Check out the recaps for SOL girls’ soccer teams in action Friday. (Hatboro-Horsham photo courtesy of Diane Waeltz)
SOL Colonial Conference
Central Bucks West 2, Central Bucks South 0
The Bucks badly needed a win, so they didn’t mind waiting an extra 24 hours to get it.
Playing against a Titans team that’s been solid defensively, the Bucks were going to have to break their drought in front of goal to pick up needed points in the District 1 rankings. Even with the expanded playoffs this fall, West still entered the day in a precarious position holding the No. 28 and final spot in the field.
“It was huge – we needed it. We came out with a plan tonight. Some of the last couple of games we’ve played haven’t gone our way on the scoreboard, but we feel we’re playing good soccer,” West coach Mike Moyer said. “Tonight we were able to finish. We got some players healthy, we got them back in the lineup.”
West had been shutout in its last three games, so being able to put one in the back of the net 20 minutes into Friday’s contest was a needed relief.
“We opened the scoring off of a set piece off of a corner. Came out in a little bit of a scrum, and Kate Weyer hit just a great left-footed shot to get us on the board,” Moyer said. “We just continued to play well in the middle. We started a little bit slow, but we controlled most of the first half.”
Just before halftime, another prime opportunity presented itself and the Bucks were able to double their advantage in the last minute of the half. With a strong defense, it was a pretty good scenario for the visitors heading into the second 40 minutes.
“Ashley Lott got played in on a beautiful through ball, and she made a great shot to make it 2-0 going into halftime,” Moyer said. “That goal right before the half just sparked us even more. The halftime talk was, ‘Let’s get out of here with a 2-0 win. We’ll take chances when we can, but let’s just defend, let’s get a win’ Most importantly right now is just to finish in the top 28.”
West’s defense was more than up to the job, with keeper Jules Broskey picking up the shutout win.
“My entire back line – Courtney Moylan, Ava Longo, Ava Brunner and Janelle Blokker – were fantastic tonight. Even my midfield – AC (Alexis Castro), Eva (Wierzbowski), Mackenzie (Gausch) and Emery (Sterling) were outstanding,” Moyer said.
“The effort we did tonight was one of the best games we’ve played in a long time, and I’m just super proud of what they did tonight in a must-win game.”
CB West has two games left – one against Pennridge and the other against Lower Moreland. Friday’s win pushed the Bucks up to No. 26 and all they want is to be in the top 28 at the end of next week.
“I will play any team I haven’t already played anywhere, any time on any type of field in the first round of districts,” Moyer said.
CB South (7-9, 6-8 SOL) visits North Penn at 7 on Monday. Central Bucks West (9-7, 8-7) hosts Pennridge at 7 on Monday.
CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 2 0 – 2
CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 0 0 – 0
Goals: CBW – Kate Weyer, Ashley Lott
North Penn 2, Souderton 0
Thursday didn’t go as hoped for the Knights, first moving their “Senior Knight” to Monday, then postponing their game against Souderton due to inclement weather.
The move seemed to pay off while still giving the seniors their night next week.
“I think it was a good decision not to play in the elements last night and today turned out to be a great day for a game,” North Penn coach Mike Rio said. “Definitely weird since we cancelled practice yesterday too, so sometimes the rest can help and sometimes it doesn’t but I thought the girls came out really hard and ready to play today.”
The Knights have been playing inspired soccer since returning to SOL Colonial play. They led Pennridge at halftime before falling, then came back with a win over CB West before facing the Indians on Friday.
“From the start of the game we were putting a lot of pressure on their backs and it felt like we were just a step away from finding a goal,” Rio said. “We had a lot of really great movement, just our pace and touch on the ball was a little heavy. Thought we were doing everything great and it was just about focusing and executing the way we know we can.”
The teams went to the half tied 0-0. While Souderton didn’t have a clean start either, senior keeper Abby Allen was able to help keep her team in the match.
“Tough one today. We had a bit of a sloppy first half and slowly worked our way into the game. Abby Allen was called into action on a number of set pieces throughout the half and proved to be up to the task,” Souderton coach Ian Smith said. “We did a good job of limiting the long ball from North Penn and were slowly able to catch them offsides. Toward the end of the half we were able to apply some pressure, but struggled to create some quality chances, which has been our Achilles heel.”
Both sides used the half to talk about their response and needing to come out with plenty of energy.
“We knew that although we had a lot of pressure in the first half, Souderton has been playing well and we couldn’t let them hang around and grow more confident,” Rio said. “The start of the second half we really came out fast and we were able to get that early goal on a great shot from Andie Salmon. She took the ball deep to the end line and hit a great shot from a tough angle.”
With 10 minutes left, the Knights used a terrific pass and quality finish to increase their lead.
“The final goal was a fantastic cross from Kayla Balislisa that found Lauren Blanch’s head for the goal. It was a really beautiful cross and finish,” Rio said.
The Indians battled, but their efforts to get back in the match didn’t have the desired outcome.
“Hailey Rohr had a good game and put her body on the line to win 50-50s for use in the midfield. Defensively, her and Maggie Fisher helped get a good rotation as well. As we were chasing the game we got caught on a long ball and tried to hold offsides,” Smith said. “I thought Alexis Stefanowicz and Emma Hunter were really organized in keeping the line throughout the match, but North Penn found an attacker in a ton of space in behind for an open header to put the match away.”
The Knights’ strong play of late has been due in part to some consistent contributions across the board from a number of players.
“I thought our outside mids really put in a lot of good work today too. Andie Salmon, Ellie Kriebel, Meaghan Fox, Sydni Schorn, and Izzy Kee really gave us good minutes moving up and down the flank,” Rio said. “Also, Lily McGee has been giving us really good minutes up top as well lately. I felt like starting her next to Maddy Murphy in the second half up top gave us a different dynamic. Lily’s been looking stronger as the season has progressed and is really starting to play with more confidence out there.”
Souderton (5-10-1, 4-9-1 SOL) hosts CB East at 7 on Monday. North Penn (5-9-1, 5-81) hosts Central Bucks South at 7 on Monday.
NORTH PENN 0 2 – 2
SOUDERTON 0 0 – 0
Goals; NP – Andie Salmon, Lauren Blanch
SOL Liberty Division
Hatboro-Horsham 2, Plymouth Whitemarsh 1
After taking their first loss of the season on Tuesday, the Hatters had to wait a little while longer to try and get back on the right foot.
A fast start helped them do just that as they maintained their lead atop the SOL Liberty standings.
“We came out quickly to get a goal by Sarah Roesing,” HH coach Kelsey Daley said. “We had a lot of chances and great opportunities but PWs goalie made some great saves to keep them in the game.”
Scoring goals wasn’t a problem earlier in the week against Abington, but the Colonials were able to hold their ground after falling behind and ended up striking back to level the score in the second half.
“Second half I felt we dominated but we just couldn’t find the back of the net. The chances were there for us,” Daley said. “PW was able to get a goal on us to tie it up.”
Not wanting to see her team lose a second straight game, one of the SOL’s top players came up clutch to get her team back in front.
“The Hatters responded quickly and Emma Levin was able to find the back of the net to secure the win for us,” Daley said. “Emma created a lot of chances for us today to keep the pressure on PW’s defense.”
From there, Hatboro-Horsham’s defense closed out a hard-earned bounce-back win.
“Abby Waeltz had a great game at defense for us, winning a lot of head balls,” Daley said.
The Hatters and Colonials will play at 3:30 on Friday.
PW (7-6-1, 6-6-1 SOL) visits Upper Dublin at 7 on Monday. Hatboro-Horsham (12-1-2, 12-1-1) hosts Quakertown at 7 on Monday.
HATBORO-HORSHAM 1 1 – 2
PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 0 1 – 1
Goals; HH – Sarah Roesing, Emma Levin
Non-league
Springfield Twp 1, St. Hubert Catholic 0
The Spartans won via forfeit on Friday.
Springfield Twp hosts Lower Moreland at 7 on Monday.
COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 7, NEW FOUNDATIONS CHARTER 0
After managing just one goal in their last two matches combined, the Golden Hawks erupted for seven goals in Friday’s non-league contest.
“Two postponements and a change of location, and we finally got a non-league game against New Foundations in,” Rock South coach Nick Heim said. “Heading back on the road the night after playing 100 goalless minutes is never ideal, but our girls closed the week out in good fashion.”
The Golden Hawks scored early and often. Amanda Millevoi put the Golden Hawks on the scoreboard, and they were off and running.
“Taylor Wohl doubled the lead, taking a Jocelyn Badessa pass and hammering one into the far corner,” Heim said. “Abby Rozengarten was able to make a nice run and slot one home to take us 3-0 into the half.
“Early in the second half, Teagan Shay found Gabby Bachmann on a nice pass across the box, and Gabby calmly slotted one in to extend the lead to four. We controlled possession for much of the second half, and closed out the game with goals by Adi Rakszawski, Macy Laidlaw (Gianna Kirlin assist) and Kirlin. Kiara Wysocki had the clean sheet in us for goal.”
The non-league game allowed Heim to give some players quality minutes.
“The likes of Juliette Salvi, Haley Thompson, and a handful of other defenders helped keep the defensive end under control for us,” the Rock South coach said. “New Foundations is young, but their girls, and especially their goalie, put in a tremendous effort today. We are looking to build on this win as we head into the last week of the regular season.”
Council Rock South (9-3-3, 8-3-2 SOL) will travel to Pennsbury on Monday.
NEW FOUNDATIONS CHARTER 0 0 – 0
COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 3 4 – 7
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