To view photos of the Pennsbury/Neshaminy game, visit the Photo Gallery.
By Alex Frazier
National Conference
Neshaminy 5, Pennsbury 5 (OT)
Megan Schafer may only be a freshman, but two months into her high school soccer career, she’s already playing like a senior.
Scary.
Schafer scored four of the Falcons’ five goals, including the last, which tied the game.
“She had a fantastic game,” said Neshaminy coach Rachel Clemens. “She’s the real deal.”
Indeed.
Schafer missed the Council Rock North game last Thursday as well as Friday and Saturday’s practices because she was attending the US Soccer ID Camp.
Clemens sat her for the first half against Abington on Monday. The Redskins were holding a slim 1-0 lead at the half when Schafer went into the game and promptly scored a pair of goals and dished off an assist.
“She’s a game changer as soon as she steps on the field,” said Clemens. “Her offensive threat adds a spark to the team.”
Clemens also lauded Schafer’s unselfish play.
“She’s looking to lay off the ball more than take shots,” said Clemens, who has had to encourage her to shoot more.
Wednesday’s game was a back-and-forth affair, which is to be expected when these two rivals take the field.
Pennsbury went up 3-0 on a pair of goals by Molly Phillips and a single tally by Lexi Brown, making the game seem even glummer than the weather for the Redskins.
But Schafer got the offense going with her first goal in the 35th minute.
The momentum carried over into the second half when the fired-up Redskins scored two straight to tie the game. The Falcons then went up 4-3 on Lindsay Jones’ penalty kick, but Schafer knotted it again at four. Leah Messler gave Pennsbury the lead again only to see it disappear on another Schafer goal in the 74th minute.
“I’m so proud of their heart and hard work to fight back,” said Clemens.
Pennsbury goalkeepers Shannon Kehoe and Courtney Bennett combined for 14 saves.
Neshaminy is now 8-3-1 overall and 6-2-1 in the National. Friday the Redskins face Council Rock South in perhaps their biggest game of the season.
Council Rock North 4, Abington 0
Julia Wexler scored a pair of goals and Katie McNamara added two assists to lead the Indians.
Lexi Crocker and Korina Kovalcik added single goals, while Caitlin Hannagen and Sarah Scheidell recorded assists.
Morgan D'Apolito and Daniel DiGuglielmo each stopped two shots.
“It was a good win for us to stay on track,” said coach Roman Escobar, “and I was glad to see that other girls on the team are scoring goals.”
Council Rock South 3, William Tennent 1
Ercia Mikula, Erica Crosier and Cara Deola scored for the Golden Hawks, while Paula Jurewicz and Deola chipped in assists.
Bensalem 7, Harry S Truman 0
The Owls were flying high, outshooting the Tigers, 17-4.
Ashlee Kohn netted a hat trick, scoring in the 32nd, 50th and 68th minutes.
“It was a great day for sophomore Ashlee Kohn,” said Bensalem coach Lew Mladjen.
Danielle Nightlinger opened the scoring for the Owls on an assist from Lawrie Janukowicz.
Christine Cueto, Mary Hebbel and Jenalyn Romani also scored.
Assists were credited to Jennifer Hefter, Alex Adams and Kim Kaelin.
In goal, Megan Wajda made four saves for the Owls, while her Truman counterpart Sabrina Nicolette stopped 10 shots.
“Truman kept it close in the first half on solid defending, working an organized off-side trap,” said Mladjen. “Soon into the second half however the goals came easier with Kohn highlighting her day by making a 50-yard carry and score, working her way through four defenders.”
Continental Conference
Central Bucks South 3, Souderton 0
The Titans bounced back from a 3-1 loss to Pennridge on Monday. Caitlyn Boyle scored in the first minute of play on an assist from Shannon Senour.
South had to wait until the second half to score again, but the next two goals came within a minute of each other. Lauren Buchanan-Dwyer took a pass from Boyle and scored in the 45th minute, and Alex Reading added an insurance goal in the 46th minute.
The Titans have been battling injuries, the most serious to Ashley Saylor, who is hoping her sprained ankle heals before the playoffs.
“We’re trying to figure out who we are right now,” said coach Joe Bocklet. “I’m happy with the way we played today.”
Just like last year the season is coming down to three teams. Pennridge and Central Bucks West have a leg up now, but South also has a good chance to vie for the conference title.
“If we win out we have a chance to win the division,” said Bocklet.
But the Titans’ coach is more concerned about being healthy and making a run in the playoffs.
Pennridge 3, North Penn 1
Bridgett Hess accounted for all three Pennridge goals. The Maidens went up 1-0 on a direct kick, but Hess tied it in the 28th minute on an assist from Stevi Parker.
Twenty minutes into the second half, Natalie Pinkney fed Hess for the game winner. Hess added the insurance goal on a penalty kick.
“We have been fortunate,” said coach Jorge Rodriguez. “We have some momentum building and a little luck as well.”
Pennridge is now 10-1-1 overall and 6-1-1 in the conference.
Central Bucks West 2, Quakertown 0
Hatboro-Horsham 2, Central Bucks East 0
American Conference
Upper Dublin 4, Upper Merion 0
It was an evenly played first half until Emily Marvill entered the game with about 15 minutes left. Within a couple of minutes, she put the Cardinals on the board.
In the second half, Erin Lafferty scored on a penalty kick, while Meredith Mitchell and Carolyn Meier tacked on insurance goals.
Keeper Allie Dayno notched her sixth shutout of the season.
The Cards are now 9-4 overall and 8-0 in the American.
Wissahickon 8, Norristown 0
Sophomore Cailin Grey racked up a hat trick and two assists in the lopsided victory. Grey, a second team all-league selection as a freshman, is the leading scorer on the team.
Sophomore keeper Rachel Stone, a second team all-leaguer last year, played the first half of the shutout.
Senior defender Jackie Carradorni helped preserve the shutout for the Trojans.
Other scorers for the Trojans were Alex Schaefer with two goals; and Amanda Esposito, Cameron Kellock and Meredith Brown with a goal each. Captains Kelly Pierce and Maureen Beichert each had an assist in the effort.
The Trojans are 6-4-1 overall and 5-2-1 in the conference.
Plymouth Whitemarsh 3, Upper Moreland 0
The Golden Bears fell victim to a penalty kick 12 minutes into the second half and fell apart after that.
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