Check out the results for SOL field hockey teams in action Tuesday. (UM photo provided courtesy of Kathy Leister Photography. Visit the Photo Gallery for UM action photos.)…CLICK HERE
American Conference
UPPER DUBLIN 1, WISSAHICKON 0
Coach Heather Boyer doesn’t remember the last time her squad earned a win on Wissahickon’s home turf.
“There’s a good chance this might be the first time in at least 10 years,” the Flying Cardinals’ coach said. “Regardless of whatever kind of year Wissahickon or Upper Dublin is having, it’s a hometown rivalry – we’re right next door.
“Even though Wissahickon has a new coach this year with Leah Angstadt and Emily Hitchings, who’s a former player of mine – they know field hockey. It’s obvious they know the game and are trying to teach the girls good fundamentals and good positioning, so I knew we couldn’t take it lightly and it was an important game on the road to go out and get.”
Tuesday’s win didn’t come easily, but the Cards got on the scoreboard with 4:52 remaining in the second half when Jess Grodsky scored with an assist from Shannon Reape.
“It was dead even,” Boyer said. “In our first three games, we had double-digit shots on goal. We were just peppering goalies and not getting the ball in the back of the cage.
“We talked about that a lot yesterday – taking the better shot. Instead of forcing the ball in the circle and getting the shot on goal, I want them to take better quality shots on goal. Not just right at the pads but shooting for the post and being in a better position for the rebounds, things like that. We worked on that yesterday.
“Our goal was a shot by Shannon Reape on a corner, and Jess Grodsky was in a good position to tip it, and that was the difference. That late in the game it was a huge momentum shift.”
Boyer noted that her team is reaping the benefits from its conditioning.
“Their physical fitness level is top notch, and it has to be because I do not have a deep bench at all,” the Cardinals’ coach said. “I don’t sub regularly, so I’m expecting the girls that are on the field to go hard for 60 minutes, and they do.
“I saw it on Friday in the Quakertown overtime win. That was the difference there. They were able to go into overtime on an incredibly hot day and still perform and not get sloppy and make critical mistakes late in games when it matters, so that’s a credit to their work ethic.”
The Cardinals’ coach tipped her hat to Elizabeth Barber for giving the team a lift off the bench.
“She’s a kid I could quite honestly put anywhere on the field, and I know she’s going to go out there and use her skills set to really have an impact,” Boyer said. “If you asked her what position she played, she’d tell you, ‘Whatever.’
“She stepped in and helped us out at goalie last year when we had some goalie trouble. Today I threw her in on the forward line, but I knew going into the game that Jess Waite from Wissahickon is a very, very strong player who carries the ball well and has a good shot. I knew we needed to keep her contained in order to have a shot to beat them.
“I put Elizabeth one-on-one with her, and she did a very good job of marking her for a good 40 minutes. We changed positions to get the offense in the circle in the last 15 minutes of the game, so we switched things around, got the goal and went back to that formation. Elizabeth played three different positions today in a critical game, and that’s huge. We needed somebody like that to come off the bench and provide the spark. We’ve been fortunate to have good chemistry, but today things weren’t firing like they usually do. We needed to change something, and that’s what we changed.”
Both teams had six shots on goal and both had five corners in an evenly played game.
Megan Muth (three saves) and Sarah Herchenroder (two saves) combined for the shutout. Wissahickon’s Wumi Popoopola was credited with five saves.
Upper Dublin (3-0-1, 3-0 SOL) will host Plymouth Whitemarsh in a key conference game Thursday, and Wissahickon (1-4, 1-2) will host Hatboro-Horsham on Thursday.
Upper Dublin 0-1 1
Wissahickon 0-0 0
HATBORO-HORSHAM 2, QUAKERTOWN 1 (OT)
The Hatters won an overtime thriller on their home turf, thanks to a goal by Gabby Acker in the opening minute of OT.
“In overtime, Quakertown quickly transitioned the ball down the field and made a move to goal, but Brenna Reilley block tackled and sent the ball to Lizzy Theurer and back to Kait Gehlhaus with a pass to Gabby Acker,” coach Laura Swezey said. “Gabby quickly maneuvered into the circle with a reverse sweep shot into the right corner of the cage for the win.”
The Hatters got on the scoreboard first when Acker connected, using an assist from Reilley, sending the Panthers into the intermission with a 1-0. The Hatters drew seven penalty corners and took six shots on goal in the half.
“Hatboro continued to dominate the game until the last five minutes of the first half,” Quakertown coach Diane Molinaro said. “Quakertown began to find their rhythm and put pressure on the defensive unit of Hatboro.
“In the second half, (we) came alive and really began to play some quality hockey. Anna Thompson, Mackenzie Hadfield and Olivia Jackson held the midfield with some nice passing combinations.
The Panthers knotted the score with 8:12 remaining in regulation when Julia Ely found the cage.
“Julia showed great determination by collecting the rebound from the Hatboro goalie and firing a high shot into the net,” Molinaro said. “Defensively, Quakertown held strong to end the game in a tie.
“Unfortunately, due to a defensive breakdown, Gabby Acker scored on a nice reverse low shot to the far post. I am pleased with our second half play, but in order to win, we have to play strong for the entire 60 minutes.”
Swezey lauded the strong defensive play of Reilley, Victoria Mullen and Kaitlyn Wallace.
“During the last two minutes of regulation, Victoria came up with a key defensive save that kept the score 1-1 when she transitioned the ball up the right side to end regulation time,” the Hatters’ coach said.
Hatboro-Horsham goalie Liz Wilburn was credited with three saves in goal.
Hatboro-Horsham (3-2, 3-0 SOL) will be on the road at Wissahickon on Thursday, and Quakertown (1-4, 0-3) will travel to Cheltenham on Thursday.
Quakertown 0-1-0 1
Hatboro-Horsham 1-0-1 2
PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 2, SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP 0
Jess Dixon scored a pair of goals – one in each half – to propel the visiting Colonials to the win. Dixon put PW on the board when she connected on an unassisted goal with just over a minute remaining in the first half. Her second goal came late in the second half with a Sam Spera assist, giving the Colonials their final margin of victory.
“We played well from start to finish,” PW coach Charise Halteman said. “PW’s solid defense prevented a feisty Springfield team from finding the back of the cage.
“Jess Dixon capitalized on scrums in front of the net.”
PW goalie Katherine Houghton had five saves in the shutout win. Springfield goalie Izzy Boles was credited with 10 saves.
Plymouth Whitemarsh (4-0, 3-0 SOL) will be on the road at Upper Dublin on Thursday, and Springfield (0-2) will host Upper Moreland on Thursday.
Plymouth Whitemarsh 1-1 2
Springfield 0-0 0
UPPER MORELAND 9, CHELTENHAM 1
Claudia Zanine scored four straight goals to open the game and Jess Flanagan added four of her own as well as an assist to propel the Golden Bears to the convincing win.
“Claudia and Jess did a terrific job of getting shots off and redirecting the ball into the cage,” UM coach Karen Grossi said.
Zanine’s first goal at the 28:40 mark was assisted by Flanagan and her third midway through the half was assisted by Maddie Mull. Flanagan closed out the first-half scoring with an unassisted goal to send the Bears into the intermission with a 5-0 lead.
Flanagan opened the second half with an unassisted goal before Maddie Ellis put the Lady Panthers on the board. Flanagan answered with back-to-back goals, the second assisted by Moira Olexa. Olexa closed out the scoring with an unassisted goal.
“Emily Keene and Becca Miekley were very strong defensively and did well when we moved them onto attack in the second half,” Grossi said.
UM goalie Allison Felicetti was credited with four saves in the win. Cheltenham’s Nimi Badejoka and Uzoya Anebamer combined for 13 saves.
Upper Moreland (1-3, 1-2 SOL) will be on the road at Springfield on Thursday, and Cheltenham (0-3, 0-2) will host Souderton on Wednesday in a non-league contest.
Cheltenham 0-1 1
Upper Moreland 5-4 9
Continental Conference
NORTH PENN 3, WILLIAM TENNENT 0
The Knights opened their season with a killer schedule, and they dropped their first four games to teams boasting a combined record of 13-3.
“Statistically, we have been in every game and actually have outshot other teams and have still unfortunately had to put a loss in the loss column,” coach Shannon McCracken said. “We just needed to fix some things below the 25 defensively and above the 25 offensively.
“Some of our shots we needed to finish and turn them into goals, and defensively, we needed to mark up a little bit stronger and communicate a little bit more in the backfield.”
The Knights took a 1-0 lead when Lauryn Fahey – using a Mikayla Barrow assist – scored during corner play five minutes into the contest.
“It was a beautiful goal,” McCracken said. “Mikayla Barrow took the corner shot, and Lauryn deflected it on the left post into the goal.
“(Fahey) has been playing great for us. She is playing defensive mid, and she’s just doing a lot on the field.
That 1-0 lead stood until Barrow found the cage at the 23:58 mark of the second half, using an Amber Blackshear assist. Bri O’Donnell’s goal (Emily Crawford assist) with 5:28 remaining closed out the scoring.
“We finally put things together we had been working on,” McCracken said. “We had a very difficult start schedule-wise – Methacton, Downingtown West and the two CB (Central Bucks) schools.
“I tell the girls if you want to be the best and you want to be in the playoffs, you have to play great teams. Hopefully, this will help us as we move through the season.”
The Knights held a decisive advantage in shots (16-7) and corners (14-2). Knight goalie Brynne Schoppe turned away six shots in the shutout.
“Tennent has a very strong keeper, and I thought they had good speed,” McCracken said. “They were a tough opponent, and today we just needed to get that win.
“That was something the girls talked about in the pregame. They refused to go home with a loss today, so it was exciting.”
Barrow and O’Donnell drew praise from their coach.
“They’re just playing really strong,” McCracken said. “What I love about them as players – it’s not only what they do in the circle but that they tackle back for the ball really well.
“If the ball is lost out of our offensive end, they really tackle back and don’t give up on the ball, which is such a huge difference.”
Despite the outcome, Tennent coach Kaitlyn Rauchut was pleased with her team’s performance.
“Tennent showed tremendous grit on the defensive end and had multiple opportunities to capitalize on the offensive end,” the Panthers’ coach said. “Jessie Betz, Victoria Poust an Karly Adkins distributed well in the midfield. Tricia McCoy recorded 14 saves, and Julia Castan, Samantha McDonald, Sarah Reed and Makayla Christian made significant contributions on the defensive end.
“Captains Isabelle Michaud, Gina Markus and Jenna Cragin really stepped up in creating numerous impressive transitions down the field. The Lady Panthers are looking forward to hitting the pitch this Thursday versus CB South under the lights.”
North Penn (1-4, 1-2 SOL) will be on the road for a non-league game at Upper Dublin on Friday, and William Tennent (1-2-1, 0-2) will host Central Bucks South on Thursday (7 p.m.).
North Penn 1-2 3
William Tennent 0-0 0
CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 7, CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 1
Bryn Boylan scored four goals to propel the visiting Bucks to the big win.
“Bryn Boylan was on fire today,” coach Courtney Lepping said. “Dani Dundas continued to get her touches on the ball and caused mayhem around the goal cage.
“Ryan Murray’s consistency on corner inserts paid off as West scored five of their seven goals off corners.”
Boylan scored less than two minutes into the game with an assist from Ryan Murray. Seven minutes later, Dundas made it a 2-0 game with an elevated lift shot. Cadera Smith won a 1v1 against the goalie after an interception and pass from Murray. A corner with time expired in the half resulted in another Boylan goal, this one with a Smith assist.
Back-to-back Boylan goals – both on corners – gave the Bucks a 6-0 lead less than five minutes into the second half. Taylor Mason and Murray were credited with assists. Dundas deflected a Smith shot into the cage before the Titans broke up the Bucks’ shutout big when Kasey Dietzel found the cage, using an Erin Chioffe assist.
“CB West is well-coached and talented,” South coach Pat Toner said. “They controlled the game and played as a cohesive unit. I have a great deal of respect for the job Courtney Lepping has done.
“While we are disappointed at the outcome, we are going to continue to work hard on both the mental and physical aspects of the game. Erin Chioffe had a great game today, and Annie Brady played strong defense. This team has shown that it is capable of excellent play, but also, at times, may struggle with consistency. We are committed to improving every day and will grow and learn from this difficult loss.”
West goalie Peyton Fisher was credited with five saves on a day that saw the Bucks draw 22 corners – 10 in the first half and 12 in the second – and close to 40 shots.
South goalie Francine Richick was credited with 17 saves and Lindsey Cheponis had six.
Central Bucks West (4-0, 3-0 SOL) will travel to Central Bucks East for a showdown with a red hot Patriot squad Wednesday at 3:15 p.m. Central Bucks South (1-2-1, 1-2) will be on the road at William Tennent on Thursday (7 p.m.).
Central Bucks West 4-3 7
Central Bucks South 0-1 1
CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 5, PENNRIDGE 0
Riley Donnelly connected for the hat trick to lead the visiting Patriots to the big win. Donnelly opened the scoring with a goal that was assisted by Cailey Lever, and then it was Lever finding the cage to put the Patriots on top 2-0. An unassisted goal by Reilly Finegan sent the Patriots into halftime with a 3-0 lead.
Back-to-back goals by Donnelly in the second half, the second with a Mackenzie Boyle assist, gave the Patriots their final margin of victory.
“Riley Donnelly, Cailey Lever and Reilly Finegan were able to capitalize on plenty of opportunities,” coach Michelle Finegan said. “Riley Donnelly completed a tremendous game with a hat trick.
“Mackenzie Boyle and Abbey Butler were also strong in the midfield.”
The stage has been set for Wednesday’s showdown when Central Bucks East (4-1, 3-0 SOL) will host Central Bucks West at 3:15 p.m. Pennridge (1-3, 0-2) will be on the road at Souderton Thursday.
Central Bucks East 3-2 5
Pennridge 0-0 0
National Conference
NESHAMINY 8, ABINGTON 0
Mia Sexton had a hand in five goals – scoring two and assisting on three others. Elayna Curtin finished with the hat trick to go along with one assist on a day that saw six players contribute to the scoring.
It was Emily Alexis (Curtin assist) putting the ‘Skins on the scoreboard just over three minutes into the game. Back-to-back goals by Curtin – both with Sexton assists – put the Redskins on top 3-0 midway through the first half. Sexton followed with back-to-back goals – the first with a Julia Geisheimer assist and the second with an assist from Kayla Connelly. Elena Donato closed out the first half scoring, benefitting from an Alexis assist to send the Redskins into halftime with a 6-0 lead.
Curtin (Sexton assist) and Jamie Pennington (Geisheimer assist) each scored second half goals.
The Redskins held a 20-3 advantage in shots on goal
Neshaminy (2-2, 2-0 SOL) will travel to Pennsbury on Thursday for a key conference battle, and Abington (1-3, 0-3) will host Council Rock North.
Abington 0-0 0
Neshaminy 6-2 8
COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 7, BENSALEM 0
Anna Lehman connected for the hat trick, and Bridget Thompson added a pair as the Indians – who led 2-0 at halftime – rolled to the lopsided win. Nicole Jackson and Claire Jarema each added a single goal to close out the scoring.
Council Rock North (3-2, 2-1 SOL) will host Emmaus in a non-league contest Wednsday, and Bensalem (0-4, 0-3) will be on the road at Harry S Truman on Thursday.
Council Rock North 2-5 7
Bensalem 0-0 0
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