Check out the recaps for SOL field hockey teams in action Wednesday. (Photos courtesy of CB South field hockey.)
SOL American Conference
PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 5, WISSAHICKON 1
The Colonials have owned the SOL American Conference. Six straight conference titles speak for themselves.
If Wednesday’s conference opener is any indication, the Colonials have no interest in relinquishing their conference stronghold anytime soon. Kaleigh Missimer put the Colonials on the board at the 27:39 mark, and three minutes later, Ava Borkowski found the cage.
“It really set the tone,” Borkowski said. “We always try and go out strong in the first five (minutes), and we did a great job with that.”
For good measure, Borkowski (Missimer assist) connected on her second goal to spot the Colonials a 3-0 lead just over 10 minutes into the game.
“That’s PW field hockey, right there,” senior co-captain Livia Truong said. “Our forwards are amazing. We came into this thinking it was going to be a very close game.
“Kaleigh Missimer scoring a goal in the first three minutes – that was absolutely so relieving, and when we got the momentum up, that really boosted the whole team’s momentum, and that carried us through the game.”
When the Colonials weren’t scoring, they were making sure the Trojans weren’t either.
“I don’t know if it’s delineated as their center back, but the person who was at the top of the circle has a really nice block tackle,” Wissahickon assistant coach Shelley Uthgennant said of Truong, PW’s center back. “She has very sturdy and quick feet, and she was able to stop us at the top a lot with really clean blocks, which is not always the case in high school.
“Also, they backed each other up. They tended to play person on ball and person behind ball pretty well, so you would beat one and someone else was there, so their defensive style was a bit different.”
The Colonials, who took that 3-0 lead into halftime, added a pair of goals in the second half. Borkowski wrapped up her hat trick with a goal five minutes into the half, and sophomore Hailey Copestick got a piece of the action when she scored midway through the half, putting the Colonials on top 5-0.
If the Colonials appeared to be playing with confidence, they were.
“I always feel really comfortable when I pass the ball up – I know they’re going to do a great job up there,” said senior midfielder Kayla Link, a co-captain. “We have a lot of strong attackers.
“Our coach always emphasizes that the first five minutes of the game we need to be super intense so we can set the tone. I felt that was really helpful for us.”
The Trojans broke up PW’s shutout bid when Sophia Havrilla turned a pass from Kate Lovensheimer into a goal with just under seven minutes remaining.
In the end, the story of this one was PW’s early three-goal explosion. The Trojans settled in after that but never could put a dent in the Colonials’ lead.
“In the first 10 minutes, we were playing incredibly nervous, and we were not putting pressure on the ball,” Uthgennant said. “We were just letting PW dribble down and shoot. It was like a totally foreign team to me. As much as I don’t like to say that – I’ve never seen our defense play scared and we played scared. I’m very used to our defense playing with extreme confidence so even I was taken aback. That’s why I called a timeout. Once we readjusted, they turned it around and it looked much more even.”
Coach Charise Halteman acknowledged that her team’s strong start was key.
“Especially because at the end of the game I thought we looked a little tired, so having that buffer was really important,” she said. “I think it allowed some of our players to at least remain calm and composed later on even though I don’t think the end of our game was our best hockey.”
The Colonials’ coach lauded the play of several of the game’s unsung heroes.
“Liv Truong, our center back, doesn’t necessarily look intimidating, but she’s aggressive, she’s competitive, she has a fire in her, and she knows how to read the play,” Halteman said. “She’s got a great reach, so she knows how to slow them down and keep them in front.
“I also thought our left back, Kayla (Link) just did a really nice job of positioning and being aware of what was happening on the backdoor. I thought the two of them worked well together to keep things out of the circle for the most part.”
Plymouth Whitemarsh (1-0 SOL) will host Springfield Township on Friday, and Wissahickon (0-1) will travel to Hatboro-Horsham Friday.
Plymouth Whitemarsh 3-2 5
Wissahickon 0-1 1
HATBORO-HORSHAM 2, UPPER DUBLIN 0
It was a bounce-back win for the Hatters, who had fallen to Souderton 5-1 less than 24 hours earlier. The win was the first under coach Dipi Bhaya, who took over the helm this season after a coaching stint at Harry S Truman.
“The bottom line is they’re great kids, and they’re learning a whole new style of play and trying to bring their game up to the next level and be much more competitive,” the Hatters’ first-year coach said. “They just played their first game last night against Souderton. It was a night game, it was their home opener, and we’re still learning positions and things like that.
“So it was just really good to come out the next day, have back-to-back games and come out with the win.”
The Hatters scored a goal in each half and their defense did the rest as they notched their program’s first win over the Flying Cardinals since they entered the American Conference three years ago.
“That was huge for them,” Bhaya said. “I didn’t know, but they said, ‘We haven’t beaten them in years,’ so that was exciting for them.”
Wednesday’s win featured contributions from both veterans and rookies. Senior Jada Mills scored with an assist from senior Sorrell Long during corner play with 5:35 remaining in the first half, spotting the Hatters a 1-0 lead in the opening half.
In the second half, sophomore Abby Roesing turned a pass from freshman Maddie Gregory into a goal and the 2-0 final.
“We’re just excited about the kids that are here and are working to understand the game better,” Bhaya said. “It’s a very highly respected and competitive league. We’re really just trying to take one game at a time.
“I was just really pleased with the girls that scored the goals, but also, the defense had five goals scored against us last night and we had a shutout today. That came from our defensive unit and our goalie too. They didn’t get a lot of shots on us, but the defense did a good job of trying to stop the play higher up on the field.
“Upper Dublin is well respected, they’re down the road from us, and I think they felt really good about it. I was happy for them. It’s a tough league, and it’s going to take a lot of work for us to get up there with the higher teams. I was sad to leave Truman, but I’m also excited to work with Hatboro-Horsham. It’s going to be a learning year, and hopefully, we’ll keep moving in the right direction.”
Hatter goalie Morgan Kirby was forced to make just one save in the shutout win. Jada Mills was credited with a defensive save.
For the Flying Cardinals, Rhianna Gonzales was credited with four saves in goal.
The Hatters held an edge in shots (5-1) and corners (4-3).
Hatboro-Horsham (1-1, 1-0 SOL)
Hatboro-Horsham 1-1 2
Upper Dublin 0-0 0
SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP 4, ABINGTON 1
The Spartans roared out of the gate to a 3-0 halftime lead and never looked back on their way to the convincing win in Wednesday’s season opener.
“It was a solid performance from the entire team,” coach Linda Nixon said. “The defense needs some organization and time to rebuild after losing Annie Ryan and Gracie Woron from last year.
“As the defense gains experience, they will only improve and work out the kinks. Overall, it was a great job and a solid team effort.”
Ella Marino scored a goal with a Brigid Roy assist just under seven minutes into the game. That 1-0 lead stood until Anya Kochanowicz found the cage with 6:27 remaining in the half. Three minutes later, Marino connected for her second goal, this time using assists from Maddie Yoder and Charlotte Henry.
Marino completed her hat trick with a goal in the second half. Madison Jenkins put the Ghosts on the board, connecting on an unassisted goal.
Springfield (1-0 SOL) will travel to Plymouth Whitemarsh on Friday, and Abington (0-2, 0-1) will host Upper Dublin on Tuesday.
Abington 0-1 1
Springfield Township 3-1 4
UPPER MORELAND 4, CHELTENHAM 0
The Golden Bears scored a pair of goals in each half on their way to the shutout win over the visiting Panthers.
Bryanna Gordon scored the only goal UM would need when she found the cage at the 20:34 mark of the first half, using an assist from Moira Olexa. Meredith Marsteller’s unassisted goal with four minutes remaining in the half gave the Golden Bears a 2-0 lead. Gordon connected for her second goal 55 seconds into the second half – this one was unassisted. Mallory Seider turned a Taylor Boone pass into a goal for the 4-0 final.
UM goalie Isabella Guarenghi was not forced to make a save in the shutout win. Cheltenham’s goalie was credited with 10 saves.
Upper Moreland (2-1, 1-0 SOL) will host Hatboro-Horsham on Tuesday, and Cheltenham (0-1) will host Upper Dublin on Friday.
Cheltenham 0-0 0
Upper Moreland 2-2 4
SOL Continental Conference
SOUDERTON 4, NORTH PENN 0
Anna Gwiazdzinski and Courtney Kenah form a formidable duo. Through just three games, the senior standouts have combined for 11 goals and nine assists. When they aren’t scoring, they’re assisting, but they know their team’s success depends on a whole lot more than just their ability to score goals.
“We have to continue to work as a team,” Kenah said. “As soon as we start to go individual, that’s when things go downhill.
“As soon as we start passing, making connections, it looks pretty, and that’s when we score goals. That’s going to be most effective against the best teams.”
Gwiazdzinski, an Indiana University commit, and Kenah, committed to the University of Pennsylvania, recognize their roles have changed on an Indian squad that lost six key starters from last year’s successful team.
“I think we both have had to step up into that leadership role a bit more,” Gwiazdzinski said. “We’re doing what we can do to help the younger ones. Our team depends on us, and when we get going, they follow us and step up their play. Even if one of us has an off day, the team is there to support us.”
“Our team is so new,” Kenah said. “I feel like it’s a brand new team, so when we play as a team, it’s better because there’s no room for individual play.
“We were good last year, and that was so much fun. I think the pressure is on – it’s our senior year, and I want it to be that fun again. Winning will make it fun.”
The Indians had a lot of fun at the Knights’ expense on Wednesday, opening up a 3-0 halftime lead and adding a single goal in the second half.
Gwiazdzinski (Kenah assist) put the Indians on the board at the 17:49 mark. Just over a minute later, Kenah turned a pass from her sister, Lauren Kenah, into a goal and the Indians led 2-0. Gwiazdzinski capped an inspired five-minute stretch by the Indians with her second goal, this one unassisted.
Lauren Kenah got into the act in the second half, scoring from the top of the circle for a 4-0 lead. The Indians’ defense preserved the shutout.
Junior goalie Jordan Michalak anchors a Souderton defense that includes all new faces.
“Coming into the season I was scared because I knew my defense was new, and none of them had any varsity experience,” she said. “Taylor (Weaver) has never played defense in her entire life – she’s a mid, but my two freshmen – Lauren Frye and Ange Borisow – have been playing forever. They’ve been playing together since they were younger, and I’m just so thankful that they know how to play together.”
The junior goalie turned away nine shots in a strong outing, including a stop of a North Penn breakaway late in the game. She admits she wanted the shutout.
“This is my third year playing varsity, and I’ve never had a North Penn shutout, so it’s exciting,” Michalak said.
The efforts of the defense have not been lost on their teammates.
“It’s great, it really is,” Gwiazdzinski said. “They’ve improved a lot and have learned where they need to be and how to work better as a team. I think they’re only going to get better from here.”
North Penn goalie Mallory Stowell recorded 10 saves, and Linsey Gilbert was credited with a defensive save for the Knights as well.
Souderton (3-0, 1-0 SOL) will travel to Central Bucks West on Friday, and North Penn (0-2, 0-1) will host Wissahickon in a non-league game on Saturday at 10 a.m.
North Penn 0-0 0
Souderton 3-1 4
CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 5, CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 0
Phia Mannino scored two goals and assisted on a pair to lead the Patriots to the big win over their sister school in Wednesday’s SOL opener.
Just over six minutes into the game, Mackenzie Lever put the Patriots on the board, using an assist from Sophia Parker.
“It was one of the most beautiful aerials I’ve seen – perfectly placed right in the corner and hit the baseboard,” coach Meghann Spratt said.
Mannino sent a crossing pass from the right side that Parker turned into a goal, and when Mannino scored in the field of play with a Lever assist at the 11:13 mark, the Patriots led 3-0.
Parker scored with a feed from Mannino early in the second half, Mannino closed out the scoring midway through the second half when she turned the rebound of a goalie save into a goal.
“She pulled it to her reverse and lifted it into the upper corner with her back to the cage – it was really pretty,” Spratt said. “Overall, we played a nice passing game, which we wanted to get back to and wanted to focus on.
“It was more of a complete team win. I was so happy – I had every single one of my seniors on the field to finish the game, which was great. Every single player got to play.
“(West) is very young, but they have really good sound fundamentals, and they did have some good sequences. I said to my girls, ‘It’s an East-West game. Records don’t matter, physicality doesn’t matter. It’s all about emotion.’ I’m glad we came away with a victory heading into our CB South game Saturday.”
Central Bucks East (2-1, 1-0 SOL) will travel to Central Bucks South on Saturday (2:30 p.m.), and Central Bucks West (0-2, 0-1) will host Souderton on Friday.
Central Bucks West 0-0 0
Central Bucks East 3-2 5
CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 12, QUAKERTOWN 0
Pat Toner reached yet another coaching milestone. Wednesday’s win was number 350 of a stellar coaching career for the veteran coach, and the win was the consummate team effort with 10 different players contributing to the scoring.
Lily Haag finished with a hat trick while Julia Cooper and Sophia Wasyliw both chipped in two goals and an assist. Adding one goal each were Maddie Pearce, Maddy Cooper, Anna Shirley, Sarah Cooper and Anna Gillard. Gillard also had an assist as did Erin Smith and Maddy Connell.
“Both team’s played hard,” Toner said. “While CB South saw 10 different players contribute, a well-coached Quakertown team never gave up, earning corners and playing hard until the final whistle.”
The Titans held a 33-5 advantage in shots.
South goalie Jillian Heilig was credited with five saves while Quakertown’s goalie turned away 21 shots.
Central Bucks South (2-1, 1-0 SOL) will host Central Bucks East on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. Quakertown (0-1) will be on the road at Pennridge on Thursday.
SOL National Conference
COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 4, PENNSBURY 3
The Indians opened up a 3-1 first-half lead only to watch the Falcons come roaring back to knot the score. A goal by sophomore Ali Carpentier with 5:48 remaining in regulation propelled the Indians to the hard fought win in Wednesday’s season opener.
“Ali went into the game and did exactly what she was told to do – she is so coachable,” Rock North coach Heather Whalin said of her sophomore who came off the bench to score the game-winner. “She went in at left mid. My assistant Theresa Delahanty was telling the girls – ‘You need to overlap at the top and get that shot in.’
“Ali overlapped right to the top of the left upper side of the goal. The goalie cleared it right to her, and she slammed it right back in. It was beautiful.”
Early on, there was nothing to suggest that the Indians would need Carpentier’s late-game heroics as they opened up a 3-1 lead, thanks to a pair of goals by sophomore Riley Clark and a goal and two assists by Rebecca Ripans. Sarah Scott also had an assist in the game.
Pennsbury interrupted the Indians’ run when senior Casey Glynn connected on a strong corner shot to make it a 2-1 game. With 18 seconds remaining in the first half, junior Kayli Williams scored, and it was 3-2 at the intermission.
“We dominated the whole first half, and we should have scored so much more than we did,” Whalin said.
The Falcons weren’t done yet, and junior Maddy Spratt made things real interesting when she found the cage with 23 minutes remaining, knotting the score 3-3. That score stood until Carpentier delivered the game-winner.
The Falcons, according to coach Traci Curtis, had possession on their offensive end in the closing seconds, but time ran out before they created an opportunity.
Whalin once again lauded the play of her rookies.
“My sophomores came through again – they’re killing it,” the Indians’ coach said for Bella and Ali Carpentier and Riley Clarke. “Rebecca Ripans also had a really nice game. She has really been coming through, and those sophomores are really getting it done. I’m really excited because I wasn’t planning on that. They’re gamers.”
Curtis had nothing but good things to say about her team’s performance.
“The Falcons story is being written from scratch with each passing day and is going to be a page turner,” the Falcons’ first-year coach said. “Coming off a 6-0 non-league loss to Souderton on Friday, Pennsbury proved that there will be a new chapter and they are only getting started.
“Hosting Council Rock North, the first league game, at home was a great way to set the tone for what’s ahead and the Falcons knew it would be indicative of where they stand in the mix.”
Curtis went on to laud the performances of several players.
“Everyone contributed from the goalie all the way up to the forward line,” the first-year coach said. “Defender Hannah Aker was extremely strong in the back along with Casey Glynn, Nicole Joniak, and Sammie Tosh. Goalie Keira Korzeb worked hard to guide the defense and keep the ball out of the cage.
“Contributions were made at across all grade levels – sophomores Liz Jordan and EB Rafferty made a lot happen in the midfield in addition to junior Sophia Hitchingham, and freshman Jaclyn Gorgo kept plays alive with her aggressive style and field hockey IQ. This team has heart, grit, and determination and they are only getting better. We are extremely proud of what happened out there today. They played with joy and that is what makes the story a great one.”
“They have some very skilled players,” Whalin said of the Falcons. “Number 33, Casey Glynn, played great. She played awesome. Kayli Williams was super fast – she played really well.“
Council Rock North (2-0, 1-0 SOL) will host Harry S Truman on Saturday at 10 a.m., and Pennsbury (0-2, 0-1) will host Springfield Township in a non-league game on Monday.
Council Rock North 3-1 4
Pennsbury 2-1 3
COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 9, HARRY S TRUMAN 0
Katelyn Cocco connected for a hat trick while Kerry Kaufman had a hand in four goals, finding the cage twice and assisting on two other goals.
Cocco put the Golden Hawks on the board just over three minutes into the game with an assist from Brigid Morgan. Ava Haurin followed with back-to-back goals – both with Kaufman assists, and the Hawks led 3-0 less than seven minutes into the game.
Cocco turned a pass from Kasey Knapp into a goal, and Cailey Hiscox put her name in the scoring column, finding the back of the cage using an assist from Emma Franchini. Back-to-back goals by Kaufman closed out the half, giving the Hawks a 7-0 advantage.
Cocco and Rachael Rolle both scored in the second half for the 9-0 final.
Rock South held and advantage in shots (19-0) and corners (9-0).
Council Rock South (2-1, 1-0 SOL) will host Neshaminy on Friday, and Harry S Truman (0-2, 0-1) will be on the road at Council Rock North on Saturday (10 a.m.).
Council Rock South 7-2 9
Harry S Truman 0-0 0
NESHAMINY 10, BENSALEM 0
The Redskins opened conference play with a no-doubt-about-it win over the visiting Owls. Eight different players scored goals in a win that was the definition of a team effort. Jamie Pennington and Peyton Ritchey both had a hand in four goals to lead the ‘Skins. Pennington finished with two goals and two assists, and Ritchey had one goal and three assists.
Ritchey put the Redskins on the board just over five minutes into the game, using a Sanaa Hebron assist. Hebron also set up the second goal, finding Nancy Lin for the score. Dylan Beegal’s unassisted goal put the Redskins on top 3-0. Ciara Lambon (Pennington assist) scored her first of two goals, and then it was Pennington finding the cage with an assist from Brooke Cordisco.
Brielle Ames opened the second half scoring with a goal 35 seconds into the half, benefitting from a Ritchey assist. Hebron – who contributed to three goals – found the cage, also using a Ritchey assist. Madi Neiman set up Pennington’s second goal of the game, and then it was Pennington assisting on Lambon’s second goal. Cordisco’s goal (Ritchey assist) closed out the scoring.
Neshaminy (1-2, 1-0 SOL) will take on Council Rock South on Friday at Walt Snyder Stadium, and Bensalem (0-3, 0-1) will host William Tennent on Friday.
Bensalem 0-0 0
Neshaminy 5-5 10
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