Check out the recaps for all of Tuesday’s SOL girls’ soccer action. Pennsbury photo courtesy of Darryl Rule of J&D Photography.
SOL National
Pennsbury 3, Neshaminy 1
Honesty is the best policy sometimes.
After a subpar 40 minutes, the Pennsbury coaches laid into their players at halftime. It was thanks to Gabby Zalot that the Falcons were in the game, and it proved to be just the springboard they needed.
"We allowed Neshaminy to dictate play in the first half, we really didn't have a rhythm," Pennsbury coach Kaitlyn Battiste said. "Gabby's goal before the half was huge. At halftime, we were able to be honest with the team that it was a terrible half for us, but that goal gave us a fresh 40 minutes."
Evie Ciaccia scored twice in the second half to send Pennsbury to the win.
Kristin Curley put Neshaminy on the board in the 18th minute on an Emily Tantala assist. Zalot scored off a corner kick in the 38th minute to tie the game up.
"The first half didn't matter," Battiste said. "We could come out and play Pennsbury soccer for the next 40."
Dani Cady and Jenna Peters were catalysts offensively for the Falcons, who earned 11 corners kicks as a team. Battiste said the two wingers "just kept plays alive."
"In the second half, everyone was buzzing around and getting involved in the attack," Battiste said. "Christine Cataldo-Smith was threatening their defense as well but Evie just had two beautiful finishes today."
Ciaccia, a sophomore, has been a key contributor all season but had one of her strongest performances on Tuesday.
"She was constantly moving today and making it difficult for their defense to stick with her," Battiste said. "She timed her runs perfectly and was very composed on the ball to put them away. It was great build-up in the run of play and Evie has been working really hard to find that rhythm with her teammates and today they were in sync."
Ciaccia's first goal came in the 66th minute off an assist from Cataldo-Smith and her second came three minutes later with Cady providing the assist. Pennsbury's veteran players have formed a good working relationship with the underclassmen this season.
"I think there's a great deal of respect amongst the players. The seniors have taken ownership of this team and are responsible for the ups and downs, and their teammates recognize that and look up to them for that leadership," Battiste said. "Likewise, our underclassmen have played so well in critical positions that they've earned the respect of their teammates. Christine doesn't stop working, Gabby does so well to possess the ball for us and distributes in behind defenses, Rosie (Bostian) has the strength to shoot from anywhere and Evie is our leading goal-scorer with nine goals and half are game-winners."
On an off day for Pennsbury's defense, the rest of the team stepped up to take the load.
"Defensively we didn't have our best game," Battiste said. "In the second half, our midfielders – Lizzy Kirk, Zalot and Cataldo-Smith, did a great job of winning and possessing the ball that Neshaminy didn't have as many dangerous opportunities in front of goal."
Pennsbury (12-1-1, 8-1 SOL) will be on the road at Council Rock South for a key conference showdown on Thursday. Neshaminy (7-5-1, 5-3-1) will travel to Council Rock North on Thursday.
PENNSBURY 1 2 – 3
NESHAMINY 1 0 – 1
Goals: P – Gabby Zalot, Evie Ciaccia 2; N – Kristin Curley
Council Rock North 2, Abington 1
The Indians used their bench and two turnovers to turn the tables on the Ghosts.
After trailing 1-0 at the half, North scored twice in an eight-minute span to pick up a needed victory as it chases a district playoff spot.
"That's the girls themselves not liking the scoreline," North coach Gavin Flannigan said. "Maybe we were unlucky in the first half, but Abington played well, they caused us problems, scored a goal. They have some really quality players and really took it to us, so we had to change that."
Casey Touey staked the Ghosts to a lead with a minute left in the first half off a nice assist from senior Isabelle Bautista. Touey, who scored twice in the teams' first matchup, was a main focus for the Indians defensively.
Overall, it was a strong showing from North's defense, with Mia Scalamandre taking a lot of the assignment covering Touey while Brooke Strobel went back and forth with Kailey Horton.
"We know her threat and even when you know somebody is threatening, they can still hurt you," Flannigan said. "We wanted to limit her chances as much as possible and I don't think there's anybody I'd want to do that but Mia. She's one of the better defenders in the district."
The duel between Horton and Strobel waged all 80 minutes, with both players fighting for every blade of grass.
"You sometimes forget how young Brooke is, but she's played so many varsity minutes for (former coach) Wendell (Beres) and myself that you don't think of her that way," Flannigan said. "She's just a sophomore but she does such a terrific job back there."
Marissa Hsu came off the bench to spark the Indians' rally, jumping an errant pass in the back and feeding the ball to Heather McLaughlin. McLaughlin ripped a volley to the far post, tying the game in the 50th minute.
"She's a freshman, you try not to demand too much, but she stepped up and it's not the first time she's done that," Flannigan said. "Even if it's not a shot on goal, I can expect she'll get a good service into the box."
Caroline Erlandsen provided the winner when she followed up Anna Cairone's shot and put the second effort home. The chance was also set up by North taking advantage of a miscue by Abington in the defensive third.
"The girls have heart all the way through," Flannigan said. "We know where we are in the standings, we know where we want to get to and we needed that second half today. I think that's what propelled them."
Council Rock North (8-5-1, 5-4-1 SOL) will host Neshaminy on Thursday, and Abington (5-10, 3-7) will host Harry S Truman Thursday.
COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 0 2 – 2
ABINGTON 1 0 – 1
Goals: CRN – Heather McLaughlin, Caroline Erlandsen; A – Casey Touey
Bensalem 3, Harry S Truman 0
SOL Continental
Central Bucks South 1, William Tennent 0
William Tennent tests defenses in ways many teams don't.
CB South, with one of the strongest defenses around, was ready for the challenge. Whether it was long throw-ins, long free kicks or high pressure, the Titans handled the Panthers' pressure as they picked up three points to stay atop the Continental standings.
"The Panthers threatened early in the second half with high pressure and numerous long throw-ins into the box, which were quite dangerous," South coach Betsy Bullock said. "The South defenders held strong with defensive center mid Mac Ehresman heading the balls out of danger."
South scored the game's lone goal when defender Lauren Ewell found midfielder Brooke Steigerwalt for the finish in the first half.
Defending Tennent's unique offense asked the Titans to be fundamentally sound.
"Body positioning is important and they need to be careful of their marks," Bullock said. "They must be the first to the ball in the air."
The Titans threatened for a second goal in the latter half with Steigerwalt linking up with Aleksa Peev, but Bullock said Tennent's keeper made a great point-blank save on Steigerwalt.
South keeper Maddie McShane also had a standout game with eight saves, including two game-savers after halftime.
"One was her punching away a corner that looked like it was going in," Bullock said. "The other, she made a diving save when a ball was shot to the far post. Maddie pushed it off the line and defender Amanda Krysko cleared the ball."
Central Bucks South (8-3-3, 6-2-2 SOL) will travel to Bensalem for a non-league game on Thursday, and William Tennent (9-4, 5-4) will be on the road at Central Bucks East on Thursday.
CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 1 0 – 1
WILLIAM TENNENT 0 0 – 0
Goals: CBS – Brooke Steigerwalt
Central Bucks West 1, Central Bucks East 0
The Bucks scored a major win on Tuesday thanks to a goal from Trish Hauck. It was West's first win over East in three years, and it couldn't have happened without the stellar play in goal of freshman Jenna Abaza, who not had a clean sheet but also set up the game-winning goal 22 minutes into the contest.
"My center back, Allie Walsh, passed back to my goalie, and she hit a 50-yard ball that put Trish through," coach Mike Moyer said of the game-winning goal.
Abaza and the Bucks' defense protected that lead the rest of the way.
"Jenna had a bunch of saves – she had a couple of diving saves that kept us in the match," Moyer said. "It was a lot of back and forth play.
"I think we had the better of them in the first half. They came out in the second half and put a ton of pressure on us early. We withheld it."
In the final minutes of the game, it was the Bucks applying the pressure with Kristen Obetz delivering a huge save of her own to keep it a one-goal game.
"After she made that great save on Ryan Fitzsimmons, literally a minute later, Ryan made a great move on the outside and took a left-footed shot that went off the post with four minutes left," said Moyer.
The Bucks' coach lauded the outstanding play of defenders Allie Walsh, Meg Gallagher, Emily Hackett and Arianna D'Elia.
Patriots coach Paul Eisold took the loss on himself while also crediting the play of his keeper.
"West was prepared to play today, and unfortunately I did not prepare East," Eisold said. "Kristen Obetz was outstanding in goal, keeping us in the game. She had several key saves but an absolute highlight reel save that amazed the electric crowd."
With West hosting a pink-out at Memorial Field, Obetz denied what most certainly should have been a goal.
"A West player received the ball behind the defense at the far post. The ball was played from the opposite side and she had a point-blank shot at an open net," Eisold said. "Kristen was able to shift across the goal and make the save. She moved so fast to cover the net, she came out of nowhere to save the dart of a shot."
Central Bucks West (7-7, 3-7 SOL) will host Pennridge on Thursday at 7 p.m., and Central Bucks East (7-4-4, 4-3-3) will host William Tennent on Thursday.
CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 0 0 – 0
CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 1 0 – 1
Goals: CBW – Trish Hauck.
Pennridge 1, Souderton 0 OT
For the second time in as many meetings this season, the Rams and Indians needed extra time to decide a winner.
Abby Groff, who scored the winner in the first meeting, again played a key role in the decision. The Pennridge junior found freshman Lindsey DeHaven for the game-winner about five minutes into the first overtime period.
With the win, Pennridge jumped to second place in the ever-changing Continental table.
Pennridge (8-2-2, 5-2-2 SOL) goes to CB West on Thursday night, while Souderton (9-4, 5-4) goes to North Penn.
PENNRIDGE 0 0 1 – 1
SOUDERTON 0 0 0 – 0
Goals: P – Lindsey DeHaven
SOL American
Upper Dublin 2, Plymouth Whitemarsh 0
The Cardinals clinched at least a share of the SOL American title with their 11th conference win in 11 tries this season.
Playing under the lights of Cardinal Stadium, Upper Dublin relished the opportunity and got a fast start when Emily Booth headed home Tori Hoffner's corner kick in the fifth minute. Midfielder Tina Haig added a goal on a direct free kick from about 25 yards out in the 35th minute.
"We knew this was going to be a fight," UD coach John Topper said. "Both teams are playing for a lot both in the league and playoffs. For us, it was doing the little things we've been harping on all year, being solid defensively and minimizing our mistakes so we could keep it in the offensive end."
Topper said PW played tough and limited the amount of chances the Cardinals were able to create, but when UD needed to score, it did. Booth's early goal helped settle the team and the defense went to work trying to contain PW's Alyse Caffrey.
"We didn't want to let her get the ball in dangerous positions," Topper said. "We were happy if she was dropping into the midfield to receive the ball when we had a lot of players back. We didn't want to let the ball drop in behind us where it would be a footrace."
Hoffner, a senior winger, had an excellent outing as she continued a recent run of top form.
"She played a wonderful game on the left side, a lot of our attack came through the midfield opening up and she did a great job getting around the left side creating chances in open play and creating a lot of corner kicks," Topper said. "Lexi Moss had a strong game in the defensive midfield position. A lot of times, they don't appear in the scoresheet, but she was in battling for every ball and I think that's where a lot of the game was won."
Hoffner has been a quiet but consistent contributor for the Cardinals since her freshman year but is showing that extra gear so many seniors tend to find as their final seasons near the final few weeks.
"I couldn't say exactly what it is, but we've seen the last couple of games an increase in her productivity," Topper said. "Maybe it's just her confidence getting back up but she's going to create a good four or five chances for us each game and we're starting to make good on some of those opportunities."
PW (10-5, 7-4 SOL) heads to Hatboro-Horsham on Thursday while Upper Dublin (13-1-1, 12-0) hosts Springfield Twp.
UPPER DUBLIN 2 0 – 2
PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 0 0 – 0
Goals: UD – Emily Booth, Tina Haig
Hatboro-Horsham 2, Wissahickon 0
The Hatters kept up their recent run of excellent form with another win behind a brace by Ally Eutermoser.
Hatboro-Horsham, the No. 27 team in the District I power rankings entering Tuesday, now heads into a pivotal stretch of its schedule.
"I just want to see that spirit they've recently acquired to find a way to persevere through difficult situations and environments continue and them continue to get the results that I feel they deserve," HH coach Ike Onyeador said.
For Eutermoser, it was another performance in what's becoming normal for the talented scorer.
"It was a solid performance from Ally but nothing out of the ordinary as far as what she can do and what we expect from her," Onyeador said. "She's a good player with fantastic technique and an eye for goal. That type of player is important for any team to have."
Eutermoser wasn't the only Hatter to play well under the lights.
"Sarah Boehm, our center back, was excellent marking Alexis (Smith), their forward up top who is always dangerous," Onyeador said. "Siera Cruz, our goalkeeper, had some big saves early on that kept us in the game."
Tuesday was more than just a game for Wissahickon. Defender Kelly Dickson organized an event through Athletes Helping Athletes that saw the Trojans adopt two athletes as honorary varsity players.
"Not only did (Dickson) have a stellar game with explosive play on the pitch but she brought her team the opportunity to truly touch lives this evening," Wissahickon coach Shannon Creamer-Franke said. "Her brainchild, she seized the opportunity to organize the event, involve her team in making posters welcoming our two new athletes, and delivered her team the opportunity to make a difference in their community. Together they raised over $100 for the cause and made two awesome kids very happy."
Hatboro-Horsham(8-5, 8-3 SOL) will be on the road at Plymouth Whitemarsh on Thursday, and Wissahickon (3-10, 3-8) will travel to Cheltenham Thursday.
Springfield Township 3, Upper Moreland 2
The Spartans opened the school's brand-new turf field with victory on Tuesday.
Springfield honored its six senior players – Lindsey Smith, MaryKate Smith, Deejay Bosca, Emma Lindsay, Kate Hodkinson and Maeve Corbett – and took a 2-0 lead over the Golden Bears at halftime. Bosca scored the team's second goal.
"“Today was the debut of our new turf field. We were the first team to play on it, and we got a win. It was really exciting for the girls," Spartans coach Suzette Wolf said. "They played really hard, they had fun. The seniors did everything they could to keep that game under control, and it was well worth it.”
The Spartans are always good to turn in a maximum effort and that's exactly what got them a result to break in their new field.
"Congratulations to Springfield. They played with a lot of heart today and left everything on the field," Upper Moreland coach Lisa Benvenuto said.
Springfield's first goal came from Emily Cooney, who has been playing with a broken arm since injuring it against Hatboro-Horsham on Oct. 2. Forced to wrap her casted arm in a foam pad, it didn't deter Cooney from going in and trying to head in every corner kick. She put the Spartans on the board in the 18th minute.
"“She is a diehard. She puts her whole heart and soul into everything she does," Wolf said. "We had four corner kicks – she tried to head the ball in, and she made contact each time. It’s so nice to have her back.”
Annie Giampietro scored the game-winning goal in the 55th minute.
"Annie Giampietro really played hard tonight. She put so much effort in. She wasn’t losing that game," Wolf said. "We had her sister Emily Giampietro for years, and Annie is just following right in her sister’s footsteps and being a really important impact player for us."
Wolf also credited the play of UM keeper Jen Storbrauck.
“Their goalie played outstanding. She was lights out, the best goalie I’ve seen so far," Wolf said. "She really can read the play, she’s in the right spot, she’s aggressive, she’s assertive. I was impressed with her the last time we played them but especially tonight. She saved everything she could.”
Shannon Moore, assisted by Kathryn Morrow and Sarah Veneziale (PK) scored for Upper Moreland.
Springfield Township (5-9, 3-8 SOL) will be on the road at Upper Dublin on Thursday, and Upper Moreland (5-9, 3-8) will travel to Quakertown on Wednesday.
Upper Moreland 0-2 2
Springfield Township 2-1 3
Quakertown 4, Cheltenham 1
Ashley Gluck scored and assisted to lead four different scorers as Quakertown won the battle of the Panthers.
Kyra Handel, Haley Hangey and Emily Drennan also scored for Quakertown, which got assists from Katie Moyer, Haley Pursel and Piper Yerkes. Quakertown coach Mike Koch also cited the play of defender Maddie Smith.
Ella Brown scored the lone goal for Cheltenham.
Quakertown (10-5, 8-3 SOL) will host Upper Moreland Wednesday at 7 p.m., and Cheltenham (1-11, 1-10) will host Wissahickon on Thursday.
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