Check out the recaps for SOL girls’ soccer teams in action on Thursday.
SOL Liberty/Freedom crossover
Upper Dublin 6, Cheltenham 1
The Flying Cardinals didn’t waste any time keeping their newfound offensive rhythm in sync on Thursday.
Wrapping up their slate of crossover games after their initial date with the Panthers was postponed, UD rolled its winning streak to three matches. The Cardinals have outscored opponents 12-1 since their loss to Upper Moreland on Sept. 20.
“We are figuring out each other’s preferences. I don’t think that was in place in the beginning of the year,” Cardinals coach Chuck Gesing said. “Everyone has a more defined role and people are hitting their stride.”
Lilli Kleiman has never broken stride this season, and the senior forward netted another goal as part of a three-score first half from the Cardinals. Alex Devers and Anna DiMartile also found the back of the net in the opening half for a 3-0 lead.
“Even though we were short-handed today with several girls out with injuries, our team battled,” Cheltenham coach Leah Matusow said. “We communicated well and did our best to contain the speed and skill of UD’s front line.”
DiMartile had a nice game to lead Upper Dublin, netting her second goal after halftime for a brace. Peyton Ward, a freshman call-up, netted her first varsity goal and junior Meg McGinley rounded out the scoring for the Cardinals.
Cheltenham regrouped at halftime and was able to pull a goal back in the second half.
“We found the back of the net off a corner from Amelia Fishman, assisted by Ciara Rodriguez and headed into the net by Mikki Carrera,” Matusow said. “It was awesome to see the joy from our team.”
Unfortunately, a season that’s been filled with injuries for the Panthers took another hit on Thursday.
“This game came with an injury to our goalie, Anita Gladden. She has been playing great soccer, improving every game and had some incredible saves today. She’s really stepped up, and I know that the rest of our team is going to follow in her footsteps and do the same,” Matusow said. “This season might not be going the way we planned, but every player has bought in to our ‘team first’ mentality and we are always going to compete no matter what comes our way.”
Upper Dublin (7-4-1, 6-4-1 SOL) will visit Quakertown at 4 on Friday. Cheltenham (0-10-1) hosts New Hope-Solebury at 3:30 on Friday.
UPPER DUBLIN 3 3 – 6
CHELTENHAM 0 1 – 1
Goals; UD – Anna DiMartile 2, Lilli Kleiman, Alex Devers, Meg McGinley, Peyton Ward; C – Mikki Carrera
Non-league
Neshaminy 3, Unionville 1
A long road trip Thursday afternoon did little to slow down Neshaminy.
It only took about five minutes for the Redskins to tally a goal, although they would be tested in the second half. In the end, Neshaminy emerged with its ninth straight win and a very enjoyable ride back home.
Paige Borkowski set the stage early, taking a chance on a long shot toward goal.
“The keeper tried to tip over the crossbar, the ball landed on top and bounced back into play and Mercedez Paino quickly followed the ball and tucked it in for our first goal,” Neshaminy coach Josh Van Reed said.
Paino, who has been stellar in her senior season, kept the train rolling with a second goal of the half at the end of a string of nice build-up going down the left flank.
“Gyzell Rowan picked out Mercedez Paino running through the defense and played a perfectly timed ball to her feet which she finished in the bottom left corner,” Van Reed said of Paino’s second goal.
Unionville would get an early penalty kick in the second half, converting it to pull within a goal. It was the first score Neshaminy had given up since its 2-1 win over Pennridge on Sept. 20.
“We talked at halftime about keeping the ball moving and picking the speed of decision-making up, it really helped us to maintain possession most of the second half,” Van Reed said. “We had a lot of good looks at the goal, two times even where our girls were able to get behind the defense and their keeper came up with some good saves.”
Neshaminy just kept working and a ball played into the right corner would reward the visitors with an insurance goal.
“Bryn Taylor fought for the ball and got to the end line quick enough to pick out Gyzell Rowan who was coming in to the back post. Gyzell hammered the ball in,” Van Reed said. “Overall, the team put together a lot of one and two-touch passes and did a great job with possessing the ball especially in the second half. “
Neshaminy (11-0-1, 9-0-1 SOL) hosts Pennsbury at 3:30 on Friday.
NESHAMINY 2 1 – 3
UNIONVILLE 0 1 – 1
Goals: N – Mercedez Paino 2, Gyzell Rowan
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