Check out the results of SOL field hockey teams in action Friday.
National Conference
COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 2, NESHAMINY 1
The Golden Hawks ended a tough week with an impressive win over the Redskins, setting up a three-way tie for second place in the National Conference standings.
“This week is our roughest week every year – we have three super hard, competitive games back-to-back,” Rock South coach Lisa Belz said of a stretch that included back-to-back–to-back games against Rock North, Pennsbury and Neshaminy. “It’s hard for the girls to get up for all three games and connect and be on.
“Losing to North on Monday in overtime and then losing to Pennsbury on Wednesday – yesterday we had a strong practice, and I think the girls kind of wanted to get their heads on straight and revamp. We had a good warm-up today. They just wanted to come back from that.
“Overall, playing as a unit was a big piece of it. We made one change in our defensive end, and our defense really stepped up today.”
The Redskins took a 1-0 lead into halftime, thanks to a goal by Abby Alexis (Kristen Pennington assist). That lead stood until the 13:26 mark of the second half when Katie Bagdon banged home the equalizer, using a Jackie Shragher assist. A minute later, Paige Schmid connected for a goal that turned out to be the game winner, once again using a Shragher assist.
“Coming off a league championship, they want it again,” Belz said. “Coming off two losses – that was a wake-up call on Wednesday. Pennsbury is a really good team, and they were all over us. We knew this was a big game. The girls came out hard.”
Belz acknowledged the standout efforts of several players, including sweeper Kayla Nitka.
“This is her first year starting varsity, and she has come up huge,” the Golden Hawks’ coach said. “She had two defensive saves against North, and she had another defensive save against Pennsbury on Wednesday.
“She didn’t play a minute last year, and she’s really improved. She’s stepping up to the ball well.
“Jackie Shragher is our left back, and today she showed up big time. She stepped up to the ball well. She played against Abby Alexis, and she did a really good job.”
The Redskins held a 16-5 advantage in shots but just a 7-6 edge in corners. Rock South goalie Anna Sternberg was credited with 15 saves in a busy afternoon.
“She did excellent,” Belz said. “She had a lot of saves and really stepped up big too.”
Rock South (6-4), Neshaminy (6-3) and Pennsbury boast identical 5-2 records in conference play after one go-round.
Neshaminy 1-0 1
Council Rock South 0-2 2
COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 6, HARRY S TRUMAN 0
The Indians closed out the first half of conference play with a shutout win to remain perfect in league play (7-0). They are the SOL’s lone undefeated team with a 9-0 record.
Gigi Tutoni contributed two goals and an assist to lead the Indians. Jennica Jonovich had a goal and an assist, and Devon Mela, Rachel Pomerantz and Bridget Thompson each added single goals. For Pomerantz and Thompson, the goals were the first of their varsity careers.
The Tigers are 1-6 in league play (2-6 overall).
PENNSBURY 6, WILLIAM TENNENT 0
The Falcons exploded for four first half goals on their way to the shutout win. Haley Toadvine scored a pair of goals and also contributed an assist to lead the Falcons. It was Toadvine (Marguerite Salamone assist) scoring just over four minutes into the opening half, and the Panthers were off and running. By halftime, they led 4-0.
That lead held up until just over eight minutes remaining regulation when Salamone connected.
The Falcons held a 12-1 advantage in shots. Tennent goalie Trish McCoy was credited with six saves.
The Falcons are 5-2 in league play (5-5 overall) while the Panthers are 2-4-1 in the league (2-6-1 overall).
Pennsbury 4-2 6
William Tennent 0-0 0
ABINGTON 2, HARRY S TRUMAN 0 (Thursday, Sept. 18)
Alyssa Herman scored a goal seven minutes into the game, and Maeve Hughes added an insurance goal three minutes later. That 2-0 Abington lead held up the rest of the way.
The Ghosts are 2-4-1 in conference play (3-5-1 overall) while the Tigers are 1-6 in the league (2-6 overall).
Continental Conference
CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 1, CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 0
The Titans did what no team had been able to do so far this season – handing the Bucks their first loss of the season. It also gave the Titans a perfect 7-0 mark after once around the conference and sole possession of the conference’s top spot.
“I think it’s awesome halfway through the conference play being able to be undefeated in the league,” South coach Brittany Grzywacz said. “The girls really have come together.
“Those couple (non-league) losses that we had – we had to work through some things and find little niches here and there. We’ve worked through some things, and they take what I say seriously and make the changes I say.
“We come out hard every game. I think they realize they can’t take any team for granted. You have to come out every game ready to play, you have to come out every game ready to score as many goals as you can.”
Lexi Milanesi scored at the 23:30 mark of the first half, and that goal held up the rest of the way.
“It was just kind of a jumble in front of the cage, and she was able to knock it in there,” Grzywacz said. “She’s really good at pulling off goals like that.
“I don’t know how she gets the goals she gets, but I love it. She’s always there to get those balls in the back of the net.”
The Titans held a slim advantage in shots (9-8) and corners (9-6).
“We came out and we were in their attacking end and putting the pressure on in the beginning of the first half,” Grzywacz said. “We were able to put a goal in during that time.
“During the second half, I thought West really came at us, fired up out of halftime in the second half, and we were able to hold them off. It was a pretty even game.”
South goalie Sarah Zeszotarki was credited with three saves while West’s Brianna DeAngelis had six.
“The saves Sarah had were very important saves,” Grzywacz said. “Their goalie – she (DeAngelis) is outstanding. She had some just saves out of nowhere. I was 95 percent sure those balls were going in the cage, and she saved them. She played great.”
With the win, the Titans are 7-0 in league play (7-2 overall) while the Bucks are 6-1 (9-1 overall).
Central Bucks South 1-0 1
Central Bucks West 0-0 1
CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 4, SOUDERTON 3 (OT)
Abbey Butler turned a pass from teammate Katelyn Stout into a goal at the 9:29 mark of overtime, propelling the Patriots to the dramatic win. The win came on the heels of back-to-back losses for the Patriots.
“I couldn’t be more blessed to have the team that I have,” East coach Brittany Kocis said. “They’re hard workers, and they never give up. They’re ready to go the next day and work hard. It’s an honor to coach them.”
The game was a roller coaster ride for both sides as East twice had the lead only the watch the Indians rally to knot the score, the second time scoring on a corner with time expired in regulation when Erin Saybolt turned a pass from Nina Disco into the equalizer.
“Honestly, it was a beautiful goal – it was a really nice shot,” Kocis said. “It was a well-deserved goal, but it’s hard when you have the lead, and a team comes back.
“It’s a lot, but I think they were mentally prepared and physically prepared. They really did a great job.
The win came on the heels of back-to-back losses for the Patriots, who were once again without senior midfielder Maggie Stella (injury).
“The girls are re-adjusting to different positions,” Kocis said. “As soon as we got familiar with the formation, we had players go down with injuries, and they had to learn new positions within a few days. That’s hard, especially as a high school athlete.
“That’s hard to adjust, and I think they’re doing a pretty good job. I’ve been impressed with them. We had quite a few girls step up.”
Souderton took an early 1-0 lead when Disco (Gabby Sedares assist) scored at the 21:33 mark. A goal by Katelyn Stout (Gabby Hieber assist) five minutes later knotted the score, and that 1-1 tie held up until halftime.
Rachel Moran (Maggie Ryder assist) put the Patriots on top with a goal at the 26:11 mark of the second half, but less than two minutes later, Tara Maloney (Saybolt assist) scored to knot things up yet again.
A Riley Donnelly goal at the 20:38 mark gave the Patriots a lead that held until Saybolt’s equalizer to close out regulation.
“Although the score doesn’t show it, we never lost hope and kept pushing on,” Souderton coach Lauren Whiteside said. “There was a big chunk of time that we started to play on our heels and let East step to the ball and beat us.
“We got caught flat too many times, and East quickly took advantage of that. I am proud of the team that we were able to get down the field in the final seconds and get a corner when time expired…and to have that corner turn into a goal was just so exciting.
“In overtime, it was even play, but we just couldn’t capitalize on some opportunities. It was an emotional loss but a positive loss and something we can learn from.”
Whiteside lauded the efforts of several players.
“Erin Saybolt and Nina Disco were solid for us on offense with a goal and an assist, and Courtney Kwiatkowski played a great defensive game for us and helped spark the team when we needed it,” the Indians’ coach said.
Kocis, meanwhile, pointed the performances of underclassmen Rachel Fife, Rachel Moran and Mackenzie Boyle as key.
“They’ve been playing very well the whole season,” she said. “Rachel (Moran) has been injured, and she’s been working her way back up. She did a great job as a forward for us today.
“Abbey Butler keeps improving every game, and it’s great to watch.”
Kocis went on to credit veteran Katelyn Stout.
“Today she stepped up because since (Maggie) Stella is out we need a strong midfielder,” the Patriots’ coach said. “She’s been so coachable, and she’s been adjusting to wherever we need her. She’s giving her all, and you can’t ask for more.
“I’m so honored to have her on my team. She’s great to coach. She’s such a positive player, and she motivates the team in a positive way. Every team needs that.”
The Patriots held a decided advantage in shots (29-12) and corners (15-7). Souderton goalie Shelby Landes kept her team in it with a 14-save effort. East’s Betty Wesney was credited with five saves.
The Patriots are 3-4 after once around the conference schedule (5-5 overall) while the Indians 1-6 in the league (3-6 overall).
Central Bucks East 1-2-1 4
Souderton 1-2-0 3
NORTH PENN 2, HATBORO-HORSHAM 1
The Maidens rode the glittering performance of Marissa Elizardo in goal in a contest that saw the Hatters hold a 29-11 advantage in shots on goal. Elizardo was credited with 19 saves.
“Marissa had a phenomenal game,” coach Shannon McCracken said. “She was getting peppered, and she was turning away everything because Hatboro’s forwards are very scrappy and quick in the circle, and Marissa just had an unbelievable game.
“They’re a really great team. It was a really great win for us today, especially on their field.”
Syd Rausa put the Hatters on the scoreboard first at the 5:57 mark of the opening half, but that would be the extent of their scoring for the game.
The Maidens knotted the score midway through the second half when freshman Brianna O’Donnell connected for an unassisted goal.
“We played on their grass field, and I think it took us the first half to kind of adjust to the playing field,” McCracken said. “They have a nice grass field, but the ball’s a little slower, and I think it took us some time to adjust.
“My girls were just determined.”
With just under five minutes remaining in regulation, Emma Herb (Amanda Laessig assist) connected for the game winner.
“We didn’t have as many opportunities as they did, but we made the most of our opportunities, and we were going really strong to goal in the second half,” McCracken said. “I think our conditioning really helped us finish the game strong.
“Brianna O’Donnell turned it on in the second half to put in the first goal to tie the game. She had a really great second half. She was feisty on attack and tackling back really well and using her speed down the sideline. She didn’t get the assist on the second goal, but she set it up. She brought it down the right side and passed it to Amanda Laessig, who passed it on to the post where Emma Herb put it in.”
McCracken went on to acknowledge the strong performance of her defense.
“I think our defense settled in in the second half,” she said. “I thought Tori Sayers had a great game. She came up with a lot of balls in the backfield.”
Hatboro’s Emily Braunewell was credited with six saves. The Hatters held a 10-7 edge in corners.
The Maidens are 5-2 in conference play (6-3 overall) while the Hatters are 3-4 in the conference (5-4 overall).
North Penn 0-2 2
Hatboro-Horsham 1-0 1
QUAKERTOWN 4, PENNRIDGE 0
The Panthers opened up a 2-0 halftime lead on their way to the shutout win. Megan Thompson put the Panthers on the scoreboard at the 21:27 mark, using a Becky Gerhart assist. An unassisted goal by Gabby Dontonville sent the Panthers into halftime with a 2-0 lead.
A goal just 41 seconds into the second half by Elaina Abramson, using an Emma McLaughlin assist, gave the Panthers a three-goal advantage. Hillary Scott (Thompson and McLaughlin assists) connected for the 4-0 final.
“We were able to execute on our corners, scoring two goals on seven corners,” coach Alyssa Maltese said. “We also moved the ball well up the right side, and our forwards created some nice open spaces with their cuts to score our other two goals.
“The defense did a tremendous job keeping (Pennridge) from scoring. We executed our game plan fairly well and will be looking to build on this win and continue with this momentum going into the second half of our season.”
The Panthers closed out the first half of league play with a 3-4 record (6-4 overall) while the Rams are 0-7 in the league (0-9 overall).
Pennridge 0-0 0
Quakertown 2-2 4
CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 2, QUAKERTOWN 0 (Thursday, Sept. 18)
Laura Zakrewski scored just over two minutes into the second half to break a scoreless tie, and Emily Cliggett added an insurance goal for the Titans, who held a 20-8 advantage in shots.
“It was an outstanding defensive battle during the first half,” Quakertown coach Alyssa Maltese said. “Quakertown had some scoring opportunities early in the game, missing tipped shots just wide of the cage.
“South scored quick in the second half off a nice penalty corner set up. Quakertown’s defense held strong until letting up a goal with just over two minutes left in the game. We are taking this as a learning experience and are going to continue to work together to make strides to move the program in the right direction.”
Quakertown goalie Rylee Lawler was credited with 13 saves.
Central Bucks South 0-2 2
Quakertown 0-0 0
American Conference
UPPER MORELAND 5, UPPER MERION 3
The Golden Bears continued their winning ways, sprinting to a 4-0 lead and then withstanding a late Viking surge to earn the hard-fought win. It was their fifth straight win.
“What an exciting game,” coach Karen Grossi said. “Upper Moreland dominated the first half, taking 11 shots on goal and scoring four.
“Upper Merion never gave up despite the four-goal deficit. Instead, they came out stronger and more determined.”
The Golden Bears certainly had things going their way in the first half. Jenna Getz scored an unassisted goal at the 26:45 mark to spot the Bears an early lead. That lead stood until the 7:57 mark when Delaney Smith scored, using an Alexa Wister assist. Back-to-back goals by Wister, the first with a Getz assist and the second unassisted, in a span of less than two minutes capped a three-goal Upper Moreland burst in a pivotal three-minute stretch. The Bears took that 4-0 lead into halftime, but the Vikings were not about to go away.
Sophea Stewart got the ball rolling for the Vikings with an unassisted goal at the 24:21 mark of the second half. Three minutes later, Kaitlyn Lutz scored an unassisted goal, and when Lutz turned an Alyssa Adinolfi pass into a goal at the 17:05 mark, it was suddenly a 4-3 game.
That score stood until Maura O’Leary (Getz assist) scored with 2:39 remaining for the 5-3 final.
“Upper Merion scored three goals in a seven-minute span, two on offensive corners,” Grossi said. “After Upper Merion scored their third goal, Upper Moreland regrouped and was able to hold Upper Merion for the last 17 minutes of the game.”
Upper Moreland’s Allison Felicetti was credited with two saves while Devyn Antonucci and Kate Foy combined for 10 saves with Antonucci collecting seven of them.
The Golden Bears upped their league mark to 5-1-1 after once around the conference (5-2-1 overall) while the Vikings are 2-5 in the league (3-6 overall).
Upper Merion0-3 3
Upper Moreland 4-1 5
UPPER DUBLIN 1, SPRINGFIELD (MONTCO) 0
The Flying Cardinals capped a perfect 3-0 week with a hard-fought road win over the Spartans. Sarah Blatt scored the game’s only goal at the 15:30 mark of the second half, using a Cydney Christian assist.
The Spartans had an advantage in both shots (14-4) and corners (5-2), but the Flying Cardinals had the edge on the scoreboard.
Upper Dublin goalie Mikaylah Johnson had eight saves in the shutout win while Springfield’s Molly Bauer had two saves.
The Flying Cardinals are 5-2 in conference play (5-4 overall) while the Spartans are 3-4 in the league (4-5 overall).
Upper Dublin 0-1 1
Springfield 0-0 0
WISSAHICKON 8, CHELTENHAM 1
Rachel Zimmerman connected for the hat trick to lead the Trojans to the big win. Contributing assists on those goals were Sophie Hessler, Lauren Marolla and Emily Purnell. Sam Scoma added a pair of goals, using assists from teammates Jessica Waite and Kara Miles. Miles, Purnell (Marolla assist) and Marolla (Miles assist) each added single goals to close out the scoring.
For the Panthers, it was Madison Gianelle scoring, using a Memi Holloman assist.
Trojan goalie Claire Tarzia was credited with 10 saves while her counterpart, Tegan Dorley, had 16.
Coach Lucy Gil credited the strong performances of Kara Miles, Lauren Marolla and Rachel Zimmerman.
The Trojans are 4-2-1 in the league (4-4-1 overall) while the Lady Panthers are 1-6 in the league (2-7 overall).
Cheltenham 1-0 1
Wissahickon 3-5 8
PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 8, NORRISTOWN 2
The Colonials raced out of the gate to a 6-0 halftime lead on their way to the big win.
“We got off to a strong start,” coach Marianne Paparone said. “I think the players enjoyed being back on the turf after playing on grass the last three days and three of the last four games.”
Paige Toten finished with the hat trick on a day that saw six different players contribute to the scoring. Alison Spinelli and Aurora Mills both had one goal and two assists, and Frankie O’Brien added one goal and one assist. Kerin Bechtel had a pair of goals, and Sophie Kolkka had an assist.
“Kerin Bechtel and Paige Toten both did a great job of getting touches on crossing balls and rebounds,” Paparone said. “Sophie Kolkka had a great game carrying and distributing the ball.
“The team played well, especially at the offensive end, and did a good job of keeping pressure on the Norristown defense. Frankie O’Brien, Kolby Bechtel and Grace McGruire all played well defensively.”
Natalie Mitchell and McClure each scored a goal while Fox and Falcon both had assists for the Eagles.
The Colonials held an advantage in shots (26-3) and corners (6-1).
PW completed its first go-round in conference play with a perfect 7-0 record (8-2 overall) while the Eagles are 0-7 in the league (0-9 overall).
Norristown 0-2 2
Plymouth Whitemarsh 6-2 8
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