Check out the recaps for SOL girls’ soccer teams in action Monday. Pennsbury/William Tennent photos provided courtesy of John Gleeson. Check back for a gallery of photos.
SOL AMERICAN
Plymouth Whitemarsh 2, Abington 0
When the teams met last month, the Colonials saw a halftime lead slip away in an eventual Abington win.
Holding that same 1-0 advantage on Monday, PW didn’t let it go. The Colonials’ seniors and their robust defense put together a strong performance as the team won its eighth straight match with a sixth consecutive shutout.
“Assistant coach TJ DeLucia does a great job motivating the girls and keeping them mindful of the moment,” PW coach Ryan Zehren said. “He told the seniors ‘This is your game.’ The seniors definitely responded, scoring the two goals for us.”
Anni Shula netted the winner in the first half off a feed from Natalie Lannie while Sam Matthews added the second from Leah Kaye after halftime.
“Anni Shula and Sam Matthews are the two senior captains who scored. Really proud of what are seniors have been able to accomplish this season,” Zehren said. “Again, this was a game won and led by our seniors, they deserve it.”
The sides entered play tied for second in the tight SOL American table. While Hatboro-Horsham also won to maintain its one-point lead in the standings, the Colonials win put them in sole possession of second place.
Doing so meant closing down an Abington attack that had scored at least a goal in every game this season.
“Rick (Tompkins) does a good job of making adjustments with moving players around. Our girls are aware of this and were able to adapt to any changes through the second half in particular,” Zehren said. “Defense has done what they’ve been doing. Limiting stab tackles, covering for each other and executing game plans.”
Devon Skiles recorded the shutout while defenders Kaitlyn Flanagan, Ava Schreiber, Bella McNew and Gabby Cooper had the clamps out on the back line.
“Assistant coach Ryan Kirby does a great job of planning drills that translate into our game plan and then it allows the girls to see it better on the field in the game,” Zehren said. “Still have more work to be done though.”
PW (11-3, 9-2 SOL) visits Upper Dublin on Thursday afternoon. Abington (8-6, 8-3) hosts Wissahickon on Thursday night.
PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 1 1 – 2
ABINGTON 0 0 – 0
Goals: PW – Anni Shula, Sam Matthews
Upper Dublin 4, Upper Moreland 1
Anna Desch has been a threat all season for the Cardinals and Monday, she got to show why.
“Anna Desch figured in all four goals, creating lots to chances down the right side. Three went directly to Alex Devers who scored her first hat trick,” UD coach Chuck Gesing said. “The fourth found Julia Eustace’s head, went off the keeper to a waiting Mia Wright who pounced on the shot.”
UD split its goals equally on either side of the halftime break.
Desch has been using her speed to get in position to send crosses in all season, and it was only a matter of time before the Cardinals started to capitalize on them.
“Anna got behind the defense regularly and delivered a bunch of dangerous balls in the box. Alex’s timing was excellent,” Gesing said. “We’ve been working on it in practice and today it all clicked.”
The teams will play again Tuesday at Upper Moreland in a makeup game from a rainout earlier this season. Upper Dublin upped its record to 5-4-2 in conference play (5-7-2 overall). Upper Moreland is 3-7-1 in the conference and 4-9-1 overall.
UPPER DUBLIN 2 2 – 4
UPPER MORELAND 0 1 – 1
Goals: UD – Alex Devers 3, Mia Wright
Wissahickon 5, Cheltenham 0
The Trojans have a certified goal scorer in Carly Amato and she carried the load early on.
As of late, Wissahickon has been adding more names to its scorebook as was the case on Monday.
“It’s nice to see the goals distributed more even lately with other players chipping in,” Wissahickon coach Chris McDaniels said. “That field can be tough on defenders trying to control the ball. Our attackers pressed and we’re rewarded with chances.”
Amato did score on Monday, but she was helped by a brace from Emma Baker and single goals from Kylie Friedman and Anna May.
Wissahickon (8-6, 7-4 SOL) visits Abington on Thursday night while Cheltenham (3-11, 1-10) hosts Hatboro-Horsham in a night game.
WISSAHICKON 3 2 – 5
CHELTENHAM 0 0 – 0
Goals: W – Emma Baker 2, Carly Amato, Kylie Friedman, Anna May
Hatboro-Horsham 6, Springfield Twp 0
The Hatters got a complete game win to maintain their hold at the top of the SOL American standings.
Emily Thomas led a balanced scoring attack with two goals while Sophia Liott, Maggie O’Neill, Gabby Liott and Marissa Rapino each added single goals.
Hatboro-Horsham scored three times in each half.
The Hatters (11-1-1, 9-1-1 SOL) visit Cheltenham on Thursday while Springfield Twp (1-13-1, 0-11) is at Upper Moreland.
HATBORO-HORSHAM 3 3 – 6
SPRINGFIELD TWP 0 0 – 0
Goals: HH – Emily Thomas 2, Sophia Liott, Maggie O’Neill, Gabby Liott, Marissa Rapino
SOL CONTINENTAL
Pennridge 1, Central Bucks South 0 (OT)
Leah Malone is building a nice resume of clutch goals.
The sophomore, who came up big for Pennridge in a district playoff game last year, added another big moment in her young career Monday night. Wanting to win a game for her seniors, she hit a magnificent ball that found the net with three seconds left in overtime to lock up a conference title and a Senior Night win.
“This whole team has a genuine love for each other and we know we’re doing it for our teammates, not just for ourselves,” Malone said. “Tonight, I didn’t want it for myself, I wanted it for these guys, the seniors, because I knew how cool it would be for those guys and just as a team, it’s cool to win that way and get to 13-0. I want to put them first after all they’ve been through.”
Pennridge, which went to overtime for the first time this season, found itself locked in another classic battle with the Titans at Helman Field. CB South, which had won three straight SOL Continental games and three of four overall, matched the Rams in every area.
Defensively, the unit of Lauren Spear, Lauren Ewell, Bridget Curtis and Maddie Tantum kept Pennridge’s forwards from connecting while midfielders Lauren Farrell, Janessa Watson and Elizabeth Chiliberti challenged the Rams midfielders for every ball.
“This is what I told them – if we continue to play like that, we will be in the playoffs,” South coach Betsy Bullock said. “We need to play like that going forward because we are good and we can be very, very good. I can’t be prouder, they’re very tenacious and they play with heart, we stress that, to play with heart and they did not give up.”
Pennridge celebrated its five seniors – Chance Hendricks, Maddie Anderson, Rachel Dudek, Lauren McIntyre and Meghan Kriney – on Monday. It was Kriney, the goalkeeper, who ensured there would even be overtime with a pair of brilliant saves.
In the first half, Kriney made a diving, one-handed stop on Chiliberti and quickly smothered the ball to deny Sophia Kane a follow-up shot. Early in the second half, the senior keeper would stuff Kane after Ally Cutter played her in with a through ball and got help when Ashley Gordon cleared the rebound.
“You think back ‘How did I do that and in that situation again, would I be able to do it?’ and that’s one of the hardest parts about being a goalkeeper,” Kriney said. “I feel like being in the moment and being able to live the moment makes every save count and that much more special.”
Going to an extra session and finding a way to win told Rams coach Audrey Anderson a lot about her team.
“Three seconds, that’s crazy,” Anderson said. “To have a sophomore feel that confident in that moment is huge, especially in a regular season game. To have her get that kind of experience is huge as we go into our last two weeks of the regular season.”
Anderson, who also coached a number of the South seniors in club soccer, felt both teams brought the best out in each other and credited the Titans for pushing her team to again dig deep. On Friday, the Rams trailed for the first time all season before rallying to beat CB West and then endured their first overtime on Monday night.
“CB South came out strong and played hard and Meghan Kriney stepped up and was amazing tonight,” Anderson said. “In those big moments, she came up huge for us. We don’t give up many shots so to be tested not once but twice in those situations and come up with the save was awesome.”
Pennridge faced another test, but thanks to a senior and a sophomore, the Rams passed that one as well.
“We seem to get everybody’s best game, but that’s what is making us better,” Anderson said. “I secretly enjoy these games but sometimes I wish they were a little bit easier.”
Pennridge (13-0, 9-0 SOL) – the top seed in the latest District One 4A power rankings – visits Souderton on Thursday night. Central Bucks South (5-8, 4-6) – 28th in what will be a 24-team field – hosts Council Rock North in a crossover match Thursday afternoon.
PENNRIDGE 0 0 1 – 1
CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 0 0 0 – 0
Goals: P – Leah Malone
Souderton 3, Central Bucks East 1
The Indians snapped a two-match losing streak and avoided a Central Bucks sweep Monday, thanks to three goals from Averie Doughty.
“The Indians looked to rebound from back-to-back losses against Central Bucks West and South,” Souderton assistant Ian Smith said. “It wasn’t easy, but Souderton was able to avoid being swept by the Central Bucks schools in three consecutive games.”
Souderton used crisp passing and energy to put the pressure on East out of the gate.
“With 23 minutes left in the first half, Souderton found the breakthrough as Hannah Alderfer found Averie Doughty in the center midfield,” Smith said. “Doughty created some space for herself with a good first touch and unleashed powerful shot from distance to put the hosts up 1-0.”
With the lead, the Indians worked to keep possession and their defenders mostly held East to long shots. About 15 minutes before the break, Souderton gave up a dangerous free kick, but a good service was saved by keeper Morgan Molyneaux.
“Before the end of the half, Souderton doubled their lead as Doughty grabbed her second goal of the match,” Smith said. “Grace Kelley found Alderfer on a quick throw, the ensuing cross was tapped home by Doughty.”
After Souderton took the initiative in the first half, the Patriots came out flying in the second half.
“Two minutes into the second half East capitalized on an opportunity after finding space at the corner of Souderton’s penalty area and firing a shot into the top corner of the far post,” Smith said. “For a moment, Souderton was on their heels, and East looked like they might draw level.”
Surviving the initial East rush, Souderton got back to possession and connecting passes and soon rebuilt its two-goal lead.
“With less than 30 to play in the half, Taylor Yoder created space for herself in the center of the field as she dribbled past two East defenders to send a pass wide to Katie Pazdziorko, who took the ball wide before sending a dangerous cross,” Smith said. “Alderfer was in the box waiting for the cross with a defender on her heels, and instead of taking the shot herself let it roll to Doughty who took a touch and fired home a shot to complete her hat-trick.”
CB East pushed hard for another goal to make it interesting but the Indians were able to see out the win.
Souderton (10-5-1, 5-4-1 SOL) hosts Pennridge on Thursday evening while CB East (4-9-2, 1-7-2) hosts Quakertown that afternoon.
SOUDERTON 2 1 – 3
CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 0 1 – 1
Goals: S – Averie Doughty 3
North Penn 2, Quakertown 1
The Knights celebrated their seniors with a hard-earned win over the Panthers in a game between two teams jostling for district playoff positioning.
“Quakertown really is very strong and solid defensively. We scored early on a corner where after Emmy D’Ambrosio hit a nice shot and their keeper made a save but Tia Sheehy was able to put in the rebound,” North Penn co-head coach Mike Rio said. “Quakertown rebounded and scored off a nice header from a free kick and the game was pretty even for the rest of the first half.
“It was a hard fought win, and hats off to Quakertown they are always so well organized and it’s always difficult to break them down while also being wary of a dangerous counter attack.”
North Penn, which again showed the flexibility in its roster with players filling different roles, combatted Quakertown’s pressure with sharp passing and maintaining strings of possession.
“During the second half we really controlled the possession and had a ton of great ball movement,” Rio said. “Our girls really kept finding the open player and tried to break down the Quakertown defense. Finally we got a breakthrough after Emily Varilla beat a defender and was able to find the far post past their keeper.”
The Knights had numerous players contribute in each third of the field.
“Emily Schurr and Becca Richardson in the middle really helped us connect some passes and won a lot of balls for us,” Rio said. “Grace Sacchetti also controlled a lot of the build up out of the center back position and Reagan Ertel had a ton of great runs from the right outside back position that gave us a lot of options moving forward.”
Quakertown (6-7-1, 2-6-1 SOL) – 20th in the District One 4A power rankings – will visit CB East on Thursday while North Penn (7-7-1, 4-4-1) – 19th in the power rankings – visits CB West for a Thursday night contest.
NORTH PENN 1 1 – 2
QUAKERTOWN 1 0 – 1
Goals: NP – Tia Sheehy, Emily Varilla
SOL NATIONAL
Council Rock North 2, Neshaminy 1 (OT)
The Indians picked up another important win as they chase a home playoff match.
“A very gritty and gutsy performance today got the job done,” Council Rock North coach Gavin Flannigan said. “Whenever we play Neshaminy, the games are always incredibly competitive. They are a historically strong program and we know that when we take the field we have to be ready to play.”
Neshaminy was the aggressor early, putting the Indians on the defensive then into a deficit.
“It took us a while today to get to that point, Neshaminy pressed us early and caused a few turnovers,” Flannigan said. “They were more aggressive and decisive overall in the first half and they deserved to score first.”
Taylor Brennan was the hero for CR North, scoring the equalizer late in the first half off a Hannah Thomson service. Brennan knocked the ball down and scored from the far corner.
“At halftime we made some adjustments tactically, but more importantly, we talked about matching their intensity and desire,” Flannigan said. “We also spoke a lot about having belief in ourselves to win the game. Both teams had a couple of chances in the second half but nothing that was clear cut.”
In the extra time, Neshaminy again came out with purpose but the Indians defended it, then came back to earn a free kick and a corner kick.
“Sammy Judge hit a great ball in that may have been over the goal line, but Taylor Brennan was there to ensure we got the goal,” Flannigan said.
Council Rock North needs every result it can get, but Flannigan noted there’s always an extra emphasis on conference games.
“Today wasn’t our best soccer but I’m really proud of the girls for hanging in there today and gutting it out,” Flannigan said. “It was a real team effort, we got some great minutes from some of our younger players today. Kyra DelSignore and Morgan McCaffery both played very well.”
CR North (10-3-1,6-3-1 SOL) – 15th in the District One 4A power rankings – visits Bensalem on Thursday while Neshaminy (8-5-1, 5-4-1) – 24th in the power rankings – hosts Northeast High the same day.
COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 1 0 1 – 2
NESHAMINY 1 0 0 – 1
Goals: CRN – Taylor Brennan 2
Council Rock South 3, Bensalem 1
The Golden Hawks celebrated their senior class on Monday, with everyone from mainstays to reserves contributing to the effort.
“Bensalem brought it to us and they scored under three minutes into the game. We settled down a bit after that and began moving the ball,” CR South coach Nick Heim said.
Senior Jordi Rubkah was a catalyst for the Hawks, setting up fellow senior Sammy Jones for the tying goal in the first half. CR South would nab a lead going into the break.
“With a few minutes left in the half Lauren Smith got to a loose ball off a corner and found the back of the net,” Heim said.
Rubkah would also score in the second half off a beautiful feed from Maddie McDowell.
“Our seniors were great tonight, calming us down a bit when we were tight,” Heim said. “We got great minutes from Vicki Rizzo, Maddie Slubowski, Jordan Sweeney, and Maddy Schmidt along with a solid performance from Carli Dickel in goal.”
While the Hawks don’t start all their seniors, they are an integral part of the program and contribute immensely in areas most people don’t see or even consider.
“Each senior over the course of four years has found their role, even down to our senior manager Amanda Zimmerman who takes care of everything pregame for me. Girls bring energy to practice everyday and it makes everyone better,” Heim said. “There are games where not everyone gets in, but it doesn’t impact what they bring to practice or how well they represent our program and our school. We as coaches are fortunate to get to work with this group everyday and it’s our seniors that lead by example not just on the field, but in the classroom and in extra-curricular as well. We are extremely proud of them.”
Second-place CR South (9-2-1, 7-1 SOL) has a pivotal match on the road with SOL National leader Pennsbury on Thursday. Bensalem (1-11, 1-8) visits Harry S Truman on Thursday night.
COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 2 1 – 3
BENSALEM 1 0 – 1
Goals: CRS – Sammy Jones, Lauren Smith, Jordi Rubkah
Pennsbury 4, William Tennent 1
A strong midfield can go a long way and the Falcons feel they have one of the strongest midfield duos around.
“Gabby Zalot and Rosie Bostian did a great job in the midfield keeping us on the attacking foot from beginning to end,” Falcons co-head coach Kaitlyn Battiste said. “They were able to get us in behind Tennant’s defense throughout most of the game and in a variety of ways.”
Bostian assisted Evie Ciaccia in the 12th minute to open the scoring, while Zalot had an assist and a goal.
Freshman Taylor Mays also had a goal and assist, setting up Gianna Durle in the 17th minute then scoring off Zalot’s helper in the 32nd.
“The other positive was our ability to finish the chances we generated,” Battiste said. “Each of the goals had great build-up in the run of play and we stayed composed and aggressive in the final third to put the ball in the back of the net.”
Zalot’s goal came in the 56th minute. The two midfielders, both seniors, have been contributors for several seasons and bring plenty of experience to the pitch.
“They play really well off of one another’s strengths. Rosie has a lot of strength and power to her game that allows her to stretch the defense with services and help us regain possession off of 50/50 balls,” Battiste said. “Gabby is one of the most technically sound players to come through the program; combine that with her relentless work rate and she is constantly finding the ball at her feet. The two of them together make a unique pairing that keeps many opponents off-balance.”
Pennsbury(12-1-1, 9-0 SOL) will rely on the senior duo as it hosts second place CR South in a crucial SOL National battle on Thursday.
William Tennent’s goal came from Danielle Moss in the 61st minute. The Panthers (4-8, 3-6) host Neshaminy on Thursday afternoon.
PENNSBURY 3 1 – 4
WILLIAM TENNENT 0 1 – 1
Goals: P – Evie Ciaccia, Gianna Durle, Taylor Mays, Gabby Zalot; WT – Danielle Moss
Non-league
Central Bucks West 5, Gwynedd Mercy Academy 0
The Bucks stepped out of conference for a matchup with the AACA side and got a chance to use their depth.
“We played a good controlled game today,” West coach Mike Moyer said. “We were down a bunch of girls that are trying to heal up for our last three conference games so we had a lot of different girls step up today and give us great minutes.”
West got on the board early when Riley Corona made a great run down the left side and sent in a cross that Taylor Moyer buried from about 12 yards out. Taylor Moyer went from finisher to facilitator on the team’s second tally.
“A few minutes later Taylor made a good move in the box and touched a ball to Syd Lubin who knocked in her first goal of the season to give us a 2-0 lead at the half,” Mike Moyer said.
Taylor Moyer kept up her helping mood in the second half, keying an assist when Tori Albrecht headed home a corner kick, then had another corner turn into a goal when Keely McGlone rebounded after Maggie Hesson hit Moyer’s service off the crossbar.
“We saved the best goal for last,” Mike Moyer said. “Alexa Vail made a great run down the left side and drove a ball into the box that Taylor hit a full left footed volley from 10 yards out to give us a 5-0 win.”
Taylor Moyer finished with two goals and two assists but she was far from the only standout.
“Erin Fitzsimmons was great in the middle. She played at a high rate all game,” Mike Moyer said. “We also got great minutes from Kayla Hyde, Grace Parlee, and Erin Stranix. It was also nice to get another clean sheet with Mariella Neri and Gracie Miller holding down the back.”
CB West (10-4-1, 5-3-1 SOL) hosts North Penn for Senior Night on Thursday.
CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 2 3 – 5
GWYNEDD MERCY ACADEMY 0 0 – 0
Goals: CBW – Tayloy Moyer 2, Syd Lubin, Keely McGlone, Tori Albrecht
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