Check out the recaps for SOL girls’ soccer teams in action Wednesday.
SOL Continental
Central Bucks South 4, Central Bucks East 3
With 15 minutes left on the clock Wednesday, the Titans trailed the Patriots 3-0.
By the end of the game, the Titans had scored four times and out of nowhere, picked up a critical win and three points in the battle of teams trying to make a push for the playoffs.
“I couldn’t be prouder of the girls registering a come-from-behind victory against our sister school, CB East,” South coach Betsy Bullock said. “East dominated the first half with two breakaway goals and a goal from well outside the box.”
Senior co-captain Lauren Farrell led the charge for CB South, scoring twice and assisting the game-winner. Down three goals in the final legs of the match, the Titans made some attack-minded adjustments.
“We did change up a few things. We had Colby Roach play midfield and pushed Janessa Watson up top which helped with offensive pressure,” Bullock said. “The energy certainly did change and once that first goal went in – we kept the ball in their defensive third with lots of pressure.”
Farrell started the improbable rally with a driven ball off a corner kick taken by Ally Cutter.
Grace Tecce supplied an assist to Janessa Watson in the 71st minute to cut the lead in half before Farrell knotted it up in the 78th minute on another helper by Tecce.
“She is one of our senior captains and always leads the team on the field,” Bullock said of Farrell. “She was able to continue to apply high pressure and caused them to make some mistakes in the back.”
In the final minute of play, Farrell gained possession of the ball at the top of the box and took a shot. While saved, it wasn’t cleared and Sophia Kane pounced to hammer home the game-winner.
“Defensively Bridget Curtis and Lauren Spear stood out,” Bullock said. “The team played with heart and resolve.”
CB South (4-7, 3-5 SOL) hosts Souderton on Friday while Central Bucks East (4-7-2, 1-5-2) visits North Penn.
CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 0 4 – 4
CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 3 0 – 3
Goals: CBS – Lauren Farrell 2, Sophia Kane, Janessa Watson
Central Bucks West 3, Souderton 1
After getting swept by the Indians last year, the Bucks came into the season looking to return the favor.
Notching a 1-0 win in the first meeting, CB West stormed back from an early deficit to pick up its second win over Souderton this fall.
“This was a total team win tonight. We came to their field on their Pink Out night and played a great 80 minutes of soccer,” Bucks coach Mike Moyer said. “I thought we played well in the first half, we had some great opportunities but we couldn’t put one in. They scored on us late on a ball we couldn’t clear and we went into halftime down 1-0.”
The Indians worked the ball early and found a goal late in the opening half.
“Katie Pazdziorko made a good run down the right side of the field to send in a cross that was eventually hit home by Hannah Alderfer,” Indians coach Ian Smith said. “The Indians almost doubled their lead before halftime in similar fashion, but Avery Nogami shot the ball just wide of West’s net. Souderton had a strong first half in which we were able to control the midfield and win almost every 50/50 ball.”
An energized CB West team took the pitch after halftime and quickly found an equalizer.
“The second half the girls came out on fire. We scored in the first five minutes on a great set piece,” Moyer said. “Taylor Moyer hit a ball far post that Tori Albrecht headed back to Keely McGlone who knocked it in to tie it at 1-1.”
West rode the early momentum to a quick second goal started by Maeve Schiffler playing a ball up to Taylor Moyer.
“Taylor turned her defender on the 20 and rifled a left footed shot that gave us a 2-1 lead,” Moyer said.
Erin Fitzsimmons pushed the lead to 3-1 on a solo effort. The senior took the ball off a Souderton player about 30 yards out, took a couple of touches then buried a laser from about 25 yards away for the final margin.
“I was really happy to see us play the game out,” Moyer said. “Souderton is an extremely tough team to defend in the midfield, and I thought we did a good job keeping them in check.”
West wasn’t at full strength, but the players tasked to fill in and who came off the bench made sure it wasn’t a negative factor in the outcome but instead a positive one.
“The player of the match was Allie Evan. She was a beast in the back and Mariella Neri filled in for Courtney Moylan and played outstanding at center back,” Moyer said. “We got great minutes from Grace Parlee, Erin Stranix, and Ava Longo.”
Central Bucks West (9-3-1, 5-2-1 SOL) will visit Pennridge on Friday afternoon while Souderton (9-4-1, 4-3-1) visits Central Bucks South.
CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 0 3 – 3
SOUDERTON 1 0 – 1
Goals: CBW – Keely McGlone, Taylor Moyer, Erin Fitzsimmons
Pennridge 2, Quakertown 0
Anytime the Rams and Panthers meet, it’s an important game.
With Pennridge still keeping an unbeaten record and Quakertown coming off a strong week, both sides entered Wednesday night’s match trying to keep it going.
Thanks to a goal on each side of halftime, both coming from sophomores, the Rams emerged the victors.
Leah Malone scored an individual goal in the first half for the game-winner. Riley Hepler, part of the Rams’ growing core of reserves, added the second off a Grace Myers corner kick.
Pennridge (11-0, 7-0 SOL) hosts Central Bucks West on Friday afternoon while Quakertown (6-6-1, 2-5-1) is off until next week.
PENNRIDGE 1 1 – 2
QUAKERTOWN 0 0 – 0
Goals: P – Leah Malone, Riley Hepler
SOL NATIONAL
Council Rock South 2, Neshaminy 0
Most teams prefer the comforts of home games, and while the Golden Hawks love their home crowd, they’ve grown to enjoy high-pressure road games.
Wednesday was certainly one of those, as CR South took on Neshaminy under the lights as the Redskins celebrated Senior Night. It was the Golden Hawks emerging with a win.
“When we have veteran leadership with 10 seniors, they’ve been through all kinds of scenarios. As far back as when they were sophomores they were road warriors getting us to states and playing in big environments,” Hawks coach Nick Heim said. “You could hear them talking about how excited they were to play in this environment tonight. It’s fantastic to see how mentally strong they’ve become as they’ve matured through the program. It’s not often players ask to play on the side in front of rowdy fans, but we have that mentality with this group.”
Heim, who added it was great environment, praised his team’s ability to stay calm and composed while also sticking to the main points of emphasis. It started with defense, especially against a Neshaminy team that’s thrived scoring off restarts.
“Neshaminy is a dangerous team going forward and can really deliver quality services. We worked hard in practice defending those services and turning them into transition opportunities and the girls executed what we asked of them,” Heim said. “A total team win with contributions from every player on the roster.”
Council Rock South tried to keep the game compact, which meant the defenders had to communicate well.
“Our defenders played great. Karly Wunder, Dana DeDominicis limited chances up the middle, and we used rotations of Carly Irvin, Skylar Nowmos, Maddie Slubowski, and Kim Speiser on the outside to stay fresh,” Heim said. “Sydney Mandel came up with big saves when needed.”
The Hawks got all the offense they would need in the first half thanks to one of their road-tested seniors. Sammy Jones, who has been a consistent scoring threat all season, posted a first half brace on assists by Aubrey Hondros and Madison McDowell.
“Sammy has been nothing short of fantastic for us. She has a unique ability to find gaps in defenses and has a really great finishing ability,” Heim said. “Over the last two years she has really put in work to get clinical around goal.”
It’s not all Jones, however, and the senior is as adept passing the ball as she is shooting it.
“It helps that we have been able to use forwards like Claudia Steinmetz and Madison McDowell that are great forwards on the ball and are dangerous going forward,” Heim said. “It allows players like Sammy to read the game a play ahead and find the space to get themselves to goal.”
Council Rock South (8-2, 6-1 SOL) hosts defending PIAA Class 3A champion Villa Joseph Marie on Friday afternoon in nonleague play. Neshaminy (7-4-1, 4-3-1) will host Bensalem on Friday.
COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 2 0 – 2
NESHAMINY 0 0 – 0
Goals: CRS – Sammy Jones 2
William Tennent 3, Bensalem 2
The Panthers have been a chance or two away in nearly every SOL National match they’ve lost this season.
Wednesday, they got a win but still had to work just as hard to earn it.
“(We had) a quick start with Caroline Weir netting two goals in the first four minutes of play and then it was Bensalem’s turn to put the pressure back on us,” Tennent coach Bill Hontz said. “They scored and made it 2-1 a few minutes later. I give them credit for keeping the game close the entire game and were within inches on two or three free kicks from equalizing the game.”
Weir scored all three goals for Tennent, adding her third in the 55th minute before the Owls again quickly responded. It’s been a strong season for Weir, who was instrumental in getting the three points Wednesday.
“We have been moving her around center mid and forward as we need to for control of the game,” Hontz said. “She never gives up on a play and is willing to take 1v1’s with mini challenges.”
Tennent’s defense held a one-goal lead for 20 minutes.
“Liz Layer and Ciarra McFeely in the back are playing solid with positioning and staying positive,” Hontz said.
Tennent (4-6, 3-4 SOL) visits Council Rock North on Friday night while Bensalem (1-9, 1-6) hosts Pennsbury Friday afternoon.
WILLIAM TENNENT 2 1 – 3
BENSALEM 1 1 – 2
Goals: WT – Caroline Weir 3
Council Rock North 5, Harry S Truman 0
The Indians started quick against a banged-up but determined Tigers team.
“We had a good team performance today at Truman,” CR North coach Gavin Flannigan said. “I was pleased to see the quality of our ball movement and intensity after a few days off.”
Alyssa Lanigan opened the scoring before Taylor Brennan posted a brace for a 3-0 halftime lead. Brooke Strobel and Paige Addis scored in the second half while Strobel helped share the shutout with Sarah Khantzian.
“Credit to Truman, they battled hard to the end of the game, on a hot day,” Flannigan said. “I know they are struggling with a few injuries but they played hard until the end.”
Council Rock North (8-3-1, 4-3-1 SOL) hosts William Tennent on Friday night. Harry S Truman (0-10, 0-8) visits Neshaminy on Friday afternoon.
COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 3 2 – 5
HARRY S TRUMAN 0 0 – 0
Goals: CRN – Alyssa Lanigan, Taylor Brennan 2, Brooke Strobel, Paige Addis
SOL AMERICAN
Hatboro-Horsham 2, Wissahickon 1 (OT)
Both times the Hatters and Trojans met this season, the game needed extra time to solve.
Both times, Wissahickon scored first and forced the Hatters to adjust. Wednesday, it was Wissahickon taking advantage of a slow-starting Hatters side to apply pressure with some early corner kicks.
The first goal didn’t come until late in the half when Wissahickon senior Carly Amato’s shot caromed off the keeper’s hands and post before nestling over the goal line.
“We came out slow so I gave them a talk at halftime to get their energy up,” Hatboro-Horsham coach Kelsey Daley said. “They came out in the second half a completely different team and just wanted this game more.”
Hatboro-Horsham took its first loss of the season last week at Plymouth Whitemarsh, then played to a scoreless draw against Upper Dublin before recovering with a win over Downingtown West on Saturday.
“I wouldn’t say last week was as much of a slump, we still played really well we just couldn’t find the back of the net,” Daley said. “We hit the post multiple times or shot just wide. We struggled scoring-wise but overall playing-wise, the passes were still there, the team chemistry was still there.”
Among the changes the Hatters made at half was pushing another forward into the mix. Daley didn’t have hesitation about weakening the back end with senior Cam Ryan patrolling the middle third of the field.
“That’s where I give Cam Ryan credit,” Daley said. “Going into the second half, I changed the lineup and added another forward in there. I had full confidence Cam Ryan could control the center mid by herself and she did exactly that.”
Ally Eutermoser started the tying goal with a hard shot off the left side that led to a rebound punched home by Emily Thomas.
The Hatters were able to keep Wissahickon locked in their own end for much of the second half by winning a majority of headers and tackles while the back line of Peighton Toale, Aly Yankanich, Izzy De La Torre, Gabby Liott and Sophia Liott combined to keep Wissahickon’s chances at a minimum.
“This year it’s a new defense, so the first couple games they had to bind together,” Daley said. “With every passing game, they get better and better, stronger and more confident in each other.”
Eutermoser scored the game-winner in the final 40 seconds of overtime, turning a ball over the top from Gabby Liott into a breakaway chance.
Wissahickon (6-6, 5-4 SOL) is at Springfield Twp on Friday while Hatboro-Horsham (9-1-1, 7-1-1) hosts Upper Moreland.
HATBORO-HORSHAM 0 1 1 – 2
WISSAHICKON 1 0 0 – 1
Goals: HH – Emily Thomas, Ally Eutermoser; W – Carly Amato
Abington 6, Upper Moreland 2
Abington and Upper Moreland created plenty of chances but the Ghosts put away more on Wednesday.
Freshmen Lily Gray and Maura Day staked Abington to a 2-0 lead before Grace Quinn and Casey Touey bracketed goals around one by Upper Moreland’s Grace Burns for a 4-1 halftime lead.
Touey and Quinn each scored in the second half, giving each forward a brace before Burns tacked on her second of the game.
UM keeper Jaclyn Martino made 10 saves.
“There are many things that a scoreboard doesn’t reveal about a game. Abington was able to finish on their opportunities,” Golden Bears coach Lisa Benvenuto said. “We will continue to learn from our losses and work to improve.”
Abington (7-5, 7-2 SOL) hosts Upper Dublin on Friday while Upper Moreland (4-7-1, 3-5-1) is at Hatboro-Horsham.
ABINGTON 4 2 – 6
UPPER MORELAND 1 1 – 2
Goals: A – Casey Touey 2, Grace Quinn 2, Maura Day, Lily Gray; UM – Grace Burns 2
Plymouth Whitemarsh 3, Springfield Twp 0
The Colonials made it six wins in a row but needed a half to get going.
PW’s defense, which posted another shutout, provided a part in all three goals. Center back Ava Schreiber scored the first two goals, the second off an assist from Bella McNew while defender Gabby Cooper assisted Fiona Gooneratne.
Hope Barrist and Devon Skiles split the shutout in goal.
Plymouth Whitemarsh hosts Cheltenham on Friday while Springfield Twp hosts Wissahickon.
PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 0 3 – 3
SPRINGFIELD TWP 0 0 – 0
Goals: PW – Ava Schreiber 2, Fiona Gooneratne
Upper Dublin 6, Cheltenham 0
Laura Pendleton connected for a hat trick to lead the Flying Cardinals to the conference win.
Upper Dublin led 2-0 at halftime thanks to goals from Lauren Melick and Pendleton.
Mia Wright and Ally Astorino both added single goals. For Astorino, it was her first varsity goal.
Rachel Adelman saved three shots to preserve the shutout.
Upper Dublin (4-6-2, 4-3-2 SOL) will be on the road at Abington Friday, and Cheltenham (3-9, 1-8) will travel to Plymouth Whitemarsh Friday.
CHELTENHAM 0 0 – 0
UPPER DUBLIN 2 4 – 6
Goals: UD – Laura Pendleton 3, Mia Wright, Lauren Melick, Ally Astorino.
Non-league
North Penn 2, Archbishop Ryan 1 (OT)
The Knights had to scrap for it, but Becca Richardson helped them earn a win over the top team in the PCL standings.
“She’s just a smart physical player who works hard to get in good position, and she has the technical ability to finish when given the chance and it was awesome to see her take advantage of that today,” Knights co-head coach Mike Rio said of Richardson.
Richardson scored both goals for North Penn after Ryan took a lead in the first five minutes of play. The Knights were able to get things cleaned up at the back and despite trailing at the half, started to create more pressure.
“It was a really great win for us. I am pretty sure they have been unbeaten all season so obviously they are a tough team,” Rio said. “They were physical with the ball and off of it, and our girls really had to dig deep. We didn’t play as well as we would have liked in the first half and Ryan scored on a nice cross and shot where they caught us a bit.”
North Penn tied it early in the second half when speedster Emily Varilla beat Ryan’s defenders to the end line and fired off a cross that found Richardson in the right spot for a shot to the low corner.
“We couldn’t find the breakthrough in regulation but did what we had to do defensively to keep them off the board,” Rio said. “Really happy with the way our team rebounded in the second half and we got contributions from everyone and even the girls coming in off the bench, it was a really good team effort and win for us today.”
Richardson, a junior, has played mostly as a defensive midfielder this season giving cover to the back line. Seeking a spark on Wednesday, the Knights moved pieces around and put the midfielder in more attacking areas.
“She was able to find herself in a few offensive opportunities where she has usually stayed home a bit more defensively,” Rio said. “We’ve been developing chances and offense all season but haven’t necessarily been able to find the end result and she found some chances out there today and was able to put the ball in the back of the net for us.”
Early in overtime, the Knights won a free kick in Ryan’s defensive half. Senior Grace Sacchetti sent in another quality ball and it led to the game-winner.
“Grace Sacchetti played a nice ball in and Becca was able to come out of the scrum with it and put it in the back of the net,” Rio said.
North Penn (5-7-1, 2-4-1 SOL) hosts Central Bucks East on Friday.
NORTH PENN 0 1 1 – 2
ARCHBISHOP RYAN 1 0 0 – 1
Goals: NP – Becca Richardson 2
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