Check out the results for SOL girls’ soccer teams in action Wednesday.
SOL CONTINENTAL
PENNRIDGE 2, CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 1
Had this duel had an over/under line, three combined goals most certainly would have been the over.
It was a lot of tough defending both ways and lot of heart and hustle that decided a back-and-forth match between the two top teams in the Continental standings. A first half goal by Pennridge senior Kennedy Peace and a second half tally by sophomore Sarah Williams lifted the Rams into first place.
"We talked about what we did Saturday night (tying Souderton) and that we wanted to carry that over to this game, being down and playing 80 minutes as hard as we played that last 60," Pennridge coach Audrey Anderson said. "I'm a hard coach, I'm not sure we did all that, we did enough to pull out a win. It could have gone either way."
CB South's back line was stout as usual, with Courtney Taylor, Margot Centofanti and Nicole Wills doing all they could to keep Pennridge's speed in check. Goalkeeper Sophia Boggs made five saves in the losing effort, including a diving effort to deny Peace late in the first half.
Peace was able to break through when she got in behind the defense on a ball from Melissa Lyon. Getting a bit of space, the senior scored for the critical first tally.
"We practiced that all week long, all we've done is finishing," Anderson said. "We knew scoring on her, to get one is huge, to get two, I did not expect two goals. Just to get one is huge and that first goal gives us a little bit of breathing room."
From top to back, the Rams worked hard, with Peace, Lyon, Savanna Harrison, Erin Stevenson, Courtney Supp and Dani Meenan putting a lot of effort in.
South tied it up when Kylie Walsh played a ball into the box that Morgan Hilton chipped into the net. About five minutes later, Pennridge regained the lead when a throw from Meenan found sophomore Sarah Williams for the close-range score.
"Our younger girls stepping up and making a presence is great to see," Anderson said. "I was happy for Sarah getting that second goal."
Rams keeper Mary Kate Levush had one save but also a couple key charges off her line to clear the ball. Defensively, outside backs Meenan and Rachel Velez helped keep South more direct in its attack.
"They're both smart players," Anderson said. "They know when to attack and when to hold off. I have high hopes for them in the rest of the season."
After meeting a third time in the district playoffs last year, both Anderson and South coach Betsy Bullock would like to avoid that fate again this year.
"Betsy is a smart coach and she's got a great team there," Anderson said. "It's a young team too, which is terrible for us."
Pennridge (10-1-1, 6-1-1 SOL) will be on the road at Central Bucks East on Friday, and Central Bucks South (10-2, 6-2) will travel to Central Bucks West.
CB SOUTH 0 1 – 1
PENNRIDGE 1 1 – 2
Goals: CBS – Morgan Hilton (Kylie Walsh); P – Kennedy Peace (Melissa Lyon), Sarah Williams (Dani Meenan)
SOUDERTON 1, CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 1 (2OT)
The Patriots and Indians dueled to a scoreless draw Wednesday night under the lights at Souderton.
It was the second straight draw for Souderton, which got a goal from Campbell Power in the second half to equalize the score after a first half goal from CB East. Power stayed with the play after a set piece.
"Our goal was built up off a corner kick from Campbell Power, which was deflected by the goalie at the near post, which was picked back up by Power – who put it in the back of the net," Souderton coach Chris Felber said.
Riley Kane handed East the lead just past the midway point of the first half.
"Hannah Zach had a throw-in deep in the Souderton end and found Riley Kane off a deflection," East coach Paul Eisold said.
After Power tied it up, both defenses locked down and prevented anything else from going in the back of the net.
"Souderton possessed nicely in the midfield but could not penetrate the defense of Abby Brown, Katie Bloom, Ashley Balderson and Maddie Gregor," Eisold said. "Kristen Obetz played well in goal. Delaney Kennedy, Hannah Zach and Carly Whiton worked tremendously hard for us offensively, and Delaney created chances with Izzy Hunter and Riley Kane."
Likewise, the Souderton defense of Sara Cassel, Sam Plinke, Hannah Kramer and Emily Readinger was resolute after halftime and didn't let the team's effort end in a loss.
"Sara Cassel was outstanding. We started out very slow in second half but got better and better and dominated over time but could not find that elusive moment," Felber said. "Bre DiRenzi, Hannah Croll and Sara Readinger all did a great job controlling the middle of the field in the last 30 minutes. A tie may have been fair over the course of the whole game."
Central Bucks East (6-5-1, 4-3-1 SOL) has another test Friday when Pennridge visits at 3:45.
"We continue to get better and stick to the game plan to challenge and continue to be competitive," Eisold said.
Souderton (4-3-3, 4-2-2) will be on the road at Lansdale Catholic for a non-league contest Friday.
CB EAST 1 0 0 0 – 1
SOUDERTON 0 1 0 0 – 1
Goals: CBE- Riley Kane (Hannah Zach) 24'; S- Campbell Power 72'
NORTH PENN 1, CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 0
Amelia Eshraghi's strike was the difference between the two teams Wednesday afternoon.
Senior Riley Houlihan provided the assist on the tally, which came in the 19th minute. Aside from that, it was a duel between keepers with North Penn's Hannah Lambert making eight saves in the shutout and West's Jenny Sutorious stopping 10 shots.
"Not an easy win in another typical hard fought game in the Continental Conference," North Penn coach Jim Dehner said. "CB West continued to provide pressure, but the back line of Kat Stevenson, Casey Cavanaugh and Cat Myers were able to hold on to secure the win."
Dehner also touted the play of Marissa Werner, Sophia Broadhurst, Zoei Baines, Julia Berry, Anna Pedicone and Alexis Henderson.
North Penn (6-7, 3-5 SOL) will host William Tennent on Friday, and Central Bucks West (5-9, 0-8) will host Central Bucks South Friday.
CB WEST 0 0 – 0
NORTH PENN 1 0 – 1
Goals: NP – Amelia Eshraghi (Riley Houlihan) 19'
SOL NATIONAL
COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 2, COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 0
The Golden Hawks' seniors gave the squad a nice lift during their Senior Night win over a rival.
Kasey Schlupp, a senior defender, had a big night in scoring both goals off set pieces. Sierra Tarantino continued her run of stellar play by assisting both goals.
"I want to recognize all the seniors. All of them started the game, they had a huge first whistle, came out and set the tone of the match and got the momentum going our way," South coach Kim Francis said.
Schlupp is a player the Hawks like to target on set plays.
"She is typically a very solid defender for us but tonight got very involved in our set pieces and converted two of them," Francis said. "She typically does push up the field and look to get involved."
Tarantino's rise as a playmaker has keyed South's success the last few weeks.
"Over the past two weeks, she has really stepped up and become one of the key players that we look to in order to make things happen," Francis said. "Her work rate has increased, and I believe confidence with things starting to go her way has helped. She is combining much better with the other players and putting more quality chances on goal."
The Golden Hawks are hoping this run of play is something they can keep rolling.
"It was a great effort by single one of our players in the program," Francis said. "Hopefully we can keep this momentum going into the last two weeks of the season and hopefully into the postseason."
Council Rock South (8-4-1, 5-2-1 SOL) will host Harry S Truman on Friday, and Council Rock North (8-4, 4-4) will host Bensaem.
COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 0 0 – 0
COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 1 1 – 2
Goals: CRS – Kasey Schlupp (Sierra Tarantino) 2
PENNSBURY 3, ABINGTON 0
Playing Abington for the second time in five days, the Falcons got a big-time effort from Lizzy Kirk to sweep the Galloping Ghosts.
"She had an exceptional game. She was thinking one step ahead of everyone today, both offensively and defensively," Pennsbury coach Kaitlyn Battiste said. "Although it doesn't appear in the box score, she was our motor. I would say at least half of our possessions connected through Lizzy."
After breaking through late in the first meeting, Pennsbury didn't need much time to get on the board Wednesday. Jenna Peters set up Meredith Weber for a 12th minute goal, then Whitney Roth's goal from Cara Thomas made it 2-0 in the 33rd minute.
Thomas and Roth switched roles in the second half, with Thomas finishing in the 60th minute.
"It's a challenge playing the same team twice within a five-day period," Battiste said. "You try and prepare one game at a time, but with the most recent game so fresh in your mind, it's hard not to settle in to a comfortable or more relaxed speed of play."
Luckily, Pennsbury had its junior midfielder out there to prevent any coasting.
"Lizzy gave us that sense of urgency to go to goal and play each possession as if we were in a championship game," Battiste said.
Pennsbury (10-0, 8-0 SOL) will host Hershey on Saturday at 11 a.m. in a non-league contest, and Abington (3-9, 2-6) will host Neshaminy on Friday.
ABINGTON 0 0 – 0
PENNSBURY 2 1 – 3
Goals: P – Meredith Weber (Jenna Peters) 12', Whitney Roth (Cara Thomas) 33', Thomas (Roth) 60'
NESHAMINY 7, BENSALEM 1
Neshaminy had seven different players put a ball in the back of the net Wednesday afternoon.
Jackie Ziegler (Brianna Tobin assist) put the ‘Skins on the board 17:38 into the game, and back-to-back goals within a one-minute span 30 minutes into the contest by Kristin Curley (Genna Obringer assist) and Gina Sexton (Alyssa Tobin assist) sent the Redskins into halftime with a 3-0 lead.
Scoring second-half goals for the Redskins were Brooke Mullin (Ziegler assist), Maggie Daeche (Riley Nyhus assist), Anastasia Lebotesis (Emily Tomlinson assist) and Amyanne Murray (Emily Tantala assist).
Kathleen Rivera made 10 stops for the Owls.
Neshaminy (9-1-1, 5-1-1 SOL) will travel to Abington on Friday, and Bensalem (3-8-2, 2-6) will be on the road at Council Rock North.
BENSALEM 0 1 – 1
NESHAMINY 3 4 – 7
Goals: N – Jackie Ziegler (Brianna Tobin) 17:38, Kristin Curley (Genna Obringer), Gina Sexton (Alyssa Tobin) 30:17, Brook Mullin (Ziegler) 46:39, Maggie Daeche (Riley Nyhus) 49:35, Anastasia Lebotesis (Emily Tomlinson) 74:22, Amyanne Murray (Emily Tantala) 77:52
SOL AMERICAN
QUAKERTOWN 0, UPPER DUBLIN 0 2OT
The Flying Cardinals held the conference leaders to a draw under the lights on the home field Wednesday.
Lexi Schneider and Tin Haig led the defensive effort in front of goalkeeper Devon Jones, who had some big saves to keep the draw in play.
"Lexi Schneider and Tina Haig played an excellent game in the midfield, they did a great job of winning balls, possessing and distributing," Cardinals coach John Topper said. "We had some real good spells with possession and created our chances. Devon Jones came up big with a save in overtime, it would have been a killer to lose it overtime so she was excellent."
Quakertown's dangerous Katie Crouthamel had gotten in and snapped off a shot, prompting Jones to react.
"She got free and struck a ball real nicely that Devon had to make a reflexive save," Topper said. "She was able to knock it over for a corner."
Topper lauded the play of Quakertown's Julia Taylor for her defensive work on UD's Sizzy Lawton.
The first meeting saw Quakertown take a 1-0 win thanks to an early goal. Topper expected a similar kind of effort from both sides and not having to chase the game certainly helped his side.
"Where we've started to improve is that we've put together complete games," Topper said. "Quakertown is a hard team to break down, and once we got in the hole last time, it was hard to get out. Tonight, even though we had chances we couldn't finish, I was proud of the girls, they played well for a full 100 minutes."
Upper Dublin (7-4-1, 5-3-1 SOL) welcomes Wissahickon on Friday for a 3:30 start. Quakertown (9-0-2, 7-0-2) will host Hatboro-Horsham Friday at 3:30 as well.
QUAKERTOWN 0 0 0 0 – 0
UPPER DUBLIN 0 0 0 0 – 0
SPRINGFIELD 3, CHELTENHAM 1
The Spartans used two goals in the second half to beat the Panthers and win their second game in a row.
"It was so important. We won Friday against Upper Merion. Upper Merion wasn’t that strong, so it was a win, but I don’t think we felt overly excited about that other than the fact that we hadn’t won yet," Springfield coach Suzette Wolf said. "This game against Cheltenham – they’re a similar team to us with a similar record. We’re both kind of on the bottom of the Suburban One, so it felt really good to beat them and beat them with confidence and strength. I felt good about it. I wouldn’t say it was our best game, but we did what we had to do to come away with the win."
Lindsey Smith was the catalyst for the first two Springfield goals, using throw-ins to set up Emily Cooney 10 minutes in, then Catharine Nelson with about 20 minutes left in the game. Nelson’s goal broke a 1-1 halftime tie.
BJ Bosca added an insurance goal on a scrappy finish.
"She’s been working all season. She’s a really good forward – she has good ball skills, she has good movement on and off the ball," Wolf said. "She creates so much for us up front, and I was just really happy that she was able to finish today."
Emily Giampietro played a strong game in the midfield and Wolf said her team dominated much of the second half. The Spartans (1-8-1, 1-6-1 SOL) face Plymouth-Whitemarsh on Friday. Cheltenham (0-9, 0-8) will host Upper Moreland on Friday.
CHELTENHAM 1 0 – 1
SPRINGFIELD 1 2 – 3
WISSAHICKON 3, PLYMOUTH-WHITEMARSH 1
The Trojans scored three straight to open the game and then finished out the victory.
Maddie Elwell put away two goals for Wissahickon while Jasmine Bishop got the Trojans on the board again. Bishop was one of several players who had an excellent afternoon.
"Jasmine Bishop, Anna Wilde, and captain Mary Mathews had a near perfect game as they set the ball up patiently and played it out to get their Trojans forward. In midfield, Rachel Colemen stood out, once again winning 50/50s and distributing forward," Wissahickon coach Shannon Creamer-Franke said. "Up top, Alexis Smith, Carley Amato, and captain Maddie Elwell kept pressure high on defense and often found the through balls distributed by their center mids."
All three Wissahickon goals involved the 18-yard box with Bishop dribbling in from the top of the box, Elwell hitting a rocket from the left side and later turning and firing just outside the left edge of the box.
Alyse Caffrey had the goal for P-W.
Wissahickon (7-2-1, 6-2-1 SOL) will travel to Upper Dublin on Friday for a rivalry game, and Plymouth Whitemarsh (5-6, 4-4) will host Springfield Township.
PLYMOUTH-WHITEMARSH 0 1 – 1
WISSAHICKON 1 2- 3
GOALS: PW – Alyse Caffery 73:50; W- Jasmine Bishop 15:44, Maddie Elwell 49:11, Elwell 61:37
HATBORO-HORSHAM 2, UPPER MORELAND 0
Emma Roesing scored once in each half as her brace led the Hatters to a road win on Wednesday.
Upper Moreland's small field caused the Hatters some issues, but it wasn't enough to slow down Roesing.
"It affected our game a bit and we have to be better with managing those type of environments," Hatters coach Ike Onyeador said. "When you have a player like Emma, she can usually find a way to help the team regardless of circumstances."
Ali Hontz and Erica Paluszek each chalked up an assist for the Hatters, who took a 1-0 lead into halftime.
Hatboro-Horsham (5-5-2, 5-2-2 SOL) will travel to Quakertown Friday, and Upper Moreland (2-7-2, 2-5-1 SOL) will be on the road at Cheltenham Friday.
HATBORO-HORSHAM 1 1 – 2
UPPER MORELAND 0 0 – 0
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