Check out the recaps for SOL girls’ soccer teams in action. Neshaminy handed CR North its first loss of the season. Andrew Robinson was there. PW/Wissahickon photos provided courtesy of Kim Supko, Upper Moreland/New Hope-Solebury photos provided courtesy of Karla Donohoe. (Hatboro-Horsham/Quakertown photo courtesy of Jessica Cassel/Hatboro-Horsham soccer). CLICK HERE to go directly to Suburban One Sports’ GIRLS’ SOCCER GALLERIES.
SOL Patriot
Neshaminy 3, Council Rock North 1
–By Andrew Robinson for SuburbanOneSports.com
Ava Hood had a couple goals for her senior year that would hinge heavily on Tuesday night’s result against visiting Council Rock North.
The Neshaminy center back, a team captain, knew CR North would be a formidable foe with the Indians bringing a spotless 13-0-0 record that included a pretty complete 2-0 win over her team back in early September. At the same time, Hood has plenty of faith in her teammates, and she hadn’t given up on the thought of an SOL title and a home playoff game for her senior year.
Hood helped keep both of those goals in play with a goal of her own that proved to be the match-winner as Neshaminy handed the Indians their first loss of the fall.
“We knew we had to win this game,” Hood, most of her braided ponytail dyed pink for the team’s Pink Out game, said. “If we wanted to win SOL or get up in the rankings, we had to have this one. We’re really fighting for a home game and as a senior, I want that, to get a home game for our first playoff game then to win that and keep going.
“We came out really fired up honestly. We wanted this bad, and it showed out on the field.”
Technically, Neshaminy ended Tuesday as the division leader at 7-1-0 having played an extra league match, but the really important factor was that both sides now have the same number of division losses with a week and a half of the season left. It was also a pretty significant boost for Neshaminy’s playoff standing, the hosts entering the game at No. 11 in the District 1 4A rankings and ending the night up at No. 7 which would put them in line for more than just a home game but also a first round bye.
Given how this group started the season in a 9-3 loss to Central Bucks East on Aug. 26, Neshaminy has come a long way together. As coach Josh Van Reed noted, he only had three true returning starters from last year and among those losses was the pretty significant departure of twins Kylie and Taylor Maxwell.
Kylie, who set a program record with 36 goals in her senior season and won PA Gatorade State Player of the Year, is off to a torrid start in college at Wake Forest where she was named the ACC’s Offensive Player of the Week on Sept 30. Taylor is having a pretty impactful start herself on defense as a starter at the University of Miami, but she, her sister and several other of last year’s seniors now playing at the college level left a sizable gap that needed to be filled.
“Kylie was such a target and so difficult for everybody to handle – and still is – but this year, everybody on the field and the girls on the bench when they come in, they’re contributing,” Van Reed said. “Goals, assists, as soon as I put anybody in, they’re scoring or being dangerous as soon as they get in and nobody is acting like they’re above anyone else. It’s a team effort for lack of better words but they’re doing everything right.”
Tuesday, Neshaminy came out flying from the opening tap. The home side had a corner kick within two minutes and not only kept the ball pinned in CR North’s defensive end in the early stages but came away with an early prize.
Neshaminy is a team that always prides itself on its set pieces and junior centerback Lily Kaczmarek has emerged, along with midfielder Anna Axenroth, as a weapon on corners. Kaczmarek played a corner that found Hood’s head at the far post, the carom being kept alive by senior Bri Garyah allowing Kaczmarek to send another cross in that led to a little bit of havoc in the box as Cassidy Tweedie’s shot was blocked but found its way to Mia Stock who was able to tuck the rebound inside the near post for a 1-0 lead less than three minutes in.
“We knew from last game they go long a lot so we needed to go long right back at them and keep the ball down at their end to limit the chances they would have,” said Kaczmarek, who started alongside her twin sister Leah.
In the division battle year after year, there’s a healthy amount of respect between Van Reed and CR North coach Gavin Flannigan. CR North had deservedly won the teams’ first meeting and while Van Reed knew his players would be ready for the second round, he wasn’t overlooking the quality of Tuesday’s opponent.
“They’ve been playing really well all year and putting together good gameplans and performances against really good teams all season,” Van Reed said. “Last time we played them, they really handled us pretty good. It was 2-0 and they shut us down, so the girls were definitely fired up to come out and play a much better and more complete game.”
CR North was able to see its way out of the early tide of Neshaminy pressure thanks to a lift from its bench. Junior Brynn Rodgers came in and provided an early spark then came up with an outstanding moment to tie the score.
When a ball bounced at the back, Rodgers challenged for the 50/50 ball, spinning off a defender and settling the ball onto her left foot before slotting it under the oncoming keeper with 16:56 left in the half. That goal evened the match out a bit and the sides would continue to trade some looks into halftime and for the first 20 minutes of the second half.
After Garyah prompted CR North’s Reese Ludwig into a save, Neshaminy keeper Alexis Barnes made a nice play on a low hit ball by North’s Keagan Terry that kept it 1-1.
Eventually Neshaminy would get another corner kick and this time both Kaczmarek and Axenroth went over together to try and take it short.
“Van Reed yells for me and Anna to do it and we’ve been practicing this short corner but it didn’t really look how I liked it so I just played it long,” Kaczmarek said. “We’d been good on the long corners earlier in the game so I knew I could play it into the box.”
At the far post, having tracked the ball’s flight once it left Kaczmarek’s foot was that rising pink-dyed braid as Hood went up and headed home the go-ahead tally with 17:16 to play.
“We have different runs but I watch where the ball’s hit and if someone’s going to go, they can call me off,” Hood said. “Usually, I’m there and sometimes they go wide but this one happened to go perfectly in the back of the net.”
Kaczmarek put the stamp on the game with 5:16 left when she stepped to the penalty spot after reserve Celia Horton drew a foul in the box. The junior put a strong drive into her penalty kick to all but lock up the three points in the division standings.
Neshaminy does have 10 seniors who have put their mark on the roster this year, six of them starters on Tuesday night, but Kaczmarek and Hood said this group is more than just class standing.
“We’re a hard-working team,” Hood said. “We work hard in practice, we condition a lot so we can play with energy and we come out fierce.”
Scoring Summary
1st Half
N – Mia Stock
CRN – Brynn Rodgers
2nd Half
N – Ava Hood (Lily Kaczmarek)
N – Lily Kaczmarek (PK)
Neshaminy senior Ava Hood on the team’s set piece ability: “We work on it every single day, set pieces, corners, throw-ins and I think it’s what we really work well off of. Long throws and corners are some of our strengths, Lily knows how to hit a good corner, Anna Axenroth can hit a good corner, so we look to capitalize off of that.”
–Team’s growth: “Just in transition we’ve grown a lot. We’re able to get the ball up through the mids to the strikers and let them look to turn and shoot. I’m really proud of our defense too, we’ve really learned how to play with each other because it’s a whole new line.”
Neshaminy defender Lily Kaczmarek on the defensive effort: “Not letting the ball drop was huge. They had a taller girl up front who could flick the ball on really well so we had to make sure there were girls in front and behind when that happened.”
–Developing depth: “We have multiple girls who are off the bench and can come in and do the exact same thing as the starters. They always come in and put in 100 percent effort and you really can’t tell the difference.”
Neshaminy coach Josh Van Reed on the midfield: “Cassidy Tweedie and Mia Stock were really strong in the midfield today. Those two have been really, really physically strong and great in the midfield all year and it’s been really helpful having those two stepping up.”
Up next: Council Rock North will be on the road at Council Rock South Thursday (7pm), and Neshaminy will travel to Harry S Truman Monday.
NESHAMINY 1 2 – 3
COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 1 0 – 1
Pennsbury 5, Bensalem 0
Five different scorers found the back of the net for a Falcons attack that came out firing early on Tuesday.
Two seniors, two freshmen and a sophomore combined for the scoring for Pennsbury as the Falcons continue to battle for a District 1 Class 4A playoff berth.
Scoring Summary
1st Half
P – Ashlyn McEwing (Sydney Becker)
P – Ashley Haubein (Ashlyn McEwing)
P – Clare Caldaro
P – Jules Hammer (Clare Caldaro)
2nd Half
P – Julia Miles
Pennsbury coach Jenna Peters on the win: “We started fast, with great ball movement in the first two minutes. Sophomore Sydney Becker played a perfect through ball to senior Ashlyn McEwing, who scored to get us on the board. Ashlyn then set up sophomore Ashley Haubein for our second goal. Senior Clare Caldaro added a third with a one-time shot from distance off a rebound. Clare later sent in a cross from the wing that freshman Jules Hammer finished to make it 4-0. In the second half, freshman Julia Miles hustled down the sideline, cut it back, and scored our fifth.”
–Props: “It was a strong team win. We kept possession well, moved off the ball, and maintained our intensity all game, something we focused on after last week. Shoutouts to Sydney Becker and Piper Curtin for their nonstop energy and movement.”
Up next: Pennsbury will host Council Rock North Monday (7pm), and Bensalem will be on the road at Harry S Truman Thursday (7pm).
PENNSBURY 4 1 – 5
BENSALEM 0 0 – 0
Council Rock South 7, Harry S Truman 0
The Golden Hawks celebrated their nine seniors with a win but also an opportunity to recognize them beyond their contributions as players.
Five of the team’s seven goals came from the foot of a senior, paced by two from Gianna Kirlin, a goal and an assist each from Brianna Howard and Teagan Shay and a tally by Riley Deal. Anna Horn had a goal and assist, and Lylah Day rounded out the CRS scoring.
In goal, senior Ella Mayberry posted the shutout.
Harry S Truman, despite coming into the contest with some key injuries and picking up a few more, put forth 80 minutes of good effort as the program continues to try and make strides in the right direction.
CR South coach Nick Heim on the night: “The Golden Hawks celebrated their nine seniors: Ella Mayberry, Riley Burke, Callie Bloom, Brianna Howard, Kate Deal, Teagan Shay, Olivia Cei, Macy Laidlaw, and Gianna Kirlin- in front of a packed house.
“Senior night gave us a chance to celebrate not just the players, but the young women that lead our program. Through celebrations and adversities, it’s this group the younger ones look to and the nine of them represent exactly what we look for in our players. They care deeply about each other and take immense pride in representing our school and community. We’re really proud of the people they are becoming.“
–Kudos to Truman: “They were organized and played a full 80 tonight. It’s a program that’s certainly headed in a positive direction. I thought their goalkeeper was fantastic tonight and their girls never once dropped their heads or played dirty.“
Harry S Truman coach Brian Gilbert: “The Tigers put forth another hard-fought battle. With the CR South seniors in the spotlight, senior goalie Aubrey Thompson responded with almost 30 saves on the night. Senior fullbacks Grace Darpino and Jada Akins played stellar defense, with Darpino playing the entire game. Unfortunately, Akins made a great defensive play to prevent a goal, but in blocking the shot suffered an ankle injury that knocked her out of the game. Junior Julianna Romer, earning her second varsity start, impressively stepped up and played the entire second half as a defensive midfielder. Junior Julianna Aviles logged a lot of second half minutes, playing defensive midfield and also recorded a shot on goal. Junior Monica Almanza also runs cross country and was running all over the field tonight, due to injuries, she was asked to play just about every position, but regardless of where she was assigned, she never stopped running and working hard.“
–Props: “The young tandem of sophomore Natalie Klimowicz playing sweeper and freshman Harley Palencik playing stopper gave a glimpse of the potential that this young team has for the future.”
Up next: Council Rock South will host Council Rock North Thursday (7pm), and Harry S Truman will host Bensalem Thursday (7pm).
SOL Colonial
Central Bucks East 3, Pennridge 1
When these teams met for the first time this season a month ago, it was the Rams picking up a quality road win early in what became a 10-match win streak.
In the rematch, played at Pennridge, it was the Patriots picking up the quality win and earning a measure of payback while ending the Rams’ winning run. East took charge early, thanks to an emphatic effort from Taylor Roumy, the junior assisting Mia Forney’s opening goal before scoring the next two for her team.
In the first meeting, Patriots standout Kiera Sleicher spent much of the match on the bench after a first half ankle injury. On Tuesday, the Ole Miss recruit was where she belongs in the middle of the pitch making things go.
Not to be lost in the attack’s ability to generate chances and finish when needed, the Patriots defense also put up a strong effort that held the Rams off the board until the final five minutes.
Scoring Summary
1st Half
CBE – Mia Forney (Taylor Roumy) 36:49
CBE – Taylor Roumy (Mia Forney) 27:02
2nd Half
CBE – Taylor Roumy 20:14
P – Emily Hensler (Peyton Rabinowitz) 4:05
CB East coach Jake Nesteruk on the win: “Incredibly proud of our group tonight for the performance they put into this one against a very, very good Pennridge team. Through the run of play this was a really tightly contested, competitive game that could’ve gone against us, but the difference maker for us tonight was the quality of the chances we were able to create. Massive credit to our girls for the bite they played with tonight, the focus to see through the difficult moments, and making the adjustments needed against that team and from a difficult one against CB South last week.”
–No. 10 makes her mark: “We don’t get this result unless it was through a true team effort in everything we did, but huge props to Kiera Sleicher who had a massive day for us on both sides of the ball – she really showed her leadership tonight.”
–Props: “Skylar Lipp was very good for us out of the back and thought her connection with Ella Roumy got us into a good rhythm on the ball early in this one.”
–SOL Colonial grind: “This conference is always so competitive year after year and this year especially. This was a good result for us, but our goal is to take what we learned, both good and bad, and make sure we’re ready for Souderton this Thursday.”
Up next: Pennridge will travel to North Penn Friday, and Central Bucks East will be on the road at Souderton Thursday (6:30 pm).
CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 2 1 – 3
PENNRIDGE 0 1 – 1
Central Bucks South 4, North Penn 1
The Titans have been getting a lot of shine under the lights in recent matches and it seems to suit them well.
CB South won its seventh straight match on Tuesday, it’s second night game in its last three and the first of four in a row to close out the regular season. Virginia Tech bound senior Riley Karpinski powered the attack with a hat trick while a robust effort from the entire midfield helped the Titans contain the Knights.
South’s strong run has also vaulted the Titans up the District 1 4A power rankings as they now chase a potential first round bye.
Scoring Summary
1st Half
CBS – Riley Karpinski (Kelly Donnelly)
CBS – Monika Daly (Tessa Hughes)
2nd Half
CBS – Riley Karpinski (Khloe Montini)
CBS – Riley Karpinski (Peyton Karpinski)
NP goal
CB South coach Dana Cole on the win: “We played a solid first half. Riley scored first off an assist from Kelly Donnelly, and Monica Daly scored an amazing textbook header off a Tessa Hughes corner. In the second half, Khloe Montini came in to cause a commotion and hit Riley for our third goal to seal the deal. Finally, Peyton Karpinski wanted in and assisted her big sis Riley with her third, our fourth, goal. Our defense played solidly to back each other up and limit scoring chances for North Penn.”
Midfield sets the tone: “Our midfield of Tessa Hughes, Monika Day, Maddie Roe, Delaney Rowe and Kelly Donnelly distributed the ball well to keep our opportunities flowing and fought hard until the end winning 50/50 balls and possessing the ball. Morgan Hughes stepped in to help create some opportunities and almost assisted her twin, Tessa, on a cross into the box. She’s gaining more confidence in her comeback.”
Up next: Central Bucks South will host Central Bucks West Thursday (7pm), and North Penn will host Pennridge on Friday.
CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 2 2 – 4
NORTH PENN 0 1 – 1
Central Bucks West 3, Souderton 2
The Bucks got to give their eight seniors a Senior Night win that, in proper West fashion, was anything but easy.
On a night that started with senior Emery Sterling stepping on the pitch for the first time all season thanks to a class gesture by the Souderton players and staff, the Bucks would get plenty of energy, hustle and grit from all over the field. Captain Janelle Blokker again found a way to put a sizable mark on the game, the senior defender’s headers off corners setting up a pair of Bucks goals following a terrific effort by Lauren Overbeck on the team’s opener.
Souderton put a late charge in the match, getting within a goal late, but it was CB West holding on for some crucial points as the battle on the district playoff bubble.
Scoring Summary
1st Half
CBW – Lauren Overbeck 30’
CBW – Olivia Barrett (Janelle Blokker) 39’
2nd Half
CBW – Anna McGrath (Janelle Blokker)
S – Cailee Cush
S – Lily Heron
CB West coach Bree Benedict on the win: “It was a proud Senior Night performance. West jumped out to a strong first half, with Lauren Overbeck opening the scoring in the 30th minute on a composed turn and strike that found the underside of the crossbar. Just before halftime, Olivia Barrett doubled the lead by finishing off a corner that Janelle Blokker headed down inside the box.
“In the second half, Blokker again caused chaos on a corner, heading the service down before Anna McGrath buried the loose ball to make it 3–0. Souderton responded with two goals in the final 10 minutes, showing great fight and making it a tight finish.”
–Props: “Allie Pisch and Anna McGrath were electric on the flanks—relentless going forward and tireless tracking back. Both were involved in dangerous services throughout the night and embodied what West soccer is all about. Maura Duffy was fearless in the air once again, setting the tone with her trademark toughness.”
–Bucks show their grit: “Courtney O’Donnell made several gritty plays, including one sequence where she blocked a clearance with her stomach, controlled it, and immediately sprinted forward—just classic West hustle. Andy Friel created great connections up top, threading passes behind and nearly converting one herself. And Lauren Overbeck continues to play tough in midfield—taking on the opponent’s top playmaker while still providing the opener for West.”
-Sterling moment: “Special mention to Emery Sterling, who was able to step onto the field for the opening kickoff—a class act from Souderton that meant a lot to our program.”
–Blokker owns her roles: “Captain Janelle Blokker had a vintage Kate Weyer performance – our highest of honors! – playing through pain, setting up two goals, anchoring the backline, stepping into midfield for stretches to settle us, and even logging minutes up top. Wherever the team needed her, Janelle went. What a privilege it’s been to have a kid like this in the program for four years and just so special for our underclassmen to see this kind of West leadership.”
Souderton coach Melissa Lollar: “The Indians have been having a hard time playing as a team for a full 80 minutes recently. They found themselves going into the second half of Tuesdays game down two after poor defending on corners. After conceding a third in the second half, they figured out how to work together to create opportunities. They were able to net two goals but unfortunately couldn’t get themselves out of the deficit they put themselves in. With only three games left, they hope to turn things around and get back to the quality of play and team efforts they started the season with.”
Up next: Souderton will host Central Bucks East on Thursday (6:30pm), and Central Bucks West will travel to Central Bucks South Thursday (7pm).
CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 2 1 – 3
SOUDERTON 0 2 – 2
SOL Liberty
Abington 3, Upper Dublin 1
After Friday’s win over Cheltenham, Abington coach Rick Tompkins told his players they had a chance to really put something together.
The Ghosts faced a couple challenges on Tuesday, namely a skilled Cardinals team and some strong winds going against them for 40 minutes, but three goals off restarts helped make it three in a row for Abington. Lia D’Arcangelo scored two and senior Nya Riggs added the other as the Ghosts won three straight for the first time all season as they look to hit their stride at the right time and play their way off the District 1 playoff bubble.
“It was a fun game, (Upper Dublin) is always well-coached and they play a good style of soccer and our team is better playing teams like them because we play similarly,” Tompkins said. “We’re finally starting to put it together so I’m hoping we can keep it going.”
Scoring Summary
1st Half
UD goal
A – Lia D’Arcangelo (Addie Doyle)
2nd Half
A – Lia D’Arcangelo (Mia Sarro)
A – Nya Riggs
Abington coach Rick Tompkins on the win: “The wind was crazy there and the first half, we really weren’t able to get out of our own end but we were able to hold them off too. They scored one in the first half, but we tied it up, which was nice then picked up two in the second half.”
–D’Arcangelo comes up clutch: “She had two goals. She doesn’t start but she’s a game-changer. She comes in and adds a lot of energy, works really, really hard and does anything you’d ask. She’s extremely coachable.”
–Go-ahead goal: “It was a set piece from about midfield. Nya slotted it in to Mia Sarro who brought it to the far post and Lia D’Arcangelo headed it in, it was a very nice goal. We’ve been working on those in training, and it was nice to see those pay off a little bit.”
–Riggs hits a stunner: “She had a free kick from probably 35, 40 yards out and she crushed this ball. Once that happened, it kind of took the wind out of their sails but it had been a very competitive game up until then.”
–Props: “Addie Doyle had a nice game, she served the corner kick on the first goal and that ball was hit very well. For them, (Bridget DiMartile) up top is very good and I thought Nya Riggs and Emily Kaeser did a nice job of keeping her in check, she’d try to control the ball but they didn’t really give her anything too dangerous.”
Up next: Abington will travel to Wissahickon Thursday, and Upper Dublin will be on the road at Quakertown on Thursday.
Quakertown 3, Hatboro-Horsham 1
Sometimes on Senior Night, it’s an underclassman that steals the show.
As Quakertown honored its five seniors on Tuesday, sophomore Maya James made sure their night was a good one with a tremendous effort across all 80 minutes. James played some kind of role in all three Panthers
goals, scoring two and assisting the other as Quakertown responded to an early Hatters lead with three unanswered tallies.
Scoring Summary
1st half
HH goal
Q – Maya James
2nd Half
Q – Anna Greenday (Maya James)
Q – Maya James (Shylee Williams)
Quakertown coach Jon Gingrich on James’ big night: “Sophomore Maya James had one of her best games of the season for us. She scored two goals and assisted on one. She really stepped up when we needed goals. She attacked hard on the wing and was able to get really good shots off in small spaces. She kept her runs going and she attacked across the goal never giving up on plays. She was a beast.”
–James impacts scoring: “In the 30th minute, Maya James dribbled across goal from the left wing and fired a beautiful shot past the keeper. After halftime, senior Anna Greenday put home a rebound off of Maya’s free kick to make 2-1 and in the 71st minute, Maya finished a beautiful shot off a cross from sophomore Shylee Williams for our final goal of the night.”
–Senior standouts: “It was our Senior Night and our seniors give it their all every game they play. Seniors Anna Greenday, Faith Greenday, Jewel Renshaw, Maive Henry and Kylie Babel are a special group. They lead, they keep the team positive, and they have made this season special. There is no doubt in my mind that their futures are bright. Congrats ladies.”
Up next: Quakertown will host Upper Dublin on Thursday, and Hatboro-Horsham will host Plymouth Whitemarsh Thursday (7pm).
QUAKERTOWN 1 2 – 3
HATBORO-HORSHAM 1 0 – 1
Plymouth Whitemarsh 2, Wissahickon 0
A soccer lineup consists of 11 players and the Colonials have close to that amount of seniors on this season’s roster.
That 10-member senior class has enjoyed a stellar season, one that now includes a 7-0-0 record in SOL Liberty matches 
after Tuesday’s Senior Night win over the visiting Trojans. Senior Maddie McGuckien netted her team-leading 10th goal of the season just to stay on theme while it was senior Marleigh Burton setting up both PW goals, one on a traditional assist and the other on a shot leading to a Wiss handball that gave McGuckien a chance to step to the penalty spot.
Scoring Summary
1st Half
PW – Molly McEvoy (Marleigh Burton) 30th
2nd half
PW – Maddie McGuckien 55th
Plymouth Whitemarsh coach TJ DeLucia on the win: “Molly McEvoy opened up the scoring with 10 minutes remaining in the first half with a great strike for her sixth goal on the season. Fiftteen minutes into the second half, Maddie McGuckien converts a PK after a Wiss handball. That was Maddie’s team-leading 10th goal on the season. Marleigh Burton with the shot that caused the handball – two assists for senior captain Marleigh Burton tonight who was extremely dangerous all night.
“Congratulations to our 10 seniors: Mia Baron, Olivia Bragg, Liv Budin, Marleigh Burton, Kaiane Jayo, Maite Jayo, Maddie McLaughlin, Maddie McGuckien, Keira Whelan, and manager Alyssa Etzel.”
Up next: Wissahickon will host Abington on Thursday, and Plymouth Whitemarsh will travel to Hatboro-Horsham Thursday (7pm).
PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 1 1 – 2
WISSAHICKON 0 0 – 0
SOL Freedom
Springfield Twp 4, Lower Moreland 0
After Lower Moreland, William Tennent and Springfield Twp ended the first half of SOL Freedom play in a three-way tie for the division lead, they were going to have the chance to settle it amongst themselves the second time around.
Tuesday, the first meeting between two of the tri-leaders was decidedly all Spartans. Springfield Twp scoring twice on either side of halftime to stay atop the table.
After a grueling September slate that included several back-to-back fixtures and plenty of competition against schools in the larger classifications, the Spartans felt ready heading back into SOL play.
“Our non-conference schedule really prepared us,” Springfield Twp coach Chris Tomarelli said. “We’ve faced tough 4A opponents and played four back-to-back games, including one week of back-to-back-to-back. The chance to rest, reset, and properly game plan made all the difference today.”
Karter Brady led the Spartans with two goals, netting both in the second half with one seeing the striker take the ball away from the keeper to finish and the second on a PK. Ava Brnich’s finish on a corner kick and Liz Hanushchak’s drilled free kick into the upper 90 gave Springfield Twp enough in the first half.
The Spartans will face William Tennent on Thursday and if either side can manage a win, they would take sole possession of first place in the division.
Scoring Summary
1st half
ST – Ava Brnich
ST – Liz Hanushchak
2nd half
ST – Karter Brady
ST – Karter Brady
Spartans coach Chris Tomarelli: “Today’s win was built from the back, with defenders Murphy McGranaghan, June Kirk, Anna Hendrzak, and Caitlin Lewis leading a disciplined and determined back line. Olivia Gatewood secured the clean sheet in goal. Midfielders Maddie Decker and Karly Hartman were key contributors in controlling the tempo and setting up the attack, standing out for their work rate and vision.”
Lower Moreland coach Todd Hill: “We knew today was going to be a tough game and it was. Springfield just beat us. We are a lot better team than what we showed today. We have a great group of girls who will commit to getting back to playing good soccer. We are looking forward to figuring it out as a team together.”
Up next: Springfield Twp will host William Tennent Thursday, and Lower Moreland will host New Hope-Solebury Thursday (7pm).
SPRINGFIELD TWP 2 2 – 4
LOWER MORELAND 0 0 – 0
William Tennent 4, Cheltenham 1
In a duel of Panthers, it was host William Tennent picking up a win that not only gave its three seniors a Senior Night victory but kept them tied atop the SOL Freedom table.
Sofia Jakimoski, an all-state selection last season, turned in a terrific effort on her senior night. The midfielder assisted two of the team’s first three goals – including a first minute tally where she set up her younger sister Liv on the game’s opening marker – before capping the night with a finish of her own.
William Tennent will travel to Springfield Twp on Thursday in a clash of the two teams tied for the Freedom lead.
Scoring Summary
1st Half
WT – Liv Jakimoski (Sofia Jakimoski)
WT – Grace Bochnak (Sofia Jakimoski)
2nd Half
WT – Lia Jablonowski (Leila Santos)
WT – Sofia Jakimoski (Leah Guzman)
William Tennent coach Elise Jara: “Shout out to our seniors Sarah DeFontney, Sofia Jakimoski and Madisyn Rodebaugh on a great game.”
Up next: William Tennent will travel to Springfield Twp Thursday, and Cheltenham will be on the road at Upper Moreland Thursday (7pm).
WILLIAM TENNENT – 4
CHELTENHAM – 1
Upper Moreland 2, New Hope-Solebury 1
An eight-minute spell in the second half saw all of the game’s scoring between the visiting Golden Bears and host Lions.
It was Upper Moreland bracketing a pair of goals around a single tally from New Hope-Solebury that allowed the visitors to pack up a hard earned one-goal win for the trip home.
Maggie Brophy started the frantic eight minutes by burying an unassisted free kick goal in the 62nd minute, only for the Lions to respond with a goal from Lily Marrone a minute later. Things calmed, relatively, until Jada
Rivera found Madeline Cox in the just the right spot to put away the match-winner.
Scoring Summary
1st Half
No scoring
2nd Half
UM – Maggie Brophy 62nd
NHS – Lily Marrone 63rd
UM – Madeline Cox (Jada Rivera) 70th
UM coach Lisa Benvenuto on the win: “It was really important for us to find our rhythm tonight. We’ve had a number of one-goal games this season, and we’ve been emphasizing the importance of finishing our chances. In the first half, we created several dangerous opportunities but just couldn’t capitalize.”
–Changing it up: “At halftime, we made a few adjustments to our formation and method of attack, and it paid off in the second half. We were able to put New Hope on their heels and draw a foul. From about 20 yards out, Maggie Brophy placed a beautiful set piece into the upper ninety to give us the lead.”
–Teams trade goals: “New Hope responded quickly, but our team didn’t back down—we worked even harder. We continued to apply pressure and create quality chances, moving the ball well through our offensive half, involving our defense, and using our flanks effectively. Jada Rivera, our right back, found Madeline Cox, who buried the game-winner.”
–Props: “We had strong performances from Brogan Neeley, Ava Warga, and Keiley Hawk. It was a complete team effort and a great way to get back in the win column. Kudos to New Hope, they played us really strong, and they packed in the half making it difficult to get into our flow.”
Up next: New Hope-Solebury will travel to Lower Moreland Thursday (7pm), and Upper Moreland will host Cheltenham Thursday (7pm).
UPPER MORELAND 0 2 – 2
NEW HOPE-SOLEBURY 0 1 – 1
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