Check out the recaps for SOL girls’ lacrosse teams in action Wednesday. UM/Upper Dublin photos provided courtesy of Kathy Leister Photography. Pennsbury/CR North photos provided courtesy of John Gleeson. Check back for photo galleries of both games.
SOL American Conference
UPPER MORELAND 15, UPPER DUBLIN 11
It’s been a long time since Upper Moreland defeated Upper Dublin in lacrosse – although no one is quite sure just how long. On Thursday, it finally happened, and there was no mistaking the significance of the Golden Bears’ win over the perennial SOL power.
“Overall, this is a huge step for the girls’ lacrosse program,” UM coach Kim Frantz said. “Upper Dublin is such a great team, and they are coached incredibly well and to be able to beat a team of that caliber says a lot for our girls.
“But we have a lot more games and a lot more challenges we will face to reach our goals, and we need to keep moving forward game by game.”
According to Frantz, Thursday’s win was the first complete game by her squad this season.
“We played with a lot of maturity today and it has really shown how much we have grown since the beginning of the season,” Frantz said. “We came in with a game plan and our girls practiced hard for the last four practices preparing for this game. We came out ready to go right from the first draw.”
The Golden Bears roared out of the gate to a 5-0 lead with eight minutes remaining in the opening half. The Flying Cardinals scored back-to-back goals to pull to within two. By halftime, Upper Moreland’s lead had been trimmed to 6-4.
Upper Moreland opened up an 8-5 lead only to watch the Cardinals score three unanswered goals to knot the score. Upper Dublin took an 11-10 lead with 10 minutes remaining, but the Bears answered with a 4-0 run and then maintained possession to finish the game with a score of 15-11.
“Some main keys to our success today were players all the way from defense to offense,” Frantz said. “Sarah Pickard had another great showing in goal with 13 saves. Bryanna Gordon had a key ground ball in the final minutes to help us keep possession of the ball.”
Gordon also contributed a team-high five goals. Frantz credited Moira Olexa for turning in a great game with three goals, three assists and six draw controls.
“Cassidy Hirsch was a huge part of our success in transition and had a strong showing with three goals and two draw controls,” Frantz said. “Meghan O’Donnell was the glue to our team today both at the offensive end and in transition. She was able to light a fire when we needed it the most and was able to take control and get the ball when we needed her to.”
O’Donnell finished with two goals, three assists and one draw control.
“Emma Meakim also had a good game with two goals, one assist, and one key draw control when we really needed it,” Frantz said. “Our defense played the best we have all season with communication and footwork being the key – they really worked together.
“Cat Morrow on defense had two forced turnovers. Upper Dublin is a strong team and did a great job slowing us down in transition. We knew to win this game we would have to have one of our best games and play every minute without letting down.”
AbbyEllen Wood chipped in an assist for the Golden Bears.
For the Cardinals, Becky Browndorf had a big game with six goals and one assist while Mack Moore had three goals and an assist, and Jackie Rama had a pair of goals.
“Our youth really showed today,” UD coach Dee Cross said. “We did some good things and just need to learn to take care of the ball better.
“We really missed a starting midfielder today due to an injury. The girls will learn and get ready for the next game.”
Upper Moreland (4-2, 1-0 SOL) will be on the road at Plymouth Whitemarsh on Wednesday, and Upper Dublin (4-4, 2-1) will host Pennridge in a non-league game Friday.
Upper Dublin 4-7 11
Upper Moreland 6-9 15
ABINGTON 12, SOUDERTON 2
The visiting Ghosts threw some serious defense at the Indians, allowing just one goal in each half.
“This was a great team win for us,” coach Mary Elizabeth Klepper said. “We were able to win the draw and maintain possession.
“Our defense has been relentless, causing eight turnovers and transitioning the ball to our attack. Ellie Hughes has been solid in the net with Anna Joseph, Sam Raymond, Jill Oppert and Ella Timbers at the core of our defense.”
Hughes turned away 12 shots in a glittering performance in goal.
Abby Thomas led the Ghosts’ attack with four goals while Kaley Ehnow had one goal, four assists and four draw controls. Jamira Mashore had a hand in five goals, scoring twice and assisting on three. Maddie Hinkle added a pair of goals while Grace Hinkle, Kelly McCallister (one assist) and Janelle Baer each added single goals.
For the Indians, Riley McGowan and Randi Hess each scored a goal. Lauren Scott recorded nine saves in goal.
Abington (5-1, 2-0 SOL) will host Downingtown West in a non-league game Friday, and Souderton (3-5, 1-2) will host Lansdale Catholic in a non-league game Friday.
Abington 4-8 12
Souderton 1-1 2
HATBORO-HORSHAM 9, PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 5
The Hatters and Colonials went into halftime deadlocked 4-4. The Hatters allowed just one goal in the second half, outscoring the Colonials 5-1 to earn the conference win.
“We’ve been struggling with staying ahead, falling behind and either losing by two goals or one goal,” said HH coach Marie Schmucker, whose team was tied with Abington at the intermission but fell 15-9. “I think the kids played with a lot of poise tonight and a lot of finesse. It was a total team effort. They played together.
“As I say to them – the team that works together sticks together, plays well and wins together.”
The Hatters’ coach tipped her hat to her defenders – Sophia Liott, Megan Acker, Jessica Shaffer, Lexie Gill, Sorell Long as well as defensive mids Camryn Ryan and Gabbie Liott.
“We made a couple of adjustments and tightened up on defense,” Schmucker said. “It was exciting. This was a really big win.
“It’s one game at a time – you can’t look ahead, and it’s one goal at a time.”
Gabbie Liott scored three goals and assisted on another while Camryn Ryan had a hat trick to lead the Hatters. Adding one goal each were Audrey Liebfried, Abby Rosen and Sophia Liott.
For the Colonials, Lex Petrakis and Max Leszczynski both had a pair of goals while Callie Kolkka had one goal.
“In the second half, Hatboro-Horsham capitalized on their offensive possessions,” PW coach Ellen Reilly said. “PW had opportunities but either missed the cage or had a turnover.
“Hatboro-Horsham also won more draws in the second half. In the end, they possessed the ball and ran out the time.”
Hatboro-Horsham (3-4, 1-2 SOL) will host Central Bucks West on Friday, and Plymouth Whitemarsh (2-4, 0-1) will host North Penn.
Plymouth Whitemarsh 4-1 5
Hatboro-Horsham 4-5 9
WISSAHICKON 22, QUAKERTOWN 5
Ten Trojan players scored goals in Wednesday’s conference win. Sam Intrieri led the way with five goals and three assists while Kelly Dickson had three goals and three assists. Sophia Chiodo Ortiz put up three goals and two assists. Abby Degroat added a hat trick, and Brooke Berry had two goals and one assist. Maggie Wurzbach added two goals while Lauren Donofrio and Emma Hubbs both had one goal and one assist. Lexi Hobson and Naomi Bram both chipped in with one goal apiece and Emma Baker had one assist. The defense played a solid game.
Wissahickon (6-0, 2-0 SOL) will travel to Council Rock South on Friday for a non-league game, and Quakertown (2-4, 1-1) will host Liberty in a non-league contest Friday.
Wissahickon 13-9 22
Quakertown 2-3 5
SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP 15, CHELTENHAM 1
Emily Walsh scored five goals and also had five draw controls to lead a balanced Spartan attack. Lauren Corrado added two goals and two assists while Emily Smith also had a pair of goals. Adding single goals were Charlotte Henry, Ella Marino (one draw control, one ground ball), Sophia Perry (one assist), Maddie Yoder (one draw control, one ground ball), Ellie Lynch and Charlotte DeKerillis (one ground ball).
Jaden Callands scooped up a team-high five ground balls while Raya Davis had three ground balls and one draw control. Adding one ground ball each were Molly McGoldrick, Julie Kelly, Irene Bui and Abby Baughan.
Goalie Annie Ryan recorded two saves in the win.
Springfield Township (4-2, 1-2 SOL) will travel to Pennsbury for a non-league game Friday, and Cheltenham (0-3, 0-2) will be on the road at Upper Dublin on Monday.
SOL National Conference
CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 10, CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 9
It was another war when the neighboring rivals did battle at CB South Wednesday, and it took a heroic second-half comeback to earn the win as the Bucks rallied from three down to eke out the dramatic win.
“To say the game was a battle would be an understatement,” West coach Rebecca Cartee Haring said. “My girls played with drive tonight.
“With six minutes to go, we were down three. In our timeout, the girls knew that they needed to regroup and bring everything they could to the last six minutes, and then they went out on the field and put in the heart and hard work that led to the victory. You can teach kids skills, and they can know what they need to do, but you can’t teach the kind of heart my players gave tonight.”
Eight different players scored for the Bucks, who turned up the defensive pressure in the second half.
“It was all over great defensive play,” Cartee Haring said. “They embodied our motto – win as one.”
Julia Carey led a balanced attack with three goals. Adding one goal each were Casey Reichwein, Emma Haring, Lindsey Horton, Shelby Hahn, Tori Albrecht, Maddy McGarry and Paige Gilbert. Haring, Hahn and McGarry each had one assist. Haring, Carey and Gilbert each had two caused turnovers while Shannon Roy, Hahn and McGarry each had one caused turnover.
“This was a hard fought battle until the end,” South coach Janique Craig said. “CB West did a great job, winning 15 of the draw controls.
“CB South had amazing defense tonight and had 17 caused turnovers. Goalkeeper Katelyn Wendling had an incredible game with a season high 15 saves, and captain Anna Green scored her 200th goal.”
Green is the second player in the history of CB South to surpass 200 goals. She finished the game with four goals and one assist. Francine Richick had a hat trick and one assist, and Kate Victor added a goal and an assist. Tegan Mullan added a goal.
“Francine Richick came up with three goals and outstanding 1v1’s to goal,” Craig said. “Olivia Himmselstein, Megan Weeks and Sofia Sonnett played phenomenal, creating caused turnovers and winning 50/50 balls.”
West goalie Lauren Ring had 10 saves.
Central Bucks West (4-2, 2-0 SOL) will travel to Hatboro-Horsham on Friday, and Central Bucks South (3-5, 1-2) will be on the road at Lower Moreland for a non-league contest Friday.
Central Bucks West 4-6 10
Central Bucks South 5-4 9
CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 18, NESHAMINY 5
The Patriots, who received goals from eight different players, raced out of the gate to an 11-1 halftime lead on their way to the big win.
“This win was a huge team effort, from capitalizing on draw controls, to defensive saves and clears, to attack putting the ball in the cage – especially with eight different players scoring,” East coach Jordan Sanocki said.
Brigitte Bishop led the Patriots with five goals. She also had four draw controls. Riley Forman had a hat trick, one assist and two draw controls. Kiki Fink also had three goals while Quinn Ferry added two goals and three assists. Morgan Eater had one goal and three draw controls. Courtney Mackenzie had one goal and one draw control. Abby Durr had a pair of goals while Morgan Tait added a single goal. Rylee Surovec had two draw controls. Ava Lisle scooped up a team-high four ground balls.
Goalie Fiona Henderson recorded four saves in the win for the Patriots.
Central Bucks East (3-3, 2-0 SOL) will host Pine-Richland in a non-league contest on Saturday at 2 p.m. Neshaminy (3-5, 0-3) will be on the road at Academy of the New Church for a non-league contest Friday.
Central Bucks East 11-7 18
Neshaminy 1-4 5
NORTH PENN 10, PENNRIDGE 5
Emily Varilla scored five goals, assisted on another and came up with three draw controls to lead the visiting Knights, who led 6-3 at halftime and added to that lead in the second half.
“Our team had a good win tonight against a good team, despite what Pennridge’s record looks like,” North Penn coach Heather Mellow said. “Their goalkeeper (Alexa Machado) challenges our offense year after year.
“Emily Varilla has a great game up and down the field. For a freshman, she showed a lot of composure tonight.”
Lily Szilagyi added two goals and two assists while Kristin Varilla had a goal and two assists. Grace Sacchetti had one goal and four draw controls. Brooke Millevoi added a single goal. Casey Cavanaugh also had four draw controls.
North Penn goalie Ashley Lambert recorded five saves.
“Ashley Lambert came up with some big saves when we needed them,” Mellow said. “And our defense played very tough tonight.
“Happy to see this team pull together after a tough start to the season. Another great team effort by everyone.”
North Penn (3-4, 2-0 SOL) will travel to Plymouth Whitemarsh for a non-league contest on Friday, and Pennridge (1-6, 0-2) will be on the road at Upper Dublin for a non-league game on Friday.
North Penn 6-4 10
Pennridge 3-2 5
PENNSBURY 19, COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 7
The Falcons continued to roll, notching their sixth win of the young season. They controlled play from wire to wire, opening up a 12-3 halftime lead on their way to the convincing win.
Maddy Spratt turned in a standout performance, contributing six goals and three assists. Emelie Curtis added four goals while Sarah Walcott had three. Maggie Golder had part in five goals with two goals and three assists. Lexie Snyder had two goals while Brooke Weaver and Darrien Furiness both had one goal.
Pennsbury goalie Celia Dolan turned away nine shots in a winning effort.
Pennsbury (6-0, 2-0 SOL) will host Springfield Township on Thursday in a non-league contest. Council Rock North (0-6, 0-2)
Pennsbury 12-7 19
Council Rock North 3-4 7
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