Check out the recaps for Friday’s SOL field hockey action. CB West/North Penn photos courtesy of Keith Clemens Photography. Check back for a gallery of photos. CLICK HERE to go directly to the FIELD HOCKEY GALLERIES.
National Conference
PENNSBURY 6, ABINGTON 3
(Submitted article)
If Abington's win over Council Rock South earlier in the week didn't get the Pennsbury field hockey team's attention, then Natalie McNamara's goal less than five minutes into the game certainly did.
"Abington was really fired up," Pennsbury coach Jamie Parell said. "They were fired up coming into the game, and then when they scored, I was like 'hello everybody.' "
Parell's team got the message. Samie Hackman had two goals and two assists to lead the Falcons, who responded with a big 6-3 win Friday afternoon. The victory left Pennsbury at 2-0 in the Suburban One National League, while Abington lost for the first time, falling to 3-1 overall and 1-1 in the league.
"That was a very good win for us," Parell said. "Abington is a very good, very dangerous team. We did a great job getting our offense going after the early goal."
It took Pennsbury 48 seconds after McNamara's goal to even things up. Annie Price sent the ball into the circle off a restart, where Nell Webber tipped it to Hackman, who backhanded in her first of the day. Webber then put Pennsbury up for good with a backhand goal of her own six minutes later, and Price built it to 3-1 when she scored with 14:09 gone in the half, prompting an Abington timeout.
McNamara got one back with 2:29 left in the half, but any momentum the Ghosts had was lost on Hackman's second goal just 29 seconds after intermission. Hackman would then assist on goals by Olivia Mauro and Kate Chesney as Pennsbury pulled away.
Mackenzie Greiner, who had 22 saves in the shutout win over CR South, made 13 more against the Falcons, who outshot Abington 28-12. Michelle Deodati made six saves for the Falcons.
Pennsbury (2-1, 2-0 SOL) will travel to Neshaminy on Wednesday for a key conference game, and Abington (3-1, 1-1) will host Neshaminy on Monday.
Abington 1-2 3
Pennsbury 3-3 6
COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 3, COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 1
The Golden Hawks rebounded from Wednesday’s 1-0 setback at Abington to earn a win in Friday’s battle between the sister schools.
“We really struggled,” Rock South coach Lisa Belz said. “The kids started school this week, and I always think they’re exhausted the first week they start school, and we had three games – Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday.
“Overall, it was just a little overwhelming and hard to adjust. We were very tired today. We had a hard time getting into the groove today too. Finishing in the circle is something we’ll definitely be working on, making sure we can get around a goalie. Abington’s goalie did awesome. She came out pretty far, and we didn’t adjust to that.”
Mikayla VanAken broke a scoreless tie when she connected on a penalty stroke with two minutes remaining in the first half to send the Hawks into halftime with a 1-0 lead. Nine minutes into the second half, Caitlyn Thornton turned a Tori Wright pass into a goal, but the Indians cut that lead in half when Celie Burke found the cage with 13:29 remaining. Two minutes later, Shannon Lind scored with an assist from Bridget Doherty for the 3-1 final.
“We weren’t really connecting and doing things at the level of intensity we wanted, but I didn’t see the girls give up or show as much frustration as they did against Abington,” Belz said. “I was happy about that.
“I just think we needed to bounce back from the two losses that we have.”
The Golden Hawks’ coach acknowledged the strong play of several varsity newcomers, including junior Bridget Doherty.
“She has no varsity experience at all, and she started,” Belz said. “Our goalie, Aspen Handel, is a junior. She was our backup last year, but she didn’t get much time. She’s outstanding. She’s stepped up big time.”
Two-year captains VanAken and Wright have also stepped up.
“They have been really setting the tone out there, creating a lot of opportunities,” Belz said.
Council Rock South (2-2, 1-1 SOL) will host Harry S Truman on Monday, and Council Rock North (1-1) will travel to Emmaus on Saturday.
Council Rock North 0-1 1
Council Rock South 1-2 3
NESHAMINY 10, BENSALEM 0
Peyton Ritchey had a hand in eight straight goals in a monster offensive performance, connecting for the hat trick and contributing assists on five others. It was Ritchey setting up goals by Liana Jones and Abby Geisler to spot the ‘Skins a 2-0 lead three minutes into the contest. Ritchey sandwiched a pair of unassisted goals around the second goals for both Geisler and Jones to send the Redskins into halftime with a 6-0 lead.
Jones wrapped up a hat trick of her own – once again scoring with a Ritchey assist – at the 20:31 mark of the second half. Ritchey wrapped up a dazzling offensive day with an unassisted goal. Kiley Gurysh (Anna Skrot assist) and Skrot each scored a goal to close out the contest.
Neshaminy (2-1, 1-0 SOL) will be on the road at Abington on Monday, and Bensalem (1-3, 0-2) will host Council Rock North on Monday.
Neshaminy 6-4 10
Bensalem 0-0 0
Continental Conference
NORTH PENN 3, CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 2
The schedule makers have not been especially kind to the Knights this season. North Penn opened its season against a Methacton squad that last year advanced to the District One AAA semifinals, and that was followed with a road trip to defending conference champion Central Bucks East. Waiting in the wings was defending district runner-up Central Bucks West, and after back-to-back losses, the Knights came away with an impressive win.
“It was a big win,” Knights’ coach Shannon McCracken said. “We had very challenging first two games, so it was really important to come out strong today and play against another really great team and get a real good win for us.
“Today was just putting together a full game effort, playing a full 60 minutes, coming out with intensity, setting the tone and attacking the ball a little bit better. We won a lot of the 50-50 balls, and the defense really jelled today and played really strong. We’re an inexperienced defense, but defense was key to holding off CB West’s strong attack. They just played really well today because West has a great offensive corner team, and they have some real threats on their attack line, but our defense played really strong today.”
All three of the North Penn defensive backs – Rachel Fisher, Lauryn Fahey and Meghan Daniels – are new as is goalkeeper Anissa Gardizy.
“Lauryn Fahey just got moved to center back, and Lauryn along with our defensive center mid Erica Kelly did a nice job of holding off Taylor Mason today,” McCracken said.
Gardizy was credited with 14 saves in an impressive outing.
“Kudos to the North Penn goalie who made some great saves to keep North Penn on top,” West coach Courtney Lepping said.
Fisher was credited with a pair of defensive saves while Daniels and Megan Albert each had one defensive save.
Mason put the Bucks on the board first at the 22:30 mark of the opening half when she connected on an unassisted goal, but the Knights had an answer. Morgan Rees scored the equalizer with an assist from Mikayla Barrow during corner play, sending the teams into halftime deadlocked 1-1.
Thirty-three seconds into the second half, Emily Crawford scored, using a Bri O’Donnell assist, and the Knights had a lead they would not lose. That 2-1 score stood until 6:37 remained in regulation when Barrow scored an unassisted goal to put the Knights on top 3-1. Casey Reichwein (Olivia Fitzgerald assist) connected during corner play with 1:42 remaining to make it a one-goal game.
“North Penn put what seemed like the nail in the coffin with 6:37 remaining to go up 3-1,” Lepping said. “But the last 5:30 belonged to West as they mounted attack after attack at the North Penn defense.
“With just under a minute, West had their best chance to tie with a ball going just outside the left post and a reaching West forward.”
The Bucks’ coach credited senior goalie Peyton Fischer for her strong play.
“Peyton Fischer played well, stopping several North Penn breakaways that could have put the game out of reach,” Lepping said. “It was an exciting and well played game on both ends.”
North Penn (1-2, 1-1 SOL) will travel to Downingtown West on Saturday for a 10 a.m. game, and Central Bucks West will host Central Bucks South on Monday.
Central Bucks West 1-1 2
North Penn 1-2 3
CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 3, SOUDERTON 1
The visiting Indians took a 1-0 lead nine minutes into the game only to watch the defending conference champions reel off three unanswered goals to earn their fourth win without a loss.
Randi Hess spotted the Indians the early lead when she scored during corner play on a scramble in front of the cage, using assists from Courtney Kenah and Jenna Hunsicker. Three minutes later, the Patriots evened the score when sophomore Emma Donnelly scored on a rebound off the goalie’s pads, and they took a lead they would not lose when freshman Phia Mannino scored her first career goal with an assist from Cailey Lever. Emma Donnelly closed out the scoring with her second goal, this one with a cross ball from sister Riley Donnelly.
East coach Michelle Finegan lauded the efforts of several players.
“Defensively, Isobel Mannino was outstanding,” the Patriots’ coach said. “Riley Donnelly also helped (us) with a defensive save.”
Both teams had 10 corners, but the Patriots held a 22-13 advantage in shots. Souderton goalie Jordan Michalak was credited with nine saves.
Central Bucks East (4-0, 2-0 SOL) will host Methacton on Saturday at 2 p.m., and Souderton (1-2, 0-2) will host Pennsbury in a non-league game on Monday.
Souderton 1-0 1
Central Bucks East 2-1 3
American Conference
UPPER MORELAND 6, HATBORO-HORSHAM 2
After getting outscored 13-0 in their first two games, the Golden Bears’ offense came to life, exploding for six goals and the important win.“I'm very proud of how my girls played today,” coach Karen Grossi said. “We came off of two very lop-sided games, two very big losses, but the girls didn't let that get them down.
They came out with intensity and purpose. For the first time this season, the girls played together as a team. They cut onto the ball and they used their dodges. Although they got tired during the second half, they never gave up and did their best to keep up their intensity.”
The two teams exchanged goals in the early going. Claudia Zanine turned a pass from Jess Flanagan into a goal at the 23:54 mark, and two minutes later, the Hatters got that goal back when Paige Mullen hit paydirt, using a Lizzy Theurer assist. Phoebe Longstreth (Moira Olexa) broke the tie with a goal at the 16:36 mark, opening the floodgates for four straight UM goals to close out the half.
Jess Flangan put her name in the scoring column when she connected on an unassisted goal midway through the half, and then it was Longstreth (Flanagan/Zanine assists) finding the cage. Another Flanagan goal – this one unassisted – sent the Bears into halftime with a 5-1 lead.
The two teams exchanged goals in the second half. Paige Mullen scored an unassisted goal for the Hatters, and Zanine (Flanagan assist) answered for the Bears.
“Every girl on the field played one of their best games,” Grossi said. “Defender Cassidy Hirsch did a terrific job intercepting passes and stopping her attacker.
“Midfielders Moira Olexa and Madison Casey did an excellent job transitioning the ball onto attack, getting the ball into the offensive circle, and keeping the ball in the attacking end. Forwards Claudia Zanine, Jess Flanagan, and Phoebe Longstreth got themselves open, passed well between themselves, and got their stick on the ball at the right times and places.”
UM goalie Cassidy Murphy recorded five saves in a winning effort while Liz Wilburn had another big game for the Hatters, turning away 20 shots.
Upper Moreland (1-2, 1-1 SOL) will be on the road at Cheltenham, and Hatboro-Horsham (0-3, 0-2) will travel to Quakertown.
Hatboro-Horsham 1-1 2
Upper Moreland 5-1 6
PLYMOUTH WHITEMARH 1, WISSAHICKON 0
Julia Fiddler scored the game’s only goal with 2:42 remaining in the first half, using a pass from Sophie Kolkka.
“I thought we played a strong first half and put a lot of pressure on Wissahickon to keep the ball in our offensive end,” PW coach Charise Halteman said. “Our team was disappointed with our second half performance as we didn’t keep possession or capitalize on our 11 second half corners.”
The Colonials’ coach lauded the strong play of senior goalie Katherine Houghton, who was credited with four saves.
“She played a great game, staying composed under pressure to earn her second shutout this week,” Halteman said.
Plymouth Whitemarsh (2-0 SOL) will host Springfield Township on Monday, and Wissahickon (1-1) will travel to Upper Dublin.
Plymouth Whitemarsh 1-0 1
Wissahickon 0-0 0
UPPER DUBLIN 5, QUAKERTOWN 0
Allie Rock connected for a hat trick to lead the Cardinals to the decisive win.
Maddie Templeton put the Cards on the scoreboard midway through the first half, using an assist from Molly Lunney. A goal by Rock (Emma Mead assist) sent the Cardinals into halftime with a 2-0 lead.
Rock found the cage for her second goal, this one with a Lunney assist, and then it was Lauren Green turning Templeton pass into a goal. Rock completed the hat trick with 12:55 remaining, using an assist from Mead.
The Cardinals held a decided advantage in shots (24-2) and corners (10-1).
Meghan Muth and Sarah Herchenroder combined for the shutout in goal. Quakertown goalie Catelyn Lashaw had 16 saves.
Upper Dublin (3-0, 2-0 SOL) will host Wissahickon on Monday, and Quakertown (0-3, 0-2) will host Hatboro-Horsham on Monday.
Quakertown 0-0 0
Upper Dublin 2-3 5
SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP 10, CHELTENHAM 0
The Spartans exploded for six first-half goals on their way to the lopsided win. Ellie Hamilton scored a pair of goals and assisted on two others while Charlotte DeKerillis had two goals and an assist. Adding single goals were Kyra Haugh, Ella Marino, Maddy Yoder, Anya Kochanowicz, Mia Dougherty and Abigail Smith. Kochanowicz also added an assist. Hannah Grothusen contributed a pair of assists, and Kalen Loscalzo had an assist.
Springfield Township (2-0 SOL) will be on the road at Plymouth Whitemarsh on Monday, and Cheltenham (0-3, 0-2) will host Upper Moreland on Monday.
Springfield Township 6-4 10
Cheltenham 0-0 0
Non-league
WILLIAM TENNENT 3, HARRY S TRUMAN 0
The Panthers received single goals from sophomore Karly Adkins as well as juniors Jenna Cragin and Samantha McDonald to earn their first win of the young season on Friday.
William Tennent (1-2, 0-1 SOL) will be on the road at North Penn on Monday, and Harry S. Truman (0-2, 0-1) will travel to Council Rock South on Monday.
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