Check out the recaps for SOL girls' soccer teams in action Tuesday.
SOL National
Council Rock South 3, Neshaminy 0
The Golden Hawks felt like they played their best half of the season in a loss to Pennridge on Friday.
They managed to keep it rolling into Tuesday night under the lights at Neshaminy. On the road against a top-notch opponent, the Hawks picked up a crucial victory.
"I felt Neshaminy set the tone for the first 20 minutes or so and we were fortunate to keep it 0-0," South coach Nick Heim said. "We made a few adjustments that we also made for the second half of the Pennridge game, and it seemed to click a bit. We were able to control the ball a bit more and found a goal before the half ended."
Sierra Tarantino, with Allie Jones assisting, staked the Hawks to a 1-0 halftime advantage. In the teams' first meeting, there was no score at halftime before Neshaminy went on to win in the second half.
During Tuesday's break, the Hawks coaches told the players it was on them to dictate the tempo in the second half.
"The girls answered the second half whistle very strong, with the type of intensity Neshaminy had to start the game," Heim said. "We were able to score 30-some seconds in and got a third two minutes later. I was very proud how they responded to start the second half."
Dana DeDominicis put CR South up 2-0, then Allie Jones added a goal to her earlier helper for a 3-0 edge with Sammy Jones providing the assist on the last goal.
"To the girls' credit, they rose to the challenge," Heim said. "We talked about the environment and how night games at Neshaminy are a great atmosphere and this is why we do this – for these type of scenarios."
As impressive as the Hawks' second half start was, it was rivaled by their effort defensively. Keepers Emily Helmich and Chelsea Jameson combined for the shutout behind a disciplined and organized defense.
"They're loaded with offensive firepower and really play a disciplined game offensively. We stressed defending as a unit and staying disciplined to our assignments," Heim said. "I also felt in the first game Neshaminy won too many balls uncontested and were allowed to turn, which makes their offense very potent. We tried to limit that tonight by contesting more 50/50 balls so even if we lost the initial ball, at least it wasn't a clean win for an offensive player and we could slow the play up to help defend."
Heim noted the play of Aubrey Hondros as "excellent" and added that Madison McDowell and Lauren Smith were strong in the midfield. Seniors Erin McStravock and Maddie Ellershaw provided quality second half minutes to help maintain the lead.
"A lot of it was being disciplined defensively and hungry to create turnovers and pressure them," Heim said. "We felt if we pressed a bit, we could create transition opportunities before they were able to get organized."
Tuesday night provided another example of the level of play in the SOL National night in and night out.
"Neshaminy is a really good team. They're well organized and you can tell they've been coached up well by Renny (Papendick) and Rich (Reice). They have an intensity to their game that not many teams can keep up with, so to see us battle in a league game against this team was nice to see," Heim said. "Last year we won at their place and they returned the favor at our home field later in the year. After they picked up another win at our place, I think our girls were really motivated to pick up a result under the lights in their stadium."
Council Rock South (6-3, 4-2 SOL) will host Quakertown in an SOL crossover on Thursday while Neshaminy (6-2, 4-2) hosts Harry S Truman.
COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 1 2 – 3
NESHAMINY 0 0 – 0
Goals: CRS – Sierra Tarantino, Allie Jones, Dana DeDominicis
Bensalem 2, William Tennent 1
The last time these teams met, the Panthers ran all over the Owls.
Bensalem was determined to get a different outcome on Tuesday. Thanks to a late winner by Alyssa Groves, they did just that.
"It was a back and forth game and a real tight game," Owls coach Bob Crawford said. "The girls knew they didn't put their best foot forward the first game with them, but they're really improving."
Freshman Lexi Cahill staked Bensalem to a 1-0 lead in the first half.
"They're really starting to play for each other," Crawford said. "They're looking to pass and play the ball around, which I'm proud of. It was hard with the field conditions, but they're starting to learn how to let the ball work for them."
Crawford added the game was hard-played but clean and credited the Panthers' coaching staff and speed for posing a constant threat. Tennent tied the game about midway through the second half following a corner kick.
With two more games yet to play this week, the Owls wanted to avoid extra time.
"We know we can always depend on our keeper and our defense to keep us in it, so I pushed our one fullback, Sydney Miller, up to the top," Crawford said. "I wanted to put more speed up top and try to pressure their fullbacks a little bit and it seemed to work toward the end of the game."
Crawford has been working with Groves to find the right time and spots to chance shots and the senior picked a good one on Tuesday. With the game in its final five minutes, Groves found a window about 25 yards out and took it.
"She found the correct window and just unloaded on a shot," Crawford said. "For her to respond that way to something we've been talking about, I was really proud of her. It was a low, hard-driven shot that went through a little bit of a screen to the keeper's right-hand side."
As the Owls have learned to play for each other, they've also started to play with confidence and pride. After Tennent tied things up, Crawford said his players were motivated to go and get the lead right back.
"My assistant coach told me in the past when a goal like that would go in, their shoulders would go down," Crawford said. "They're starting to get angry when they get scored on, which is what you like to see. They think 'that shouldn't have happened, so let's pick everyone up and go back to it.'"
Crawford noted the continued strong play of keeper Kat Rivera and defenders Sydney Miller, Tommi Haffner, Emily Wineburg and Samantha Crawford. With the Panthers looking to press high, the Owls backs had to keep the ball moving throughout the match.
"They tried to double-pressure our center backs and Samantha kept them guessing by not going the same place with the ball all the time," Crawford said. "Sydney went back and forth from defense to offense and defense, so she had a really strong game. The whole team is starting to play good soccer."
Bensalem (5-4, 4-3 SOL) will host Pennsbury under the lights Thursday night while the Panthers (5-6, 3-3) visit Council Rock North Thursday afternoon.
BENSALEM 1 1 – 2
WILLIAM TENNENT 0 1 – 1
Goals: B – Lexi Cahill, Alyssa Groves
SOL Continental
Souderton 3, Central Bucks West 0
Souderton coach Lindsy Jones and her forwards have talked a lot this fall.
With senior Allie Trick, the top returning scorer from last year, sidelined thus far finishing recovery from an injury, the Indians have turned to a relatively new batch of forwards. Coming in to Tuesday, they'd been in a slump.
"I've asked who is going to step up," Jones said. "I even said 'Allie's not here, and it can't be one person.' It needs to be a team effort and what people are going to fill that role? The girls have tried to do it for the whole team and not just themselves."
Souderton's forwards were very active Tuesday, making the type of creative runs off and around each other Jones has been looking for all season.
"I think they've learned that when you're creative, it creates things," Jones said. "Hopefully I think it's hitting home and they can see it. This didn't come against an easy team, not that there are many easy teams, but West is a very, very good team and so they can see, 'Wow that works.'"
Bucks coach Mike Moyer felt Souderton dominated the opening 15 minutes and while the Indians didn't score until later, it set a tone for the match.
"We had plenty of chances, we just didn't have it today," Moyer said. "Our league is the best around, we don't get games off, and if you don't play up to your potential, you won't win the game. I give Souderton a lot of credit, they were the better team today. We will learn from it and now it's time to prepare for Pennridge."
While the Souderton offense has struggled at times, the Indians for the most part haven't been losing those games. That's thanks to the defensive unit, which had another strong effort on Tuesday against a Bucks group that had been firing on all cylinders.
Miranda Kullman and Kailee Harwick led the effort.
"All four of them worked really hard," Jones said. "They've been spectacular all season and I can't ask for anything more. We've had two goals scored on us all year and a third that's an own goal, so I'm really proud of them."
Sophomore Averie Doughty put the Indians on the board late in the first half when she chased down a long ball over the top from Sara Readinger, taking it on a bounce and putting away a composed finish.
"She settled it very nicely on a bounce while on a full run, that's very difficult," Jones said. "Technically, she did that very well."
Erin O'Keefe scored two goals a minute apart in the second half to seal the win. The first was an over-hit cross off the left flank that sailed on a line into the upper corner of the net on the far post while the second was off the type of movement Jones has been harping on.
Taylor Yoder played Campbell Power through, with the midfielder then dribbling wide and crossing back into the box where O'Keefe, a senior, met it for the close-range finish.
"The movement was the best I've seen all season up top," Jones said.
Souderton (6-1-4, 4-1-3 SOL) visits Central Bucks South Thursday afternoon. The Bucks (10-3, 5-3) will pay a visit to Pennridge on Thursday night.
SOUDERTON 1 2 – 3
CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 0 0 – 0
Goals: S – Erin O'Keefe 2, Averie Doughty
Central Bucks South 1, Central Bucks East 0
Often, matches between two of the three Central Bucks schools come down to a single chance.
"It was a see-saw battle with the momentum shifting several times during the game," Titans coach Betsy Bullock said. "The first half saw better possession by South but they were unable to penetrate the East defense."
After halftime, the flow shifted.
"In the beginning of the second half, East was dominating," Bullock said. "They had several chances, most notably a breakaway that keeper Shannon Snyder was able to slide to and prevent the goal."
South was able to regain some footing by getting its midfielders back involved and moving the ball out to the flanks.
"It took until the 70th minute when center midfielder Lauren Farrell slotted a ball to Mackenzie Edwards who finished the pass for the game-winner," Bullock said. "It is always a competitive game when we play East, they are consistently well-coached by Paul Eisold."
South (6-4-2, 4-3-1 SOL) hosts Souderton on Thursday afternoon while East (4-6-1, 2-5-1) visits North Penn on Thursday night.
CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 0 1 – 1
CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 0 0 – 0
Goals: CBS – Mackenzie Edwards
Pennridge 2, Quakertown 0
The Rams went a game up in the SOL Continental with a win over their rivals.
Thanks to Souderton's win over CB West, the Rams are now three points ahead in the Continental table. Abby Groff and Nicolette Harrison provided the goals for Pennridge.
"Lindsey DeHaven I thought was very dangerous along with Ashley Groeber," Rams coach Audrey Anderson said. "They are very good dribblers and with them dribbling, it opened up our forwards.
"Sarah Wiliams was outstanding in the back tonight."
Anderson won her 100th game as head coach at Pennridge.
Pennridge (9-1, 6-1 SOL) hosts CB West Thursday night while Quakertown (1-8-2, 0-7-1) visits Council Rock South in a crossover game.
PENNRIDGE – 2
QUAKERTOWN – 0
Goals: P – Abby Groff, Nicolette Harrison
SOL American
Plymouth Whitemarsh 3, Springfield Twp 1
Natalie Lannie turned in a strong game to lead the Colonials to a win Tuesday.
"Sophomore Natalie Lannie stepped up in a big way," PW coach Ryan Zehren said. "The game seems to slow down when the ball comes to her feet. The weight she puts on her through balls is perfect and precise."
Lannie scored the first goal of the game for the Colonials, thanks to a Kaitlyn Flanagan assist, then added the insurance goal on a PK in the second half. After going up 1-0, the Spartans quickly tied the game.
PW came back to tack on two goals, with Max Leszczynski scoring the game-winner, midway through the second half.
"We have the injury bug, so it was great to see our younger players step up and beat a tough and experienced Springfield team," Zehren said.
Lannie had plenty of help in the midfield as well.
"Senior Ashley Amon was dominant alongside Lannie in the midfield," Zehren said. "She won anything out of the air that came near her."
PW (6-6, 5-4 SOL) hosts Cheltenham on Thursday while Springfield (3-8 2-7) hosts Wissahickon.
PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 0 3 – 3
SPRINGFIELD TWP 0 1 – 1
Goals: PW – Natalie Lannie 2, Max Leszczynski
Abington 4, Upper Moreland 0
The Ghosts won by multiple goals, but the match was still up for grabs until late in the second half.
"We played a really strong first half, both teams having six shots on goal. We were able to collectively stifle and contain Abington’s attack, and put together a counter attack," UM coach Lisa Benvenuto said. "We had really strong defensive showing today—tremendous play by Jaclyn Martino our goalie, Maddie Gerlach, Megan O’Donnell, Kaiya Herb and Chloe Leiter."
Abington's usual suspects – Camryn Lexow, Kailey Horton and Casey Touey – provided the offense for the Ghosts.
"Cam Lexow opened the scoring in the first half with a shot from distance," Ghosts coach Rick Tompkins said. "The Ghosts broke the game open in the second half with another Lexow goal plus a goal and two assists by Kailey Horton. Casey Touey also tallied for Abington."
Lexow's first came in the 13th minute. The other three Abington goals were scored between the 64th and 66th minutes.
"We were able to create some dangerous opportunities but we just couldn’t finish today," Benvenuto said. "There was definitely more to this match than what the scoreboard showed. I am proud of the effort of my girls."
Olivia Oliphant posted her second straight shutout in goal for Abington.
"Arianna Mancini, Riley Crabtree, Caroline Hughes, Emily Friel, Sam Campbell, Elizabeth Tracey and Emily Quinn all worked together in front of Olivia to secure the shutout," Tompkins said. "Caroline Hughes, a freshman, is improving every game."
Abington (9-1, 8-0 SOL) hosts Upper Dublin Thursday night as part of a boys-girls doubleheader at Schwarzman Stadium. Upper Moreland (6-5, 4-5) visits Hatboro-Horsham on Thursday afternoon.
ABINGTON 1 3 – 4
UPPER MORELAND 0 0 – 0
Goals: A – Camryn Lexow 2, Kailey Horton, Casey Touey
Hatboro-Horsham 2, Wissahickon 1
The Hatters snapped a two-game scoring drought and picked up a win in the process.
Cam Ryan set up Kara Thomas for the first Hatboro-Horsham goal, while Maggie O'Neill provided the game-winner.
"Great team win for the Lady Hatters today," Hatboro-Horsham coach Kelsey Daley said. "Solid performances by all players today."
Hatboro-Horsham (7-4, 6-3 SOL) hosts Upper Moreland on Thursday afternoon while Wissahickon (4-8, 4-5) visits Springfield Twp.
HATBORO-HORSHAM 1 1 – 2
WISSAHICKON 1 0 – 1
Goals: HH – Kara Thomas, Maggie O'Neill
Upper Dublin 7, Cheltenham 1
Mia Wright and Tina Haig each had a brace as the Cardinals bounced back from a nonleague loss to the Quakertown Panthers with a win over the Cheltenham Panthers.
Anna Desch scored and assisted a goal for UD, while Laura Pendleton and Julia Eustace also scored a goal. Katie King, Karolina Bocul and Lauren Melick provided assists.
Upper Dublin visits Abington as part of a boys-girls doubleheader on Thursday night while Cheltenham takes on Plymouth Whitemarsh.
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