Check out the recaps for SOL girls’ soccer teams in action. Pennridge/CB West photos courtesy of Tracy Valko. Check back for a gallery of photos.
SOL Colonial
Pennridge 3, Central Bucks West 0
It had been nearly a calendar year since the Rams’ last loss as they took on the team that had given it to them.
Since losing to the Bucks 2-1 on Oct. 15, 2020, the Rams had won 18 straight matches. After Friday, that streak had increased to 19 in the latest chapter of the competitive and always hard-fought rivalry.
“Our goal was to come out of this week without a loss, whether we had a tie in there, we wanted to figure out if we could be the team that could play a schedule like this and figure out a way through it,” Rams coach Audrey Anderson said.
Friday’s match was a bit of a clash in styles, but the Rams tried to stick to their pattern of playing their brand of soccer no matter what the opponent wants to do. They also have plenty of respect for West’s brand and ability to score goals quickly off long balls up the field.
Anderson credited her defense and especially the work of holding midfielders Riley Hepler and Hailey Primwhere for keeping the pressure on the Bucks.
“Riley and Hailey were a big piece of why West’s forwards didn’t get many shots on net,” Anderson said. “We played three up top and we wanted those forwards to pressure their backs and hopefully force them into a mistake.”
Both matches between the teams last year were one-goal games, so the Rams were definitely happy to take a 2-0 lead before adding another goal late in the contest.
It also gave Pennridge 10 goals in three matches this week as the offense continues to generate good opportunities across the board.
“These girls love when people count us out,” Anderson said. “They had enough motivation to push them through this last game of the week. It’s always a good game with West and we knew it was going to be tough. We knew it would be a good game to see what we’re made of this year.”
Liv Grenda continued her excellent sophomore season, netting the first goal of the game late in the first half with about six minutes on the board before the break.
The second goal came from another player Anderson feels is having a great season of her own, but also one that is flying under the radar in sophomore Sophie Craig.
“Liv is a great player, but Sophie is such a good player that nobody talks about,” Anderson said. “Sophie just does what Sophie does. A lot of people don’t recognize what she does with the ball, she’s super-composed, she can connect, she reads the game well, gets forward and is very, very dynamic.
“People just don’t see her do those things or don’t know to notice it. We feel when Soph and Liv have the ball, they’re going to do something great.”
Craig also added an assist to her ledger, setting up senior Emily Kriney for the final tally in the second half.
With players like Taylor Moyer, Shea Lubin and Riley Corona lurking on the other side, the Rams focused their halftime talk on reinforcing defense and pressing the ball. West has done well to take off once it gets that first goal, and Pennridge didn’t want to face that wrath if it could help it.
Sierra Shaeffer posted another shutout, as the senior keeper continues to shine, having allowed just two goals in 10 games.
“We knew we didn’t need another goal to win, but we also didn’t want to give up a goal,” Anderson said. “Anything they got would have been a major momentum change, so we made sure we were matched up defensively and weren’t allowing them to have a one-v-one anywhere with our backs.
“This was an opportunity for the girls to fight for something they wanted, and they were all super positive on the field and worked together. It was a great ending to a tough week.”
The Rams also don’t see themselves as a finished product. They still have to get through the SOL Colonial slate again after finishing crossover play and the coaches are still putting players in different positions to see what does and doesn’t work as they go.
“Our team is patient,” Anderson said. “They’re understanding of the situation. We want to keep players healthy, as long as we don’t mess up majorly, we’re in line to be in the postseason so we want our players to be healthy and in a good mindset as we move through our season.”
Pennridge (10-0, 8-0 SOL) hosts Council Rock South on Monday at 7. CB West (7-3, 5-3) hosts Council Rock North at 7 on Monday.
PENNRIDGE – 3
CENTRAL BUCKS WEST – 0
Goals: P – Liv Grenda, Sophie Craig, Emily Kriney
SOL Patriot
Council Rock South 2, Bensalem 1
The results haven’t been coming in the capacity the Golden Hawks have hoped for so far, but it’s not been for a lack of effort on their part.
Of course, that also applies to the Owls with both teams going through a difficult schedule, so when they met Friday, both were looking to stick one in the win column. It was a battle, but at the end, it was CR South that had earned the victory on the day.
“It’s been a grind for sure. The last couple games we felt like we had moments where we played well but didn’t necessarily put it together for 80 minutes,” Hawks coach Nick Heim said. “This is a gauntlet physically, but even more so mentally. I was really proud of how our group handled it mentally today.”
South graduated a good senior class headlined by all-state forward Aubrey Hondros, so the Hawks have also had to work some new faces in this fall.
“We had contributions from a lot of players, including some first-time varsity players, and the girls were locked in and focused,” Heim said. “I’m thrilled for them to get the win when they’ve been knocking on the door the last couple games.”
CR South struck first when Maggie Kane connected with Lily Bross, who got the finish on a shot Heim called a great finish to the upper 90 on the far post midway through the first half.
The eventual winner came thanks to some hustle with Kyle Bamberger getting to a loose ball in the box and pushing it toward Cam Blatz for the put-away.
“We had numerous girls playing in positions that they may not be accustomed to but stepped up big for us,” Heim said. “Reghan Mudie slid to a different spot and was outstanding for us for 80 minutes, as was Emily Davis. Kathryn O’Kane was all over the field for us on the ball and Dana DeDominicis gave solid minutes in the back.”
Heim also complimented the play of center midfielders Zoe Brossmanand Maddie Deal, especially Brossman’s ability to put pressure on defenders and win restarts.
“Zoe must have drawn eight fouls today and was instrumental in possession,” Heim said.
At the midway point of the season and a still-difficult run of crossover games and second SOL Patriot matches to contend with, the Hawks are looking to carry over the 80-minute form going forward.
“Karissa Smedley came up big coming off her line to stop any balls over the top. Overall, we could list the entire roster for key performances,” Heim said. “We’re very proud of the group’s effort and tenacity.”
COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH – 2
BENSALEM – 1
Nonleague
Abington 2, Lower Merion 1
Tuesday and Friday’s bus rides home could not have been more different for Abington.
Both were wins for the Ghosts, but Tuesday’s short trek back from Cheltenham had a somber mood after a subpar performance. Friday’s trip was longer, no thanks to a lot of traffic, but also much more jovial.
“If you saw our bus on the way home from Cheltenham, you could hear a pin drop, they knew they played poorly,” Abington coach Rick Tompkins said. “Today was the exact opposite. We played a good team and beat them. They’re getting some confidence and it was fun to watch.”
Abington had plenty of reason to celebrate too, having picked up a tough win over an Aces program that’s established itself as one of the top in District 1 while churning out high-level talent.
“I liked the fact we came back from going down 1-0,” Tompkins said. “For significant parts of the game, they definitely had us, but I thought we played well. It was a good win because they are a very good team.”
The Ghosts’ top scorer this year is an unexpected one, but only due to the position she plays. Carley Slavin, who plays as the defensive center midfielder, has been superb for Abington all year and she’s putting it on notice with her knack for finding the goal.
After falling behind, it was Slavin who brought things back level thanks to an assist by Lanae Wilson-Mattison.
“She was coming on last year, and I think she gained a lot of confidence. She makes us go,” Tompkins said of Slavin. “She’s leading our team in scoring, so it’s hard to argue with that. Between her and Maura Day, they score at big times and they’re 1-2 in scoring.”
Tompkins felt the most dangerous player on the field for Lower Merion was Hannah Blodget, who seemed to have an answer for whatever player the Ghosts had marking her early on.
“She was excellent and just gave us fits,” Tompkins said. “She’s as good a forward as I’ve seen.”
Shutting down the speedy and technical striker was the top priority, and Abington finally found a good answer in Anna Cleary.
The second half was all about handling the Aces until the right opportunity arose. Thankfully for Abington, keeper Alexis Ditri was more than up to the challenge in a busy second half.
“She made 11 saves, they were just pelting us in the second half,” Tompkins said. “She kept coming up big. She’s having a good year too, she’s only given up two goals in her time, which isn’t bad in 10 games.”
Finally, with about eight minutes left, Day threaded a ball to Piper McGinley and the forward was able to slot home the winner
“She has a dimension because she can really hold the ball,” Tompkins said of McGinley, whose twin sister Harper has also taken on a role in the attack. “That allows Carley and Maura, as long as they follow her and they do, to have Piper lay it back to them and they can hit from distance.
“Piper had a goal and assist today, you can’t argue with that production.”
Abington (8-2, 7-1 SOL) will be at Springfield Twp on Monday at 3:30
ABINGTON 1 1 – 2
LOWER MERION 1 0 – 1
Goals: A – Carley Slavin, Piper McGinley.
Central Bucks South 2, Gwynedd Mercy Academy 1
Just like that, the Titans are back on level ground.
After losing five straight matches following a 2-0 start, CB South has won three in a row to get its record to 5-5 just past the midpoint of the fall. Getting there Friday meant heading to a Monarchs team that’s usually contending in the physical AACA and pulling out a win.
“We went over setting goals and improving our record at the beginning of the week and I kept reminding the girls of how important it is to have goals and focus on achieving them,” CB South coach Amy Moriarty said. “Going into our warm-up today, we reiterated the great work this week and how they were one win away from meeting their goal. I think that got them thinking straight and determined to put their best effort forward.”
The Titans brought pressure early and it paid off with a goal and just the start they were looking for.
“A high-pressure attack early by Juliana Molnar, Erin Burke and Brooke Hall created a defensive turnover in the first few minutes,” Moriarty said. “Julia recovered the ball, got around the keeper and sunk the first goal within the first minute.
“Getting up 1-0 on a good team that early was an instant rush for the whole team and bench.”
The Titans knew they couldn’t just sit on one goal and worked hard to finish the chances they weren’t able to after the early goal in the first half.
Burke again supplied the assist, setting up Mia Conte for her first goal of the season with a cross that Conte tucked in front right in front of goal.
“We were up 2-0 with roughly 20-25 left when GMA sunk one in off the left flank,” Moriarty said. “That was another gentle reminder to get our heads in the game and needed full team cohesion to hold the lead and bring in the win.”
Alison Sauers, Lily Black, Eva Costello and Emalee Day anchored the midfield, creating chances in attack but also dropping back to help cover the defense late in the game.
On the back end, Madeline Tantum, Holly Joseph, Brooke Cummins and Isabella Smouse helped keep the Monarchs from finding an equalizer.
CB South (5-5, 3-5 SOL) hosts Pennsbury for a 4pm start Monday.
CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH – 2
GWYNEDD MERCY ACADEMY – 1
Archbishop Wood 2, Hatboro-Horsham 1
The Hatters took a quick trip to Warminster to face the PCL contending Vikings on Friday.
Mia Malofiy set up Caroline Shegogue for a goal to make it 1-1, but Wood was able to answer with a second goal to pick up the win
The Hatters travel to New Hope-Solebury on Monday at 3:30
ARCHBISHOP WOOD – 2
HATBORO-HORSHAM – 1
Neshaminy 1, Conwell Egan 0
Neshaminy rebounded from Thursday’s loss to Pennridge with a hard-earned win over the Eagles on Friday.
“It was a solid game for us. Lots of possession, we just couldn’t finish,” Neshaminy coach Renny Papendick said.
Skylar Lall was eventually able to put one away thanks to an assist from Kylie Maxwell, and the Redskins were happy to take the win to close out the week.
“We added (Conwell-Egan) because I have known their coaches for a long time and some of their players also play for my Fever SC club team,” Papendick said. “It was a good game by both teams.”
Neshaminy (7-2, 6-2 SOL) hosts Souderton on Monday at 3:30 to resume SOL crossover play.
NESHAMINY – 1
CONWELL-EGAN – 0
Conestoga 5, Upper Dublin 1
There’s never really a great time to schedule a game with Conestoga, given the Pioneers standing as one of the top programs in the area and state, but especially after a long week and a road-heavy start.
“It was a tough day for the Cardinals, Conestoga got on the board early in the eighth minute and never looked back,” UD coach Chuck Gesing said. “Unfortunate scheduling saw the Cardinals play three games in four days and end with facing, one of the top teams in the area, at the end of it.”
Upper Dublin, playing for just the second time on its home field this fall, showed some of the signs of all the travel it has done the past four weeks.
“Personally, I thought we looked tired. Conestoga is an elite-level team who punished our mistakes regularly,” Gesing said. “The reason we schedule them is to see where we are against one of the best. Clearly, we have things to work on, but the good thing is everything is fixable.”
Upper Dublin did have one moment to celebrate near the end of the contest.
“The girls got a boost from a late goal by Katie English, her first varsity goal,” Gesing said. “Katie did exactly as she was supposed to do, she followed a shot that the keeper mis-judged and Katie tucked it into the far post.”
Upper Dublin (5-2-3, 5-1-2 SOL) hosts Lower Moreland on Monday at 3:30.
CONESTOGA – 5
UPPER DUBLIN – 1
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