Check out Andrew Robinson’s recaps for SOL girls’ soccer teams in action Monday. New Hope/Cheltenham photos provided courtesy of Trish Sexton, Lower Moreland/William Tennent photos courtesy of Greg Zesinger & Neshaminy/Pennsbury photos courtesy of Darryl Rule of J&D Photography. CLICK HERE to view the SOS GIRLS’ SOCCER GALLERIES. (Pennridge/CB South photos courtesy of Gordon Kocher)
SOL Liberty
Upper Dublin 3, Hatboro-Horsham 1
The view from the top is always one to savor, but it’s also one made better when appreciating the climb.
Last season ended with the Flying Cardinals looking up, UD finishing at the bottom of the SOL Liberty table and the only team in the division not to make the District 1 4A playoffs. It’s much different this fall, the Cardinals not only securing an outright league title but in position to claim two potential home playoff games.
There wasn’t one specific thing that sparked the turnaround – although having senior Erin Seabrook healthy all year didn’t hurt – and it was a mixture of veterans, newcomers and a group playing it best collectively that hoisted the Cardinals’ first SOL title in seven years.
“Everyone’s so excited about it, it’s been seven years since we’ve had a division championship and this was a team that we knew had a lot of talent coming in but also some questions we needed answered as far as what roles people were going to play and who would be able to step up,” UD coach John Topper said. “I have to say across the board, our girls have stepped up in a big way. We had a lot of seniors with experience fill the leadership roles nicely but also a group of underclassmen who, whether it was their first or second year on the team, really played big for us.”
Upper Dublin ended the night sitting No. 8 in the Class 4A standings. The Hatters were at No. 29, the first spot out of the playoff bracket.
Scoring Summary
1st Half
UD – Anna DiMartile (Erin Seabrook) 3′
UD – Bridget DiMartile 37′
2nd Half
UD – Erin Seabrook (PK) 58′
HH – (PK) 77′
UD coach John Topper on the win: “We started strong today and tried to keep the momentum from our last game. Anna DiMartile got a goal in the third minute off a beautiful cross from Erin Seabrook, just a really well-worked goal where Anna made a really well-timed run into the box and finished it first time. That kind of set the tone for the first half. We had the majority of the pressure and a handful of chances, but it stayed 1-0 until the 37th minute when Bridget DiMartile got the second off a broken play with a very nice finish.
“In the second half, we controlled play for the most part. Rosie Sitman went to clean up a misplayed ball to the keeper and was fouled in the box, so Erin Seabrook converted the penalty.”
Team’s turnaround in the standings: “That’s the character of this crew. That’s one of the most difficult things to do, it’s not like we were knocking on the door of a title last year, we were at the bottom of the league. To be able to bounce back, recognize what we had and put it together is really impressive and speaks to the character of the girls, especially in the senior leadership.”
Props: “Our central midfielders: Erin Seabrook, Abby O’Meara, Kaelyn Wartman and Peyton Ward were excellent in dictating the tempo of the game and playing dangerous balls through all day that created chances left and right. Jordyn Levine in goal made some timely saves as well.”
Up next: Upper Dublin (13-3, 8-1 SOL) hosts Plymouth Whitemarsh at 7pm on Wednesday. Hatboro-Horsham (6-9-1, 2-6-1) visits Wissahickon at 3:30 on Wednesday.
UPPER DUBLIN 2 1 – 3
HATBORO-HORSHAM 0 1 – 1
Plymouth Whitemarsh 3, Abington 0
Maddi Laz and a shutout.
When the Colonials have been able to combine the contributions of their defense and the playmaking of midfielder Maddi Lazaroff, the equation has usually resulted in a positive PW result. Tuesday, the defense did its thing by posting its eighth clean sheet while Maddi Laz did hers by putting a foot on all three PW goals, scoring her first of the season and assisting the others to give her seven helpers this fall.
The result all but puts the Colonials into the District 1 Class 4A bracket that will drop this weekend, the program’s third straight year getting to extend its season.
“This was a big day for our program. We unofficially secured a playoff spot for the third straight season. This is the first time in school history that that has happened,” PW coach TJ DeLucia said. “I’m really happy for the kids as I do think they wanted it. They didn’t want to be the team that broke that streak. That was totally evident in how they played today.”
PW ended the night No. 20 in the 4A rankings. Abington remained on the right side of the bubble at No. 24 in the 4A standings.
Scoring Summary
1st Half
PW – Keira Whelan (Maddi Lazaroff)
2nd Half
PW – Maddi Lazaroff
PW – Maite Jayo (Maddi Lazaroff)
PW coach TJ DeLucia on the win: “In our first game at Abington, we got out-physicaled, and I thought that they out-competed us to a degree. That doesn’t happen often to us. That was disappointing. Watching the film back, Coach Slack and I didn’t feel that we were far off from Abington’s level. We had made individual mistakes in that game, and we weren’t up to the challenge physically.
“We also weren’t set up on the field appropriately. For this game, there were multiple adjustments made in different spots on the field to ensure that we put our players in the best position to succeed. We were matched up better today than we were last time out. When we brought the team in for practice on Sunday, we let them know the plan but did explain that there were going to be multiple individual match-ups that had to be won, if we were to come out on top.”
Meeting the task: “The message was: with the game plan adjustments and watching film back from the first game with Abington, this game was there to be had if we, as a team, wanted to rise to the challenge mentally and physically. As a team, every single person met their challenge and won their match-up. Outside backs Maddie McLaughlin and Harper Reilly did a terrific job on the dangerous Abington wings. Katie Lukens was outstanding in marking the two players Abington rotated in at center forward. Kaiane Jayo swept up everything and provided outstanding coverage for her fellow defenders.”
Props: “Goalkeeper Olivia Bragg did a fantastic job in the first half, handling everything in the box, as Abington had the strong, strong wind at their backs. Keira Whelan (fifth goal of the season), Maddi Lazaroff (one goal, two assists), and Liv Budin were all tremendous in midfield today. All three played 80 minutes and didn’t give an inch physically to the Abington midfield. Mia Baron, Marleigh Burton, Maite Jayo, and Maddi McGuckien kept us going forward – earning multiple corners and throw-ins to keep the pressure on all game.”
Up next: Abington (8-9-1m 5-4-0 SOL)hosts Quakertown at 3:30 on Wednesday. PW (10-6-1, 4-4-1) visits Upper Dublin at 7pm on Wednesday.
PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 1 2 – 3
ABINGTON 0 0 – 0
Quakertown 1, Wissahickon 0
The Panthers used a goal in the early stages of the second half to break up a defensive battle between teams jostling for playoff positioning.
Fittingly, it was a defender who notched the game’s only goal when Panthers freshman made a run from her outside back position and found a sweet spot between the keeper and the crossbar for the winner.
The night ended with Quakertown in the No. 19 spot in Class 4A while Wissahickon held the No. 23 spot in the power rankings.
Scoring Summary
2nd Half
Q – Brielle Bailey 54th
Quakertown coach Jon Gingrich on the win: “The game was an evenly matched game. Both teams came out to play. Wissahickon’s goalie was on top of her game in this match, she made five or six great saves, and it really kept them in the match.”
The goal: “Freshman outside back Brielle Bailey took the ball down the right side line and fired a shot at goal. It went over the keeper’s head for the 1-0 lead.”
Offensive standouts: “Seniors Madison Taylor and Ashlyn Calabria were making chances for us all game. Both girls have a lot of speed and we used it to our advantage all night.”
Defensive standouts: “Juniors Jewel Renshaw and Anna Greenday and freshmen Brielle Bailey and Maya James along with senior keeper Carmella Gingrich were stout all night. Brielle and Maya were pushing down the sidelines all night, helping us get the goal that won the game. Jewel and Anna consistently kept Wissahickon’s offense at bay all night. Working with their keeper, they kept the ball out of our defensive half and didn’t allow a lot of shots on our goal.”
Up next: Quakertown (9-8, 4-5 SOL) visits Abington at 3:30 on Wednesday. Wissahickon (5-8-3, 2-5-2) hosts Hatboro-Horsham at 3:30 on Wednesday.
QUAKERTOWN 0 1 – 1
WISSAHICKON 0 0 – 0
SOL Colonial
Central Bucks East 3, Central Bucks West 0
Every year, the Kick for Pink game is a highlight on the SOL schedule and an indicator that the postseason is close at hand.
There’s a bigger cause at stake every fall when the Patriots and Bucks meet for the second time, but Tuesday’s also had plenty of significance on the field. CB East only needed to win in order to claim an outright division title, and there was no team that would have more liked to deny that coronation than CB West.
It took a second half breakthrough, but the Patriots got the goals they needed, the dynamic duo of Mia Forney and Madelyn Hill linking up for two, to bring home their first SOL title since 2015. Now it’s about finishing the regular season with one more win to not only cap an unbeaten SOL season but lock up the top seed for the District 1 4A playoffs.
“The Kick for Pink game is always a highlight of our season. It’s a really meaningful way to honor those battling or have battled breast cancer, and I consider myself lucky to be a part of this game,” East coach Jake Nesteruk said. “To see so many girls, across both schools, who’ve grown up together come together and then compete for 80 minutes is just special. I’m thankful to all the parents, organizations, girls, and honorees for tonight.”
CB East held the No. 1 spot in the 4A rankings at the end of the night. CB West was in the No. 14 slot in the 4A standings Tuesday night, in line for a home game.
Scoring Summary
2nd Half
CBE – Madelyn Hill (Mia Forney) 57th
CBE – Ava Mignon (Stella Genin) 65th
CBE – Mia Forney (Madelyn Hill) 78th
CB East coach Jake Nesteruk on the win: “Besides the sister-school dynamic, we just wanted to put on a good performance that would give us a shot at clinching the top spot in the division. I thought our program had a great night, and I’m very proud of our girls for earning the three points. Our first half was fine, but we started the second half with a spark and we really found a good rhythm in the attacking half.”
Standouts: “Going forward, great games all around – incredible to see the connection of Mia Forney and Madelyn Hill show up in the biggest moments so consistently, and Ava Mignon, Kiera Sleicher, Jessie Bernabe and Stella Genin did such a good job of linking up play to get the ball into some key areas to manufacture chances. (At the) other end, to see us earn a clean sheet again, is pivotal for us. The back four -Taylor and Ellla Roumy, Sydney Ralph, Savannah Hayes – and our keepers – Aralynn Patterson and Mae Leedy – stayed composed and defended really well in a couple of key moments when this game was tight. It’s how those kids play on both ends of the ball, how hard our outside backs run as well, that gives us the platform to go forward the way we did tonight. Really proud of the result and our eyes are forward to closing out the regular season with North Penn.”
First goal: “Set up by a great through ball by Ava Mignon, Mia Forney got around her mark, cut to the end line, and squared a cross from right to left for Madz Hill to finish one-time.”
Second goal: “In the 18, Stella turned backwards and dropped the ball back across to Ava, sitting about 20 yards out. She took a touch and connected on a really good hit.”
Third goal: “Taylor Roumy played a ball into the feet of Madelyn Hill, who flicked it behind the backline of West. Mia timed her run perfectly, split two defenders, and finished so well with the poke back to the far post.”
Up Next: CB West (12-6, 5-4 SOL) visits Pennridge at 7pm on Wednesday. CB East (16-1, 9-0) hosts North Penn at 3:30 on Wednesday.
CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 0 3 – 3
CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 0 0 – 0
Pennridge 1, Central Bucks South 0
The streak of division titles may be over, but the Rams are still in excellent position as the regular season ends.
While CB East’s win on Tuesday snapped Pennridge’s eight-year run of SOL titles, the Rams have otherwise put together a sterling season that has them in line for a coveted first round district playoff bye. However, those only come with wins, and a rugged Titans team that had taken Pennridge to overtime last month could have changed that.
A first half goal was enough, thanks to a vintage defensive performance that kept the Rams in the top four.
Pennridge held the No. 3 spot in the Class 4A rankings while CB South held the No. 12 spot as the Titans look to claim a home game in the first round.
Scoring Summary
1st Half
P – Emma Shaeffer (Caitlyn Peace)
Pennridge coach Audrey Anderson on the win: “It was a good win today. As coaches we felt the girls did a good job of learning from past games. We came out fast and were dangerous in the final third. We had a good game plan going into the game and for the most part we were able to execute that game plan.”
Standouts: “Riley Williams was very good on the ball tonight, Gabriella Howley, Jessie Moylan, and Peyton Rabinowitz were able to win a lot of balls in the air as well as the second ball. Our back line of Addy Mills, Gabby Herrmann, Natalie Walter, and Avery Runk were clean on the ball and were very organized today. They did not give many easy opportunities to South. Caitlyn Peace and Emma Shaeffer combined for the game winning goal. CB South’s keeper came up with some very big saves.”
Up next: Pennridge (15-2, 7-2 SOL) hosts Central Bucks West at 7pm on Wednesday. CB South (10-6-1, 3-5-1) visits Souderton at 7pm on Wednesday.
PENNRIDGE 1 0 – 1
CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 0 0 – 0
Souderton 1, North Penn 0
Souderton’s turnaround season will need some help to extend into the playoffs, but the Indians helped themselves on Tuesday.
A tight game went Souderton’s way, thanks to a strong defensive effort that spoiled Senior Night for a North Penn team that’s floating a few spots above the playoff bubble.
At night’s end, the Knights were still in holding the No. 25 spot while Souderton was still few places out at No. 31, with 28 teams getting invited to play on in Class 4A.
Scoring Summary
1st Half
S – Lily Heron (Hannah Beckett)
Souderton coach Melissa Lollar on the win: “Tonight was a fun, high-energy game against an always physical and hard-fighting North Penn team on their Senior Night. They made it hard on us and were creating chances until the last second, so we could never be comfortable. This game was a must-win for us and so I’m proud of how our entire team showed up and pulled out the win when needed.”
Standouts on offense: “Lily Heron had an outstanding game both offensively and defensively. She has been creating chances all year, so it was fitting for her to finally put one in during a close game. Ella Longacre played a very strong game at target forward tonight, keeping the ball and distributing well to slow things down when she could.”
Defensive standouts: “Emma Hunter, Julia DeCaro, Addison Rausch and Julia Purvy have been solid and consistent for us this year. I thought they gave everything they had to keep a shutout and earn the win. Emily Dick has had a strong year in goal and earned a shutout with 14 saves after some really strong conference game performances for her.”
Up next: North Penn (6-11-1, 0-8-1 SOL) travels to Central Bucks East at 3:30 on Wednesday. Souderton (8-9, 2-7) hosts Central Bucks South at 7pm on Wednesday.
SOUDERTON 1 0 – 1
NORTH PENN 0 0 – 0
SOL Patriot
Neshaminy 4, Pennsbury 2
Stopping Kylie Maxwell has been a legitimate problem for just about everyone Neshaminy has gone up against this fall.
The Wake Forest-bound forward is fast, tenacious, a clinical finisher and reads the game extremely well. She can score in any number of ways, so it’s really not that surprising that she’s re-writing the program record books this fall by setting a new single-season mark with 34 goals in just 16 games. That number is staggering on its own, but consider the previous record holder was Megan Schafer, and it becomes an even more
remarkable feat.
Her efforts on Tuesday under the lights on archrival Pennsbury’s field – she scored twice and assisted the other two – also secured an outright SOL Patriot title for Neshaminy, the team’s second outright title in the last three years and third in four years counting 2021’s shared spoils with CR North.
Neshaminy needed the senior’s magic against a scrappy Pennsbury side honoring its seniors in the midst of a resurgent season thanks to their leadership of a talented underclassmen group.
Neshaminy closed the night No. 7 in the District 1 4A rankings, in line for two home games while Pennsbury sat No. 26, a few spots clear of the cutoff.
Scoring Summary
1st Half
N – Kylie Maxwell (Emma Murphy) 39:19
N – Kylie Maxwell 33:01
N – Keira Siwinski (Kylie Maxwell) 9:35
2nd Half
P – Ria Pevner 38:19
N – Bri Garyah (Kylie Maxwell) 35:30
P – Ashlyn McEwing 30:23
Neshaminy coach Josh van Reed on the win: “Pennsbury and Neshaminy is always going to be a tough battle. Each side was not giving
in, and tonight was a very windy night and that tends to have an effect on the game and how it’s played. To start the game, I was happy to get on the board so quickly on a quick ball through from Emma, and Kylie’s first shot going in early helped to relax things a bit. Then we added an insurance goal from Kylie from a turnover and we were up two. Right before half, we got one more off a cross and great finish when Kylie hit a super hard cross that Keira Siwinski headed in. Going into half 3-0 was good, but I knew Pennsbury was not going to back down easily.”
The second half: “Pennsbury had the wind at their back, and they used it. They came out quick and got a goal to start the half. But we answered back quickly with another from a full-field breakout which started in our own end. Allie Ortman stepped in to win the ball from inside the box that had been poked out and took off running, covering almost half the field when she played a ball into Kylie down the side, and Kylie slid in to the back post to Bri for the finish. Pennsbury kept working and got one more
off a free kick from pretty far out that seemed to just keep sailing with the wind. It’s something that we talked about at halftime, needing to be careful about free kicks because the wind was so hard and unpredictable tonight.”
“I was really happy with the passing tonight, we put together some real goodlooking segments and had good looks at the goal. It was a big night for both teams. Pennsbury held its Senior Night where they honored their 11 seniors before the game and for us this locked up the league title.”
Maxwell milestone: “Kylie Maxwell with her two goals tonight broke our single season school record held previously by Meg Schafer (33) for goals scored with 34. We had talked at the beginning of the season about personal goals as well as team goals, and this was a big one. It requires not just consistency, but it requires your teammates getting the ball to you and the skill to score every game in multiple ways. She is such a hardworker, and we are all so proud to be part of such a huge accomplishment.”
Pennsbury coach Jenna Peters on the match: “Tonight we celebrated our 11 seniors with a hyped crowd and an ‘everything you’ve got’ mindset. Though we fell 4-2 to Neshaminy, the heart and grit our team showed was something to be proud of. Though we couldn’t convert on a few more opportunities, our girls fought hard until the final whistle, and we’re proud of their effort and determination.”
Falcons goals: “Down 3-0 at halftime, we came out firing in the second half. Just 30 seconds in, sophomore Ria Pevner struck a brilliant shot from outside the 18 to get us on the board. Neshaminy quickly responded, but junior Ashlyn McEwing delivered a free kick from 35 yards out to bring it to 4-2.”
Props: “Senior goalkeeper Maddie Miller was a force in the net, making countless key saves and holding Neshaminy to just four goals despite relentless pressure. Our defense faced continuous rotations with several players stepping in to manage Neshaminy’s dangerous forwards. They held their ground and worked hard to contain a fast, aggressive attack.”
Up next: Neshaminy (15-2, 9-0 SOL) hosts Harry S Truman at 3:30 on Wednesday. Pennsbury (9-7-1, 4-5) visits Council Rock North at 6:30 on Wednesday.
NESHAMINY 3 1 – 4
PENNSBURY 0 2 – 2
Council Rock South 1, Council Rock North 0
It’s one of the most unique rivalry games in the SOL.
The Unity Cup, as it is formally known, pits CR North against CR South in the second of their two meetings each fall. The Rock Cup, as it is commonly known, sees two schools separated by a couple traffic lights pitting players and coaches who aside from their 80 minutes trying to beat each other, have a lot tying them together.
It’s one-of-a-kind, and usually, it means a whole lot when it’s played this late in the season.
“It’s a unique rivalry I’m proud to be a part of,” CR South coach Nick Heim said. “No other game do I see both teams greeting the other coaches, and as soon as the whistle is over there are hugs and laughs amongst the two sides. It’s everything high school sports should be.”
South certainly needed the win as it chases a first round home district game. The night ended with the Golden Hawks at No. 17 in the Class 4A rankings, a spot below the cut off but with plenty of machinations yet to come above them, while North stayed in line for its own home game at No. 11.
Scoring Summary
1st Half
CRS – Riley O’Halloran (Krissy Philip)
CR South coach Nick Heim on the win: “Whenever North and South get together, it’s going to be dramatic. Nothing changed tonight, as gale force winds were an opponent for both teams in trying to move the ball across South’s turf under the lights. I thought we had a good game plan coming in trying to handle their threats in Mia Cairone and Audrey Rogan. Gavin (Flannigan) always has them organized so trying to find our openings needed patience, especially in the conditions.”
Finding a goal: “We had to go against the wind in the first half, and I told them to weather the storm, literally, for the first 10 minutes and settle in. I thought we did a fantastic job of that and were creating chances against the wind. Defending their set pieces is challenging, with Sara Tyler forcing Ella Mayberry into big saves. They had a corner we defended well and were able to counter them where Krissy Philip played a perfectly weighted ball to put Riley O’Halloran in on a breakaway which she converted to give us a 1-0 lead at half.”
Finishing out: “We stressed that we needed to play a full 80 minutes and come out with the same intensity. Both teams had some chances, but I was very pleased with how we handled pressure. We had to make some late unexpected movements but were able to hold on for the 1-0 win.”
Standouts: “We got big minutes off the bench from Carly McCory and Lianna Shikvarger defensively. I thought Macy Laidlaw was dangerous all game and Kat O’Kane was all over the midfield. Brianna Howard had her best game in a South uniform and was tenacious in front of the rest of the backs, Juliette Salvi, Fiona Reckner, and Maggie Kane. Kane in particular had her best game of the season for us anticipating passes.”
Up next: CR South (9-7-1, 6-3-0 SOL) hosts Bensalem at 3:30 on Wednesday. CR North (12-5, 6-3) hosts Pennsbury at 6:30 on Wednesday.
COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 1 0 – 1
COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 0 0 – 0
Bensalem 9, Harry S Truman 0
Up next: Bensalem (5-11, 2-7 SOL) visits Council Rock South at 3:30 on Wednesday. Truman (2-15, 0-9) travels to Neshaminy at 3:30 on Wednesday.
SOL Freedom
Lower Moreland 1, William Tennent 0
Tuesday’s clash of the cats had a whole lot on the line.
Lower Moreland’s win in the first leg last month had given the Lions a one-game lead in the SOL Freedom table, so another win in the return would go a long way to sorting out the final order. William Tennent on the other hand had a big opportunity to pull up a second seat at the head of the table, provided the Panthers could reverse the result and give LM a loss on its home field.
LM still has two division games to play, so an outright title wasn’t theirs to hold yet but the Lions ensured no less of a share of their second division crown in the last three seasons.
Lower Moreland held the No. 5 spot in the District 1 3A rankings at night’s end. Tennent held the No. 22 slot in the 4A rankings.
Scoring summary
First half
LM – Shannon Mahon 1st minute
Lower Moreland coach Todd Hill on the win: “When we played William Tennent earlier this season, we scored our first goal in 19 seconds. Today, I tried to motivate my girls by telling them I wanted them to score even faster. Well, they took my challenge to heart. They scored the first goal in 16 seconds this time. And that was the last goal of the game for either team.
“The rest of the game was a battle. WT put a lot of pressure on our defensive unit. It wasn’t always pretty, but our girls figured out a way to keep the ball out of the net.
“We knew that we would have our hands full with Tennent today. We are battling with them for first place in the division, and they are a very talented team. And we definitely did have our hands full.”
–The goal: “Thankfully, we started the game with a goal. Shannon Mahon has such impressive bursts of energy, so when Nikki Sahl served her the ball, that was all she needed to get open and send the ball over the head of the WT goalie and into the back of the net just 16 seconds into the game.
–Props: “Sophomore Agnes Kroll played such a smart and aggressive game at center back. Each time it felt like we may have made a fatal error, Agnes would show up in just the right place and then come out of the back to begin a counterattack, going the other direction.
“Kenna Rozanski also worked really hard in the middle of the field today. Tennent has some talented players in that space, and Kenna battled for possession and then distributed the ball, keeping Tennent on their heels.
“However, in the end, our team MVP for today was absolutely sophomore goal keeper Mariah Gazzara. She had several unbelievable saves. She is so quick and has such good reflexes, and both were on full display today as she shut down a talented WT attack.”
Up next: William Tennent (10-6-1, 7-2-0 SOL) hosts New Hope-Solebury at 6 on Wednesday. Lower Moreland (12-4, 8-0) visits Upper Moreland at 7 on Thursday.
WILLIAM TENNENT 0 0 – 0
LOWER MORELAND 1 0 – 1
Springfield Twp 1, Upper Moreland 0
The Spartans, despite significant turnover from a season ago, made a goal of qualifying for the playoffs this season.
They’ve relied on a lot of underclassmen, but the team’s six seniors have played a key role against a tough schedule to keep that goal in reach. It’s not final yet, but Springfield Twp has all but locked up that playoff bid, and Tuesday gave the seniors a reason to celebrate thanks to a late winner in the final minutes.
Springfield Twp held No. 4 in Class 2A, the last playoff spot. Upper Moreland is No. 13 in Class 3A with just the top 10 teams making the playoffs.
Scoring Summary
2nd Half
ST – Ava Brnich (Liz Hanuschak) 74th
Goalkeeper Saves
UM Gracie Costello 15 saves
ST Jocelyn Davis 12 saves
Springfield Twp coach Chris Tomarelli on the win: “Big win for the Spartans on Senior Night. Jocelyn Davis with the shutout. It was nice to send out our six seniors – Emily Briggs, Avery Cleary, Jocelyn Davis, Grace Robinson, Leni Rumer, Shannon Silvius – with a win. We have been in every game this year, so it was nice to pick up our fifth division win. It was a really exciting game, and I give Upper Moreland credit for playing a great game.”
The goal: “Liz hit a nice ball into the box where Ava was able to slot it home.”
UM coach Lisa Benvenuto on the match: “Tonight’s game was really a crowd pleaser–both teams fighting from the first whistle to the last. Possession was split pretty equally throughout the game. In the first half, we played a bit more direct, getting quite a few opportunities but not being able to finish them. At the half, we discussed a few changes to our game plan and discussed what we would need to do to improve our play. In the second half, we were able to get more into a rhythm, we were finding feet, showing back to the ball, and switching the field. Again, we were able to create some dangerous opportunities. In the 74th minute, Springfield put one in. We didn’t take our foot off the gas.”
Standouts: “We played a really sound game–we had the effort and drive; we just didn’t finish. We had strong play throughout the field. Madeline Cox, Leah King, Keiley Hawk, Maggie Brophy, and Stephanie Jones really worked well together in transitioning to our attack and winning 50/50 balls. Our defensive line was also solid, Annalise Messina, Lizzie Walker and Deana Swedberg played a really smart game. Gracie Costello was spectacular in net.”
Up next: Upper Moreland (9-8, 4-5 SOL) hosts Lower Moreland at 7 on Thursday. Springfield Twp (5-12, 5-4) hosts Cheltenham at 3:30 on Tuesday.
UPPER MORELAND 0 0 – 0
SPRINGFIELD TWP 1 0 – 1
New Hope-Solebury 3, Cheltenham 1
The Lions honored their seniors thanks to a standout effort from one of those seniors who has been sidelined much of the season.
Mia Usatin hasn’t been able to impact many games this season due to injury, but the Tufts University recruit made up for it on Tuesday. The senior scored all three goals in a virtuoso effort, rallying her team from a 1-0 halftime deficit.
Scoring Summary
1st Half
Cheltenham goal
2nd Half
NHS – Mia Usatin
NHS – Mia Usatin
NHS – Mia Usatin
NHS coach Laura Motley on the win: “The girls really stepped up tonight for our Senior Night. Our seven seniors -Devon Maguire, Brenda Amador Vasquez, Jaime Gugger, Amalie Marino, Cynee Catalano, Arya Heble and Mia Usatin – all had fantastic games. Despite playing well and a few great saves by Arya Heble, we found ourselves down 1-0 at halftime.
“The girls didn’t put their heads down and were able to come back and win in the second half. They fought for each other and truly came together as a team tonight.”
Usatin’s big night: “Senior captain Mia Ustain has been injured for most of the season but really showed up tonight. She had a tremendous game, controlling the midfield, laying some beautiful through balls and capping the night off with a hat trick to win the game 3-1.”
Up next: Cheltenham visits Springfield Twp at 3:30 on Tuesday. New Hope-Solebury visits William Tennent at 6 on Thursday.
NEW HOPE-SOLEBURY 0 3 – 3
CHELTENHAM 1 0 – 1
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