Check out the recaps for SOL girls’ soccer teams in action Thursday. (Springfield Twp/Lower Moreland photos provided courtesy of Jim Sweeney/Springfield soccer)
SOL Freedom
SPRINGFIELD TWP 1, LOWER MORELAND 0
The Spartans had to delay their Senior Night festivities a few days, but it was worth the wait as they edged the Freedom Division champion Lions in a thriller.
“Tonight’s game was a really special night for these student athletes,” Spartans’ coach Dan Malora said. “This game was initially scheduled for Monday, but we got rained out just before the tap. The team even had the senior banner and decorations up before the game was postponed. The three-day delay did not affect the efforts our families and school put into making sure we honored the hard work that our seniors put into such an amazing season.
“From the tap, these girls played with a grit and determination that you only see when a whole group comes together with a single purpose. The Spartans, as a whole, wanted to win this game for each other.”
The Spartans broke a scoreless deadlock when – in the 20th minute – junior Kaleigh Evans got loose and buried a low corner shot. It was her 19th goal of a stellar season.
“From that point on, it was all gas pedal for both teams,” Malora said. “The second half was a back and forth of attacks, holds,
transitions and counter attacks.”
Despite the end-to-end action, the respective defenses stood tall, and the Spartans’ 1-0 lead held the rest of the way.
“The game was a tug of war, before and after the only goal,” Malora said. “One of the greatest parts about tonight’s game was the impactful contributions made by our senior players. Emily West capped off her high school career with an impressive clean sheet. Emily had 10 saves on the night, but none were bigger than the back-to-back stops she made in the latter parts of the second half. That sequence saved the game for us.
“The steady presence of the senior leadership on our back line was a big key to our victory today. Senior captains Shannon Meder, Ashely Jenkins and Paige Robinson worked relentlessly to keep Lower Moreland’s dangerous goal scorers from seeing open looks.
“Up top, Kendall Donnelly, put on a tenacious display of grit, and she generated some scoring opportunities early. Our coaching staff is immensely proud of the hard work and character that the players showed through such a hard-fought battle.”
Lower Moreland coach Todd Hill credited the play of both sides.
“Tough loss to Springfield,” the Lions’ coach said. “It was their senior night, and they brought a lot of energy. Our girls generally played a good game, but Springfield’s defense made it tough on us. Amelia Brown, Payton Lennon, Demmi Fox and Morgan Pennisi played well, being a dominant force through the middle of the field.”
Springfield Township closed out its season with an 8-10 record, 6-10 SOL. With the win, the Spartans jumped to 11th in the latest District 1 3A power rankings, but only 10 teams advance to the tournament. Lower Moreland (9-8, 9-7) – 10th in the latest power rankings – will close out its regular season with a non-league game at Central Bucks West Friday at 3:30 p.m.
Lower Moreland 0-0 0
Springfield Twp 1-0 1
SOL Liberty
QUAKERTOWN 2, PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 0
The Panthers closed out the regular season on a high note, shutting out the visiting Colonials.
“It was a tough-fought game between two evenly matched teams,” Quakertown coach Jon Gingrich said. “Our defense played awesome and helped keep the ball on their side of the field for most of the game.”
Mackenna Calabria put the Panthers on the board with a goal in the first half, and in the second half, Carolyn Sipprell scored on a head ball off a free kick assisted by Madison Taylor for the 2-0 final.
Quakertown closed out its regular season with a 9-7-2 record overall (9-6-1 SOL). The Panthers are 17th in the latest District 1 4A power rankings. Plymouth Whitemarsh finished its regular season with an 8-8-2 record (6-8-2 SOL). The Colonials are 26th in the latest rankings.
Plymouth Whitemarsh 0-0 0
Quakertown 1-1 2
SOL Patriot/Colonial crossover
COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 4, SOUDERTON 2
The Golden Hawks opened up a 3-0 halftime lead and never looked back in a contest that was originally scheduled for Sept. 30 but postponed due to lack of officials.
“We wanted to protect the home field and were looking to solidify a first round home (district) playoff game next week,” Rock South coach Nick Heim said. “We challenged the girls to answer the first whistle, and to their credit, they did just that.”
The Golden Hawks got on the scoreboard just over two minutes into the contest.
“We earned a corner kick, and Zoe Brossman played a perfect ball that Cam Blatz got a touch on to make it 1-0,” Heim said. “Fifteen minutes later, Kathryn O’Kane was able to get to the end line and played a great cross across the goal.”
Lily Bross was there to slot it home, giving the Golden Hawks a 2-0 lead.
“Just under a minute later, Cailey Doyle intercepted a pass and played Blatz in on a breakaway to stretch the lead to three at the break,” Heim said. “We continued to pressure and got a bit of luck as a Souderton clearance hit a defender and went in to make it 4-0 with 34 (minutes) to play.”
The Indians battled to the final horn and scored a pair of late goals.
“In the second half we came out stronger but unfortunately fell victim to a freak own goal,” Souderton coach Ian Smith said. “A clearance caught one of our players in the back and looped into the net.
“Toward the end of the match, senior Alexis Stefanowicz hit a nice volley for our first goal after a decently worked set piece from midfield. With about eight seconds left in the game, freshman Sienna Stunkard got our second goal. Senior Maggie Fisher found Sienna with a really great through ball. Sienna cut in and put a postage stamp in the far corner. (It was a) tough way to end the season.”
Heim was able to give a lot of his players minutes in Thursday’s regular season finale.
“To Souderton’s credit, they never gave up,” Heim said. “We were really pleased with the girls focus and effort today- we knew it wasn’t a win-or-go-home situation, but we stressed how all of the work they put in from preseason until now we can’t let go to waste and they answered the bell.
“(We’re) looking forward for another opportunity in the playoffs with a really strong D1 field.”
Council Rock South finished its regular season with a 12-3-3 record (11-3-2 SOL). The Golden Hawks are 11th in the latest District 1 4A power rankings. Souderton closed its season with a 5-12, 1 record overall (4-11-1 SOL)
Souderton 0-2 2
Council Rock South 3-1 4
Non-league
NORTH PENN 2, GREAT VALLEY 0
As endings go, the Knights made their season finale a good one, shutting out the visiting Patriots in a non-league battle. It was their fourth win in their last five games. An impressive finish after a 1-8 start.
“It was definitely a great way to wrap up the season,” NP coach Mike Rio said. “I thought the girls really have played well over the second half of the season.
“After the start, they very easily could have mailed in the effort, but they continued to practice and train and play hard, and we closed out the season really positively. I think all the girls can walk away from the season feeling positive about how they ended it and the games they played down the stretch. I’m really proud of the way the girls worked and the effort they’ve given. The senior class has been a great group to work with and I’ve felt privileged to get to coach them.
Neither team scored in the first half, but the Knights found the net with a pair of goals in the second half.
“The game tonight was really physical and high energy and emotion for the last game of the season for both teams,” Rio said. “I thought our girls really stepped up and played great.
“In the second half, Abby Plaugher hit one of the better free kicks I’ve seen. She shot it from about 25 out and it nestled in right in the far top corner.
“The second goal was after Lauren Blanch took a shot and Andie Salmon was there to fire home the rebound. The girls continued to work hard and only gave up one or two chances. It was a really emotional night, but the girls really worked to end the season with a win. I think with both the Senior Night win this week and then the win tonight, the seniors especially created some good memories that they will be able to take with them.”
North Penn closed out its season with a 7-10-1 record (6-9-1 SOL).
Great Valley 0-0 0
North Penn 0-2 2
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