Check out the recaps for SOL girls’ soccer teams in action Friday. Souderton/CB South photos provided courtesy of Christine Yardley. Lower Moreland/Upper Moreland photos courtesy of Greg Zesinger. Check back for galleries of both games. All SOS photo galleries for GIRLS’ SOCCER can be viewed by clicking HERE. Wissahickon/Hatboro-Horsham photos provided courtesy of Josh Stelzer.
SOL Liberty
Hatboro-Horsham 4, Wissahickon 2
From here on out, the Hatters know they’re going to get everyone’s best.
Holding the top spot in the SOL Colonial table entering the second half of division play, it’s Hatboro-Horsham’s to lose and everyone else’s to try and take. Fittingly, the first team up was last year’s
league champion Trojans.
“The Lady Hatters know what is at stake and they played a high energy game today,” HH coach Kelsey Daley said.
The first meeting between the teams saw the Hatters take a lead at halftime, only for Wiss to rally before HH ultimately pulled through in overtime. On Friday, it was the visiting Trojans who jumped out early and had the lead at the break.
“We got off to a slower start and were down 1-0 at halftime. We made some adjustments to positions and came out strong in the second half,” Daley said.
Hatboro-Horsham has scored plenty of goals on restarts this fall and yet another one would kick off a back-and-forth second half.
“We opened up the scoring with a corner kick from Caroline Shegogue and Kitty Randa was able to get her head on the ball to find the back of the net,” Daley said. “The intensity was very high after that goal for us and Sarah Roesing was able to hit a free kick 25-30 yards out a couple minutes later to put us up 2-1.”
A handball in the box against the Hatters awarded Wissahickon a penalty kick. The Trojans converted and just like the first meeting, it was a 2-2 game in the second half.
This time however, there were more goals to come in regulation.
“I was proud of my girls for not letting down and not long after Emma Levin dribbled down the field and took a beautiful hard shot that was saved by the keeper but Sarah Boland was able to get the rebound and finish it to put us up 3-2,” Daley said. “To secure the win, Cait Carpenter took the ball down the wing on the right side, beat a defender and found Kitty Randa’s feet who was able to get past the goalie and finish a great goal for us.”
Friday was the first of several looming tests and Hatboro-Horsham saw the type of effort it will need if it wants to keep its spot at the seat of the divisional table.
“The Hatters team played today with a lot of heart, grit and determination,” Daley said. “It was a very exciting win for us.”
The Hatters (11-0-2, 11-0-1 SOL) visit Abington in a pivotal game at 7 on Tuesday. Wissahickon (10-3, 9-3) hosts backyard rival Upper Dublin at 3:30 on Tuesday.
HATBORO-HORSHAM 0 4 – 4
WISSAHICKON 1 1 – 2
Quakertown 3, Upper Dublin 0
For years, the Panthers have been successful on two simple principles – defense and set pieces.
This year’s team is particularly good at the set piece part, using a few restart goals to sweep the season series with the Cardinals.
“A lot of our senior players have been playing together for a long time, they have chemistry together. We knew having a good set of set piece plays was going to be an advantage for us,” Panthers coach Jon Gingrich said. “Carolyn Sipprell and Madison Kalinowski have been super important for us on our set pieces.”
Quakertown scored all three goals in the first half to take command of the game early.
Sipprell and Kalinowski combined on the first goal, with Kalinowski hitting a terrific corner kick that Sipprell was able to put into the back of the net. Mackenna Calabria made it 2-0 on a header and a second set piece goal capped the scoring Sipprell again getting the finish with the assist this time going to Madison Taylor.
Just as important was the defensive effort by the Panthers, quelling an Upper Dublin attack that had scored 12 goals in its last three outings.
“Our defensive effort was Awesome. We knew we had to mark well and be first to the ball. Our whole defensive unit – Madison Taylor, Faith Greenday, Angela Calvanese and Callie Abel – played amazing and completely shut down the UD attack,” Gingrich said. “Our holding Mid Carlee Roesner was also awesome today, winning a lot of balls in the middle of the field, which really helped keep the ball in their half.”
Upper Dublin (7-5-1, 6-5-1 SOL) visits Wissahickon at 3:30 on Tuesday. Quakertown (8-6, 6-5) visits Southern Lehigh at 3:30 on Monday.
QUAKERTOWN 3 0 – 3
UPPER DUBLIN 0 0 – 0
Goals: Q – Carol Sipprell 2, Mackenna Calabria
Abington 5, Plymouth Whitemarsh 0
Maura Day continued to have her imprint all over the Ghosts’ offensive output Friday.
The senior midfielder scored two goals and assisted on two others to lead another productive day by Abington’s front five. Lily Gray, Carley Slavin and Harper McGinley also found the back end of the net for the Ghosts.
Addison Hayden and Olivia Richards combined on the shutout
Abington (11-3, 10-2 SOL) hosts Hatboro-Horsham at 7 on Tuesday in a key game. PW (7-5-1, 6-5-1) hosts Hatboro-Horsham at 7 on Thursday.
ABINGTON – 5
PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH – 0
Goals: A – Maura Day 2, Carley Slavin, Lily Gray, Harper McGinley
SOL Patriot
Neshaminy 2, Pennsbury 0
Throughout their unbeaten start to the season, Neshaminy had faced several stiff tests but had yet to see its biggest rival.
With the initial meeting between the Falcons and Redskins moved to October 15 for a night game, Friday’s tangle was the first time the foes were matching up.
“Rivalry games are always tough and we knew coming into the game that Pennsbury would give us their best,” Neshaminy coach Josh Van Reed said. “I was very proud of our ball movement today.”
Kylie Maxwell is one of the top underclassmen in the SOL and the sophomore forward continued to show why, scoring both goals in a key Neshaminy win. She’s also adept at playing off her teammates, including senior Mercedez Paino.
About 10 minutes in, the senior-sophomore tandem linked up for the opening tally.
“Mercedez was played a ball through from Carly Fox deep towards the endline. She just continued her run towards the goal, slipping past the defender, picked her head up and spotted Kylie Maxwell running to the near post,” Paino said. “(Maxwell) volleyed the ball out of the air with the outside of her right foot. Those two are dangerous around the goal together.”
With 10 minutes left in the opening half, Maxwell again showed her proclivity for putting the ball in the back of the net.
“We played a ball over the top that looked like it was going to go out of play. Bryn Taylor did some great work to get to the ball and turn and attempted a cross that was knocked down, But fortunately came back to her,” Van Reed said. “The second cross this time got through and Kylie was there again, this time back post to tuck the ball in.”
Neshaminy got the two finishes it needed, but it was otherwise tough going against a Falcons defense that’s played very tough this fall.
“Our first touch and possession allowed us to have a lot of good looks at the goal and some real chances to score more, but we hit the crossbar twice and the post once and Pennsbury’s keeper Madi Miller played fantastic today for them,” Van Reed said. “She saved a couple 1-on-1s along with another diving save in the final seconds to keep the score close.”
The Redskins’ defense – which includes Kylie Maxwell’s twin sister Taylor – has also been stellar this season, recording its ninth shutout of the season on Friday.
“Our defense today did a great job minimizing opportunities and getting involved in the offensive play,” Van Reed said. “Hannah Labadie handled the corner kick opportunities they had well. It was a great team effort today.”
Neshaminy (12-0-1, 10-0-1 SOL) hosts Council Rock South at 3:30 on Tuesday. Pennsbury (3-8-2, 3-8-0) visits Harry S Truman at 3:30 on Tuesday.
NESHAMINY 2 0 – 2
PENNSBURY 0 0 – 0
Goals: N – Kylie Maxwell 2
Council Rock South 4, Bensalem 1
Golden Hawks coach Nick Heim joked that it felt like a month since the last time his team took the field for a match.
It wasn’t that long, but a nine-day break is still a substantial one in a high school season. Still, it seemed to serve CR South well.
“We used it to get some quality sessions and film study in order to prepare for the second go-around of conference play,” Heim said. “To the girls’ credit, they set the tone from the first whistle, combining passes well to generate some offense. I was very pleased with our possession and forward play early on in the game.”
Within 12 minutes, Kathryn O’Kane and Cam Blatz were already causing problems for the Owls’ defense.
“Kathryn O’Kane was able to find a lane and slip Cam Blatz for a finish to give us a 1-0 lead. Seven minutes later O’Kane made a great run and was taken down in the box for a Zoe Brossman PK,” Heim said. “With 12 to go Ashley Yeager made a great play in the midfield for us and found Blatz on a solid run to put us up 3-0 going into half.”
It was a quick flurry of goals but they didn’t come in a rushed manner.
“We were really happy with the patience on the ball the girls showed today. Bensalem is always organized and makes it difficult to break them down,” Heim said. “That’s been their hallmark since Bob (Crawford) took over and their girls play their gameplan well, which makes us even more pleased with our effort today.”
Going into halftime with a 3-0 lead, the Hawks stressed not letting down in the second half. Seven minutes into the second half, Amanda Millevoi capitalized on a corner kick played by Kim Speiser to make it 4-0.
“I thought our backline of Speiser, Emily Davis, Jenna Waterman, and Maggie Kane were solid in limiting chances in front of Karissa Smedley, and the midfield of Zoe Brossman and Reghan Mudie really calmed us down while in possession,” Heim said. “I thought Ashley (Yeager) gave us a great spark off the bench, as did a handful of others. Very pleased with the focus at the end of an unusual week with no other games.”
CR South (8-2-2, 8-2-1 SOL) visits Neshaminy at 3:30 on Tuesday. Bensalem (4-9-1, 2-9-1) hosts Council Rock North at 7 on Tuesday.
COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 3 1 – 4
BENSALEM 0 1 – 1
Goals: CRS – Cam Blatz 2, Amanda Millevoi, Zoe Brossman
Council Rock North 7, Harry S Truman 0
Alyssa Tyler and Nicole Muradov each scored twice to lead an Indians attack that also got markers from Maya Raghunandanan, Mia Cairone and Lexi Fischer.
Ella McAleer, Maya Raghunandanan, Audrey Rogan and Payton Radosti chipped in with assists.
“It was pleasing to see some of the younger players do well in the second half, Kinsley Smith, Olivia Ralston & Josie Boyle in particular,” CR North coach Gavin Flannigan said. “Mike (McHugh) does a good job with Truman keeping them organized and aggressive, and their group has a lot to be proud of.”
Council Rock North (9-4-1, 7-4-1 SOL) visits Bensalem at 7 on Tuesday. Truman hosts (0-12) St Hubert’s at 7 on Monday.
COUNCIL ROCK NORTH – 7
HARRY S TRUMAN – 0
Goals; CRN – Alyssa Tyler 2, Nicole Muradov 2, Maya Raghunandanan, Mia Cairone, Lexi Fischer
SOL Colonial
Souderton 2, Central Bucks South 1
An early goal set the stage for a match featuring a big collision, a couple caroms and Souderton coming out with its third straight win.
“We were fortunate to win the ball in the first two minutes off a high press. The ball eventually fell to freshman Sienna Stunkard, who has scored in her last three matches now,” Souderton coach
Ian Smith said. “She let loose a nice shot headed toward the upper 90, and South’s goalie was able to meet it but after a sort of freak ricochet it came off the bar, off the keeper and into the net to put us up 1-0. From there we improved and raised the intensity a bit.”
Midway through the first half, Souderton senior keeper Abby Allen collided with a Titans attacker that left the goalkeeper hampered with what Smith described as a dead leg.
“We ended up making a change in net, bringing on sophomore Emily Dick. I asked Emily to give us some strong confident minutes and she stood up to the task,” Smith said. “She immediately came out sliding and claiming a difficult 50/50 ball in the box and came up with a few saves to keep us in ahead. Unfortunately, she was beaten on a well placed shot before the end of the half.”
The Titans were frustrated with a free kick that was saved off the crossbar which they felt went into the net before ricocheting out back onto the field of play with the match officials ruling the ball never crossed the line and to play on.
“Our goal was scored by Olivia Wade with an assist from Ella Kim,” South coach Gabbie Nolan said. “Ella stepped up big time today and gave us great minutes.”
Allen returned to the goal in the second half. Midway through the frame, senior Ava Steidle came on, pushing senior captain
Alexis Stefanowicz into the midfield to try and generate some attack.
“We had some really good build-up play down the right through Liv Beresovoy, who created space for herself to find a cross that fell to Julia Decaro in a dangerous position in the box,” Smith said. “Julia was able to nudge a one-time pass onto Alexis, who was free in the box, for a well-placed finish. I was glad to see Alexis get a goal after all the hard work she’s put in this season; it was more than deserving.”
The Indians would need a lot to go right to make the playoffs, but they’ll have an opportunity to pick up some valuable points with the remainder of their schedule. For now, Smith just wants to see the things that have fueled this winning run continue on.
“Overall, a really great start to homecoming weekend for the girls, and the team should be happy about the way they have improved this season,” Smith said. “The goal is to take some of the things we have improved over the last few weeks and build upon them as we finish out the season.”
Souderton (5-8-1, 4-7-1 SOL) visits Pennridge at 7pm on Tuesday. CB South (6-8, 5-7) is on the road at CB East at 7 on Tuesday.
SOUDERTON 1 1 – 2
CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 1 0 – 1
Goals: S – Sienna Stunkard, Alexis Stefanowicz; CBS – Olivia Wade
Pennridge 3, North Penn 1
The Rams found themselves in an unusual position Friday, trailing the visiting Knights 1-0 at halftime.
Pennridge has only trailed at the break one other time this fall, in their sole loss on Sept. 20 against Neshaminy. Unlike that day, the Rams were able to find some offense in the second half and remained unbeaten against SOL Colonial opponents.
“When you’re looking at the bigger picture, you want to know what your team’s capable of doing before you get into the postseason,” Rams coach Audrey Anderson said. “Listening to Sophie Craig say after the game that we learned in this game we could overcome adversity, it was good for the girls to recognize.”
Anderson felt her team came out a little flat in the first half, giving up some needless fouls that gave the Knights scoring opportunities. North Penn was happy to oblige on one of them with sophomore Maddy Murphy, who has turned a nice season so far, converting a free kick into the goal that had the visitors up 1-0 at half.
Thanks to some strong work in goal by Sam Ridler, the Knights were able to add on to Pennridge’s offensive frustrations until nearly the midpoint of the second half.
“She came up with some really nice saves,” Anderson said. “They pressured us really hard in the first half. We weren’t really looking to transition quickly and I think when we changed that in the second half, it changed the tempo of the game in that we were constantly driving at them and forcing them to defend instead of the other way around.”
Anderson said a big shift at halftime was getting the forwards more involved by having them come back to pressure the ball defensively.
“Having our forwards pressure their backs forced them to give up a corner with 23 minutes left,” Anderson said. “Hailey Primwhere put in a great corner and Anna Croyle, of all the days to score on a corner, it was amazing, she moved toward the goal to attack it and there was so much power behind it, it just lit a fire in us.”
Ridler and the Knights continued to hold firm until the Rams combined for the game-winner with about five minutes left. Tori Angelo found Liv Grenda, with the midfielder scoring off the forward’s pass for the late tally.
“Tori Angelo had an outstanding second half, pressuring players, holding onto the ball and being physical,” Anderson said.
Sensing her team was starting to get too passive too early, Anderson had her players continue to attack and it led to an insurance goal in the final two minutes.
“Lindsey Balmer rocketed a ball from Sophie Craig,” Anderson said. “It was an incredible goal and I’m very, very happy for her coming back from an injury to put a ball in the back of the net. She was close a couple times, just missed a couple crosses from Tori but was very composed to put the game away.”
Pennridge (13-1, 11-1 SOL) hosts Souderton at 7 on Tuesday. North Penn (3-9-1, 3-8-1) will travel to Central Bucks West on Tuesday.
PENNRIDGE 0 3 – 3
NORTH PENN 1 0 – 1
Goals: P – Anna Croyle, Liv Grenda, Lindsey Balmer; NP – Maddy Murphy
SOL Freedom
New Hope-Solebury 3, Cheltenham 1
The first time the Lions and Panthers met, they played to a draw.
A lot has happened between then and unfortunately, injuries have whittled down Cheltenham’s roster. While New Hope-Solebury was able to take advantage, it wasn’t an easy win.
“Cheltenham is a team that has suffered a lot of injuries but they fight hard for the entire game. We were able to take advantage of a couple of good passing combinations,” Lions coach Matt Duffey said. “Defensively we held strong and managed to minimize their opportunities.
“Nicole Michael and Brooke McLaughlin along with Elena Shire put in very strong performances on defense. Riley Marschall, Meeghan Griffith and Autumn Brasof on the attacking side played very well for us.”
Ava Marrone opened the scoring for New Hope-Solebury, taking a pass from Mia Utasin on the left side and slipping it past the keeper.
The Lions tacked on a second goal before the break.
“It was a nice individual effort from Usatin. She dribbled past two defenders and shot the ball in the lower right corner with the outside of her right,” Duffey said.
After falling behind, the Panthers regrouped and were able to match the Lions in the second half.
“We fought another tough battle today and after some adjustments at halftime down 2-0, we came out strong and Lily Crocker found the back of the net,” Panthers coach Leah Matusow said. “We created opportunities today and now have to keep pushing forward and work to capitalize on them.”
New Hope-Solebury put the finishing touches on the win after a strong connection between several players.
“The third goal was very pretty,” Duffey said. “Elena Shire stole the ball around the midfield and passed forward to Autumn Brasof. Autumn got the ball into the corner and dropped it back to Shire. Shire passed the ball across the 18 to Meeghan Griffith who slotted the ball home in the lower right corner from about 20 yards out. “
Cheltenham (0-11-1 SOL) plays Lower Moreland on the road at 7 on Tuesday. New Hope-Solebury (3-10-1, 2-9-1) hosts Springfield Twp at 3:30 on Tuesday.
NEW HOPE SOLEBURY 2 1 – 3
CHELTENHAM 0 1 – 1
Goals: NHS – Ava Marrone, Mia Utasin, Meeghan Griffith; C – Lily Crocker
Upper Moreland 1, Lower Moreland 0
The first time through the SOL Freedom table, Lower Moreland had been just about perfect.
Not only had the Lions won all five matches against their division rivals, they did so without allowing a single goal. Friday, the first 40 minutes of the second leg started much the same way.
It didn’t end like that, as the Golden Bears snapped the Lions’ shutout streak and winning streak within the Freedom standings.
“Natalie Walton was tremendous in net today. She tallied 11 saves off of a very talented Lower Moreland attack. In our practice sessions, we stressed the left foot of Nikki Sahl and the right foot of Morgan Pennisi,” UM coach Lisa Benvenuto said. “Our defensive line held Lower Moreland’s attack and forced the outside shot. Devin Bush, Katie Slear, Annalise Messina, and Skye Kramer were very strong today out on the pitch.”
Upper Moreland needed its defense to be strong as the visiting Lions were on the front foot offensively for most of the opening half.
“It felt like a tale of two halves,” LM coach Todd Hill said. “We dominated the first half but couldn’t finish and then UM dominated the second half and they found a way to score.
“Payton Lennon had an outstanding game. She was very dominant in the middle of the field.”
The Bears used halftime to talk about where they needed to make adjustments and it focused on the midfield.
“With the help of our midfield, we were able to get into more of a rhythm in the second half, and you could feel momentum shifting our way,” Benvenuto said. “Kyra Favors, Gracie Cartin, Brooke Lobban, and Eliza Feil provided us with some really solid minutes.”
Within 10 minutes of the second half starting, Upper Moreland was already on the attack and soon after, ended the divisional drought against the 
Freedom-leading Lions.
“We really stepped up our play, and momentum. We were building better through the middle of the field and finding the weak side flank. Gracie Cartin, on our left flank, was able to find Kylie Wiest, who split two defenders, and finished for us,” Benvenuto said. “Kylie Wiest, Willow Taylor and Maggie Brophy had a few dangerous opportunities, and they really worked for their shots today.”
The loss didn’t dethrone Lower Moreland from the top of the table, but it definitely added some intrigue going forward.
“It was the first goal we have given up in a divisional game this year, and it was a costly one,” Hill said.
Upper Moreland (6-6-2, 5-6-1 SOL) visits William Tennent at 7 on Tuesday. Lower Moreland (6-7, 6-6) hosts Cheltenham at 7 on Tuesday.
UPPER MORELAND 0 1 – 1
LOWER MORELAND 0 0 – 0
Goals: UM – Kylie Wiest
William Tennent 4, Springfield Twp 2
The Panthers and Spartans spent the afternoon going up and down the pitch, with plenty of opportunities and goals following them as they did.
“The game was kind of a seesaw,” Springfield Twp coach Dan Malora said. “Tennent got up on us early, but we got ourselves settled after the opening 10. We generated some great ball movement and scoring opportunities but couldn’t quite get the looks we needed.”
It may not seem like it in a six-goal game where the winners had four, but the Tennent defense played a key role in the outcome.
“Although we started out a bit flat we were able to pull it together and get a much needed win. We’ve been playing well lately but just haven’t been able to get the wins,” Panthers coach Elise Jara said. “Our back line has been key for us all season and they didn’t let us down today led by Erin Somerville and Tori Dolt.”
After scoring early, the Panthers earned a free kick in the waning moments of the first half with Kaitlyn Frank stepping up to the spot and putting it away.
“Tennent finished the freebie and we were looking at a possible 2-0 deficit going into halftime,” Malora said. “However, in the final minute, a big defensive clearance from senior captain Shannon Meder went over the top of the Panthers’ defense and onto the sure feet of Kaleigh Evans who blasted her 14th goal of the season.”
The late goal seemed to lift the Spartans’ spirits and they came out firing in the second half. An opportunity for an indirect free kick saw Kalei Noonan find Kaleigh Evans with the sure-footed forward in position to put another shot on goal.
“Kaleigh’s initial shot caught a defenders leg but that rebound was seized upon by Maddie McDevitt. That goal really put an exclamation mark on an amazing match for the junior fullback,” Malora said. “We’ve been dealing with some injuries and illnesses this week and Maddie found herself playing in multiple spots today. She played each position with some serious grit.”
At 2-2, it was a new match for both teams.
“Springfield played well and they have some real speed up top,” Jara said. “It was a very competitive game.”
The Panthers regained the lead thanks to some versatility in their offense.
“Our goals were spread out between four different players which was good to see. Jackie Sowers, Sofia Jakimoski, Theresa Ditri had a goal each with Kaitlyn Frank adding a PK,” Jara said. “We used the width of the field playing from the back and Paige Marek had another strong game in the midfield.”
The Spartans chased an equalizer hard, but Tennent’s defense was up to the task and made sure its newfound lead would hold up to the final whistle.
“William Tennent continued to play a great game and their attack put us behind in the 60th minute. They got another one on us while we pushed for the equalizer in the closing minutes,” Malora said. “Both squads played some solid soccer today and I know all the coaches can be happy with the match these athletes played.”
Tennent (4-10, 2-7 SOL) hosts Upper Moreland at 7 on Tuesday. Springfield Twp (4-9, 3-9) visits New Hope-Solebury at 3:30 on Tuesday.
WILLIAM TENNENT 2 2 – 4
SPRINGFIELD TWP 1 1 – 2
Goals: WT – Jackie Sowers, Sofia Jakimoski, Theresa Ditri, Kaitlyn Frank; ST – Kaleigh Evans, Maddie McDevitt
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