There was another tie in the SOL Continental. Check out the recaps for all of Friday’s SOL girls’ soccer action.
SOL Continental
Central Bucks East 0, Pennridge 0 2OT
The intrigue continues in the Continental, where top of the table honors seem to change every match day.
East used a brilliant outing by goalkeeper Kristin Obetz and typically strong defense to pick up a point to move into a three-way tie for second place. The Rams are technically now in fifth place, but just three points behind leader CB South.
On Friday, neither team was able to find the goal that would have given those three crucial points in the table, and it made sense considering how tough both sides are defensively.
"Both teams had good opportunities to score but Pennridge had the better chances," East coach Paul Eisold said. "Great defensive game by Katie Bloom, and Kristin Obetz was outstanding in goal."
Obetz has been a rock in the goal for the Patriots this season, but Eisold thinks she's only just uncovering her potential.
"She has nine shutouts and is just getting warmed up," Eisold said. "She is such a competitor, she has great instincts and the ability to react by taking up great position in goal. She cuts out most opportunities just by her position and cutting down angles."
Eisold said the East defenders are able to play with great confidence because of Obetz.
"When she has to make a save, she studies the body language and posture of an opponent in an instant and reacts to the ball," Eisold said. "She gives confidence in her command of the box and continues to get better in her communication and technique."
Pennridge can count on a superb game from Courtney Supp every time out, but it was her new center back partner that stood out on Friday.
"Lauren McIntyre stepped up and played center back with Courtney today," Rams coach Audrey Anderson said. "She won some great head balls out of the back."
East's effort wasn't just contained to the back.
"Delaney Kennedy was dominant in the midfield playing against talented Ashley Groeber for Pennridge," Eisold said.
Clashes in the Continental can see any team come out on top.
"Playing against one of the top teams in the league, you just hope you can compete at their level," Eisold said. "We did a nice job today keeping things tight and it was an extremely competitive game."
Pennridge (7-2-2, 4-2-2 SOL) will travel to Souderton on Tuesday, and Central Bucks East (7-3-4, 4-2-3) will be on the road at Central Bucks West for a 7 p.m. contest Tuesday.
Central Bucks East 0 0 0 0 – 0
Pennridge 0 0 0 0 – 0
Central Bucks South 4, Central Bucks West 0
For the weekend, at least, the Titans reign over the Continental.
South was led by a brace from Aleksa Peev as it leapfrogged a logjam in the table to take a two-point lead in the standings heading into the stretch run. Peev, a senior, was influential in the Titans' entire attack, assisting the two goals she didn't score.
"Aleksa is a very skilled technical player and can dribble around individuals with speed," Titans coach Betsy Bullock said. "She was able to distribute the ball with perfectly-placed passes that allowed her teammates to score."
Sophia Kane scored on a rebound from one of Peev's shots while Izzy Manella latched on to a pass in a breakaway and finished the chance for the game's final score. However, South only led 1-0 at the half.
"West was very tenacious," Bullock said. "Once we started to play possession, we were able to move the ball downfield."
South again turned to a couple of stalwarts on defense to keep the calm in the first half.
"Junior Mackenzie Edwards, our center back, quietly shuts down some of the most talented forwards. She consistently plays superior defense and helps organize the back line," Bullock said. "Senior captain Margot Centofanti, who plays outside back, is also a strong voice in settling down our defenders."
Central Bucks South (7-3-3, 5-2-2 SOL) will be on the road at William Tennent for a 7 p.m. game Tuesday, and Central Bucks West (6-7, 2-7) will host Central Bucks East Tuesday at the same time.
Central Bucks South 1 3 – 4
Central Bucks West 0 0 – 0
Goals: CBS – Aleksa Peev 2, Sophia Kane, Izzy Manella
William Tennent 2, North Penn 1
Early on, Panthers coach Bill Hontz thought it was going to be a goalfest.
But a hot start fizzled out, and Tennent was able to cling to its one-goal lead as it edged out the Knights on Friday. Paige Schmidt scored just three minutes into the contest while Brianna Broccardi's 15th minute tally held up as the game-winner.
"It was a quick start for both teams in what seemed like a high-scoring game," Hontz said. "The girls then settled into a more defensive game. We saw some opportunities early on that North Penn was able to counter."
WILLIAM TENNENT (9-3, 5-3 SOL) will host Central Bucks South on Tuesday, and North Penn (4-9-1, 1-7-1) is off until Thursday when the Knights will host Souderton at 7 p.m.
WILLIAM TENNENT 2 0 – 2
NORTH PENN 1 0 – 1
Goals: WT – Paige Schmidt, Brianna Broccardi
SOL AMERICAN
Hatboro-Horsham 3, Quakertown 1
Call it a stepping-stone win.
The Hatters have made strides under Ike Onyeador but were still searching for their first signature win. Topping a versatile and tough Panthers team certainly qualifies.
"Lately we've been turning the corner on what we want the culture of the program to be," Onyeador said. "Today was another step in that direction."
Kerryn MacBride, Ally Eutermoser and Sarah Boehm, celebrating her birthday, provided the goals while Erica Paluszek had a set piece assist as the Hatters wrapped up a 3-0 week.
Finding a groove to start the second half of the season has been special for Onyeador to watch.
"I'm sure it's encouraging for the girls, but for me, it's so much more, it makes me dream about what could be for this team," Onyeador said. "It makes me want to see how far this team can go, because right now we're in territory we haven't been before and it's exciting."
MacBride and Eutermoser were both key players on the offensive end this week.
"Nothing's gotten into Ally. The girl scores goals, end of story," Onyeador said. "Kerryn, I've tried to find out but she's tough to crack. I would chalk it up to her trying to make her senior year her best year.
"Kerryn is the type of player that is instrumental to how I want us to play, but she has taken it to a new level and I'm really happy for her achievements up to this point."
Stopping Quakertown's numerous offensive talents is a tough task, and the Hatters got some support from a recent insertion into their back line. An injury to Isabella De La Torre early in the week opened the door for Peighton Toale.
"I've been tremendously pleased with her contributions. She's a prime example of if you keep working hard and pushing yourself, you'll be able to take your chances," Onyeador said. "She hasn't had much playing time at all until Monday. We put her in when Izzy got hurt at Springfield and she was good enough that we started her against Upper Moreland. She was very good then and very good again today. Can't ask for more than that."
Hatboro-Horsham (7-5, 7-3 SOL) will be on the road at Wissahickon on Tuesday at 7 p.m., and Quakertown (9-5, 7-3) will travel to Cheltenham Tuesday.
Upper Dublin 4, Wissahickon 1
Tina Haig scored and assisted on Friday, continuing a superb season.
The hidden reason for much of the midfielder's success is the two players backing her up in the middle of the field. Lexi Moss and Aidan Hopkins have had some strong showings, and with each assisting a goal against the Trojans, it's starting to appear in the scorebook.
"Where they play on the field, they're always hugely influential," UD coach John Topper said. "You go to a place like Wissahickon, their field can be tough to play on and the individual battles are huge and those two rarely come out on the wrong side of them. They both have a good mix of that physical, gritty kind of play and being able to calm down and find feet when necessary."
Topper said Moss and Hopkins have struck a nice balance between being offensive and defensive and neither is given a specific positional role, which has allowed them to thrive this season.
"They understand that when one is getting involved in the offense, the other understands she has to drop back, cover and help prevent counterattacks," Topper said. "Each game, that's gotten a little bit better. They're starting to show up on the stat sheet as well."
The match was the end of a long week for the Trojans.
"After coming off of four games this week, it is safe to say the girls are beat," Wissahickon coach Shannon Creamer-Franke said. "Seniors and captains, Victoria Selverian and Alexis Smith were able to score a beautiful goal in the second half. A free kick from Selverian gave Smith the opportunity to capitalize on a volley. Props to Lieke Black for continuously working hard."
The Cardinals, who have a nine-point lead in the American, went a perfect 3-0 this week. Topper said his team took a lot of steps in the right direction in doing so as the Cardinals chase both a conference title and a high seed in districts.
"I think there's another level we can get to," Topper said. "I think we're doing a lot of things very, very well, but we've been focusing on the things that we can do better. We've had a few games that have shown us where some of our weaknesses are, so we're looking to tighten some things up and be more clinical in the box."
Upper Dublin (11-1-1, 10-0 SOL) will host Plymouth Whitemarsh on Tuesday at 7 p.m., and Wissahickon (3-9, 3-7) will host Hatboro-Horsham at the same time.
UPPER DUBLIN 2 2 – 4
WISSAHICKON 0 1 – 1
Goals: Emily Booth 2, Tina Haig, Tori Hoffner; W – Alexis Smith
Plymouth Whitemarsh 2, Springfield Twp 1
Devon Skiles hasn't been PW's fulltime goalkeeper, but she made the save of the season on Friday.
Samantha Wynne scored in the first 10 minutes of the second half for Springfield, then the Spartans drew a penalty kick. Skiles was up to the task.
"She read the shooter, picked the correct direction and dove to her left and laid out for the save," PW coach Ryan Zehren said.
Ali Diamond scored to level the game shortly after the PK save with Catie Branscome setting it up. Another freshman, Ava Schreiber, provided the winner on a strike that Zehren estimated was about 60 yards out.
Wynne, aside from scoring, stepped in to play goal when her team needed her to later in the game.
“She’s not my back-up goalie, but she’s the most versatile player I have on the field,” coach Suzette Wolf said. “She will do anything for the team, and she’s just an all-around great kid.”
Plymouth Whitemarsh (10-4, 7-3 SOL) will be on the road at Upper Dubin Tuesday at 7 p.m., and Springfield Township (4-9, 2-8) will host Upper Moreland Tuesday at 3:30 p.m.
PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 0 2 – 2
SPRINGFIELD TWP 0 1 – 1
Goals: PW – Ava Schreiber, Ali Diamond; ST – Samantha Wynne
Upper Moreland 3, Cheltenham 0
The Golden Bears awoke from a first-half hibernation to pick up a shutout win.
"It took us a full half to warm up, Cheltenham had four or five chances in the first half that were dangerous," Bears coach Lisa Benvenuto said. "Kudos to their team for coming out strong. The second half we turned it on."
UM scored just 50 seconds into the second half.
"There was a passing series through the midfield that eventually found Alexis Lamb just outside the six, she was able to hit it in far post," Benvento said.
As the Bears continued to put pressure on the Panthers, it led to two penalty kicks drawn by Kathernine Mauro beating a defender with the ball. Madison Zachweija and Sarah Veneziale converted the spot kicks.
Upper Moreland (5-8, 3-7 SOL) will travel to Springfield Township Tuesday, and Cheltenham (1-10, 1-9) will host Quakertown on Tuesday.
Upper Moreland 0 3 – 3
Cheltenham 0 0 – 0
Goals: Alexis Lamb, Madison Zachweija, Veneziale
SOL National
Neshaminy 3, Abington 0
Neshaminy turned a 1-0 halftime lead into a shutout victory on Friday.
Three different players scored for Neshaminy, while Emily Tantala had a pair of assists. Nicole Palmer scored the game-winner in the 11th minute, Tantala and Jackie Ziegler set up Kristin Curley, and Brooke Mullin headed in a Tantala cross.
Neshaminy coach Chelsea Lovelace also cited the play of Palmer and Alex Ziegler on defense.
Neshaminy (7-4-1, 5-2-1 SOL) will be on the road at Pennsbury on Tuesday, and Abington (5-9, 3-6) will host Council Rock North on Tuesday at 7 p.m.
Neshaminy 1 2 – 3
Abington 0 0 – 0
Goals: Nicole Palmer, Kristin Curley, Brooke Mullin
Council Rock South 4, Harry S Truman 0
The Golden Hawks came off an emotional win on Wednesday to remain unbeaten in National conference play.
Keira Flanagan netted a brace and Sammy Jones had two assists to lead CR South, which built a 3-0 lead at the half and cruised to the finish.
"Emma Jones played very well in the midfield and Erin McStravock was a threat up top all afternoon," Hawks coach Nick Heim said.
Sierra Tarantino and Maddy Schmidt scored for CR South while Julie Rebh and Avery Sison added assists.
Council Rock South (13-0, 9-0 SOL) will host Downingtown West on Monday at 6 p.m., and Harry S Truman (0-11, 0-8) will host Bensalem on Tuesday.
Council Rock South 3 1- 4
Harry S Truman 0 0 – 0
Goals: Keira Flanagan 2, Sierra Tarantino, Maddy Schmidt.
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