Check out the recaps for SOL girls’ soccer teams in action Tuesday. (Pennridge/CB East photo provided courtesy of Althea Tomlinson.)
SOL CONTINENTAL
Central Bucks East 0, Pennridge 0 (2 OTs)
Tuesday night, the Patriots did something no other team had done this fall.
They took a point from a matchup with Pennridge.
“First and foremost, we took a lot away from the CB South-Pennridge in that we went in with the same mindset that South did that we needed to defend first and that’s our focus,” CB East coach Jake Nesteruk said. “I thought collectively we defended really well as a group. We stayed compact and ultimately pulled off the plays when we needed them. It wasn’t a pretty game from us.”
Going into the game, the Patriots knew the midfield would be a pivotal battleground and adapted their formation to account for it. CB East played an extra center midfielder, and it helped level some of Pennridge’s strength in that part of the field.
“Elise Duffy was really critical for us winning the ball and getting us moving forward,” Nesteruk said. “Brooke Roumy gave us key minutes and worked really well off Emma Martin’s feet, and ultimately, Liv Black did a lot for us to win 50/50s and they all bought in and played good defense.”
Nesteruk chalked Tuesday’s outcome to a mindset change more than anything tactical. Pennridge topped the Patriots in their first meeting, but East took the lessons from that match to mind in the return fixture.
“Our biggest lesson was they’re top dogs for a reason and you have to make the adjustments,” Nesteruk said. “You have to put girls in spots where you think you’re going to stay in the game as long as possible and that was our biggest takeaway. First and foremost, give them the respect they deserve then let’s learn from them, study them and put ourselves in a spot where we can best cover up our weaknesses and mitigate any danger.”
Nesteruk felt his whole lineup played an integral role, including forward Emma Martin who held the ball and kept possession for her teammates.
The defensive unit was also asked to shoulder a heavy load and responded in turn.
“Marissa Plack was huge for us winning the ball in the air and distribution-wise just stretched us out when we needed it and relieved a lot of pressure,” Nesteruk said. “Courtney Curry (a sophomore) played like a senior tonight and gave us key minutes. We had a lot of contributors off the bench tonight, kept the legs fresh and the game compact and ultimately made the plays when we needed to.”
The Patriots will lose some mainstays next year, but have a promising core of players slated to return. Tuesday’s result isn’t enough to get East into the playoffs this year, but Nesteruk felt it could be a springboard into the offseason.
“It showed we can hang with absolutely anybody,” Nesteruk said. “I think I saw they’re the 13th ranked team in the country and rightfully so, they’re extremely well-coached with great talent on the field. If we treat every game with the mindset it requires that much work and if you bring that much effort, good things will happen. I couldn’t think of a better game and a better result to springboard us into the next season.”
Pennridge (15-0-1, 10-0-1 SOL) visits North Penn on Thursday night, while CB East (5-9-3, 2-7-3) hosts Upper Dublin on Friday to finish the season.
PENNRIDGE 0 0 0 0 – 0
CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 0 0 0 0 – 0
North Penn 2, Central Bucks South 0
The Knights knew they were in for a tough match against a South team in form and playing for a playoff bid.
“Absolutely fantastic win for us tonight. South has been really playing well and we were excited to split the season with them,” North Penn co-head coach Mike Rio said. “We just played a really great all-around game. I thought we controlled possession and play and had a few chances off set pieces in the first half that we couldn’t quite finish but felt like we were playing well enough to get more.”
The teams went in to the break tied 0-0, but North Penn felt it was in good position. North Penn entered the match No. 19 in the District I 4A rankings but knew a win would only help their cause.
“In the second half Emily Varilla capitalized on a phenomenal break away to give us the one-goal lead,” Rio said. “We continued to play strong defensively and got a chance on a set piece from Grace Sacchetti that Tia Sheehy was able to finish after Lauren Blanch received it and laid it off for her.”
Rio also lauded the play of his defense and goalkeepers Anna Fiore and Grace McGarry in the shutout.
“Grace and Casey Cavanaugh have been consistently strong in the middle for us defensively, but I was really happy with the way out outside backs Landry Holt and Reagan Ertel played tonight especially,” Rio said.
Holt has been a mainstay on the back all season while Ertel has stepped up recently with the Knights new-look back line. Both have great pace and Rio said they took good positioning to combat South’s talented flank players.
“Their vision and anticipation on where the passes were coming from allowed them to step into a lot of lanes,” Rio said. “They also provide us with great support transition up the field and can work good combinations with or center mids and outside mids. Technically they play smart balls and always are able to play us out of trouble.”
North Penn (8-7-2, 5-4-2 SOL) will host Pennridge on Thursday night, CB South (5-9-2, 4-7-0) will be at CB West to close the regular season.
NORTH PENN 0 2 – 2
CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 0 0 – 0
Goals: NP – Emily Varilla, Tia Sheehy
Central Bucks West 1, Quakertown 1 (2 OTs)
The past few games, the Panthers had lost some of the attacking spark that had carried them when the second half of conference play began.
Playing for their postseason lives, they found a little bit of it again on Tuesday against a short-handed but still resilient Bucks squad.
“We tried to get at them more and create things,” Quakertown coach Mike Koch said. “For us, it was a sister act. Morgan Sipprell, my goalkeeper, was awesome and the goal was scored by her sister Caroline.”
Shea Lubin opened the scoring with a goal for CB West off an assist from Taylor Moyer. The Bucks were without some key cogs, including standout Ryan Fitzsimmons but managed to work through with their depth.
“I thought we played a solid game. We had plenty of chances but their goalie played a heck of a game,” West coach Mike Moyer said. “We got on the board about 20 minutes in when Taylor Moyer dribbled past a couple girls and made a great pass to Shea Lubin who hit a great left footed shot to give us a 1-0 lead.”
Quakertown knotted the score late in the second half while Koch echoed Moyer in saying both teams created chances and played well.
“Sometimes we get stuck back on our heels, and it was really about getting forward more and using the flanks,” Koch said. “We needed to start playing with some courage and we did. We played outstanding.”
Koch credited his midfield for matching up well with West’s talented midfield duo of Erin Fitzsimmons and Tori Albrecht and his defenders for being aware when the Bucks drew set piece chances.
“We had control of the game for most of the second half. We had a miscue in the back and gave a ball right to their forward and she hit a 30-yard ball into an empty net,” Moyer said. “I give Mike and Quakertown a ton of credit because they never gave up.”
The Bucks, while battling for a first round district bye, are also hoping to get healthy before the start of the postseason.
“We are banged up a lot. That’s the problem we have playing the teams in our division twice. I wish each team in each conference played each other one time. We don’t get games off and it starts to show this time of the year,” Moyer said. “I thought Becca Hauser and Courtney Moylan were fantastic in the back. Alexa Vail was also very dangerous for us in the midfield.”
“West is down some players and I give Mike Moyer a lot of credit, he’s a really good coach,” Koch said. “He’s working around that to keep his team competing.”
Koch cited the standout play of Melina Jagiello, Cori Pursel and Kyla Frederick.
Quakertown’s postseason hopes aren’t out yet, but the Panthers will need a positive result in their season finale and quite likely a little help.
“The playoffs start for us Thursday, that’s what I’m looking at,” Koch said. “Last year when we played this game, it wasn’t meaningful and I was proud of my team that we went out and competed without any specific to play for. Well, we have something to play for now.”
Quakertown (6-9-2, 2-7-2 SOL) – 24th in the latest District One 4A power rankings – visits Souderton to finish the regular season on Thursday, CB West (10-4-3, 5-3-3) hosts CB South.
CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 1 0 0 0 – 1
QUAKERTOWN 0 1 0 0 – 1
Goals: CBW – Shea Lubin; Q – Caroline Sipprell
SOL NATIONAL
Council Rock North 1, Bensalem 0
The Indians are getting a lot of practice in close matches.
“Another extremely competitive SOL game today, coming out on the back end of a back-to-back is always tough, and I think both teams competed pretty hard throughout,” CR North coach Gavin Flannigan said.
While the Indians had more possession in the first half, the Owls had the two best chances. Without heroics from keeper Grace Needham, the Indians easily could have found themselves on the back foot.
“Grace Needham came up big with a save on a breakaway and then right before half time she also saved a PK,” Flannigan said. “We couldn’t find the right final pass and our speed of play wasn’t quick enough to capitalize on our possession.”
At the break, the Indians regroup and focused on the details.
“I thought at the start of the second half we came out with great intensity and we took the lead when Olivia Durcan finished a rebound,” Flannigan said. “Liv is one of our seniors, unfortunately she was injured during preseason, but she epitomizes our team spirit this year.
“She has worked hard to get healthy and has been a great leader on and off the field during that time. She puts the team first and her selflessness as a senior player is a great example to all of our younger players. It was really pleasing to see her get the winning goal.”
The final act of the game was a bit frantic and saw the ball go end to end.
“Bensalem never gave up and forced us to work hard to get the win,” Flannigan said. “Grace Needham and Emma Tobias combined today for the shutout. There was no real standout player today, everyone contributed to the win, a real team effort to get the job done.”
Council Rock North (12-3-2, 7-3-1 SOL) hosts archrival Council Rock South on Thursday. Bensalem (2-14, 2-10) will host Ridley in a non-league game Thursday.
COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 0 1 – 1
BENSALEM 0 0 – 0
Goals: CRN – Olivia Durcan
Council Rock South 4, William Tennent 1
A busy first half was enough for the Golden Hawks to pick up the win.
“We came out and played well. We stressed it could be the last home game on our grass field for our senior class so we wanted to end it with a solid win,” CR South coach Nick Heim said. “Tennent took us to two overtimes last time so we knew they weren’t going to hand it to us.”
CR South is in position to earn a first round district playoff bye, but that’s far from the squad’s focus as it looks to close out the season.
“We don’t play in a league where you can overlook anyone and expect results. We know that everyone is going to make us earn anything we get,” Heim said. “We just want to make sure we are peaking at the right time. The seniors are doing a great job of keeping us focused on getting better each day.”
South’s front line was clicking well on Thursday.
“Aubrey Hondros took a ball from Carli Dickel and went the entire flank with a nice finish. Sammy Jones scored on a Madison McDowell assist to go up 2-0,” Heim said. “Allie Jones found Aubrey on a great run for a 3-0 lead.
“Tennent got one back on a great strike. We went into half up 4-1 after Karly Wunder played a great ball to Sammy who converted for her second of the game.”
With experience and balance in the front, it was just a matter of connecting.
“We stressed finding feet and not playing too direct. The girls executed the game plan really well and didn’t force anything,” Heim said. “We got significant minutes from everyone on the roster today, which made the balanced attack even more exciting to watch.”
Council Rock South (11-3-1, 9-2 SOL) will host Council Rock North on Thursday. Tennent (5-10, 3-8) hosts Harry S Truman to finish the season.
COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 4 0 – 4
WILLIAM TENENNT 1 0 – 1
Goals: CRS – Sammy Jones 2, Aubrey Hondros 2
Pennsbury 6, Harry S Truman 0
Taylor Mays and Sarah Tuohy are still relative newcomers to Pennsbury’s program, but they helped the Falcons continue a long-running streak Tuesday.
Mays had a hat-trick while Tuohy scored two goals and assisted another, locking up sole possession of a sixth straight SOL National title for the Falcons. Emily Welsh also scored while Ashley Conlow added an assist.
“Winning the sixth consecutive league title, and fourth consecutive for our seniors, was a goal the girls set for the team at the beginning of the season. They made their intentions clear to us as a coaching staff from day one when we talked about goal setting,” Pennsbury co-head coach Kim Lindemann said. “We knew they were capable of winning again, and with the experience that some of these girls have had being part of previously winning three league titles and a district title we knew we had the personnel to get the job done.”
Pennsbury, of course, also has intentions of contending for District I and PIAA titles and is in position to earn a first round district bye, but going through the rigors of the SOL National twice adds something to a conference title that can’t be replaced.
“Winning the league takes more than just a few good games strung together. It takes the players finding ways to win, game in and game out,” Lindemann said. “In a strong league, you know every team is going to bring it and throw everything they have at you. Luckily, our seniors are used to having the target on their back.”
Lindemann, co-head coach Kaitlyn Battiste and the rest of their staff merit plenty of credit for putting their teams on the right path each season. Prior to the streak’s beginnings in 2014, the Falcons had never won a conference title but the coaches would be just as quick to pass credit onto the lineage of players who have continued the standard set before them.
“It’s been pretty amazing to not only win, but win consistently over the past six years. It says a lot about all of the players who have worn a Pennsbury jersey and the legacy of success they have paved the way for,” Lindemann said. “Our seniors don’t take that responsibility lightly, and we are so incredibly proud of them for earning their fourth straight. The best part is we know they are still hungry for more, and we can’t wait to see what’s in store for them.”
Truman (2-13, 0-11) visits William Tennent on Thursday. Pennsbury (15-1-1, 11-0) hosts Neshaminy to finish the regular season.
PENNSBURY 4 2 – 6
HARRY S TRUMAN 0 0 – 0
Goals: P- Taylor Mays 3, Sarah Tuohy 2, Emily Welsh
SOL AMERICAN
Wissahickon 3, Upper Dublin 2 (OT)
The mandate has been pretty simple for Wissahickon the last couple weeks: just keep winning.
With the Trojans fighting for their first playoff bid since 2016, every result matters. Add in the emotions of Senior Night and the opponent being neighborhood rival Upper Dublin and the stakes were pretty clear on Tuesday.
“It was definitely a roller-coaster,” Wissahickon coach Chris McDaniels said. “They got one early when I thought we were playing pretty well, so I thought it was against the run of play but to our credit, we started pressing at that point and we created a couple chances.”
UD senior Julia Eustace staked the visitors to a lead seven minutes in when she chanced a volley from deep that pinged the underside of the crossbar and found its way in. The Cardinals gave out plenty of minutes to their seniors but also a host of underclassmen that included some recent JV call-ups.
While the Trojans celebrated their seniors on Tuesday, a pair of underclassmen made sure their night ended the right way. Sophomore Natalie Ryan and freshman Kylie Freidman accounted for all three Trojans goals.
Ryan hit a free kick that Friedman knocked in at the far post midway through the first half to knot the score.
“Natalie Ryan showed some real resilience,” McDaniels said. “She hits a lot of our free kicks and set pieces in general are something we have to get better at. We don’t capitalize nearly as much as we should and it’s something I put to the girls two or three weeks ago that we have to start collecting these set piece goals.”
The second half played out with both teams working hard for a second goal and Friedman and Ryan nearly connected for a second goal off a free kick but the score stayed level into the final minutes.
Upper Dublin thought it had gone ahead with six minutes left on a finish by freshman Alex Devers, but the tally was called back by a late off-side whistle.
The second chance opened a window for Wissahickon when senior Carly Amato drew a foul on the edge of the box. Ryan hit a great free kick, curling around the Cardinals’ defensive wall but inside the far post to go up 2-1 with less than three minutes to play.
“She already scored one like that against Pennridge, she hit it the top corner on the other side, it was just insane,” McDaniels said. “On the corner kicks, she can hit that nasty in-swinger and we talked about it before going out for the overtime if we got any of those, we wanted the ball played in deep.”
UD and Wright got another chance in front of goal less than a minute later. Anna Desch turned a counter into a strong run down the right side before dropping a cross directly to Wright for the calm finish in front.
Late in the first overtime, the Trojans got a corner and put what they talked about into practice. Ryan’s service was deflected off a Cardinals defender, but Friedman didn’t take any chances and charged in to make sure the ball went in the back of the net.
“She’s undoubtedly very talented and very good technically on the ball,” McDaniels said. “When I play with them during training, she’s one of the more difficult girls to guard because she’ll shoot from 20 out with either foot and has that ability.”
McDaniels pointed to the freshman as someone who’s made great steps this fall. Unlike club, forwards have to work a bit harder at the high school level, something Friedman has picked up on.
“The thing I liked about her from Day One is she expects to come out of every game having contributed a goal or an assist,” McDaniels said. “When she doesn’t get hers, she almost gets angry.”
McDaniels, in his second year after taking over the program following a stint as an assistant with the boys program, said this senior class has been very important in re-establishing the culture he wants. With a school of Wissahickon’s size, he’s always going to have a mix of seniors, juniors, sophomores and freshmen on the pitch, but this year’s senior group has kept it all together.
“They really couldn’t be more inclusive,” McDaniels said. “It’s always going to be important for our group of seniors to include all those other girls if you want them to give their all. For example, Kylie is 15 years old out here playing against 18 year olds but the seniors have made sure she’s staying positive and included in everything.”
Wissahickon (10-7, 9-4 SOL) travels to Upper Moreland on Thursday looking to secure a playoff bid. Upper Dublin (6-9-1, 6-6-1) hosts Springfield Twp.
WISSAHICKON 1 1 1 – 3
UPPER DUBLIN 1 1 0 – 2
Goals: W – Kylie Friedman 2, Natalie Ryan; UD – Julia Eustace, Mia Wright
Springfield Twp 3, Cheltenham 1
The Spartans picked up their first conference win of the season in a typical hard-fought match with the Panthers.
“The girls really moved the ball well tonight,” Springfield coach Dan Malora said. “Our back line broke down attacks and transitioned them into counters beautifully.”
Hannah Potocki scored in the 34th minute, following up on a rebound after Annie Giampietro forced a save. The goal countered a tally from Cheltenham’s Lily Crocker.
“Ally White, Macy Lietzel and Fallon George held things in check and allowed Annie the opportunity to get more involved up top,” Malora said. “Hannah Potocki and Siv Jespersen where all over and just kept feeding Elena Hincapie and Emily Smith.”
Hincapie put the Spartans up with a rocket of a shot from inside the 18 off a feed from Rileigh Serroni in the 52nd minute. She added a second goal in the 78th minute thanks to an assist from Margo Hanlon.
“Rileigh Serroni and Mikayla Quinn played with a dominating presence and took away most 50/50 balls,” Malora said. “The Panthers played a great game, too. We know very well that Cheltenham plays hard from start to finish. It’s always a great game.”
Cheltenham (3-14, 1-12 SOL) finishes the season with a visit to Abington on Thursday. Springfield Twp (2-14-1, 1-12) will be at Upper Dublin.
SPRINGFIELD TWP 1 2 – 3
CHELTENHAM 1 0 – 1
Goals: ST – Hannah Potocki, Elena Hincapie 2; C – Lily Crocker
Plymouth Whitemarsh 4, Upper Moreland 0
The Colonials didn’t let the emotion of Senior Night disrupt their focus on staying in the hunt for a conference title.
“It was an all-around great performance,” PW coach Ryan Zehren said. “Senior nights can be tough, sometimes the focus isn’t there but tonight the girls stayed focused and took care of business.”
Aliza Kligerman staked the hosts to a 1-0 lead off a Natalie Lannie assist but found the going tough against a determined Golden Bears squad.
“Upper Moreland always plays us tough and the first half showed that,” Zehren said.
Upper Moreland coach Lisa Benvenuto noted the play of Alexis Lamb, Meghan O’Donnell, Kaiya Herb and Mattea Taylor as “outstanding.”
“We knew the atmosphere tonight was going to be intense. Jaclyn Martino had 11 saves, and our back line was outstanding,” Benvenuto said. “We had a two-minute letdown, and that is where PW took advantage. Their goals in the second half were unbelievable shots. Very well played and executed.”
Lindsey Berman and Max Leszczynski orchestrated a lightning strike offense for PW early in the second half. Berman scored back-to-back goals from Leszczynski and Sam Matthews before Leszczynski finished a Gabby Cooper pass.
“We talked about a few things at halftime to execute a bit better,” Zehren said. “The girls responded with three goals in the first 2:30 of the second half”
Senior Hope Barrist had the win for PW, its ninth consecutive shutout.
Upper Moreland (6-11, 4-9 SOL) hosts Wissahickon on Thursday night.
Plymouth Whitemarsh (14-3, 11-2) will visit Hatboro-Horsham with the SOL American title at stake Thursday afternoon.
“We couldn’t ask for anything more,” Zehren said.
PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 1 3 – 4
UPPER MORELAND 0 0 – 0
Goals: PW – Lindsey Berman 2, Max Leszczynski, Aliza Kligerman
Hatboro-Horsham 5, Abington 0
The Hatters avoided any theatrics with the Ghosts in their second meeting to stay one point ahead in the SOL American standings.
“Going into this week the Lady Hatters knew that all they need to do to win the league is win out,” HH coach Kelsey Daley said. “The girls came out very energetic and excited for this game.”
Senior Gabby Liott buried a first half brace and Maggie O’Neill connected for a 3-0 lead at the half.
“At halftime we were up 3-0 and even being up by three the girls knew they had to go into the second half thinking it was a 0-0 game,” Daley said. “That’s exactly what they did and got a goal in 40 seconds. Every player played great today and it was a full team win.”
Kara Thomas had the early goal in the second half and Ally Eutermoser followed her own rebound to finish the scoring.
“We were connecting passes, communicating, we were having fun,” Daley said “We will enjoy this win and refocus for our game on Thursday vs PW.”
The Hatters (14-1-1, 11-1-1 SOL) host Plymouth Whitemarsh on Thursday for the SOL American title. Abington (8-9, 8-5) will wrap up its regular season against Cheltenham.
HATBORO-HORSHAM 3 2 – 5
ABINGTON 0 0 – 0
Goals: HH – Gabby Liott 2, Maggie O’Neill, Ally Eutermoser, Kara Thomas
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