Check out the results for SOL field hockey teams in action Thursday. Photos of the CB West/CB East game were provided courtesy of Marge Bullock. To view a gallery of the game, please visit Marge’s web site at the following link: http://www.margebullock.com/
Continental Conference
CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 3, CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 1
The Bucks have made scoring goals look easy.
They brought a gaudy 6.67 goals-per-game average into Thursday night’s showdown against their neighboring rival, and for the better part of 60 minutes, the Patriots contained the Bucks’ high-powered offense.
Take away the not-so-little matter of a 72-second stretch early in the second half when the Bucks erupted for a pair of goals to turn a 1-0 lead into a commanding three-goal advantage, and the Patriots played them dead even.
That two-goal outburst, however, is a trademark of a West squad that can score goals in bunches, and it propelled the Bucks to the win in a battle of SOL unbeaten squads.
“It feels incredible,” junior Bryn Boylan said. “This just pushes us to keep our momentum going and playing strong against every team that we come up against.”
“I felt like the two goals really gave us the momentum we needed to pick up our game.”
Neither team got on the scoreboard in a first half of limited opportunities until the Bucks came up with a goal at the 7:45 mark that could find its way into a highlight reel. Taylor Mason capped a beautiful passing sequence that began with Cadera Smith carrying the ball down the center of the field and then passing to teammate Mikayla Darrows on her right. Mason turned a Darrows’ cross into a goal and a 1-0 West lead heading into halftime.
“We have a very fast forward line,” Smith said. “I just feel proud that my teammates can execute that, and I can give them the ball up there and trust that they will put it in. That feels really good.”
Scoring first, according to West coach Courtney Lepping, was key.
“It was such a huge game for the kids,” she said. “They’re not composed to start the game, and that helps to settle everyone down when you score a goal.”
The second half picked up where the first half left off with not a whole lot of offense for either team until Smith turned a Bryn Boylan pass into a goal and a 2-0 West lead at the 20:45 mark. Just over a minute later, the Bucks connected on a corner when Boylan (Smith assist) slammed home a shot from the top of the circle, giving the Bucks a 3-0 lead.
“You can see it in the other team – with our quick attack and how it does affect the other team,” Lepping said. “We are a quick-strike attack. That’s what we do.”
The Bucks also threw some defense at the Patriots, keeping them off the scoreboard until less than five minutes remained when Riley Donnelly (Katelyn Stout assist) connected during corner play.
Although they came up short, the Patriots – after years of taking a backseat to CB South and CB West – have established themselves as a contender in the highly competitive Continental.
“I think our team is pretty solid,” East coach Michelle Finegan said. “We have a lot of attack speed, and we also have a lot of defensive gumption, if you will.
“Overall, it’s not even halfway through the season, and I think they’re playing really well. They’re working together, they’re fighting hard, and that’s all you can ask for.”
Central Bucks West (7-0, 6-0 SOL) will travel to Pennsbury on Saturday for a non-league contest and then will take on CB South at War Memorial on Tuesday (3:30 p.m.). Central Bucks East (7-1, 5-1) will host Souderton on Tuesday.
EXTRA SHOTS: Lepping had high praise for the defensive effort of freshman center back Casey Reichwein. “She has been getting better and better every game,” the Bucks’ coach said. “When I say that, I mean more and more confident. She has the skills. Her biggest thing was the confidence, and she has been growing as a player every game. That’s a hard position for a freshman to run into – center back, but I’m so proud of the way she keeps growing. She did a fantastic job tonight – not scared of one of the best scorers in the league (Donnelly) coming down at her consistently. She had a couple of huge step-ups. Rachel Loux, my right back, had a couple where she was coming across and making big step ups. I was really proud of our defense today.”
Central Bucks East 0-1 1
Central Bucks West 1-2 3
PENNRIDGE 2, HATBORO-HORSHAM 1
The visiting Lady Rams eked out a hard-fought win over the Hatters.
“It was a tough fight from both teams,” Pennridge coach Becky Spahr said. “Great overall team play and effort all around.
“It’s important for our team to win close games. We are building the confidence of our younger players and starting to find our team chemistry. Our conference games are always tough, and it’s great to get another Continental Conference win.”
Sydney Borneman turned a Meghan Griffin pass into a goal late in the first half, sending the Lady Rams into halftime with a 1-0 lead. The two teams exchanged second half goals with Caitlyn Amsden scoring an unassisted goal for the Rams, and Sydney Rausa (Kelsey Hopkins assist) connecting for the Hatters.
Liz Wilburn turned away eight shots in goal for the Hatters while Carley Wingate was credited with six saves in goal for the Lady Rams.
“Carley played great in goal for us,” Spahr said.
Pennridge (3-4, 2-4 SOL) will host Quakertown on Tuesday. Hatboro-Horsham (2-4, 3-5) will host Pennsbury in a non-league contest Monday and then will travel to North Penn on Tuesday.
Pennridge 1-1 2
Hatboro-Horsham 0-1 1
American Conference
UPPER MORELAND 9, NORRISTOWN 0
Jenna Getz connected for the hat trick while Emily Zanine, Jessica Flanagan and Delaney Smith each added a pair of goals in the Golden Bears’ big win.
Flanagan got the ball rolling with an unassisted goal 45 seconds into the contest, and six minutes later, Getz scored her first goal (Flanagan assist). Flanagan, Smith (Noelle Woodman assist) and Getz followed with back-to-back-to-back goals to cap an explosive five-minute span that put the Bears on top 5-0. Getz (Woodman assist) scored her third goal of the half, and then it was Zanine connecting on consecutive goals, the first with a Becca Miekley assist and the second with an assist from Claudia Zanine. Smith’s unassisted goal sent the Bears into halftime with an 8-0 lead. Smith closed out the scoring with a goal early in the second half.
Norristown’s Naseria Jiron was credited with 11 saves while Lauren Whitely had a pair.
Upper Moreland (4-3, 4-2 SOL) will travel to Lansdale Catholic on Monday and will be on the road at Upper Merion on Tuesday. Norristown (1-8, 1-5) will host Plymouth Whitemarsh on Tuesday.
Norristown 0-0 0
Upper Moreland 8-1 9
Non-league
UNIONVILLE 3, COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 2
In a classic non-league battle, the Golden Hawks gave the undefeated Indians all they could handle.
The two teams battled to a 1-1 halftime tie. It was the Caroline McGovern-Tori Wright connection putting the Hawks on the scoreboard just over 21 minutes into the game with McGovern finding the back of the cage using a Wright assist. Unionville answered with a goal by Clarie Donovan with just over a minute remaining in the half to knot the score.
A goal by Erin Matson put the Indians on top early in the second half, but McGovern answered, connecting on an unassisted goal with five minutes remaining. Unionville won it when Matson scored her second goal of the half just over a minute later.
Unionville held a slim 8-7 advantage in shots. Rock South goalie Julia Pero was credited with three saves.
Council Rock South (6-2, 5-0 SOL) will host Pennsbury on Friday.
Council Rock South 1-1 2
Unionville 1-2 3
BENSALEM 2, UPPER MERION 0
The Owls earned a much-needed non-league win on Friday at Upper Merion.
“After our first win against Norristown, we’ve kind of had a low for the last four games, getting blown out, and this was definitely a big confidence booster for the girls,” Bensalem coach Amanda Tu said. “Hopefully, next week when we go back into our league games, they can take this game with them.”
Autumn McBride (Lauren Wayda assist) scored at the 21:50 mark of the first half, and if the Owls needed insurance, Kara Bachman gave it to them midway through the second half when she connected for a goal. Wayda once again had the assist.
Tu was pleased with the defensive efforts of senior Meghann Feeley, sophomore Katie Mulvey and senior Alyssa Dalrymple as well as goalie Selena Lee. Lee recorded four saves in the shutout win.
“My defense played strong, but my midfield was able to come back and help the defense and bring the ball back up to the forward line,” Tu said. “We also got good play from Madison Kubik in the midfield.
“We had to switch a couple of people today. We had some playing new spots, and they actually stepped up and played very well today.”
Bensalem (2-4, 0-4 SOL) will travel to William Tennent on Friday. Upper Merion (1-7, 0-5) will host Upper Moreland on Tuesday.
Bensalem 1-1 2
Upper Merion0-0 0
SOUDERTON 3, ABINGTON 1
The visiting Indians took a 1-0 lead into halftime and then added a pair of goals in the second half en route to the non-league win.
Jessica Gabriel scored on a breakaway down the right side with 7:09 remaining in the opening half. Rachel Kagarise provided a spark when she scored an unassisted goal 37 seconds into the second half to put the Indians on top 2-0. Three minutes later, Nina Disco (Courtney Kwiatkowski assist) connected during corner play. The Ghosts got on the scoreboard with 4:48 remaining when Kaila Brown scored an unassisted goal.
“We knew that we needed to come up with a win today to get our mindset in the right direction,” Souderton coach Lauren Whiteside said. “Abington has some solid players in the middle of the field, so when it was 1-0 at halftime, we knew that we needed to get a few more goals if we wanted to maintain our lead.
“Right out of halftime, we were hungry, and we scored a little over 30 seconds in to the half. Things like that really pump us up and get us excited. We celebrate each other's wins on the field whether it be a goal, an interception or a corner. Every game we grow as a team and I'm proud of the teams' efforts and this win today.”
Souderton held an 11-5 advantage in shots in a contest that saw both teams draw eight corners.
Souderton goalie Megan Mehaffey was credited with four saves in the win.
Souderton (3-3, 1-3 SOL) will host North Penn on Friday while Abington (3-5, 1-4) will host Truman on Tuesday (7 p.m.).
Souderton 1-2 3
Abington 0-1 1
NESHAMINY 3, PERKIOMEN VALLEY 0
Emily Alexis scored a pair of goals and assisted on another to lead the visiting Redskins to the non-league win. It was Alexis putting the ‘Skins on the scoreboard when she turned a Christen Pennington pass into a goal at the 18:44 mark, and she tacked on a second goal late in the half, this time using an assist from Mia Sexton.
Early in the second half, Pennington found the back of the cage for the 3-0 final, benefitting from an Alexis assist.
Neshaminy (8-0, 6-0 SOL) will travel to Harry S Truman Friday.
Neshaminy 2-1 3
Perkiomen Valley 0-0 0
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