Check out the recaps for SOL girls’ soccer teams in action. CB East/CB West photos provided courtesy of Tracy Valko. Lower Moreland/William Tennent photos courtesy of Greg Zesinger. Check back for galleries of both games. All SOS photo galleries for GIRLS’ SOCCER can be viewed by clicking HERE.
Central Bucks East 1, Central Bucks West 0
Camryn Williams couldn’t contain a laugh when trying to describe her presence around the goal.
“I feel like I’m a little pest sometimes,” Williams said. “At least, that’s what my dad calls me when I’m on the field.”
Sure, it’s probably extremely annoying to play against the Central Bucks East senior and Seton Hall recruit with the way she darts in and around a back line and always comes back even after being swatted away. What Williams, who stands about 5-foot-2, has been for the Patriots this fall is less of a pest and more of a powerhouse.
Williams scored a terrific goal, the only one of the night, as the Patriots edged the Bucks in the eighth annual Kick for Pink game at War Memorial Field. For 80 minutes in bad weather, the teams battled for every touch on the ball then when the game ended, they came together for a combined photo as a symbol the night was about more than a game.
A cold night with heavy rain couldn’t wash out an important night that means a great deal to both programs, with players from both sides going the traditional route of pink hair dye, pink ribbons and pink face paint.
“It means everything to be able to play in this game,” West senior goalkeeper and co-captain Jules Broskey said. “I feel bad we didn’t get the showing we would have liked because of the letter but I’m so happy and proud to see how many people did come and I’m thankful for that.
“It’s more than just a game. It’s for the community, it’s for everyone and both teams know how much it means so we battled like it.”
From the outset, Williams was a persistent threat from her center forward position. She’s not quite the same player as last year’s center forward Elise Duffy, now at Drexel, but just as lethal with Williams a double-threat as a scorer and finisher on pace for double-digit goals and assists.
Williams doesn’t mind playing back-to-goal, but she’s much more comfortable going at the goal on the run from outside as she did in the opening minutes forcing Broskey into an early save and again in the second half when she broke the tie.
“We’re really blessed, it’s two years in a row we’ve had a Division I forward and I can’t say enough about this one, she’s special,” East coach Jake Nesteruk said. “There are certain games that are built for Camryn and this is one of them. You’re on a slick surface and you can’t play the soccer we’d typically play so we have to stretch the game out and next thing you know, we’re hunting a ton of balls in behind their back line and she’s just able to find a way through them.
“She carried us attacking-wise today, she’s had a good string of games that have been built for her and it shows.”
Broskey was busy in the first half and the senior was sure-handed in the tough conditions, which was a key reason the game was tied 0-0 at the break. While West played a couple good balls, the first 40 minutes largely belonged to the visitors with East able to connect passes and create runs with senior Elliot Forney firing a handful of superb balls out of the midfield to spring them.
“I told Nesty coming out of halftime – they took it to us in the first half. Normally, my teams are not the most talented teams, but we always go toe to toe with everybody. They came out, and they just destroyed us in the first half. We were very lucky – and that’s what I told my girls at halftime – to come out of it 0-0,” West coach Mike Moyer said. “Elliot Forney was awesome in the first half. I had to man mark her in the second half just to take her out of the game, and I think that helped a lot.”
Bucks center backs Ava Longo and Courtney Moylan, also co-captains, stepped up and did a nice job dueling in the air and cleaning up the back end while senior Taylor Madden, normally a forward, played well at right back defensively for West.
Freshman Emery Sterling started to find her footing in the second half and helped generate a wave of pressure going the other way that put East’s defense to test.
“We actually in the second half – for the first 10 minutes, we had a lot of pressure, we had a lot of corner kicks, we had a lot of shots on goal. Their goalie came up big. We just came out on the wrong end of it,” Moyer said.
Aralynn Patterson played the entire game in goal for CB East and also handled the ball well on the ground and out of the air. In front of her, the Patriots’ back line made a wall and rose to the challenge of defending quite a few corner kicks and deep throw-ins through the opening 20 minutes of the second half.
Chantal van Dongeren was solid in some individual battles while Brooke Roumy, Grace Craig and Sophia Schorn were stout along the back line. Schorn in particular had a key play, getting up to head away a late CB West corner while defending the one-goal lead.
“That’s the hardest part of playing this game against this team, they’re so well-organized and they get so much off the restarts and off the long throw-ins, they put so much pressure on us,” Nesteruk said. “After our first game with them (a 3-2 West win) it gets to the point where you think ‘can we just see this through?’ This group, they’re putting themselves up in the air against some really good talent and dominate the air.
“To keep a clean sheet against these guys, it’s the best feeling in the world. I almost feel hypocritical, but as much as this game is built for Camryn, it’s a tough game to play against this side because it fits right into their strengths and we knew it.”
In her four years at East, Williams and her classmates had yet to win a Kick for Pink Game.
The senior’s natural inclination is to be a facilitator which she noted is due to the fact a lot of her runs generally have her coming across the box from an outside lane but the Patriots need her to be a finisher too. Nesteruk yelled for the senior to be a little more selfish a couple times on Monday.
“We needed someone who could make runs and get around defenders and on the outside, we have speed and some really technical players so we were able to fill those spots,” Williams said. “I like to run down the sides of the field, I typically have a lot of energy, it’s hard for me to get tired when I’m making those runs, so it’s nice to have those kind of lanes.
“High school teams, it’s sometimes really hard to get their back line organized because they typically don’t play together in club so I think the fact I’m able to split them is nice because they get confused or don’t know how to back off for each other because they don’t play together.”
With 12 minutes to play, East drew a throw-in down in West’s defensive end. The ball took a skip off the turf, giving Williams a lane to make another foray toward the net and this time the forward – who played her club ball with FC Warrington – was going to shoot it.
Using her right foot, the senior skimmed a touch out in front then stepped behind a Bucks defender as their momentum took them past the ball and caught up to it. With a light toe-tap of her left foot, Williams put the ball back on her right and she ripped a shot just past the onrushing Broskey that found the net just inside the far post.
“I saw people there, but she kind of gapped off the goal and I was able to get it through her,” Williams said. “I was definitely prepared for that, I’ve known her since we were really young and I’ve always thought she has a really great playing style in goal. The fact we were able to capitalize and get a goal on her was really good.”
Moyer gave props on the finish.
“Cam Williams was very good, and she got in behind us. She’s not going to miss that one very often,” the Bucks’ coach said.
As good as her goal was, the senior couldn’t quite recall each step of it simply because of where her thoughts went after the ball went in.
“It was such a moment, I wasn’t focused on the goal itself, I was so focused on getting the win,” Williams said. “It’s a lot of emotion in this game for us, so it was so good to be able to pull this one out.”
West has lost five 1-0 games this season but Broskey hasn’t seen it negatively affect her team at all. The senior keeper and her fellow captains are ready to pour their full effort into the remainder of the season and see where it gets them.
“We’ll always give 110 percent, we don’t always get the result but we always work so hard for it,” Broskey said. “We’re so new up top, they haven’t had the experience and there’s been some learning curves but even throughout the season we’ve made huge strides.
“We have to keep working, I think it will click at some point and if we want it enough, we’ll make it into the postseason.”
When he took over at CB West, Moyer came into possession of a pink suit – pants, tie and jacket – that he’s worn every Kick for Pink game since. Next year, he’ll have to find a different sideline look but his appreciation for the game isn’t going anywhere.
“I want to say thank you to both programs, both programs’ parents, and everything that goes into this game. Every year I’ve always said – ‘It’s more than a game,’ and just what it does for the community and the awareness. It’s just great to be a part of,” Moyer said.
“All in all, this was just another classic East/West game. Out of the five years I’ve been the coach, it’s the first time I’ve lost a Kick for Pink game, so it’s time for me to retire the (pink) suit. I always said – whenever I lose this game is when the suit is going to be retired.”
When the game ended after 80 hard-fought minutes, both teams came together for a group photo – a good way to end a night that meant much more than just a result on the field.
CB East hosts Central Bucks South at 7 on Oct. 11. Central Bucks West hosts North Penn at 7 on Oct. 11.
CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 0 1 – 1
CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 0 0 – 0
Goals: CBE – Camryn Williams
Pennridge 1, Quakertown 0
To say conditions at Quakertown weren’t optimal on Monday was probably an understatement.
“You could barely see across the field at times, it was crazy,” Pennridge coach Audrey Anderson said. “We knew a little bit about them going in, we felt like they would play pretty direct and for me, I’m worrying it takes a bad bounce, hits an arm and we’re giving up a free kick.”
The Rams had their nerves tested early when a shot by the host Panthers rattled the crossbar in the first 15 minutes on a long shot. Anderson credited Quakertown for winning the bulk of their own headers and air balls in the first half and felt it was something her team needed to clean up in the second 40 minutes.
“Our backs were outstanding in the air in the second half,” Anderson said. “I think it changed the whole tempo of the game for us. They may have only had the one shot on goal the entire game but they were dangerous in the middle third so we were overly cautious about the balls over the top tonight.”
Casey Malone, Anna Croyle, Lauren Murphy and Meredith Blannett locked down the back for a Rams team that collected its fourth straight shutout.
Offensively, Pennridge had some chances in the first half but missed some sitters and tap-ins in front of goal. In the second half, the Rams forwards adjusted by checking back a little deeper to get the ball and taking on defenders.
Tori Angelo in particular seemed to be around the goal but came out of the first half empty.
“Tori does what Tori does, I don’t know what she’s going to do whenever she has the ball so I can’t imagine what it’s like to defend her,” Anderson said. “We talked about taking shots, knowing their keeper was good, we couldn’t count on one shot a half or in a game to go in because it takes more than that.”
Anderson has a running joke with Angelo about how the junior seems to take the most difficult path at every opportunity. So, the Rams coach didn’t waste a chance to remind Angelo after the forward scored a goal on a stellar, but not easy, individual effort.
“Anna had a free kick in our half and played a long ball, Tori wins it, dribbles like 50 yards across the field and rockets a ball, I mean, it was a rocket,” Anderson said. “When Tori can shoot anywhere cleanly, it’s going to be a great shot, there’s nothing the keeper could have done.
“I said to her after ‘that’s the shot you score on?’ So much went into that to get a shot from 20 yards out to go in, the joke is Tori makes everything harder than it has to be but it was a rocket of a shot.”
Just as important as the win was that the Rams got back on the bus to go home as healthy as they had walked off of it when they pulled up to the stadium.
Pennridge hosts North Penn at 3:30 on Friday. Quakertown hosts Upper Dublin at 4 on Friday
PENNRIDGE 0 1 – 1
QUAKERTOWN 0 0 – 0
Goals; P – Tori Angelo
Council Rock North 1, Villa Joseph Marie 0
The Indians certainly had an interesting Senior Night.
Aside from the weather, which was not exactly ideal, they made sure the opponent was a good one bringing nearby Villa Joseph Marie, a program at the 3A level used to long state playoff rns.
“It was great to celebrate our kids with a game against a local school,” CR North coach Gavin Flannigan said. “Villa Joe has been incredibly successful under Rich Finneyfrock, and it was a pleasure to play them again tonight, as expected it was a very competitive game.”
The night belonged to seniors Jayne Bogle, Danielle Eden, Ella McAleer, Ella Needham, Caitlin Peiritsch, Emma Ralston, Kate Thomson and Alyssa Tyler.
“Their commitment over the four years has been superb, as coaches we have seen first hand the benefits of their leadership with our younger players this year,” Flannigan said. “We wish them good luck next year, but we would like to play a lot more games this year first!”
As expected, the match was highly competitive and saw both teams take the front foot for spells even if it didn’t translate into a ton of offense. Playing on a slick field in difficult weather made for a shortage of chances but the Indians felt like they did some good things in the first 40.
“I thought our first half was pretty good tonight, but a combination of conditions and decision making meant we couldn’t find the final pass or finish to take advantage of our play. I don’t think either team really tested the GK in the first 40 minutes,” Flannigan said. “I did think we were more dangerous with the ball and at half time we stressed to the girls to be patient and continue to try and keep possession to find the openings.”
The Jems rebounded in the second half and put CR North under some pressure, challenging the host team to try and figure things out.
“In the beginning of the second half VJM had more possession and more territory but as the half went on I felt like we were starting to gain momentum,” Flannigan said. “In the last 10-15 minutes we created a couple of opportunities, most notably with a few minutes left when Mia Cairone hit a low near post shot that forced the VJM keeper into a great save.”
While the game seemed like it was due to head to extra time, CR North decided it was time to go home while making sure the seniors did so happy.
“With less than 30 seconds left we got a free kick at midfield that Danielle Eden hit long, Kate Thomson was able to flick on to Mia Cairone who got through a crowd and lifted the ball over the keeper for the win,” Flannigan said.
It was the senior’s night but the winning goal came from a sophomore and another underclassman had a standout showing.
“I was really impressed with Tavi Copestick, we lost on Friday v CB East but Tavi was excellent, and tonight she was very good too,” Flannigan said. “Her toughness and willingness to do what was needed is very noticeable in tight games.”
After losing three straight games to close the crossover portion of their schedule, the Indians hope Monday’s result will springboard them back into SOL Patriot competition.
“I think we have learnt a lot on what is necessary for us to be successful, our losses have been close and we’ve also been able to pull out a couple of close wins,” Flannigan said. “These experiences will hopefully give us confidence as we head into the final stretch before playoffs.”
CR North hosts Harry S Truman on Friday at 3:30 pm.
COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 0 1 – 1
VILLA JOSEPH MARIE 0 0 – 0
Goals; CRN – Mia Cairone
Lower Moreland 1, William Tennent 0
About the only thing stronger than the driving rain Monday was the driving run Nikki Sahl made in overtime going toward the goal.
A through ball out of the back from Kenna Rozanski found Sahl about 30 yards from goal, with the Lions forward receiving the pass, turning toward the net and taking off. With defenders on her back and the keeper coming at her, Sahl slipped a ball across the turf, finding the net for a dramatic win.
“It was a back and forth physical game. It was great for us to get another shutout,” Lions coach Todd Hill said. “Sandra Malave and our defensive unit worked really hard for that.”
Lower Moreland’s back line of Amelia Brown, Abbie Wasserstrom, Sophia O’Brien, and Payge Lennon had their work cut out for them in bad weather and with a tough Panthers side but held firm.
“They were really smart,” Hill said. “They distributed to different parts of the field which kept Tennent on their heels a bit.”
Monday’s game – played in inclement weather – was actually the first of the two on the schedule for Tennent and LM with the original date postponed due to, ironically, inclement weather.
It was a long game, but Lower Moreland managed to come up with a few more plays to pick up a key win in the standings heading into the second half of SOL Freedom play.
“When we got to overtime our girls were tired but they really dug deep found the energy they needed to finish the game,” Hill said. “I really felt like Kenna Rozanski set the tempo as we started the overtime. She somehow found the energy to control the middle of the field even at that stage of the game.”
William Tennent hosts Springfield Twp at 3:30 on Friday. Lower Moreland visits Upper Moreland at 3:30 on Friday.
LOWER MORELAND 0 0 1 – 1
WILLIAM TENNENT 0 0 0 – 0
Goals: LM – Nikki Sahl
Gwynedd Mercy Academy 2, Central Bucks South 1
The Titans dropped a heartbreaker in their Senior Night game on Monday.
Gwynedd Mercy scored in the final minutes of regulation to tie the game, then found a winner in the second overtime to spoil CB South’s efforts.
Freshman Riley Karpinski scored off an assist from senior co-captain Mary Nangle for the Titans.
While she’s only in her first season with the program, South coach Gabbie Nolan has lauded the team’s seniors – Gia Castagna, Kristen Conway, Eva Costello, Gab Coulon, Kate Esposito, Aurora Jacalone, Holly Joseph, Allison Sauers and Nangle – for their efforts this fall.
“We appreciate all the hard work they’ve put in over their four years and the result of tonight’s game is extremely frustrating,” Nolan said.
CB South visits Souderton at 3:30 on Friday.
GWYNEDD MERCY ACADEMY 0 1 0 1 -2
CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 0 1 0 0 – 1
About the Author
