Check out Friday’s SOL field hockey scores. To view action photos of the Truman/Bensalem game, please check the Photo Gallery later this weekend.
National Conference
COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 1, NESHAMINY 0
The Indians remained undefeated in conference play, but Friday’s win was anything but easy.
“I was so proud of them,” Rock North coach Heather Whalin said. “We were getting bombarded with shots and corners, and the kids just didn’t give up.
“They dug deep, and we had different people step up than the normal crew, which is really nice to see.”
The Indians scored the game’s lone goal on a corner with 20:07 remaining in the first half when Alex Kuzma connected, using an assist from Amrit Ahluwalia. That 1-0 lead held until halftime, and the Indians spent the second half fending off a barrage of Redskin shots.
“They outplayed us in the second half,” said Whalin, who coaches some of the Redskin players on her Mystx club squad. “They played a really nice game.
“They have experience with a big senior class. Annie Kopera, Brittany Sheenan and their goalie – Sarah Mitchell – played great for them. Neshaminy just turned it on in the second half. They had so many opportunities.”
Rock North goalie Julia Singer had a huge game in goal, turning away 10 shots in a contest that saw the Redskins hold a decisive advantage in shots (15-5) and corners (18-11).
“She played awesome,” said Whalin of her goalie, going on to laud the performance of her defenders. “Alyssa Mangano had a defensive save right on the goal line to save our butts.
“Our defense really picked it up today. With 18 corners, we had to play strong, and we had to play a man down for five minutes because of a yellow card.”
The Indians’ coach praised the performance of senior sweeper Stefani Ruzic as well as sophomore defensive back Amrit Ahluwalia.
While the Redskins (5-3, 5-1 SOL) fell from the ranks of the undefeated in conference play, the Indians upped their record to 6-0 in the league (7-2 overall).
“I’m just really proud,” Whalin said. “I don’t think people expected us to do that much after losing 11 seniors, but they really believe in each other, and it’s been a really fun season, and I’m really enjoying it.
“I told them that no matter which way this game went today I was proud of them because it was a great Pennsylvania hockey game.”
HARRY S TRUMAN 3, BENSALEM 1
The Tigers opened up a 3-0 lead on their way to the big win. Courtney Wheeler turned a Kelsey Hackbart pass into a goal less than nine minutes into the contest. Mikaela Pachecko (Anne Estrella) added a goal at the 17:20 mark to send the Tigers into halftime with a 2-0 lead.
An Estrella goal (Christine Hoon assist) made it a 3-0 game with eight minutes remaining. Mariah Reed scored at the 1:07 mark to break up the Tigers’ shutout bid.
Truman goalie Maria Dea and Bensalem’s Stephanie Unger each were credited with 14 saves.
While the Owls fell to 0-6 in league play (0-6-1 overall), the Tigers (2-5, 1-5 SOL) picked up their first conference win of the season.
ABINGTON 1, PENNSBURY 1 (OT)
Abington got on the scoreboard at the 26:10 mark of the first half when Noelle Rao connected for her first goal of the season, using a pass from teammate Katherine Geating. The Falcons fought back with six first-half corners, but the Ghosts took a 1-0 lead into the intermission.
With 17:15 remaining in the second half, Pennsbury’s Christie Stango scored the equalizer after a battle in front of the cage.
A 15-minute overtime could not determine a winner, and the two teams were forced to settle for the 1-1 tie.
“In overtime, the play was back and forth with tremendous effort on both sides,” Abington coach Amanda Deering said. “Cate Hughes and Maddie Jones were key to the Ghosts’ defense as well as standout goalie Faith Geating.”
Geating recorded 19 saves on the day.
The Falcons are 2-3-1 in league play (2-5-1 overall) while the Ghosts are 1-4-1 in the league (2-5-1 overall)
Continental Conference
NORTH PENN 2, CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 1
Erika Myslinski turned a Shannon Talbot pass into a goal with 20 seconds remaining in regulation, propelling the Maidens to the dramatic win.
“Our midfield moved the ball downfield, and our forwards kept it in the attacking end,” coach Shannon McCracken said. “Shannon Talbot hit it in on the reverse side for a last-ditch effort, and Erika Myslinski was on the post and just finished.
“She had her stick down and was in the right position and just finished it on goal.”
A goal by Talbot with assists from Alexa Gable and Casey O’Donnell on a penalty corner put the Maidens on top 1-0 12 minutes into the game.
“We controlled the ball most of the first half, and the first time they crossed our 50, they got a corner and scored on a beautiful shot by Talbot,” West coach Casey Hughes said.
CB West’s Heather Zezzo knotted the score with five minutes remaining in regulation, tipping in a deflection and setting the stage for Myslinski’s late-game heroics.
“We were really working on playing a full 60 minute-game,” McCracken said. “We told them, ‘We won the first half. Now we have to win the second half and play the full 60 minutes.’
“The girls were so excited. They’ve all worked so hard, and it’s exciting to see it pay off.”
A key to the Maidens’ win was the 11-save effort in goal of Chess Kownurko.
“She played excellent,” McCracken said. “She stopped an aerial shot by CB West, and she saved out butts a few times.
“Chessa has been working really hard, and we have a goalie coach, who is a St. Joe’s graduate, coming in once or twice a week, and she’s really been making a difference.”
The win was the second in as many games for the Maidens (2-6, 2-4 SOL) after dropping their first six games.
“It’s like a brand new team, and it’s so rewarding to see” McCracken said.
The Maidens’ coach went on to laud the performance of Amanda Laessig.
“She’s just a kid that’s been working her way into the lineup because she’s been working really hard,” McCracken said. “Today she was able to play forward and mid for us, and she played a great game.”
For the Bucks (6-3, 3-3 SOL), the loss was their third in four games after a 5-0 start. Hughes lauded the ‘beautiful defense and defensive block tackles’ of Mackenzie Gallagher.
HATBORO-HORSHAM 5, QUAKERTOWN 4
The Hatters won a high-scoring game against the visiting Panthers on Friday.
"It was a very fast game," Hatters' coach Laura Swezey said.
Sarah Reigh (Emma McLaughlin assist) gave Quakertown a 1-0 lead when she scored 12 minutes into the first half. The Hatters answered with goals by Colby Eldridge and Carlee Baldus (both with Casey Swezey assists) to go on top 2-1. Thompson responded with an unassisted goal for the Panthers to make it a 2-2 game at halftime.
The Hatters appeared to seize control of the game after back-to-back goals to go on top 4-2. The first by Tori Waddington (Jenna Cutilli assist) came just over four minutes into the second half and the next not until 7:52 remained.
Thompson scored with a Reig assist at the 5:50 mark to make it a 4-3 game, but Robyn Barbell (Baldus assist) connected to give the Hatters a two-goal edge with 4:30 remaining. Josh Schwartz scored a late goal for the Panthers for the 5-4 final.
"Robyn Barbell came up big for us in the left mid position," coach Swezey said. "We had nice transition of the ball in switching fields.
"Our offensive group had many shots on goal and kept the pressure on in the circle. Our offense was clicking. There was lots of communication on the field, and that made a big difference in giving the right passes and working the ball down the field."
The Hatters peppered 20 shots on goal and held a 16-7 advantage in corners, but Quakertown goalie Maddie Calder turned away 13 of those shots. Hatter goalie Emily Braunewell had four saves.
While the Panthers fell to 2-4 in league play (4-4 overall), the Hatters improved to 4-2 in the league (4-3 overall).
CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 3, SOUDERTON 0
The Titans used goals by Mackenzie Harding and Shannon Dougherty to go on top 2-0 less than 15 minutes into the game.
“Every time we step on the field we go out with intensity and strive to do our best,” South senior Dana Adamson said. “This game was a great example of that.”
Amber Steigerwalt scored a second half goal for the 3-0 final.
“CB South played a very aggressive game that seemed to shut us down,” Souderton coach Lauren Whiteside said. “It was a defensive game for us, and our defense was up for the challenge.
“We know we didn’t play our best, and that is something that we need to work on. We played timid at times, and CB South took advantage of that. We know what we need to do to improve, and we will work hard to get there.”
Jen Bergey was credited with seven saves in goal for the Indians while Gino Brigo was forced to make just one save in the shutout. The Titans held a 13-2 advantage in shots and corners.
“Our girls were solid today,” CB South associate coach Maureen Rileys said. “They connected well on their passing and were aggressive in the circle. They are jelling nicely as a unit.”
CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 2, PENNRIDGE 1
The Patriots rallied from a 1-0 halftime deficit to earn the hard-fought win over the Rams.
Ben VanPelt (Kelly Wolff assist) scored midway through the first half to send the Rams into the intermission with the lead. Maggie Rider scored the equalizer at the 26:31 mark, and Madeline Steuber scored a goal that turned out to be the game winner with 9:57 remaining in regulation, using an assist from Marissa Glatt.
The Patriots held a 20-16 edge in shots on goal while the Rams had an 8-3 advantage in corners.
CB East goalie Samantha Grzegorczyk turned away 15 shots in a busy afternoon while her counterpart had 18 saves.
"Sydney Badger played an excellent defensive game," East coach Christina Kemmerer said. "It was a great team effort."
The Patriots improved to 2-4 in league play (2-6 overall) while the Rams fell to 1-5 in the league (3-5 overall).
National Conference
CHELTENHAM 2, UPPER MERION 1
The Lady Panthers opened up a 2-0 halftime lead and then held on for their second win of the week on Friday. Shilo Dorley put Cheltenham on the scoreboard, using a Gabby Szczepanek assist, and the Lady Panthers went on top 2-0 after an unassisted goal by Szczepanek. Anna Derby (Danielle Antonucci assist) scored for the Vikings for the 2-1 final.
The Lady Panthers (2-6) and Vikings (2-5) are both 2-4 in conference play.
PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 3, UPPER DUBLIN 1
The Colonials took a 1-0 lead into halftime and then scored back-to-back goals in a four-minute span midway through the second half to seize control of the game.
Rachel Konowal put PW on the scoreboard with 3:44 remaining in the opening half, and then it was Aurora Mills connecting at the 16:28 mark of the second half. Courtney Konowal’s goal four minutes later put the Colonials on top 3-0 before Jennifer Harchut (Sam Boyd assist) scored with 4:17 remaining for the 3-1 final.
PW keeper Victoria Byrne was credited with seven saves while Upper Dublin’s Dana Russell and Julia McKernan each turned away four shots.
While the Flying Cardinals fell to 2-4 in league play (2-6 overall), the Colonials improved to 4-2 in the league (4-4 overall).
SPRINGFIELD (MONTCO) 9, UPPER MORELAND 0
The Spartans led 7-0 at halftime on their way to the convincing win. Alyssa Buckley connected for the hat trick to lead the Spartans while Colleen Morris and Libby Field each added a pair of goals. Syd Campbell and Sarah Daley both added single goals.
While the Golden Bears fell to 0-6 in league play (0-8 overall), the Spartans remain perfect (7-0, 6-0 SOL).
WISSAHICKON 6, NORRISTOWN 0
The Trojans took a 1-0 lead four minutes into the game when Emily Gallagher connected, and they never looked back, opening up a 3-0 halftime lead on their way to the convincing win.
Jackie Hibbs led the Trojans with three goals and one assist while Gallagher added a pair of goals.
“Jackie Hibbs and Emily Gallagher work well together, and Wissahickon’s ability to pass on the fast turf is tough to defend,” Norristown coach Stacie Staufenberg said. “Angela Virtu also had a very solid game and can dribble and control the ball at will.”
Virtu scored a single goal, and Caroline Kovacs added an assist.
Claire Tarzia was credited with two saves in the shutout while Norristown’s Jess Grose had 11 saves.
The Trojans held a 21-3 advantage in shots and a 10-3 edge in corners.
“Norristown had a solid defense with Jess Grose playing well in goal,” Staufenberg said. “Emma Hagel played strong in the backfield.”
While the Eagles fell to 3-3 in league play (3-4 overall), the Trojans upped their record to 5-1 in the league (6-2 overall).
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