Dan Beck takes a look at the district playoff picture and features a pair of SOL squads.
By Dan Beck
Bubble teams in the hunt
It’s crowded on the bubble these days. Teams from across the SOL are fighting for a spot in the District One playoffs. While teams like Central Bucks East (#1 in the AAA rankings), Pennsbury (#2) and Neshaminy (#8) look to be safe, the fight is on behind them as we move in to the back half of the schedule.
Last week’s biggest mover in the rankings was Council Rock North. In the first rankings released by the District on Sept. 27, North was in dangerous territory in 35th place. But the Indians had a week off because of the papal visit, and they used the break to regroup.
“We definitely took advantage of our week without games,” North coach Wendell Beres said. “We did a lot of team chemistry stuff—a lot of bonding, but we also put the work in. There was very little pressure that we knew we didn’t have to show up and play a game. Everyone relaxed and had some fun.”
After a win over rival CR South, North beat Abington, Bensalem and William Tennent—all by one goal—last week. The district’s point system took notice, and the Indians vaulted up to 22nd, a much more comfortable position.
“We’re right where we expected to be,” Beres added. “Our goal has always been not just to make the playoffs, but be playing our best soccer when the playoffs come. That’s our number one goal.”
Last year’s state champions Central Bucks West finds itself on the outside looking in. At 4-4-2, the Bucks are ranked 34th and will need a strong second half and a signature win or two to solidify a spot in the postseason. Abington (ranked 27th)and North Penn (31st)are also firmly planted on the bubble as well.
Plymouth Whitemarshis in need of some victories as well. The American Conference’s fourth place team sit in 40th place in the power rankings. A win at Wissahickon on Thursday could go a long way toward improving the Colonials’ postseason hopes.
The SOL’s two AA squads are in nice position. Springfield (5-5), fresh off a big win against Wissahickon, is ranked fifth in the latest power rankings. Surging Upper Moreland have won five of its last six with the Bears’ only non-win in the that stretch coming in a tie against Plymouth Whitemarsh last Thursday. The Bears (5-4-1) are currently in the seventh and final playoff spot.
Titans get a boost from Boggs
Second place Central Bucks South can look to a handful of contributors for its hot start, but possibly no player has been more valuable to the Titans this season than goalkeeper Sophia Boggs.
Coach Betsy Bullock knows how important Boggs has been to her team. She has tallied four shutouts on the season, coming up with key saves in each game. Boggs notched goose eggs against Central Bucks West, Quakertown, Souderton and Archbishop Wood.
“She has been very big,” Bullock said. “She’s behind many of our shutouts. She’s a really top quality player.”
But perhaps Boggs’ most impressive performance came in a loss. The junior keeper held top-ranked CB East scoreless through regulation back on Sept. 18. However, the Patriots turned to Emma Loving five minutes into overtime. Loving shot a direct kick that zinged past Boggs and the Titans fell 1-0.
“Other than a direct kick—that was a beauty taken by Emma Loving—we kept [East] scoreless. She came up with some big saves against East,” Bullock said.
The junior keeper made 14 saves in that loss and earned the praise of Patriots coach Paul Eisold, who noted her strong play after the game. South’s defense – led byNicole Wills, Makenzie Ehresman, Courtney Taylor and Krysta Reading – has also been stout in front of Boggs. Bullock said Boggs’ strong play has ignited the offense as well.
“Any time the goalkeeper can come up big and stop the ongoing attack, it can change the momentum,” she said.
The Titans, tied for second in the Continental Conference with Souderton, will certainly face plenty of offensive attacks in the second half of the schedule. A meeting with Pennridge awaits Boggs and her teammates on Thursday. We’ll see if they are up to the test.
Souderton focused on big picture after hot start
The season’s biggest surprise has to Souderton.
The Indians (8-2-1, 5-2-1 SOL) are in somewhat unfamiliar territory this season. Ranked tenth in the latest District One AAA power rankings, Souderton has already won more games in 2015 than they did in all of 2014. Before that, the Indians won just four games in 2013 and three in 2012.
It would be easy for the upstart Indians to be satisfied with their first half, but coach Chris Felber is doing his best to keep his team focused on the bigger prize. The key is also making it through the treacherous Contintenal in one piece.
“Our conference is stacked,” Felber said. “It’s been catfight where you feel like ‘well, we’ll be ready for playoffs, if we can get there through the division.’ Battling through this division is going to leave you tired and sore come playoffs, so it’s tough.”
The Indians are in good position for now, though. They are in tied for second place in the Continental with Central Bucks South, trailing only the district’s top team, Central Bucks East. On Sept. 18, Souderton took down reigning conference champion Pennridge in a 1-0 thriller.
Cara McCausland, Meredith Moore, Ellie Andrade, Tori Dowd, and Kylie Heath have led an offensive attack, and the Indians are scoring considerably more this season, which was one of Felber’s goals at the start of the season.
“Everyone is positive. They’re really excited for the team,” Felber said. “At the end of the day, we’re still Souderton soccer. We’re just staying within ourselves as best we can. Everyone can have their own goals and everyone else can think what they want, but we still know what we want to get out of this season.
“We’re pretty focused and we’re not getting too carried away.”
Extra shots: Crosstown rivals will team up on Monday, Oct. 19, when CB East meets CB West in their “Kick for Pink Game” at West’s War Memorial Field. The JV game starts at 5:30 P.M. followed by the varsity game at 7 P.M. All proceeds will be donated to support breast cancer patients at the Doylestown Health Cancer Institute.
Pennridge will hold its Community Night/Pink Out game on Thursday, Oct. 8, with the jayvee game at 6 p.m. followed by the varsity at 7:30 p.m. Support Pennridge FISH by donating a non-perishable food item at the gate and be eligible to enter a drawing for a free prize. There will be raffle baskets, a 50-50 raffle and other prizes. Wear pink in support of Pink Out. Pink Out spirit wear also will be available for purchase. Wear your club soccer jersey and get in free. All proceeds will go toward Grand View Hospital's Oncology Department, specifically targeting the needs of breast cancer patients and a Pennridge family whose mother is currently fighting this horrible disease.
About the Author
