Check out the SOL field hockey results. To view photos of the PW/Upper Merion game, please visit the Photo Gallery. CB West/Pennridge photos courtesy of Marge Bullock. To view a game gallery, please visit the web site: http://www.margebullock.com/
Continental Conference
QUAKERTOWN 2, NORTH PENN 1 (OT)
It’s a safe bet the Maidens aren’t particularly fond of their road trips to Quakertown. For the third time in as many years, the Panthers used their home field advantage to defeat the Maidens, capitalizing on a corner goal late in OT by Josh Schwartz to earn the dramatic win.
“I think it’s the grass, I think it’s our home field,” coach Mel Lepko said.
Lepko’s squad was 24 hours removed from a 6-0 loss to Central Bucks South, and that came on the heels of a 3-0 loss to Pennridge. For three straight games – which included a 1-0 overtime loss to Central Bucks West, the Panthers hadn’t scored a goal, but that changed in a hurry in Wednesday’s win when – just three-and-a-half minutes into the game – Sara Reigh turned a Josh Schwartz pass into a goal.
“It was a beautiful, beautiful goal,” Lepko said. “We scored in the first four minutes, and that was a huge difference. We didn’t have a lot of confidence after the last two games, so to score in the first four minutes like that really changed the tone for us, but they fought.”
The Maidens’ knotted the score on a goal by Shannon Talbot (Ella Lindquist assist) with 6:02 remaining in regulation, setting the stage for overtime. The Panthers won it when Swartz (Hillary Scott assist) connected on a corner shot with 2:50 remaining in OT.
“To have our team come back and play like that tonight coming off two just really, tough, tough games where we didn’t look like ourselves – it’s tough going from grass to turf,” Lepko said. “To be back on our field helped.”
Lepko pointed to the 13-save effort of goalie Maddie Calder as a key to the win.
“Our goalkeeper had a fabulous game,” the Panthers’ coach said. “She was clearing them outside the dotted line to the 25. They were ripping some shots, and she was on fire. She had a wonderful game.
“Defender Hillary Scott – a sophomore – was very consistent and stuck with Casey (O’Donnell).”
The Maidens held a 14-6 advantage in corners – 14-4 in regulation. The Maidens also held a 20-9 advantage in shots.
“This was a huge win,” Lepko said. “We have beaten them on our field before, but we struggle when we go down there to play them. It’s a totally different game down there.
“Our players know when we’re at home we have to use it to our advantage. It was slippery, the ball was really bouncing, and that’s our advantage when we’re at home.”
The Panthers (1-3 SOL, 3-4 overall) will host Central Bucks East on Friday while the Maidens (2-1, 4-2) will host Hatboro-Horsham.
North Penn 0-1-0 1
Quakertown 1-0-1 2
CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 3, PENNRIDGE 2 (OT)
Overtime wins have been a regular occurrence for the Bucks this season.
Wednesday’s overtime win was their third in four SOL games and the fourth OT win of the season for the Bucks, who upped their record to 7-0 overall (4-0 SOL). All four of West’s league wins have been by one goal.
“Teams are putting out their best games against us,” West coach Courtney Hughes said. “They know what our record is. Souderton put out one of its best games of the season.
“Pennridge brought it to us tonight, and East brought it to us. Teams are coming at us, but we just need to keep playing, doing what we need to do.”
The two teams spent regulation exchanging goals. Kari Moyer turned a Melissa Herd pass into a goal to spot the Rams a 1-0 lead midway through the first half, but the Bucks got that goal back when Kate Varallo connected at the 4:49 mark, using an Erick Fiorelli assist. That 1-1 tie held until halftime.
Less than five minutes into the second half, Fiorelli (Kim Hitchcock assist) scored the go-ahead goal for the Bucks, but the Rams scored the equalizer on corner play when Herd took a shot that was deflected into the cage by Ben VanPelt.
Hitchcock brought an early end to overtime, beating the goalie on a 1v1 for the game winner at the 12:51 mark.
“It was a beautiful pull right and then finish,” Hughes said. “I get to see a lot of (the Pennridge players) in club, and that’s making an impact.
“They’re playing smart hockey. They’re doing a good job of spreading the field and passing. They put a lot of pressure on us. It was nice to see us have that kind of pressure on us constantly and even respond after they scored first. They were really outplaying us for the first 20 minutes.
“We called an early timeout to change things. The team adjusted which I was excited about.”
The Bucks held a 12-7 edge in shots. Both teams had five corners. Pennridge goalie Natasha Nagel was credited with 10 saves while West’s Bre DeAngelis had five saves.
“This was very much a team effort in that there were so many different moments where people stepped up,” Hughes said. “In overtime, Jacq (Fitzgerald) played really aggressive and hard defense, and Bryn (Boylan), in overtime, popped back into a space when they could have had numbers up on us.
“There was the pass up to Erick, who saw the beautiful lane to get it up to Kim. They really worked well together and not just in overtime. We had players subbing in that really stepped up and had really important plays.
“Sammy Zarett was only in a few minutes, but she had one of the most important tackles of the game on a player coming right down in the middle of our circle. She made a huge tackle when she was in at center mid for a few minutes. Christian (DeAngelis) was all over Ben (Van Pelt), and he really played good defense on him. It was a big, big team win.”
Pennridge (2-2 SOL, 4-2 overall) returns to action on Thursday when the Lady Rams will host Souderton at 7 p.m. The Bucks will host Central Bucks South in a battle of unbeaten squads on Friday afternoon at War Memorial Field.
CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 1, SOUDERTON 0
The Patriots have been playing teams tough, and they finally picked up that elusive first win on Wednesday.
“It was awesome,” coach Dipi Bhaya said. “We were close in games. We could play with everyone, but we needed to score.”
A pair of freshmen sparked the Patriots in Wednesday’s win. Reilly Finnegan - who was just moved up to varsity at Tuesday’s practice - connected for the game winner at the 11:15 mark of the first half, using an assist from Abbey Butler.
“I was trying to change things up,” Bhaya said. “The girls on the team are open to try to shake things up until we can get better.”
Bhaya credited the performance of several players in the win.
“Maggie Stella plays well every game, and she is really key defensively,” said the first-year coach, going on to acknowledge the solid play of Katelyn Stout, Chelsea Fife and Anna Careghini.
Stella was credited with two defensive saves for the Patriots, who held a 6-5 edge in corners and a 14-5 advantage in shots.
While Souderton fell to 0-4 in league play (1-5 overall), the Patriots are 1-3 in the league (1-5 overall).
“It was important because everybody loves to win,” Bhaya said. “The other thing is confidence – getting a win against a highly respected Souderton team.
“When you’re trying to adjust your style of play with a new coach, to get that first win is always good.
“It was nice. It brings the team closer. We have a lot more work to do. We’re just excited to say they were competitive.”
The Patriots will travel to Quakertown on Friday while the Indians will travel to Pennridge on Thursday for a 7 p.m. game.
Souderton 0-0 0
Central Bucks East 1-0 1
CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 6, QUAKERTOWN 0 (Tuesday, Sept. 17)
American Conference
NORRISTOWN 4, SPRINGFIELD (MONTCO) 2
The Eagles have struggled with numbers this season, but they aren’t going to let that stand in the way of a strong start in league play. On Wednesday, they rallied from an early 1-0 deficit to defeat the Spartans and improve to 3-1 on the league season (3-2 overall).
“It was a nice win – it was well played,” coach Stacie Staufenberg said. “I have no freshmen that came out this year, and I had to cut my jayvee program for the first time in my nine years with the program.
“It was a very shaky start and a very tough couple of weeks trying to build a team. We have five true varsity players. We just have to start over and try and create some players, and that’s what we’re working on. We’re getting there.”
A goal by Julie Cardamore 17 minutes into the game spotted the Spartans a 1-0 lead, but with a minute remaining in the opening half, the Eagles rallied to knot the score when Delzayah Culbreath connected, using a Natalie Mitchell assist.
The Eagles took a 2-1 lead on a goal by Vanessa Fosco five minutes into the second half, but seven minutes later, the Spartans – thanks to a Marley Berger goal (Cardamore assist) – knotted the score with a goal. Mitchell scored a goal that turned out to be the game winner with 15 minutes remaining, and Keifonna Ferguson added an insurance goal to seal the Spartans’ fate.
“They played really well,” Staufenberg said. “They passed really well and controlled the tempo of the game. It was fun to watch.”
The Eagles’ coach credited veterans Mitchell, Ferguson, Fosco and Emma Hagel for making it happen.
“Those four together are just fantastic passers – they’re very fast, and they know the game,” Staufenberg said. “When they do well, they bring the core along with them, and all four of them were fighting hard today.”
The Eagles held an advantage in shots (8-5) and corners (11-6). Norristown goalie Sierrah Slaughter and Springfield’s Kim Machalette were both credited with four saves.
Waiting in the wings for the Eagles on Friday is league-leading Plymouth Whitemarsh. The Spartans (2-2 SOL, 3-2 overall) will travel to Upper Dublin.
Springfield 1-1 2
Norristown 2-2 4
UPPER DUBLIN 3, UPPER MORELAND 1
The Flying Cardinals scored a pair of second half goals, breaking a 1-1 halftime tie and earning the hard-fought win.
It was the Golden Bears getting on the scoreboard first when Alexa Wister (Jenna Getz) scored at the 24:23 mark of the first half. They enjoyed that lead for less than a minute as UD’s Jen Harchut answered with an unassisted goal at the 23:46 mark. That tie held until the intermission.
Upper Dublin’s Alycia Hildebrand scored a pair of goals within a three-minute span 10 minutes into the second half – the first unassisted and the second with a Harchut assist.
Upper Dublin goalie Bridget Meade was credited with six saves while Upper Dublin’s Sara Weinberg had three. Gabby Sawick delivered a goal line save for the Golden Bears.
The Flying Cardinals held an advantage in shots (13-9) and corners (8-6).
The Flying Cardinals (3-1 SOL, 3-2 overall) will host Springfield on Friday while the Golden Bears (0-4, 0-5) will host Cheltenham.
Upper Moreland 1-0 1
Upper Dublin 1-2 3
PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 6, UPPER MERION 0
The Konowal twins came up big for the Colonials with Rachel contributing two goals and one assist while Courtney had a hand in four goals, scoring once and assisting on three others. Paige Toten added a pair of goals, and Frankie O’Brien had a single goal to close out the scoring.
The Colonials did not allow a corner in the game, and the Vikings did not so much as manage a shot. Coach Marianne Paparone lauded the performance of Monica Mellon on defense and noted that Rita Lynn Trainer played well in the midfield.
The Colonials (4-0 SOL, 7-0 overall) will host Norristown on Friday while the Vikings (1-3, 1-6) will host Wissahickon.
Upper Merion0-0 0
Plymouth Whitemarsh 2-4 6
WISSAHICKON 1, CHELTENHAM 0
The Trojans controlled play but could manage to get the ball past Cheltenham keeper Emily Hawkins (17 saves) just once. That came on a goal by Jessica Waite (Melanie Fry assist). Trojan keeper Shayna Chernak was credited with four saves in the shutout.
Wissahickon (3-1 SOL, 3-3 overall) will travel to Upper Merion on Friday while the Lady Panthers will (0-4, 0-6) will travel to Upper Merion.
National Conference
COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 4, PENNSBURY 2
The Indians opened up a 3-0 halftime lead on their way to their fourth win as many games in conference play. Not a bad start for a young and inexperienced team with just two seniors on its roster.
“I’m very proud of them because they’re learning and growing each game,” coach Heather Whalin said. “I’m proud that they’re able to get the wins, but we still have a lot of growing to do.
“Different people have stepped up, and it’s nice to see the little ones growing each and every game.”
Gigi Tutoni (Anna Lehman assist) put the Indians on the scoreboard midway through the first half, and the Indians led 2-0 when Lehman connected at the 9:38 mark of the half, using a Julianne Mangano assist. Amrit Ahluwalia gave the Indians their three-goal halftime lead when she scored just over a minute later.
Sarah Zazzu put the Falcons on the board with a goal at the 17:48 mark of the second half, and a Kira Crain goal made it a 3-2 game with 14 minutes remaining in regulation. Ahluwalia’s second goal of the game – also with a Mangano assist – put the finishing touches on the Indians’ win.
“In the first half, our passing was really pretty,” Whalin said. “We really hustled today – we ran down balls.
“I think we got a little complacent when it was 3-0, but that comes with youth, but they were able to gather themselves and put another goal in and take control back in the game. It was just two defensive breakdowns, but we’re going to have that when we’re younger.”
Whalin lauded the performances of several players.
“Theresa Delahanty – our center back - has been playing excellently,” the Indians’ coach said. “I could put her anywhere, and she would be great. She’s so great at defense, and after losing Stef (Ruzic), Theresa has really taken on that role.
“Kate Keller is really stepping up. That kid has played everywhere, and now she’s our left back. She brings it every game. She just hustles all the time and just never lets down.”
The Indians (4-0 SOL, 5-1 overall) will host Bensalem on Friday while the Falcons will host Truman.
Pennsbury 0-2 2
Council Rock North 3-1 4
ABINGTON 3, HARRY S TRUMAN 0
Sam McGee had a hand in three goals, assisting on all three, as the Ghosts (1-3 SOL, 3-4 overall) picked up their first league win of the season. Lizzy Petermichl put the Ghosts on the scoreboard three minutes into the first half, and the Ghosts led 2-0 when Heather Trainor turned a McGee pass into a goal with eight minutes remaining in the opening half. Petermichl closed out the scoring with her second goal of the game 10 minutes into the second half.
Coach Amanda Deering credited Courtney Klug for stepping up and transitioning the ball on offense.
The Ghosts will travel to William Tennent on Friday while Truman (0-4 SOL, 1-4 overall) will travel to Pennsbury.
Harry S Truman 0-0 0
Abington 2-1 3
COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 7, BENSALEM 0
Kristen Meihofer and Caroline McGovern each scored a pair of goals to lead the Golden Hawks to the win. Sam Olsen (Mollie Sheehy assist) put Rock South on the scoreboard less than five minutes into the game, and a minute later, McGovern connected. Back-to-back goals by Meihofer – the second with a Nikki Boyd assist – made it a 4-0 game, and when Sheehy connected on an unassisted goal, the Golden Hawks led 5-0 heading into halftime.
McGovern (Boyd assist) and Sheehy scored second half goals for the 7-0 final.
The Golden Hawks held a lopsided 37-2 advantage in shots on goal. Owls’ keeper Stevi Butler was credited with 19 saves in a busy afternoon.
The Golden Hawks (4-0 SOL, 5-2 overall) will travel to Council Rock South on Friday while the Owls (0-4, 0-5) will be at Council Rock North.
Council Rock South 5-2 7
Bensalem 0-0 0
NESHAMINY 1, WILLIAM TENNENT 0
The Redskins have been scoring goals in bunches with 29 in three league games. They managed just one on Wednesday – a first half goal by Josafinne McIlvaine with an Emily Alexis assist, but it was enough to earn the win as the Redskins’ defense delivered its fourth straight shutout.
Neshaminy (4-0 SOL, 4-3 overall) will host Council Rock South on Friday while the Panthers (1-2-1, 1-3-1) will host Abington.
- Log in to post comments
