Check out the recaps for SOL girls’ soccer teams in action Monday. CR South/Pennridge photos provided courtesy of John Gleeson. Check back for a gallery of photos.
Non-league
COUNICL ROCK SOUTH 1, PENNRIDGE 0
As season openers go, they don’t get much better than this one for the Golden Hawks, who defeated perennial state power Pennridge for the first time in well over a decade.
“It’s been a while,” said Rock South coach Nick Heim, who was on the winning side against Pennridge for the first time in his 10-year tenure at the helm. “That is a juggernaut of a program.
“These seniors have been a part of tough losses to Pennridge – I’m so happy they got one before they graduated.
For the seniors, Monday’s win helped erase memories of three straight shutout losses at the hands of the Rams by a combined 14-0 score.
“They’ve picked the ball out of the back of our own net quite a few times against Pennridge over the years,” Heim said.
The Golden Hawks didn’t have a whole lot of time to prepare for Monday’s opener.
“I couldn’t find video on them – I had no idea what they were going to be like,” said Heim, who just made his team’s cuts on Friday. “I said, ‘No matter how that first 10 minutes goes, we just have to weather the storm, and let’s see where we are from there.’
“Their goalie came up with two massive saves on semi-breakaways in the first eight minutes, and I turned around to my assistant and said, ‘Man, how many times over the years do you think we were able to say – we could be 2-0 up over Pennridge in eight minutes?’ They had a good early chance too, that their girl put over the bar, and then the teams settled in. It was your regular Suburban One battle.”
With 15 minutes remaining in regulation Riley O’Hallran broke a scoreless tie with a goal that turned out to be the game-winner.
The win was the first for Council Rock South over Pennridge since 2010 when the Golden Hawks defeated the Rams 1-0 in the District 1 title game. That win was followed with 12 straight losses, a streak that was broken on Monday.
“Hopefully, this gives our girls some confidence,” Heim said. “It felt like a monkey off my back, that’s for sure.”
Scoring Summary
First half
No score
Second half
Riley O’Hallran (CRS) assisted by Macy Laidlow 65th minute
Council Rock South coach Nick Heim:
–On the game: “We thought we could match up well if we just played our game. We had some early success, and their goalie made two big saves in the first eight minutes. I think we actually got a false sense of
confidence and started dribbling more than we wished, and it allowed Pennridge to settle in. They have some dangerous players and Lucas (Kriner) had them organized and ready. Their goalie has a ton of experience so no surprise she came up big early. At the half, we stressed staying patient and playing our game and needing to be clinical on the final third.”
–The game-winner: “With about 15 to go, Riley O’Hallran made a nice cross that Anna Horn dummied, and Macy Laidlaw put a shot on frame that a defender deflected. It found Riley finishing her run, and she had a nice one-time finish to the lower corner.”
–Props: “A stressful first game but glad we were tested early. Big shoutouts to Liana Shrikvarger for being matched up with a very dangerous forward and handling her well. We have an experienced senior class we will rely on, and the likes of Ella Mayberry in goal and Teagan Shay in the back helped seal the shutout. We had girls like Kate Deal, Briana Howard, and Gianna Kirlin do the ‘dirty work’ today that doesn’t necessarily get into scoresheets. We have a lot to work on but pleased with an opening win.”
Up next: Council Rock South (1-0) will open SOL play at Neshaminy on Thursday, and Pennridge will be on the road at Souderton for Friday’s opener (6:30pm).
Pennridge 0-0 0
Council Rock South 0-1 1
NORTH PENN 1, LANSDALE CATHOLIC 0
Two games in, the Knights have two wins in two vastly different ways.
Following an offensive eruption in Friday night’s takedown of visiting Avon Grove, the Knights were again at Crawford Stadium on Monday but as the “visiting” team against “host” Lansdale Catholic. This time, North Penn found itself dragged into a defensively-oriented game, needing one stellar strike from Elliot Hanrahan to find the goal they needed.
The junior midfielder’s first career varsity goal was a highlight-worthy effort from roughly 24 yards out and enough to help a strong North Penn defensive effort eke out a hard-fought win.
North Penn’s depth was also tested when two starters knocked heads in the first half, taking them out for the rest of the game, but the team’s depth – especially in its junior class – rose to the occasion.
Scoring Summary
First half
No score
Second half
NP – Elliot Hanrahan 55th
Knights coach Mike Rio
–On the win: “I’m really happy with the win. We had girls get called on to play minutes they probably didn’t expect to have to play tonight and step into those spots after losing two starters and they really did. I thought we played really well and controlled most of the attack and possession then played a great game defensively in limiting the quality of chances that they got and made it really difficult.”
–Hanahran’s work rewarded: “She’s been on varsity the past two years but hasn’t had a lot of opportunities to really crack into the lineup, but she’s always been such a hard worker and has just improved year after year. Specifically this year after tryouts and through preseason, she’s really excelled so if there’s anybody on the field who deserves that type of moment for the work they’ve put in, it’s Elliot.”
–Defensive effort: “We really wanted to limit the corners, they looked pretty dangerous on them, had some good crosses and some girls who are able to get on the end of them but overall, defensively, we played a pretty smart game. Walking out with a shutout against anybody is an accomplishment, so they should be really happy about that and it’s a composed group back there. That back line (Alyssa Chartrand, Jadyn Sperling, Sophia Zampirri, Allison Schall) has been playing together for two or three years now so there’s some good chemistry back there.”
Up next: North Penn (2-0) will travel to Spring-Ford for a non-league game Wednesday.
Lansdale Catholic 0-0 0
North Penn 0-1 1
UPPER MORELAND 3, HARRY S TRUMAN 0
The Golden Bears started slow but finished strong in Monday’s non-league win.
In the 31st minute, Keiley Hawk put the Bears on the scoreboard with a goal assisted by Madeline Cox that sent UM into halftime with a 1-0 lead.
That score stood until the 67th minute when Hawk found Julie Albert for the score and a 2-0 lead. An unassisted goal by Helen Hernandez gave the Bears their final margin of victory.
Scoring Summary
First half
Keiley Hawk (UM) assisted by Madeline Cox, 31st minute
Second half
Julie Albert (UM) assisted by Keiley Hawk, 67th minute
Helen Hernandez (UM) 78th minute
By the numbers: UM Gracie Costello 3 saves, Truman Aubrey Thompson 8 saves
Upper Moreland coach Lisa Benvenuto
–On the game: “We came out slow in the first half, struggling to find rhythm and consistency in our play. Momentum was hard to create, but toward the end of the half, Keiley Hawk made a great run into the box, and Madeline Cox connected with her to put us on the board. At halftime, we regrouped and refocused on the adjustments we needed to make in order to execute more effectively.
“The second half told a completely different story. We played with purpose and intensity on both ends of the field, showing sharper passing, better organization, and relentless effort. In the 67th minute, Keiley Hawk set up Julie Albert, who scored her first varsity goal. Just twelve minutes later, Helen Hernandez netted her first varsity goal as well, following up her own rebound. With improved control of the game, we were able to rotate players in more comfortably while maintaining our style of play.
“The way our girls responded after halftime was a true testament to their resilience, teamwork, and ability to adjust under pressure.
Up next: Upper Moreland (2-0) will travel to Upper Merion for a non-league game Tuesday. Harry S Truman will host Pennsbury in Thursday’s SOL opener.
Upper Moreland 1-2 3
Harry S Truman 0-0 0
NEW HOPE-SOLEBURY 4, RENAISSANCE ACADEMY 0
Mae Michael scored a pair of goals to lead the Lions to the convincing non-league win that evened their record at 1-1. The Lions took a 2-0 lead at the half, thanks to goals from Cici Cappriotti and Michael. They added a pair in the second half.
Scoring summary
First half
Ceci Cappriotti (NH-S)
Mae Michael (NH-S)
Second half
Own goal
Mae Michael (NH-S) assisted by Ceci Capriotti
New Hope-Solebury coach Laura Motley:
–On the game: “We had a full team tonight which made all the difference. I’m really proud of the way the girls move the ball around tonight in about 29 minutes into the first half after a scramble around the net. Mae Michael followed with a goal 10 minutes later to make it 2-0 at the half.
“Early in the second half, the defender was facing the goal and accidentally redirected a deflection into the goal. The second half we were able to move the ball nicely and keep possession, and Mae Michael was able to capitalize off a cross from Ceci Cappriotti.”
Up next: New Hope-Solebury (1-1) will travel to Bensalem in a non-league game Tuesday.
Renaissance Academy 0-0 0
New Hope-Solebury 2-2 4
WILLIAM TENNENT 2, WISSAHICKON 1
The Panthers rebounded from an early 1-0 deficit to notch the non-league win, holding the visiting Trojans scoreless after they scored in the opening minute. Goals by Kaitlyn D’Ambra and Leah Guzman propelled the Panthers to the win. Freshman Gianna Brown scored Wissahickon’s early goal.
Scoring summary
Gianna Brown (W)
Kaitlyn D’Ambra (WT) assisted by Leila Santos
Leah Guzman (WT) assisted by Grace Bochnak
William Tennent coach Elise Jara:
–On the game: “We needed the team to bounce back from our loss on Friday to Bensalem. We often stress the need to have success in the crossover games. The girls stepped up today, and even though Wissahickon took any early lead, we didn’t panic.
“We tied the game in the 28th minute of the first half on a goal by Kaitlyn D’Ambra (freshman) on a cross from Leila Santos (junior). We went ahead on a goal by Leah Guzman (sophomore) who was relentless on the ball after a shot by Grace Bochnak (junior) that was misplayed by the goalie.”
–Props “After Wissahickon’s goal in the first minute, we held them scoreless for the next 79 minutes. This was due to the strong play in the back by juniors Lia Jablonowski and Mia Rahn.”
Up next: William Tennent (1-1) will travel to Upper Moreland for Thursday’s SOL opener, and Wissahickon (0-2) will host Upper Dublin in Thursday’s SOL opener.
Wissahickon 1-0 1
William Tennent 2-0 2
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