Check out the recaps for SOL field hockey teams in action Thursday. CR South/Neshaminy photos provided courtesy of John Gleeson. Check back for a gallery of photos.
SOL National
COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 2, NESHAMINY 1
The Golden Hawks – on the heels of a heartbreaking loss to Wissahickon with no time left on the clock in overtime in their season opener Friday – came up with a huge bounce-back win, edging the defending Patriot Division champion Redskins.
“It was a tough pill to swallow Friday,” first-year Rock South coach Colette Paprocki said. “We just tried to tell them to keep staying positive. For it being our first game, we came out strong and we did play well. We didn’t get the win, but we didn’t want that to set the tone for the whole season.
“I was definitely very pleased to see them come out strong against Neshaminy, a league game, and it’s always a tough game. Neshaminy played very well. They were really banging on our door in the fourth. It was a tough battle to the end as it always is when we play Neshaminy. They’re a great team.”
With seven minutes remaining in the first quarter, Annagrace McKinney put the Golden Hawks on the scoreboard.
“She was down and ready on the post, and the pass came from Kylee Hager,” Paprocki said.
The Golden Hawks took that 1-0 lead into halftime. Hager – whose goal and assist led the Hawks – scored during corner play with a Kerry Kaufman assist with 4:44 remaining in the third quarter to give the Hawks a 2-0 advantage. The assist was the 100th career point for the senior captain.
“Kerry has been an amazing captain this season, especially with the transition of coaches and everything – she’s been amazing and just really steady, keeping everybody going all summer long through workouts,” Paprocki said. “She’s just really stepping up everywhere that we need her to, and that’s just off the field. On the field, she leads by example and really gets our team going. She’s one of those players that – when the ball gets on her stick – ignites everyone around her.”
Neshaminy cut the Hawks’ lead in half with 8:46 remaining in regulation when Ava Arbakov scored with an assist from Kasey Rieger, but that’s as close as the Redskins would get.
“Opening up with South today really showed us what we need to work on,” Neshaminy coach Jamie Pinto said. “They came out strong and fast – they worked hard the whole game.
“Taking positives away from the loss – we did step up in the fourth quarter. We can play, we just need to play the whole game.”
The Redskins’ coach gave props to several players.
“Avery McGinty played solid on defense, and Ava Arbakov hustled throughout the game,” Pinto said. “We will continue to work hard at practice and learn from today’s game.”
The Golden Hawks held an advantage in shots (11-8) and corners (13-6).
Megan Rafter and Clare Neville were each credited with a defensive save for the Hawks.
“Megan Rafter had a lot of really good balls that she played out of the back, which really helped us work some things up the sideline and really generate a lot of offense for us,” Paprocki said. “Kylee Hager is just a spark on the line for us.
“I was proud of the way the team came out today and played hard through the entire game. I was happy with the way the girls stayed composed to play their game and really started to connect passing to generate offensive opportunities. It was a full team effort.”
Council Rock South (1-1, 1-0 SOL) will face Council Rock North in a rivalry game on Monday at 3:30 p.m., and Neshaminy (0-1) will host Pennsbury on Tuesday.
Neshaminy 0-0-0-1 1
Council Rock South 1-0-1-0 2
PENNSBURY 2, BENSALEM 0
(Article submitted by Pennsbury field hockey)
The Pennsbury Falcons opened their 2021 season at home against the Bensalem Owls. With the sideline filled with friends and family, the PHS players and coaches came into the game with grateful hearts and a fire in their bellies. The first half of the game was a high energy battle with the orange and black having numerous opportunities to score, but they just could not finish. The Owls had strong block tackles and filled their defensive end with players, making it difficult for Pennsbury to crack the code.
It was not until the third quarter when forward, Meg McClure used her magic to create offense – McClure passed into the circle to Chelsea Todd, Todd put the ball on goal, and Liz Jordan finished it off for the first score of the game. It was as if Pennsbury broke the seal on the bottle of first game jitters, and the Falcons were finally ready to calm down and connect. McClure added another goal in the final quarter on a cross from Jaclyn Gorgo putting them up 2-0 and the score would stay that way until the final buzzer.
Falcons coaches are happy to start with a win but feel that there is far more potential in this group as a whole than was demonstrated today. Pennsbury dominated most of the game but needs to take it to the next level – make faster adjustments and finish on attack. Now that game one is in the books, the team can use the 60 minutes as a series of teachable moments to carry forward and improve upon each day.
Standout performances for the Falcons included Meg McClure, Molly Murray, Olivia Graebner, Sophia Curtis, Jaclyn Gorgo, and Liz Jordan. Molly Murray’s control of the center of the field was excellent today and her connecting with Gorgo helped to create many chances throughout the game. Junior captain, Graebner and senior captain Curtis, were solid on defense, shutting down breakaways and circle play for the Owls. McClure and Jordan brought speed, strength, and smarts to the midfield and forward line. Goalie Jordan Vradenburgh despite not seeing a ton of action, directed in the circle and was consistently vocal to her defense using her vital leadership from the cage to help the Falcons succeed.
Pennsbury (1-0 SOL) travels to Hatboro Horsham on Friday for a non-league battle, and Bensalem (0-1) will host Harry S Truman on Tuesday.
Pennsbury 0-0-1-1 2
Bensalem 0-0-0-0 0
COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 9, HARRY S TRUMAN 0
Nine players contributed to the scoring for the visiting Indians in Thursday’s SOL opener. Charlotte Ondria – the lone player with multiple goals – had a pair of goals. Brenna Schoenfeld had a hand in three goals, contributing a goal and assisting on two others. Megan Moriarty and Julia Ondria both added a goal and an assist while Brynne Bogle, Riley Clark, Paige Matthews and Taylor Dahms each had one goal. Megan Reichenbach chipped in an assist.
Truman goalie Christina Gregory drew high praise from Rock North coach Heather Whalin, who knows something about the position as a former goalie herself.
“Truman’s goalie was outstanding today, making unbelievable saves – one spectacular split save – and anchoring the defense with 17 saves,” the Indians’ coach said.
Council Rock North (1-1, 1-0 SOL) will host Council Rock South on Tuesday, and Harry S Truman (0-1) will travel to Bensalem on Tuesday.
SOL Colonial
SOUDERTON 3, CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 2
The Indians erupted for a pair of goals in a two-minute span early in the second period, but the Titans rallied to even the score early in the fourth period. Midway through the final frame, Ava Jones connected on her second goal of the game – this one with an assist from Lauren Kenah to give the Indians a lead they would not lose.
“We were definitely glad to get a win,” Souderton coach Sue Casciato said. “We’re still experimenting with the lineup, but we really struggled last year against South, so it was nice to come out on top today.”
The win came on the heels of a disappointing 2-1 loss to Methacton on Tuesday.
“Methacton was a good team,” Casciato said. “I watched the film of the game in its entirety, and we were right with them the whole time.”
The Indians got on the scoreboard early in the second quarter when Jones connected with a Lauren Frye assist. Ninety-one seconds later Reiley Knize found the cage, using a Kenah assist.
“At the start of the second period, we said, ‘Two-touch passing, stop dribbling,’ and that worked really well while we stuck with that for one period,” Casciato said.
The Indians’ adjustment was not lost on their opponent.
“They play a small ball game with quick, quick passing – they were doing a really good job with that, so now it’s harder to defend,” CB South coach Pat Toner said.
The Titans cut made it a 2-1 game with 6:56 remaining in the first half when Julia Cooper turned an Anna Shirley pass into a goal. It was still a one-goal game heading into the final quarter, and four minutes in, the Titans evened the score when Erin Smith scored during corner play with a Cooper assist. Three minutes later, Jones scored a goal that turned out to be the game-winner.
“The second half was back and forth,” Casciato said. “They had quite a few corners at one point.
“They’re always a good passing team just because she (Toner) is such a good coach. She gets a lot of mileage, no matter who she has out there.”
The Indians coach lauded the play of several defenders – sweeper Ashley Paturzo and center back Lauren Frye.
“They’ve been really solid the first couple weeks of the season,” Casciato said.
Both teams had eight corners, and the Titans held a 13-10 advantage in shots.
“We struggled to gain control of the game, but this is their third game and this is our first, so we really are not connecting yet,” Toner said. “We’re trying to get it together and see where to put people in what positions.
“We have some things to work on, but I am pleased we fought back from a 0-2 deficit against a strong Souderton team. We chipped away, and we almost scored a third one.”
The Titans’ coach credited the strong play of several players.
“Grace Haag, Julia Cooper and Bella Schute had excellent games today,” Toner said. “Congrats to both teams on a hard fought game.”
Souderton (2-1, 1-0 SOL) will host Central Bucks East on Tuesday, and Central Bucks South (0-1) will be on the road at Central Bucks West on Monday (7 p.m.).
Souderton 0-2-0-1 3
Central Bucks South 0-1-0-1 2
NORTH PENN 10, CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 2
The Knights officially served notice that they are a team to be reckoned with. On the heels of an impressive non-league win over Methacton, the visiting Knights – led by the four-goal, one-assist effort of Madison Waldspurger – erupted for seven goals in the middle two periods combined to earn a rout of the Bucks.
“Honestly, we took a hold of the game in those middle quarters,” coach Shannon McCracken said of her team’s offensive explosion. “Even though we had the lead the whole game, we let them dictate our play at the start of the game.
“We settled in, made better cuts, and passing decisions and won more balls in the midfield and then had an urgency when we went to goal. Maddie Waldspurger and Bay Detweiler really controlled the midfield play and distributed the ball well and we were very productive on our offensive corners.”
The game was actually close for a while. The Knights went on top 2-0 at the end of one quarter after back-to-back goals by Waldspurger (Kerry O’Donnell assist) and Bay Detweiler in a 65-second span only to watch the Bucks cut that lead in half when Lily Cosner (Calista Boos assist) found the cage early in the second quarter. Waldspurger scored an unassisted goal just over a minute later, marking the beginning of an explosive 8-0 tear by the Knights.
Cat McGeehan (Waldspurger assist) and Ella Sanfelice (Kerry O’Donnell assist) each scored a goal to send the Knights into halftime with a 5-1 advantage. Fifteen minutes later, that lead had ballooned to 9-1, thanks to third quarter goals by Waldspurger, Grace McGeehan (Riley O’Donnell assist), Aditi Shah (Detweiler assist) and Caleigh Sperling.
Waldspurger closed out a dazzling performance with an unassisted goal in the fourth quarter. Carley Briece broke the Knights’ tear with a late goal to close out the scoring.
The Knights held a 26-8 advantage in shots and just a 9-8 edge in corners. North Penn goalie Kiera Holt was credited with six saves.
North Penn (2-0, 1-0 SOL) will travel to Pennridge on Tuesday, and Central Bucks West (0-1) will host Central Bucks South on Monday at 7 p.m.
North Penn 2-3-4-1 10
Central Bucks West 0-1-0-1 2
SOL Liberty
WISSAHICKON 8, HATBORO-HORSHAM 0
Senior Brynne Miller scored a goal and assisted on three others while teammate Riley Ball connected for a hat trick to lead an explosive Trojan offense in Thursday’s shutout win.
Kendall Crowley (Miller assist) scored the only goal of the first quarter and then added her second goal 18 seconds into the second quarter, this one also with a Miller assist. Ball scored her first goal with four minutes remaining in the half, using a Julia Schools assist. Caroline Kirkpatrick’s goal (Kayla Pak assist) with four seconds remaining in the half sent the Trojans into halftime with a commanding 4-0 lead.
Back-to-back goals by Ball in a span of less than two minutes early in the third quarter upped the Trojans’ lead to 6-0. Miller assisted on the first and Kate Lovensheimer assisted on the second. A goal by Audrey Walsh (Ella Hummel assist) gave the Knights a 7-0 advantage heading into the fourth quarter. Miller scored the only goal of the final frame, using an Avery Mullin assist.
Hatboro-Horsham goalie Raven Hiller was credited with 29 saves in a standout effort.
Wissahickon (2-0, 1-0 SOL) will be on the road at Abington on Tuesday, and Hatboro-Horsham (0-1) will host Pennsbury in a non-league game Friday.
Hatboro-Horsham 0-0-0-0 0
Wissahickon 1-3-3-1 8
PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 1, QUAKERTOWN 0
The Panthers gave the defending Liberty Division champion Colonials all they could handle. Hailey Copestick scored an unassisted first-half goal, but neither team scored the rest of the way.
“It was a great effort from all the players,” first-year PW coach Jessica Randazzo said. “With a young team, it was a great first appearance, and we are excited to get back out today.”
Quakertown coach Kate Kemp was equally pleased with her team’s performance.
“Plymouth Whitemarsh is an extremely talented, well-coached team,” the Panthers’ coach said. “We went into this contest with a game plan, and our girls executed it very well.
“Kylie Lerch stepped up big in goal, especially in the fourth quarter when she saved a PW stroke. I’m extremely proud of the way our girls played today.”
Lerch was credited with five saves in goal.
The Colonials held a 5-4 advantage in corners. Rosalie Montemayor was credited with six saves in goal for PW, and Carly McGee was credited with a defensive save.
Plymouth Whitemarsh (1-0 SOL) will host Council Rock North in a non-league game on Friday, and Quakertown (0-2, 0-1) will host Upper Dublin on Tuesday.
SOL Freedom
NEW HOPE-SOLEBURY 1, SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP 0
In a rematch of last year’s District One 1A championship, it was the defending district champion Lions using a successful Kat Thistelwaite penalty stroke to eke out the win over the visiting Spartans. The Lions were awarded a penalty stroke during corner play. Neither team scored the rest of the way.
“It was back and forth,” NHS coach Gwen Smith said of the game’s flow. “It was a nice start to the season.”
Smith lauded the strong play of her defense comprised of Thistlewaite, Jess Kinker, Laura Genovay, Sophia Cozza, Mia Gomolinski and goalie Lydia Eastburn.
The Lions held a slight edge in shots (3-2) and corners (8-7).
“The stats show a relatively even game,” first-year Springfield Township coach Anita Stum said, lauding the solid play of goalie Erin Roy as well as Annie Coll and Emma Yoder.
New Hope-Solebury (1-0 SOL) will host Lower Moreland on Tuesday. Springfield Township (0-1) will travel to William Tennent on Tuesday.
Springfield Township 0-0-0-0 0
New Hope-Solebury 1-0-0-0 1
LOWER MORELAND 3, UPPER MORELAND 0
Liz Neeld scored a pair of goals while teammate Meredith Lutter contributed a goal and an assist to lead the Lions to a win over their neighboring rival.
“Once again, all-around strong team play was a large factor in our success,” LM coach Janet Lutter said.
Neeld put the Lions on the scoreboard, using a Lutter assist to score her first goal with five minutes remaining in the first quarter. That 1-0 lead stood until Neeld found the cage with an unassisted goal five minutes into the third quarter. Two minutes later, Lutter turned a Jess Pachman pass into a goal for a 3-0 score that stood until the final whistle.
“Sophomore midfielder Jess Pachman beautifully set up the goal by Lutter,” coach Lutter said.
LM goalie Sarah Rosala had eight saves in the shutout, and defensive back Kathleen Chen racked up five defensive saves in a stellar effort.
For the Golden Bears, Emma Hurley came up big in goal, turning away 15 shots.
“Emma Hurley had a fantastic game in goal,” UM coach Marissa Elizardo said. “She came up with some big saves and kept us in the game and got the rest of the team fired up.
“We played a good first half. We came out slow in the third quarter and gave up two quick goals. As a team, we need to work on putting together a full 60 minutes of hockey.”
The first-year UM coach credited the play of Jenna Piantieri for providing the Golden Bears with a spark on attack after making the move from defense to mid.
“We had some exciting moments on attack at the end of the game,” Elizardo said. “We are hoping to take that momentum into tomorrow’s game.”
Lower Moreland (2-0, 1-0 SOL) will host Archbishop Wood on Friday in a non-league game, and Upper Moreland (0-2, 0-1) will host Bristol in a non-league game on Friday.
Upper Moreland 0-0-0-0 0
Lower Moreland 1-0-2-0 3
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