Check out the recaps for SOL girls’ soccer teams in action Thursday.
SOL National
Bensalem 3, Harry S Truman 0
Things can change in a hurry in the District One 4A power rankings. The Owls – after dropping back-to-back games to Council Rock South and Central Bucks East – found that out firsthand this week.
“We have had a rough week so far,” coach Bob Crawford said. “We went into the week Monday and we’re in the playoffs, and now we’re out.
“We have four games this week. Everybody is going through it, but it’s brutal. It’s tough from one day to another. Every team is having the same issue. You have one good game and then trying to get the emotions up for the second game – it’s hard on the kids.
“Unfortunately, with my girls not having playoff experience before, I think some of it’s getting to them. They’re working their butts off. It’s just depressing when you’re sitting at 16 and you look down and you’re at 27. We dropped that far in two games.”
The Owls got back on the winning track on Thursday. They seized early control of the game and led 2-0 at halftime, thanks to goals from Karleigh Hund and Mia Parker. McKenzie Spear added a second-half goal for the 3-0 final.
Bensalem (6-6-2, 5-4-1 SOL) will travel to Council Rock South on Friday for a game that was scheduled to be a home game, but field conditions forced the move.
“They were very impressive on Tuesday (in a 3-0 win),” Crawford said of the Golden Hawks. “It’s going to be tough for us, but hopefully the girls are rested and they’ll respond.
Harry S Truman (0-14, 0-11) will be on the road Monday at Dock Mennonite Academy for a non-league game.
BENSALEM 2-1 3
HARRY S TRUMAN 0-0 0
Goals: B – Karleigh Hund, Mia Parker, McKenzie Spear.
SOL Continental
North Penn 5, Central Bucks West 2
The Knights got off to a sterling start, and it led to their biggest win of the season.
Emily Varilla had a hat-trick to lead North Penn, which won its third straight game. The Knights, who have taken 10 of a possible 12 points in their last four SOL Continental matches, took it to the Bucks off the opening whistle.
"It was hunger, hustle, quick play and combinations to get behind and finally no panic in front of goal," Knights coach Steve Whitby said.
North Penn sped out to a 2-0 lead and somewhat shell-shocked the host Bucks.
"They got two early goals on us and we could not recover," West coach Mike Moyer said. "We came out extremely slow and they took it to us. They are a very dangerous team and they are very well coached.
"I keep saying it but if you don't play 100 percent against teams in our league, they will punish you."
Varilla had one of her three goals in the first half while Grace Sacchetti and Zoei Baines also found the back of the net for North Penn, which took a 3-0 lead to the break.
"The confidence in front of goal comes from our finishing school at training and not looking at the goalie when they're shooting," Whitby said.
West found some life in the second half, but Varilla was able to equal the Bucks' scoring output with her second and third goals.
"She sat in behind their center backs and had some really good and well-timed diagonal runs," Whitby said. "She got great and well-weighted service from the midfielders."
North Penn's high energy pressuring style has gotten better as the Knights have gotten fitter throughout the season. Young players have meshed with the large group of seniors as the Knights have started to play more positive balls and use their speed to push the attack.
Shea Lubin scored for West off a Trish Hauck assist and Alex Craine made it a 4-2 game late in the second half before Varilla's third tally sealed up the win.
The Knights changed their shape a bit in the second half and used some different personnel to hold off West. Defensively, everything started with their pressure.
"We stopped them for the most part from turning and seeing the field which made them play the ball negative," Whitby said.
North Penn (7-5-3, 5-3-2) will travel to Archbishop Ryan for a non-league game on Saturday, and Central Bucks West (11-4, 6-4) will be on the road at Quakertown on Tuesday.
NORTH PENN 3 2 – 5
CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 0 2 – 2
Goals: NP – Emily Varilla 3, Grace Sacchetti, Zoei Baines; CBW – Alex Craine, Shea Lubin
Souderton 0, Pennridge 0 (2 OT)
It's been a recent trend that when the Indians and Rams meet, there aren't going to be many goals scored and the match is going to be close.
Souderton ended a three-match losing streak to Pennridge thanks to a stout effort from its defensive unit and keeper Lindsey Pazdziorko. The senior made eight saves, including three impressive stops in the first overtime to help Souderton pick up the draw.
"I just told the defenders to move behind the ball, talk to me and let me know what they want and I'd let them know what I want," Pazdziorko said. "We just really wanted to get around the ball, stay behind it and don't let it through."
Two of the SOL's top midfields played to their own type of draw, with both sides creating some good chances and battling each other for territory in the middle of the pitch. Pennridge senior midfielder Ashley Groeber, along with forwards Abby Groff and Lindsey DeHaven, led the charge offensively.
Groeber struck the crossbar on a pair of free kicks in the overtimes while Groff and DeHaven forced Pazdziorko into timely stops at the end of the first overtime. Defender Sam Harwick had her keeper's back as well by clearing a ball off the line.
"We stayed focused the entire game, we were pumped the entire time and ready for this game," Pazdziorko said. "We wanted it through and through the entire time."
Souderton has had a knack for coming up with draws this season. While it's been a bit frustrating to not get wins, the defense has played well enough to make sure those matches aren't turning into losses either.
"We've kept our game consistent throughout the entire year, we don't really change and we keep it tight every game," Pazdziorko said. "We're definitely confident in the back and we don't really panic too much."
Miranda Kullman, Kailee Harwick, Sam Harwick and Darby Kramer were solid defensively for Souderton throughout Thursday's match. A lightning delay stopped the game for a half hour in the second half, and once play resumed, rain fell at a steady clip.
While Pennridge's best chances seemed to come after the delay, Souderton's defense and its keeper also saved their best for the latter stages.
"It's a good feeling tying them," Pazdziorko said. "We wanted the win, but it's a good feeling knowing we can play at this high a level and going into our game tomorrow and next week, we're going to keep this intensity up."
Souderton (7-2-6, 4-2-5 SOL) has a difficult nonleague game with Boyertown on Friday afternoon. Pennridge (11-2-1, 7-2-1) also faces a test when it travels to Abington for an afternoon start.
SOUDERTON 0 0 0 0 – 0
PENNRIDGE 0 0 0 0 – 0
SOL American
ABINGTON 5, WISSAHICKON 0
The Ghosts made it official, clinching sole possession of the SOL American Conference title with a convincing win over the Trojans.
Camryn Lexow led the Ghosts with a hat trick. Casey Touey and Elizabeth Tracey each added a goal for the Ghosts.
Olivia Oliphant posted her fourth consecutive shutout in goal.
Abington (13-1, 12-0 SOL) will host Pennridge in a non-league contest Friday, and Wissahickon (6-9, 6-6) will host Upper Dublin on Tuesday.
Non-league
CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 1, VILLA MARIA ACADEMY 0
The visiting Titans had the better of play but still found themselves locked in a scoreless tie at halftime. Mackenzie Edwards scored a goal that turned out to be the game-winner in the second half.
Goalkeeper Sarah Letizia had five saves to preserve the shutout.
Central Bucks South (9-4-1, 5-4-1 SOL) will host North Penn on Tuesday.
CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 0 0 -1
VILLA MARIA ACADEMY 0 0 – 0
Goals: CBS – Mackenzie Edwards
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