and late in the half, Adriana Alexander tipped a ball into the net with a feed from Gerhart, sending the Panthers into halftime with a 3-2 lead.
Midway through the second half, Liz O’Hara scored on a strong corner shot to knot the score, setting the stage for overtime.
The Panthers held an 8-5 advantage in corners.
Quakertown (3-1, 1-1 SOL) will host North Penn on Wednesday, and Souderton (3-1, 1-1) will host Central Bucks West.
Quakertown 3-0-1 4
Souderton 2-1-0 3
HATBORO-HORSHAM 2, CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 1
The Hatters notched their first win of the young season Friday, rallying from a 1-0 halftime deficit to earn the win.
“The game was back and forth for both teams,” HH coach Laura Swezey said. “It could have gone either way.”
Swezey credited goalie Liz Wilburn for preserving the win with 12 clutch saves.
“She saved a number of shots in a row from numerous rebounds,” the Hatters’ coach said.
Alexa Milanesi connected on a goal that sent South into halftime with a 1-0 lead, but Gabby Acker and Sydney Rausa each scored for the Hatters in the second half – both during corner play. On the first, Acker made the insert past and then tipped in a rocket by Andrea Baldus. The second came after a high lift from Kelsey Hopkins and, according to Swezey, “a great eye-hand slap” from Rausa to pop it into the cage.”
“Both teams had great transitions, and each team had ample opportunities to score,” Swezey said. “It was truly a 50-50 game. We just had that one extra touch.
“Our girls came into the game pumped to come out with a win. The girls are really jelling more and communicating better every day. It’s early in the season, and different players are adapting to playing more than one position.”
Hatboro-Horsham (1-2, 1-1 SOL) will travel to Wissahickon for a non-league contest Tuesday before hosting Central Bucks East on Wednesday. Central Bucks South (1-2, 1-1) will host Pennridge on Wednesday.
Central Bucks South 1-0 1
Hatboro-Horsham 0-2 2
CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 6, PENNRIDGE 0
The Bucks broke a scoreless tie midway through the first half when Cadera Smith (Bryn Boylan assist) capped a strong passing sequence with a goal.
“(Bryn) had the assist after she drew the defense and passed off to (Cadera) for the goal,” West coach Courtney Lepping said.
Boylan (Halderson assist) put the Bucks on top 2-0, and the Bucks took that 2-0 lead into halftime.
Three minutes into the second half, Ryan Murray deflected Boylan’s corner shot into the cage. Midway through the half, Boylan connected on a corner shot to put the Bucks on top 4-0. Smith scored during a scramble in front of the cage, and then Mikayla Darrows finished a shot by Taylor Mason to close out the scoring.
The final score might have been even more lopsided had it not been for the 19-save effort in goal of Carley Wingate. For the Bucks, Courtney Westover notched her first varsity career shutout.
“(Emily) Halderson continues to shine on defense as they have grown behind her leadership,” Lepping said. “(Bryn) Boylan continued her unselfish play with two assists and two goals.”
Central Bucks West (3-0, 2-0 SOL) will travel to Souderton on Wednesday while Pennridge (0-2) will travel to Central Bucks South.
Central Bucks West 2-4 6
Pennridge 0-0 0
American Conference
WISSAHICKON 3, UPPER MORELAND 1
In a battle of two squads who finished tied for second behind PW in the conference standings, the Trojans earned the win, but the Golden Bears did not go down quietly.
“I remember beating Upper Moreland really badly (in years past), and out comes this team that out of nowhere started pummeling us,” Wissahickon coach Lucy Gil said. “I’m like, ‘We have to change our perspective here.’
“They were definitely really strong, and I’m worried about playing them on grass because we’re not a grass team. It will be an interesting game.”
The two teams were deadlocked 1-1 at halftime. Jess Waite (Kara Miles assist) connected 11 minutes into the game, but Jess Flanagan knotted the score 10 minutes later.
It remained a 1-1 game until Emily Purnell scored what turned out to be the game winner with 9:21 remaining, using the second assist of the game by Miles. Sarah Edelson (Waite assist) added an insurance goal just over a minute later for the 3-1 final.
“They were very fast, they used a lot of girls towards the top, so they were always behind my defense, and my defense was always trying to catch up and run back,” Gil said. “It was interesting to see a grass team play a very nice turf game.”
Gil went on to laud the play of UM’s Maura O’Leary and Delaney Smith.
“Both of those players really took over the field,” Gil said.
Claire Tarzia played a key role in the win, turning away 15 UM shots.
“Claire had a great game,” Gil said. “She has been playing so much better this year.
“At the end of her sophomore year, she had a concussion and was out of school for six months. Field hockey season was her first time back, and she really wasn’t herself last year. This year it’s so pleasant to see her back to her old ways. She’s been playing amazing for us.”
Also coming up big for the Trojans was center back Kara Miles.
“She always plays well,” Gil said. “She directs everything. Everything filters through her, and she did really well.”
The Trojans held a 10-7 edge in corners.
“We didn’t play as well as we’ve been playing,” Gil said. “We came out a little flat, and we were lucky to get a few goals at the end.
“I think we were wearing them down a little bit. The fast pace is going to get to you if you’re a grass team. Towards the end we were able to infiltrate a little bit more.”
Wissahickon (2-1, 2-0 SOL) will host Hatboro-Horsham on Tuesday in a non-league contest and then will host Plymouth Whitemarsh on Wednesday. Upper Moreland (0-2) will travel to the Academy of the New Church Tuesday and then will host Upper Dublin on Wednesday.
Upper Moreland 1-0 1
Wissahickon 1-2 3
PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 8, UPPER MERION 0
Frankie O’Brien exploded for four goals wile Paige Toten had two goals and one assist to lead the Colonials to the big win. It was the O’Brien-Totten connection that ignited the Colonials as Totten assisted on three O’Brien scores.
O’Brien (Totten assist) broke a scoreless tie 13:32 into the first half, and just over a minute later, it was Totten using a Sam Spera assist to put the Colonials on top 2-0. That score stood until the intermission.
Back-to-back goals by O’Brien – both with Totten assists – in the opening 7:23 of the second half gave the Colonials a 4-0 advantage. They added four more goals in the final 15 minutes with single goals from Totten (Spera assist), Jess Dixon, O’Brien and Kennedy Reardon (Sophie Kolkka assist).
“The game was hard fought through the first half as Upper Merion’s defense did a great job breaking up the play in the circle,” PW coach Marianne Paparone said. “(We were) finally able to break through the tough defense in the second half, and multiple goal scorers were able to find the back of the goal cage.
“It was great to be back on our home turf, secure our second shutout and find success on attack for the win.”
The Colonials took 41 shots on goal and drew 16 corners..
Plymouth Whitemarsh (2-1, 2-0) will travel to Wissahickon on Wednesday, and Upper Merion (1-2, 0-2) will travel to Pottstown Tuesday before hosting Norristown Wednesday.
Upper Merion 0-0 0
Plymouth Whitemarsh 2-6 8
CHELTENHAM 1, UPPER DUBLIN 0
The Lady Panthers needed just two games to equal their league win total of each of the past two seasons.
Freshman Mattie Ellis connected for a goal that turned out to be the game winner with 3:07 remaining in the first half, scoring on a penalty corner with an assist from Madison Gianelle.
That one-goal lead stood, thanks to another standout effort of Tegan Dorley, who negated Upper Dublin’s 16-8 advantage in shots on goal with 11 saves – seven in a huge first half. The Flying Cardinals also had a 10-5 edge in corners.
The Lady Panthers, according to coach Elaine McGoldrick, also received a big boost from the defense of Alexis Grady, Jada Pham, Lindsay Hopewell, Dana Feeney and Sasha Narine.
Mikaylah Johnson was credited with seven saves in goal for the Flying Cardinals.
Cheltenham (2-1, 2-0 SOL) will travel to Springfield on Wednesday, and Upper Dublin (1-2, 0-2) will travel to Upper Moreland.
Upper Dublin 0-0 0
Cheltenham 1-0 1
SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP 3, NORRISTOWN 0
The Spartans took a 1-0 lead into halftime and then added a pair after the intermission. Meredith Giordano scored two goals to lead the Spartans’ attack, and Marley Berger added a single goal. Victoria Ebner contributed an assist for the Spartans, who held a 12-4 advantage in corners.
Springfield (1-1 SOL) will host Cheltenham on Wednesday, and Norristown (0-4) will host Pottstown on Tuesday in a non-league contest before travelling to Upper Merion on Wednesday.
Springfield 1-2 3
Norristown 0-0 0
About the Author
