Check out the recaps for SOL field hockey teams in action Tuesday. CR South/Neshaminy photos provided courtesy of John Gleeson. CB West/Pennridge photos courtesy of Tracy Valko. Check back for galleries of both games: https://solsports.zenfolio.com/f1049091362
SOL Patriot Division
COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 3, NESHAMNY 2
The Indians knocked off the defending division champions, rallying from a 1-0 halftime deficit to score three second-half goal for the come-from-behind win.
Maddy Mela scored a pair of goals – including the game-winner – while Charlotte Ondria contributed a goal and an assist.
“This was a huge team win,” Rock North coach Jules Singer said. “It was a total team effort. Neshaminy played a great game. I’m so proud of the girls.”
The win was Rock North’s first over Neshaminy since Sept. 11, 2014, and snapped an 18-game losing streak to the Redskins.
Neshaminy got on the scoreboard when Kasey Rieger scored in the closing seconds of the opening quarter. The Redskins took that 1-0 lead into halftime.
Mela scored the equalizer just over five minutes into the second half, using an Ondria assist, but a goal by Mia Sermarini with 2:58 remaining in the third quarter put the Redskins back on top.
But not for long.
With 50 seconds remaining in the quarter, Ondria connected on a goal that knotted the score 2-2
heading into the final quarter.
Mela gave the Indians their first lead of the game with 5:15 remaining in regulation. That 3-2 score stood until the final horn.
So what changed in the second half for the Indians?
“We started utilizing our passing instead of individually trying to get the ball up the field,” Singer said.
The Rock North coach acknowledged the strong efforts of several players in the big win.
“Cara Moriarty had a great game today in net, and Maddy Mela and Charlotte Ondria had great goals,” Singer said. “Lily King had an amazing defensive save for us.”
Making the win even more impressive was the fact that the Indians won despite the fact that Neshaminy unofficially held a 24-6 advantage in shots and an 18-1 advantage in penalty corners.
Council Rock North (4-0, 2-0 SOL) will travel to Pennsbury on Thursday, and Neshaminy (2-1, 1-1) will travel to Council Rock South on Wednesday.
Neshaminy 1-0-1-0 2
Council Rock North 0-0-2-1 3
BENSALEM 5, HARRY S TRUMAN 0
After seeing their offense shut out for two straight games to open the season, the Owls erupted for five goals, an offensive explosion that was welcome indeed as they notched their first win.”
“(Our) offense had been sputtering in the first two games of this season,” Bensalem coach Gary Kubik said. “The coaching staff had to come up with a way to increase their production offensively.
“It took a whole first half of field hockey, but (we) finally hit our stride in the third quarter against a resilient Truman team.”
Bensalem had the better of play in the first half but led by just a 1-0 score at the intermission, thanks to a goal by Giuliana Pasquerella with Megan Klein assist.
“The Owls came out on fire in the third scoring four goals in a seven-minute span,” Kubik said.
Klein opened the third-quarter scoring explosion with an unassisted goal. Pasquerella scored her second of the game – also unassisted – at the 4:01 mark, just 49 seconds after Klein’s.
“Erin Lendzinski touched one in after a beautiful pass from Chloe Masciantonio only about a minute later,” Kubik said. “Ryan Frey finished off the scoring with 5:01 remaining in the third, with an assist from freshman Veronica Lennon. It was Veronica’s first point of her high school career.
“Bensalem played solid through the middle of the field and had standout performances from goalkeeper Emily Adams and the entire defense in front of her, including seniors Kaitlyn Higgins and Kaila DeWees, along with juniors Paige Schiefer, Maggie McLaughlin and Olivia Cervantes. The midfield play in general was solid in connecting with both forwards and their defensive teammates.”
The Owls’ coach tipped his hat to his opponent.
“Truman’s play throughout the whole game was solid, especially the play of number 32, Kacie Lawson, and their goaltender had some remarkable saves in that fourth quarter,” Kubik said.
Bensalem (1-2, 1-2 SOL) will host Neshaminy on Thursday, and Harry S Truman (0-4, 0-2) will travel to Pennsbury on Wednesday.
Bensalem 0-1-4-0 5
Harry S Truman 0-0-0-0 0
COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 2, PENNSBURY 1
It had been 11 days between games for the Golden Hawks, who scored a pair of first-half goals to go on top 2-1 at halftime. Neither team scored in the second half.
“With all the cancellations last week, this felt like opening day all over again,” Rock South coach Kelly Mason said. “Nobody could practice, nobody could do anything. We had to re-establish what we had been working on prior to the heat wave.
“I felt like that had a lot to do with the way we played too because we weren’t connecting the way we normally connect. We had to re-establish what we do.”
Junior captain Sarah Freeman spotted the Hawks a 1-0 lead with a goal midway through the opening quarter.
“She did a good job of pushing the ball down the field for us,” Mason said.
Annagrace McKinney scored an unassisted goal on a lift shot over the goalie to put the Hawks on top 2-0 in the second period, but the Falcons cut that lead in half with a goal in the final minute of the half to make it a 2-1 game at the intermission. Neither team scored the rest of the way.
“We had opportunities to score, but we just didn’t finish,” Mason said. “We just couldn’t connect. We got the ball moving, but we just couldn’t put the ball in the back of the net in the second half. We have to find our offense.
“We are young and we have a lot to learn but we will continue to work on doing the small things right.”
The Golden Hawks’ coach lauded the efforts of twins Maria and Sarah Freeman, who are junior captains.
“Junior captain Maria Freeman took on a big role and played solid defense, stepping in for our senior captain, Megan Rafter, who is out for the season,” Singer said. “She made big plays to keep the ball out of our circle.
“Sarah plays center mid, and she got our offense moving. She did great job distributing the ball down the field. I have one twin on defense and one twin on offense, and they came together well today.”
Pennsbury 0-1-0-0 1
Council Rock South 1-1-0-0 2
(Article submitted by Pennsbury field hockey)
It was a tight battle from start to finish as the Falcons traveled to Council Rock South for their first meeting of the season. Falling 2-1 was disappointing, but it is the closest score the Falcons have achieved against the Golden Hawks since Traci Curtis took over five years ago.
“We were so close and playing really well,” Curtis said. “The opportunity to win was palpable, but we just could not make it happen. We are so proud of our entire squad and the effort they gave for sixty minutes. It was a really great game on both sides of the ball. It came down to the fact that South was able to connect on one more offensive push than us.”
The Golden Hawks notched a goal in the first quarter with seven minutes left giving, them the 1-0 lead.
“South definitely dominated at the start, keeping it in our defensive end for most of that first 15 minutes. It took us a little bit of time to adjust to the turf and the tempo,” said Curtis.
The second quarter was a little more back-and-forth, but CR South connected again four minutes before the half.
“What we are most proud of is the fact that being down 2-0 didn’t seem to take the wind out of our sails,” Curtis said.
The girls were in it and not letting up and it proved to work as Pennsbury made it a 2-1 game with less than a minute left before halftime.
“We were getting more offensive pushes and earned a penalty corner as the clock was ticking down under a minute,” Curtis said. “Our assistant coach, Lori Riley, chose the hitter and she was spot on.”
Freshman defender, Cailyn Reilly, came up to take the shot, and she nailed a picture-perfect goal past the goalkeeper.
“It was executed beautifully and was a great moment for her,” said Curtis. “Reilly has made great contributions on defense and it’s so beneficial to have her talents on offensive corners as well.”
The Falcons were pumped going into halftime being in a 2-1 tight match against a team they have historically been shut out by in lopsided losses.
The Golden Hawks and the Falcons could not change the numbers on the scoreboard for the remainder of the game. Both teams played tough defense and also could not finish in the circle in the last two quarters – it was an even match up out on the pitch.
“We were frustrated a bit as we were working frantically to get fresh legs out there and utilize our speed in specific places. We earned corners and could not convert,” said Curtis. “It is a constant work in progress, and we are improving with every step we take. We have great leadership in our captains and our team is full of athletes willing to do the necessary work.
“Today, captain Riley Henderson stepped up and took control. She played an awesome game and was a solid director on the field, and it really helped in so many ways. Other standout performances included, juniors Avalee Shumski and Ava Jordan, senior Mia Popovich, and freshmen, Abby Iacona and Ryan Burdette.
“Senior goalie, Kayla Shaffer was also impressive as she rebounded from the two goals that got by her and made sure to get more aggressive and decisive in the second half. She held them scoreless and that’s a victory for her personally and for all of us.”
Pennsbury (2-2, 1-2 SOL) will host Truman on Wednesday and Council Rock North on Thursday – both games will be played on Pennsbury’s new Falcon Field turf in the stadium.
SOL Colonial Division
CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 2, PENNRIDGE 1
Mimi Duffy scored a pair of first-half goals to give the Bucks a 2-0 lead at halftime, but the Rams didn’t go down quietly. With 7:50 remaining, Lindsey Campione scored to
make it a one-goal game, but the Bucks held on for the win.
“Pennridge is a fundamentally well-coached team,” West coach David DeAngelis said. “Their defensive unit played cohesively, and that limited quality shots in the circle. Both programs have many student-athletes that play together on the same club – and are quite familiar with each other.
“Credit to Pennridge, we were not as crisp connecting passes or protecting the ball as we typically do. Both teams played hard; we were able to make enough plays throughout the match for the win. Today should be a valuable learning experience for all of us.”
The Bucks held a 10-7 edge in shots and an 11-6 advantage in penalty corners.
Despite the outcome, Pennridge coach Becky Spahr was pleased with her team’s performance.
“West has been putting up some big scoring numbers, so we knew we had to play strong defensively,”
Spahr said. “Our team defense was able to disrupt West’s fast offense, limit their scoring chances and impact their passing connections in the midfield. West has been averaging about 20 shots on goal so to hold them to 10 was a success.
“We created many scoring chances but need to be more effective in our offensive circle. There are little details to work through, but our team is improving, and the growth is exciting to see.”
Central Bucks West (4-0, 3-0 SOL) will host Souderton on Thursday (7pm), and Pennridge (1-3, 0-2) will be on the road at Central Bucks South on Thursday.
Central Bucks West 1-1-0-0 2
Pennridge 0-0-0-1 1
CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 1, SOUDERTON 0
To say the Patriots had the corner of the market on one-goal losses last year would be an understatement. Nine of their 10 losses were by one goal. Small wonder the Patriots are viewing this season as something of a revenge tour.
On Tuesday, the Patriots – thanks to a third-quarter goal by Morgan Volans – eked out a win over the defending division champion Indians, a team that had handed East a pair of losses last year.
“At the beginning of the season, we talked about moving on from last season and this being almost a revenge tour,” East coach Emma Rosenthal said. “We’re getting some wins early and keeping that momentum moving.
“We have incredibly strong leadership in not only our seniors who have been on varsity for a few years but on defense – our whole defensive unit is back. To have that coming in this season spurs a lot of that confidence. This was a great win. We’re undefeated at home, and we’d like to keep it that way.”
Volans scored the game-winner midway through the third quarter.
“As soon as we scored, they came out with guns blazing,” Rosenthal said. “It was just a different game on both sides. We almost got frantic in the fourth quarter. It was fast, fast paced as soon as that goal happened.
“Souderton is an extremely competitive and well coached team – the game really could have gone either way. They had more corners than we did – it was 5-2 in corners. The game was mostly in the middle of the field.”
The Patriots’ coach credited the efforts of several players in the big win.
“Paige Keller really came alive in the midfield today, and our defensive unit comprised of Avery McCann, Anna Daly, Katie Szczypiorski, Maddie Mandia, and Josie Lauro held it down in the back,” Rosenthal said. “I’m proud of Audra Szymborski for really locking it in and posting another shutout (in goal). A cushion goal would have been nice, but regardless, I’m extremely proud of every one of them.”
Central Bucks East (3-1, 2-1 SOL) will travel to North Penn on Thursday for a 7 p.m. game. Souderton (0-4-1, 0-2-1) will be on the road at Central Bucks West Thursday for a 7 p.m. game.
Souderton 0-0-0-0 0
Central Bucks East 0-0-1-0 1
NORTH PENN 4, CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 0
After a week that was anything but ordinary, the Knights were happy to see life return to normal, celebrating with a shutout win over the Titans.
“We haven’t played a full game since Tuesday a week ago, we had modified practices because of the heat, and then we had the half game with the lightning,” NP coach Shannon McCracken said of her team’s 1-1 tie with Souderton that was halted at halftime. “We needed just a normal game.”
Erika Pickford spotted the Knights an early 1-0 lead, using an Ashleigh Barwis assist to score less than five minutes into the contest. In the second quarter, Caleigh Sperling scored back-to-back goals – both unassisted – 10 minutes apart to send the Knights into halftime with a 3-0 lead.
“I was most pleased with the way we came out tonight because we were a little slow against West and went down 4-1 (in an 8-6 loss), and we were a little slow against Souderton and ended up being in a 1-1 tie,” McCracken said. “Something we had talked about was trying to set the tone early and coming out quickly.
“We have a pretty fast attack, so it was making sure we were doing fast restarts and using speed to get to balls.”
Paige Shearer turned a Cara Albano pass into a goal with 3:31 remaining in regulation to close out the scoring.
“It was a great team effort on the road for our first shutout,” McCracken said. “Possession passing, urgency to goal and timely interceptions were the key to the victory.
“Caleigh Sperling led the attack with two goals, and Grace McGeehan’s speed to goal was effective on quick counterattacks. The midfield play of Sperling, Laura Albert, Maddie Brown, and Ashleigh Barwis was key in holding off the Titans in transition and advancing the ball to the forwards. Center back Melissa Sessler was solid in the defensive effort.”
The Knights held a 12-6 advantage in penalty corners. North Penn’s Maddie Hanrahan had a pair of defensive saves.
“North Penn is well coached, and they were able to move the ball,” CB South coach Kelli Chioffe said. “We struggled a bit during the first half where North Penn scored three of their goals.
“We came back after halftime a bit more settled and were able to keep them from scoring in the third quarter. I am proud of my team for not backing down or giving up.”
North Penn 3-1-1, 2-1-1 SOL) will host Central Bucks East on Thursday at 7 p.m., and Central Bucks South (1-2, 1-2) will host Pennridge on Thursday.
North Penn 1-2-0-1 4
Central Bucks South 0-0-0-0 0
SOL Liberty Division
UPPER DUBLIN 1, PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 0
Senior Aviva Kuznits scored the game’s lone goal late in the third quarter, propelling the visiting Cardinals to the hard-fought road win.
“The game was so intense because last year we beat them for the first time in a long time, so they were ready to come out and show us that last year was a fluke, and we were ready to come out and make last year the new normal,” UD coach Emily Town said. “We had a conversation before the game started that if they do all the things I’ve been asking of them, it was going to be a really pretty day of hockey, and it was.
“We had great refs, and it was a nice clean game for the most part. We were able to play that smooth hockey that everybody likes to watch and be involved in. Even though we were fighting tooth and nail the whole time, I think everyone was still able to enjoy the game and have fun, which is the most important thing for high school field hockey.”
Kuznits found the cage to break a scoreless deadlock with 1:42 remaining in the third quarter, using an assist from Rayla Kratchman.
“It took us a while to get that goal,” Town said. “It was a very scrappy goal. It was stuck in front of the goal for a while. It was one of those goals – it’s right there, you just have to get it in.
“Aviva had a short water break right before she scored, and when I put her back on the field, I said, ‘Aviva, I need you to score a goal right now.’ She looked at me and said, ‘I’ll try,’ and I said, ‘Try hard,’ and she did it.”
The Colonials had a 6-5 edge in penalty corners.
“We missed a lot of opportunities, and they had a lot of opportunities as well,” Town said. “A lot of times, they shot wide, and we could all sigh with relief. They definitely were in our circle a good bit.”
UD goalie Camryn Muth was credited with five saves in the shutout win. Town also lauded the effort of her entire defensive unit – Maggie Cantrell (defensive corners), Ella Lyon (defensive corners/defense), Mason Kullmann (defensive corners), Sam Fiegel (defense), Olivia Vitella (defensive corners/defense) and Lizzy Tambourino (defense).
The Colonials had not played a game in 13 days.
“After a week and a half without a game, PW struggled to find their rhythm and maintain sustained possession,” PW coach Charise Young said. “Upper Dublin found the back of the cage toward the end of the third quarter. We dominated the fourth quarter and had numerous scoring opportunities but could not capitalize.”
Upper Dublin (3-2, 2-2 SOL) will host Hatboro-Horsham on Thursday, and Plymouth Whitemarsh (1-3, 1-1) will travel to Wissahickon on Thursday.
Upper Dublin 0-0-1-0 1
Plymouth Whitemarsh 0-0-0-0 0
QUAKERTOWN 6, HATBORO-HORSHAM 0
Freshman Paige Longacre jumpstarted the Panthers, scoring a pair of first-period goals and spotting the home team an early 2-0 lead on their way to the decisive win. One of Longacre’s goals came during a well-executed corner
“It was a well-played game with Hatboro Horsham not backing down to us at any moment,” Panthers’ coach MacKenzie Moser said. “We had multiple players scoring goals making for a well-deserved team win.
“Our passing and ball movement were strong tonight, showing evidence that the team was seeing the whole field and working as one unit.”
The Panthers took that 2-0 lead into halftime and then put the game out of reach with three third-quarter goals. Cassidy Landis found the net, Kaitlin Calvello scored on a textbook post shot and Katelyn Landis also added a goal to put the Panthers on top 5-0.
In the fourth quarter, Sunny Draper scored for the 6-0 final.
“Every shot was executed off of a strong pass from teammates again showing their ball movement and positioning to be a strong point for tonight’s game,” Moser said. “This was truly a game won based on teamwork.”
Quakertown (3-1, 2-0 SOL) will travel to Abington Thursday, and Hatboro-Horsham (0-3, 0-2) will travel to Upper Dublin.
Hatboro-Horsham 0-0-0-0 0
Quakertown 2-0-3-1 6
WISSAHICKON 8, ABINGTON 0
Riley Bell had a hand in seven goals, scoring twice and assisting on five others. It was quite a day on the turf as she played the role facilitator.
Bell assisted on the first two goals – both to Kayla Mullen in a span of just over a minute in the opening moments of the game. Bell scored with 5:26 remaining in the quarter to put the Trojans on top 3-0, using a Kayla Pak assist.
In the second quarter, Bell assisted on goals by Mullin – her third of the game – and Pak. The Trojans took a 5-0 lead into halftime.
In the third quarter, Faith Jampo scored with an Audrey Walsh assist – the lone goal that Bell was not part of in Tuesday’s game.
In the fourth quarter, Bell scored with an assist from Cait Connaghan, and then it was Connaghan finding the cage with a Bell assist.
Wissahickon goalie Ava Fell was credited with two saves in the shutout win.
Wissahickon (3-1, 3-0 SOL) will host Plymouth Whitemarsh on Thursday, and Abington (1-3, 0-3) will host Quakertown on Thursday.
Abington 0-0-0-0 0
Wissahickon 3-2-1-2 8
SOL Freedom Division
UPPER MORELAND 2, CHELTENHAM 1
The Bears took a 2-0 lead into halftime and then held off a tenacious Panther comeback attempt in the second half.
“We had a quick start with a reverse flick shot from Ava Bailey for a lifted goal in the first quarter,” UM coach Pam Remmey said.
In the second quarter, Bailey set up her team’s second goal, finding Olivia Meakim who collected the ball and took a hard shot that hit the back of the goal, making it a 2-0 game.
“After that, the grass started frustrating both teams,” Remmey said. “But Upper Moreland’s midfielders took control. Ella Gould, Melissa Torpey and Cambrie Richmond time and time again thwarted Cheltenham’s offensive threats and got the ball back up to the forwards.”
In the second half, Cheltenham got it in the circle multiple times, but the Bears’ defense – anchored by Izzy Duncan and Kelly Bates – stopped every threat.
In the fourth quarter, Cheltenham was able to penetrate the Bears’ defense for a score to make it 2-1.
Bears’ goalie Addi Hurley recorded the win with 15 saves.
Upper Moreland (3-2, 2-2 SOL) will travel to New Hope-Solebury on Thursday, and Cheltenham (1-4, 0-4) will be on the road at Springfield Twp on Thursday.
Upper Moreland 1-1-0-0 2
Cheltenham 0-0-0-1 1
SPRINGFIELD TWP 2, LOWER MORELAND 0
The Spartans took a 1-0 lead into halftime and added a goal in the third quarter.
“Lower Moreland and Springfield always play each other tough, and today was no exception,” LM coach Janet Lutter said. “We moved the ball well as a team today but just could not get our offense generated.”
Norah Conlin put the Spartans on the board with a goal that was assisted by Bella Navo. In the second half, Emma Yoder added an insurance goal, also using a Navo assist.
Lower Moreland senior Megan Halpern had a stellar game in goal with nine saves, including a penalty stroke.
“Springfield had 16 corners, but the defense of Mia Peng, Jess Pachman, Alexis MacPhee, Mady Rossiter, and Meg Halpern held them to just one goal off the corner,” Lutter said.
Springfield goalie Grace Bell recorded four saves in the shutout win.
The Spartans held an advantage in shots and penalty corners.
Springfield Twp (5-1, 4-0 SOL) will host Cheltenham on Thursday, and Lower Moreland (3-2, 2-2) will host William Tennent Thursday.
Springfield Twp 1-0-1-0 2
Lower Moreland 0-0-0-0 0
NEW HOPE-SOLEBURY 9, WILLIAM TENNENT 0
The visiting Lions opened up a 3-0 lead after one quarter on their way to the shutout win.
Ava Cozza’s four-goal effort led the Lions while Olivia Conte and Rylee Logston both added two goals. Mia Patino connected for a single goal.
“Their goalie made some nice saves – she was all about keeping the ball out of the cage,” NH-S coach Gwen Smith said. “She was feisty and made some really nice saves.”
New Hope-Solebury (5-0, 4-0 SOL) will host Upper Moreland on Thursday, and William Tennent (1-5, 1-3) will travel to Lower Moreland on Thursday.
New Hope-Solebury 3-4-1-1 9
William Tennent 0-0-0-0 0
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