Check out the recaps for SOL field hockey teams in action Friday.
WISSAHICKON 3, COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 0
The Trojans scored a pair of early goals and never looked back on their way to the non-league win.
“I thought today was the first day that my team played like a team,” Wissahickon coach Lucy Gil said. “We actually looked really good.
“We were passing to each other, all kinds of different combinations – in and out, not just up and down the sidelines, and it looked really, really good. I was proud of them.”
Kendal Williams scored just over two minutes into the game, using an assist from Ella Hummel. When Ball scored seven minutes later with a Lauren Donofrio assist, the Trojans had a 2-0 lead less than 10 minutes into the game. They took that 2-0 lead into the intermission.
Molly Fuhrmeister turned a pass from Ball into a goal 10 minutes into the second half, and that closed out the scoring for both sides.
“It was a great team effort,” Gil said. “It was led by Grace (Ball) and Hannah (Havrilla), but what was really nice is that people who don’t usually score like Kendal Williams and Molly Fuhrmeister – they did.
“They were forwards I just put in, hoping that someone would pop in a goal, so it was really nice. A lot of people got their stick on the ball and worked really hard.”
Trojan goalie Meghan Reilly was credited with 14 saves in the shutout win.
“Meghan looked great,” Gil said. “She had been kind of struggling with not being aggressive enough, diving when she didn’t have to and things like that.
“Today, all the fears went away, and she just came out and played her game. She came to the top of the circle a couple of times and kicked the ball out. She just looked awesome.”
The Trojans are 4-0-1 since a season-opening loss to Plymouth Whitemarsh.
“They seem to be getting better and better every game,” Gil said. “I’d rather have that than be really great the first few games and then trail off. I’m really happy with how steady they’re being. I’m very encouraged.”
Gil credited the strong play of Rock North’s Sarah Scott.
“They have a girl in the middle of the field – she handled the ball really well, she managed the team,” the Trojans’ coach said.
Wissahickon (4-1-1, 3-1 SOL) will travel to Abington on Monday, and Council Rock North (4-3, 2-2) will host Bensalem on Wednesday.
Wissahickon 2-1 3
Council Rock North 0-0 0
ABINGTON 3, UPPER MORELAND 2
The Ghosts opened up a 3-0 lead and withstood a heroic Golden Bear comeback bid in the final moments of the game to notch their first win of the young season.
“We were finally able to get into the win column today,” coach Katie Small said. “The first few games we struggled to get into a rhythm and today we were able to break out.
“We still have to work on keeping possession of the ball late in the game but today was a great game for the girls.”
Paige Doyle scored an unassisted goal just over eight minutes into the game, and three minutes later, Devan DiMaria scored for the Ghosts with an assist from Emily Schlisman. Doyle’s second goal put the Ghosts on top 3-0.
Bryanna Gordon broke up the Ghosts’ shutout bid with 1:49 remaining in regulation, and Taylor Boon scored with an assist from Moira Alexa with 43 seconds remaining for the 3-2 final.
Small lauded the efforts of several players in the win.
“Aly Campbell, Paige Doyle and Camryn Stewart did an excellent job transitioning the ball from the defensive end to our offensive circle,” the Ghosts’ coach said. “I expect this team to continue moving forward and getting many more wins through out the season.”
UM’s Cassidy Hirsch and Abington’s Jasmine Cubbage both recorded defensive saves.
UM goalie Isabella Guarenghi was credited with six saves.
Abington (1-3-1, 1-2-1 SOL) will host Wissahickon on Monday, and Upper Moreland (2-3, 1-2) will travel to Upper Dublin on Saturday for the Corners for Cancer game at 10 a.m.
Upper Moreland 0-2 2
Abington 3-0 3
NORTH PENN 2, PENNSBURY 1
The Knights opened up a 2-0 lead over the Falcons on their way to the non-league win. It was their second win in two days after an 0-3 start that included games against three squads in the top 10 of the District 1 6A power rankings – Methacton (2), Souderton (6) and Central Bucks East (7).
“We just had to persevere through those first few games,” North Penn coach Shannon McCracken said. “What I’m proud of is with the tough schedule at the beginning we’ve hung with those teams, and that will only make us stronger. It will be great to see some of those teams in the second half when we’ve grown as a team.
“With Quakertown yesterday and Pennsbury today, we just knew we had to settle in as a team, and I really thought we jelled. Today was our best team game. The girls were communicating well, their passing was effective. It was a balanced win.
Jillian Lampitoc connected on an unassisted goal to spot the Knights a 1-0 lead, and Erin O’Donnell scored during corner play three minutes into the second half, using a Madison Waldspurger assist.
“We were effective with our corners,” McCracken said. “Erin deflected a shot off of Madison on the far post.”
With 41 seconds remaining in regulation, the Falcons got on the scoreboard when Cindy Budzinski found the cage.
“We had plenty of offensive opportunities, but did not connect until Cindy Budzinski put herself in the perfect place on the right post and tipped a pass right through a small sliver in the corner of the goal,” Pennsbury coach Traci Curtis said. “It proved to not be enough time to earn the ball back and try to force a corner at the end.”
The Knights had 21 shots on goal, but the duo of Keria Korzeb and Haley Derr combined for 19 saves.
“Not to take anything away from their first goalie, but their second goalie had some unbelievable saves in the second half,” McCracken said. “We peppered her, and she had an incredible second half. We had a lot of opportunities.
“Eleni Kountroubis, Jillian Lampitoc and Erin O’Donnell gave just a great effort, and they’re really jelling and coming together as a forward line and creating a lot of opportunities today.
“Our defense – when they needed to – stepped up to the ball. Pennsbury had some speed on the forward line, and our backs stepped up to the ball really well. I thought Maddie Waldspurger and Katie Blanch really did a nice job of distributing the ball from the center. We’re young, and we’ve been moving kids around to see what works, and we’re starting to jell. We have a good foundation this week.”
Friday’s game was Pennsbury’s fourth in five days.
“The Falcons arrived at their fourth game of the week carrying with them all of the lessons learned from the previous three,” Curtis said. “With a couple of girls absent from the lineup, there was ample opportunity to utilize a variety of players across the board and it helped to have fresh legs for the end of the week and another turf game.
“North Penn’s crisp passes and strong stops made the Falcons work hard for everything they got.”
Curtis went on to credit the play of her defense.
“Haley Derr started in goal for the Falcons and did a great job moving aggressively in the circle, being agile, and a strong leader in the cage,” the Falcons’ coach said. “Our defense continues to be extremely strong and reliable with the cohesive unit of Nicole Joniak, Casey Glynn, Sammie Tosh, and Hannah Aker.
“Reilly Monach notched a defensive save today and Sophia Curtis also contributed in the backfield. They held the Knights for quite awhile. We are so proud of the way the defense is working together and adjusting to each team they face. North Penn made the score 2-0 in the second half, but the Falcons didn’t flinch and continued to play hard, work together, and find ways to problem solve.
“Goalie Keira Korzeb played an outstanding game in the second half, denying a number of shots and helping the Falcons to stay encouraged. Other strong contributors today included Julianna Martin, Jaclyn Gorgo, and Sophia Hitchingham. The story seems to be on repeat for the Falcons – hard fought, close, one-goal games, showing an abundance of progress and still much to improve. It is a pure and true depiction of what it means to BUILD from the inside out.”
Mallory Stowell recorded six saves in goal for the Knights, who held a 9-4 edge in penalty corners.
North Penn (2-3-1, 1-2 SOL) will host Central Bucks West on Monday, and Pennsbury (1-5, 1-2) will travel to Council Rock South on Monday.
Pennsbury 0-1 1
North Penn 2-0 2
NESHAMINY 2, CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 0
The visiting Redskins scored a goal in each half. Peyton Ritchey had a hand in both, assisting Brooke Cordisco’s goal midway through the opening half. With 2:26 remaining in regulation, Ritchey scored with an assist from Jamie Pennington.
“Today was a total team effort,” coach Jamie Pinto said. “Our passing was strong, we had many offensive opportunities and our defense was solid. Brook Cordisco and Dylan Beegal led the defense, making good runs and finding open players.
“Jamie Pennington and Madi Neiman did a nice job in the midfield, creating offensive opportunities and strong recovery defense. Peyton Ritchey was strong offensively.”
West coach Ginny Moore had high praise for her defense.
“Claire Engebreth had a phenomenal game as defensive mid,” the Bucks’ coach said. “She helped us gain possession with interceptions and tackles and had outstanding pressure and defensive skills in the circle.
“We faced 16 defensive corners and stayed strong and intense the whole game.”
Claire Natoli had a defensive save for the Bucks. West goalie Brooke Golbeski recorded 10 saves.
Central Bucks West (0-6, 0-3 SOL) will be on the road at North Penn Monday, and Neshaminy (5-2, 4-0) will host William Tennent on Monday.
“We have a big week next week,” Pinto said. “And we will continue to work together as a team and work hard throughout the whole game.”
Neshaminy 1-1 2
Central Bucks West 0-0 0
GWYNEDD MERCY 7, SOUDERTON 4
Twenty-four hours after their emotional overtime win over Central Bucks East, the Indians found themselves in a shootout with the visiting Monarchs on Friday night. In the end, the Monarchs had too much firepower, handing the Indians their first loss of the season.
Souderton (6-1, 4-0 SOL) will travel to Pennridge on Monday for a 7 p.m. contest.
SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP 5, WILLIAM TENNENT 1
After the two teams exchanged goals in the opening half, the Spartans blew open a 1-1 game, erupting for four second-half goals in Friday’s non-league contest. Anya Kochanowicz and Maddie Yoder both had a hand in three goals to lead the Spartans’ attack as each contributed two goals and an assist.
In the first half, Kochanowicz turned a Yoder pass into the Spartans’ lone goal. Kochoanowicz also scored the first goal of the second half – this one with a Kaelen Loscalzo assist. The goal also turned out to be the game-winner as the Spartans seized control of the game. Back-to-back goals by Yoder put the Spartans on top 4-1. Kochanowicz and Wojeck set up the first while Charlotte Henry and Ella Marino had assists on the second.
Marino found the cage to close out the scoring, using a Wojeck assist.
“Springfield Township came to the end of a four-game week with a win,” assistant coach Anita Stum said. “The floodgates opened after a timeout.
“Tons of touches on the ball in front of the net resulted in the 5-1 win, sharing the scoring with Anya Kochanowiz, Maddie Yoder and Ella Marino. The team works really well together.”
Rebecca Berglund was credited with a pair of saves in goal. Lauren Corrado recorded a defensive save.
Springfield Township (4-2, 2-2 SOL) will host Upper Moreland on Monday, and William Tennent (3-2, 3-0) will be on the road at Neshaminy on Monday.
William Tennent 1-0 1
Springfield Twp 1-4 5
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