Check out the recaps for SOL girls’ soccer teams in action Friday.
Central Bucks East 5, Abington 4
The Patriots and Ghosts certainly showed why they’ll be two of the more potent offensive teams in the SOL this fall.
After a relatively mundane first half ended in a 1-1 draw, the teams exchanged seven goals in the second half with each taking a lead at one point and neither lacking for chances. For a pair of teams that ended their season in the playoffs last year, it was almost like jumping right back in with a postseason-type test to start the new campaign.
“We really needed this test,” East coach Jake Nesteruk said. “It’s no surprise – we’ve lost a lot of kids who’ve started and played for years here. We were very far from our best and that is complete credit to Abington for making things difficult for us – they will be very good this year.”
Both sides have plenty back in terms of firepower and midfield but are also filling some gaps after losing experience in the back.
Of course, the Patriots are also getting used to life without All-SOL forward Elise Duffy – currently busy making an impact as a freshman at Drexel. In her stead, senior Camryn Williams looks poised to keep things rolling at East including a two-goal effort on Friday.
“Cam Williams was lights-out today,” Nesteruk said. “It was probably the best game I’ve ever seen her play in an East jersey.”
Abington coach Rick Tompkins knew East would be a formidable opponent, so that’s why he was eager to have them as his opener.
“They are good and they are quick,” Tompkins said. “They split us a bunch of times, it could have been worse, I think they played even better than the score indicated.
“(Nesteruk) does a really good job, I’m glad we opened with them.”
Tompkins started a freshman in goal, two sophomores, a junior and a senior on defense and lost two of those starters to heat-related issues.
“Addison Hayden, our freshman in goal, stopped three breakaways so you can’t ask for too much more than that,” Tompkins said.
Senior Maura Day led Abington, which took a 3-2 lead in the second half, with two goals while juniors Piper and Harper McGinley each scored once. Senior Lily Gray added an assist.
“We’ll get better,” Tompkins said. “There’s a lot to build on from this.”
Williams scored the game’s biggest goal, tying it up 3-3 before Julia Santanello scored back-to-back markers to give East the lead back and then the eventual game-winner. Nesteruk felt his team was better in its press to start the second half and at times settled into possession but found its most success either hitting Williams in the gaps or over the top of Abington’s back line.
“I thought Julia Santanello came in for us and found a way to make a difference,” Nesteruk said. “She created a number of good opportunities and finished her chances very well.
“For our kids to keep focused, not get frustrated and find a way to pull out the win is huge.”
The Patriots will host rival CB West in its SOL Colonial opener at 7 p.m. Monday, marking the first-ever night game between the teams at East. Abington hosts Plymouth Whitemarsh at 5:30 pm Monday in its SOL opener.
CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 1 4 – 5
ABINGTON 1 3 – 4
Goals: CBE – Camryn Williams 2, Julia Santanello 2, Elliot Forney; A – Maura Day 2, Harper McGinley, Piper McGinley
Council Rock South 1, Hatboro-Horsham 1 (2 OTs)
Even an early start time couldn’t keep the Hatters and Golden Hawks from feeling the heat Friday.
The matchup of District 1 playoff qualifiers from a year ago stretched 100 minutes through double overtime as both sides had to combat the conditions, each other and in some ways, themselves.
“First game of the season and both teams were probably trying to find themselves a bit,” South coach Nick Heim said. “We did some things well and certainly have some things to work out. When we connected and found our pockets of space, we were dangerous.”
Hatboro-Horsham, which reached the District 1 quarterfinals before ending its season in the playback bracket, got a good test before heading into the competitive SOL Liberty division. Hatters coach Kelsey Daley liked a lot about her team’s first effort of the season.
“The Hatters played really well today in the season opener,” Daley said. “There was a lot of communication, passing and through balls throughout the entire match for us.
“Overall, it was a good team performance, and everyone really stepped up and pushed themselves as far as they could, especially in this brutal heat.”
A low-scoring draw usually means some heroics from the goalkeepers and Friday was no exception. On one side, South got another stellar performance from Karissa Smedley returning in goal while the Hatters were boosted by a strong effort from Alyssa Tooley in her first varsity start.
“We had some great opportunities and South’s goalie came up huge for them with some great saves,” Daley said. “Alyssa Tooley came out and made some fantastic saves to keep us in the game. I think the defense really fed off her energy and the entire defensive line played really well together.”
“Karissa Smedley had a massive save in OT for us,” Heim said. “She played her high line well to deal with their direct play.”
Heim credited the Hatters’ formation for posing some challenges both for his attackers to break down and for his defensive unit to turn away. A couple early injuries in the back cost the Hawks some starting defenders and an own goal put HH ahead 1-0 midway through the second half.
“To the girls’ credit, instead of packing it in on a hot day, they clawed back to tie it and had some chances to win it in OT,” Heim said. “I thought HH was organized, and they have some players who can really cause problems. Not ideal to go the 100 minutes, but it was a good test for what our season will be like.”
Zoe Brossman was able to battle her way to an unassisted goal that leveled the score as part of a full 100-minute effort for the midfielder. Reghan Mudie also went the distance in midfield, as did Fiona Reckner while Kathryn O’Kane played most of the match with high impact. Heim also noted the work of Kim Speiser.
“Kim had to slide to a few different spots throughout the match,” Heim said. “Her service was really impactful for us going forward.”
CR South visits Bensalem at 3:30 in Monday’s SOL opener while Hatboro-Horsham is on the road at Wissahickon under the lights for a rematch of last year’s second round District 1 playoff game to open SOL play.
COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 0 1 0 0 – 1
HATBORO-HORSHAM 0 1 0 0 – 1
Goals: CRS – Zoe Brossman
Central Bucks South 2, Great Valley 0
A new era for the Titans started with a solid win over a Great Valley team that’s made a habit of District 1 playoff appearances.
First year coach Gabbie Nolan, an Abington graduate, won her first game leading South, thanks to the inspired play of some of the team’s veterans. The senior duo of Allison Sauers and Eva Costello provided all the scoring the Titans needed thanks to a robust defensive effort.
“The team’s effort and work ethic from start to finish made us successful,” Nolan said. “Every player that stepped on the field did their job and kept the energy up. It was a special win for me with it being my first win as head coach at CB South.”
Sauers gave South a halftime lead by stepping up to the spot and burying a penalty kick. In the second half, she assisted Costello’s insurance goal.
“Senior Kristen Conway had great saves to keep a shutout in net while junior Kila Kienzle held the defense together,” Nolan said.
The Titans host Souderton at 3:30 on Monday to begin SOL play.
CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 1 1 – 2
GREAT VALLEY 0 0 – 0
Goals; CBS – Allison Sauers, Eva Costello
Council Rock North 2, Haverford 0
The Indians were eager to get back on the field Friday after what they felt was a subpar scrimmage earlier in the week and washed that effort away with a victory in their season opener.
“First game of the season is always difficult, but we were pleased with the performance today,” CR North coach Gavin Flannigan said. “We scrimmaged with Abington on Tuesday, and we weren’t happy with the way we played and especially how we defended. Today was much, much better from everyone.”
The co-champion of the SOL Patriot last year, the Indians lost some key players to graduation but facing a Haverford program that’s always solid was a good way to usher in the new campaign. It also helped that North was able to apply some early pressure and cash in on the opportunity.
“We got off to a quick start and forced an early corner that Sara Tyler served for Ella Needham to head home for an early lead,” Flannigan said. “After that we couldn’t quite find the final pass and had to compete with a physical Haverford team. Our girls did a nice job of closing spaces, playing aggressively and limiting them to tough shots on goal.”
After closing the first in a bit of a lull offensively, North opened the second half slow on that end as well. During the break, the team discussed ways to generate more chances but more importantly, continuing to work together defensively to maintain the lead they already had.
While the Indians are working some new faces into their lineup, they learned last year that they can rely on Mia Cairone in critical moments. The sophomore forward came through again Friday with a vital insurance goal set up by some quality teamwork.
“Maya Raghunandanan made a sharp turn, beat a couple of defenders before showing great composure to find a through ball for Mia Cairone who finished across the keeper,” Flannigan said.
Flannigan felt the entire team’s effort was on point Friday but saved special mention for the defensive unit that opened the season with a clean sheet.
“I think our back five of Danielle Eden, Sara Tyler, Payton Radosti, Kate Thomson and Lexi Fischer did an excellent job throughout the game,” Flannigan said. “We are a younger team overall, lacking some varsity experience, but today’s game will go a long way in giving this group confidence and understanding of what is needed at this level.”
North visits Harry S Truman at 3:30 in Monday’s SOL opener.
COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 1 1 – 2
HAVERFORD 0 0 – 0
Goals: CRN – Ella Needham, Mia Cairone
Souderton 2, Archbishop Carroll 0
Souderton coach Ian Smith has made a point this season of having his team hold itself to a certain standard.
Friday’s opener against the visiting Patriots was a typical opener with some ups and downs, but overall the kind of performance the Indians are looking to replicate throughout the season.
“There were definitely some nerves to start the match, but we’ve talked a lot this year about holding ourselves to a standard, and we felt that in the first five minutes we started to raise our level and control the game a bit more,” Smith said. “At times, we were in complete control, and we did a great job of communicating and controlling the ball. We were a little eager to push the ball forward in a hurry, which hurt us at times on a hot day, but overall a really solid performance to start the season.”
Souderton’s senior captains helped set the pace and generate the offense.
Midway through the first half, freshman Sienna Stunkard battled to put Souderton in front with the helper coming from senior captain Maggie Fisher.
“Maggie Fisher stepped up with a solid clearance from midfield that she dropped just behind Carroll’s backline,” Smith said. “Sienna fought hard against the last defender to sneak in and poke home a nice finish.”
After halftime, Souderton continued to work on controlling the match and trying to find another goal. A set piece would help out, as senior captain Alexis Stefanowicz converted a calm finish on the end of service from junior Nicole Schulingkamp.
“Nicole had a really strong match, covering a lot of ground and controlling the midfield, and she was a little unlucky to not get a goal herself, hitting the post with a strong effort in the second half,” Smith said.
Defensively, the Indians were also to control the flow of the game and earned a shutout for their efforts.
“Junior Liv Beresovoy was really strong in communication and was constantly posing a threat to Carroll,” Smith said. “Freshman Ashlee Rose had a really strong performance as well and was probably a bit unlucky as well to not get a goal or assist.”
Souderton visits CB South at 3:30 on Monday in its SOL opener.
SOUDERTON 1 1 – 2
ARCHBISHOP CARROLL 0 0 – 0
Goals: S – Sienna Stunkard, Alexis Stefanowicz
Pennsbury 3, Avon Grove 3
A timid start by the Falcons put them in a hole, but trust helped them come back to pick up a draw against the Devils as part of Unionville’s season-opening event.
Despite a goal from sophomore Regan Kelso, Pennsbury trailed 2-1 at the half and only got further behind when Avon Grove tacked on an insurance goal early in the second half.
“We started off afraid to make a mistake and that led to one or two mistakes that Avon Grove capitalized on,” Falcons coach Kim Battiste said. “However, once they started trusting themselves and their teammates, they found the rhythm of the game.”
Junior Josey Smith led the charge, scoring twice late in the second half to bring the score back to even standing. Taylor Mays assisted the first while Jess Conlow set up the second with the two seniors having trust that Smith could put their passes away.
“Josey continued making her runs and stayed composed in front of goal,” Battiste said. “Her teammates did a nice job keeping the defense off balance and all Josey had to do was finish.”
Battiste also noted the play of Conlow and Jade Gallagher on Friday.
“They helped us manage the chaotic moments and did a stand-out job on both sides of the ball,” Battiste said.
Pennsbury will face host Unionville on Saturday.
PENNSBURY 1 2 0 0 – 3
AVON GROVE 2 1 0 0 – 3
Goals: P – Josey Smith 2, Regan Kelso
Upper Moreland 2, Upper Merion 2
The Golden Bears rebounded from a slow start in the first half to take a draw from the visiting Vikings in Friday’s season opener.
Upper Moreland allowed two goals in the opening 21 minutes, falling into an early deficit while also battling the afternoon heat.
“A 100 minute battle, 100 degree heat—a great start to a new season,” Bears coach Lisa Benvenuto said. “We had what looked to be some first game jitters in the first twenty minutes that put us behind.”
During the halftime break, the Bears talked about playing their system and battling back, which started with keeping the shape of their formation intact and aiming for an early goal. Less than a minute into the second half, that opportunity came.
“We had the ball in front of the net and Maggie Brophy scored her first career goal at the varsity level,” Benvenuto said. “We were able to continue to play hard, had other opportunities but were met with solid challenges from Upper Merion.”
In the waning seconds of the match, Upper Moreland found the equalizer off the foot of Willow Taylor – one of the team’s most clutch performers last season.
“It was a spectacular comeback; it showed our character,” Benvenuto noted
Neither team was able to find a breakthrough goal in overtime.
Upper Moreland travels to Lower Moreland to open SOL play on Monday at 3:30 p.m.
“Both teams played hard today—kudos to Upper Merion,” Benvenuto said. “We are looking forward to next week and will definitely keep that hunger for the ‘W’.”
UPPER MORELAND 0 2 0 0 – 2
UPPER MERION 2 0 0 0 – 2
Goals: UMer – Kate Wellington, Samantha Walmsley; UMor – Maggie Brophy, Willow Taylor
Bensalem 3, William Tennent 1
Palisades 1, New Hope-Solebury 0
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