Check out the recaps for SOL girls’ soccer teams in action Tuesday. Pennsbury/GMA photos provided courtesy of Darryl Rule of JD Photography. Check back for a gallery.
Pennsbury 3, Gwynedd Mercy Academy 2 (2 OT)
So far, the Falcons haven’t seemed to mind working overtime, although Tuesday’s outcome was a bit more satisfying than their first foray into extra time.
Pennsbury had to settle for a draw in its season opener but a gutsy rally after trailing 2-0 at halftime and a winner in the waning minutes of the second overtime propelled the Falcons to their second straight win and
kept them unbeaten to start the season. Pennsbury’s young attackers continued to have a positive impact, with freshman Sydney Becker notching a goal and an assist, freshman Abbie Ellis adding an assist and sophomore Sofia Gorski adding an assist and setting up the winning goal, which was scored by senior Audrey Kay.
SCORING SUMMARY
First half
GMA goal
GMA goal
Second half
P – Corinne Russo (Abbie Ellis) 42′
P – Sydney Becker (Sofia Gorski) 45′
Overtime
P – Audrey Kay (Becker) 95′
Falcons coach Jenna Peters on the win: “Today’s game was a true test of our team’s resilience and determination. The heat was intense, and both teams gave it their all. Although we were down at halftime, facing a strong Gwynedd team, it was an opportunity to challenge ourselves. Our first-half performance wasn’t up to our usual standards—we struggled with individual battles and lacked cohesion.
“I am incredibly proud of the growth the team showed throughout the game. From the initial struggles to the final victory, their determination and teamwork were outstanding.”
Halftime adjustments: “At halftime, we emphasized the importance of digging deep and working together. We set a clear goal to score within the first five minutes of the second half, and the team delivered on that. Their response was impressive; they tied the game and pushed it into double overtime.”
Quick scores to tie the game: “The first goal was scored in the first two minutes of the second half. Our freshman Abbie Ellis flicked a ball through Gwynedd’s defense for our junior Corinne Russo to run onto and score. The second goal was in the second half in the first five minutes – our sophomore Sofia Gorski won a corner and placed the corner right onto our freshman Sydney Becker to get a head on and score.”
Team’s final push: “In the first overtime, we held strong and kept the game tied. Before the second overtime, I reiterated the need for a final push, focusing on the heart and team spirit. The girls embraced the challenge, demonstrating the team-first mentality we always strive for. Their collective effort paid off as we scored in the final five minutes of overtime.”
Game-winning goal: “Our third goal was in the last five minutes of the second overtime. Sofia Gorski was on a free kick. She placed the ball at the back post for Sydney Becker to connect again with a header to keep it from the keeper and our senior Audrey Kay was right there to tap it in.”
Up next: Pennsbury hosts Conwell-Egan at 5pm on Wednesday.
PENNSBURY 0 2 0 1 – 3
GWYNEDD MERCY ACADEMY 2 0 0 0 – 2
Central Bucks West 5, Abington 0
Every CB West player cherishes any chance they have to play a game at War Memorial Field.
This year’s iteration of the Bucks wasted little time in imprinting their presence on their home debut Tuesday night, notching a first-minute goal thanks to Emery Sterling and not relenting against last season’s SOL Liberty division champion in Abington. Under their lights for the first time this fall, the Bucks disrupted a Ghosts’ attack that had been productive in its first game and generated some quality chances for themselves.
The West defense had an especially impressive outing, not only putting up a second straight shutout, but also getting a pair of goals from junior center back Janelle Blokker.
SCORING SUMMARY
First half
CBW – Emery Sterling
CBW – Avery Markowitz
CBW – Janelle Blokker (Rian Detweiler)
Second half
CBW – Reegan Moran (Avery Markowitz)
CBW – Janelle Blokker
CB West coach Bree Benedict on the win and scoring quickly: “Great home opener at War Memorial against a very solid Abington team. Abington was physical and showed dangerous speed up top, they’re well coached by Rick Tompkins. We were able to get on the board early. Eva Wierzbowski had a great presence in midfield, she received on a half-turn and switched it to Olivia Barrett who found Emery Sterling. Emery has just been lights out in front of the goal and got us on the board.”
Avery Markowitz’s impact: “Avery Markowitz continues to impress, and what’s so special is she’s a player that has put in a great effort in the off-season and it’s paying off. She notched a goal and then an assist to her best friend, Reegan Moran, in the second half. Reegan hit an absolute screamer.”
Defender Janelle Blokker’s two set piece scores: “Our other two goals came from disciplined set pieces. Rian Detweiler served a great corner in to Janelle Blokker who buried the header before half. Janelle added to her score late in the second half with a set piece goal finding the far post upper 90. I couldn’t be more thrilled for our centerback to get in on the scoring, it really sets the tone.”
Defensive anchors: “Of course, none of this is possible without the solid play of center back Cece Funseth and goalkeeper Fallon Darrows. They have kept a clean sheet in two physical games.”
Bucks senior captain Eva Wierzbowski on the win: “I thought we really showed what West is about. We played aggressive but disciplined. Abington was a good team and disrupted play in the middle ,but we were able to use the outsides to attack and create.”
Bucks junior Janelle Blokker on her second goal, scored on a free kick: “It was one of those times where you have to decide to take a shot or serve the ball in. I looked at my coach, she said give it a go, and it went in. The goalie made a great effort on it, and it just snuck by her.”
Up next: CB West (2-0) hosts Quakertown at 7pm on Thursday. Abington (1-1) visits CB East at 5pm on Thursday.
CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 3 2 – 5
ABINGTON 0 0 – 0
Council Rock North 2, Nazareth Academy 1
Mia Cairone continued her torrid start to the season, tallying a brace in the last nine minutes of regulation to help rally the Indians to a win on an extra-warm late August afternoon. The senior forward now has three goals in three games, two of them game-winners, plus a pair of assists for a North side that has shown an ability to grind out results.
Nazareth Academy, the PCL runner-up last year, proved a formidable foe thanks to its defense anchored by a pair of Drexel recruits in keeper Gracie Sullivan and center back Reese Power and an opportunistic attack.
The Indians have also relied on their depth in the early legs of the season, and with a host of contributors chipping in helping to move the ball on Tuesday, a few late opportunities went their way to stay unbeaten on the season.
SCORING SUMMARY
First half
NA goal
Second half
CRN – Mia Cairone (Isabel Diaz)
CRN – Mia Cairone
CR North coach Gavin Flannigan on the win: “Another grinding win in tough, hot conditions today. We continued to push to the end and scored twice in the last nine minutes to get the win. Credit to the girls for continuing to fight and it was pleasing again to use our depth to get the victory.”
Nazareth Academy’s challenges: “Nazareth are well-organized and structured, their attacking players caused us problems in the first half, and we struggled to be consistent in our defensive approach. At halftime, we stressed the details of what we wanted to do as well as the level of consistency we need to play at the level we want.”
Beating the heat: “For the first 10-15 mins of the second half we were much improved, but I think the conditions caught up to both teams, and the middle 15-20 mins was a battle of attrition. In the last 10 minutes, we were able to raise ourselves and some nice combination from Keagen Terry and Isabel Diaz led to Mia Cairone getting the ball in the box and evading a defender before finishing.”
Cairone’s winning goal: “A few minutes (after scoring her first goal), Mia was able to receive a through ball and hold off a defender to finish on her left foot for the winning goal.”
Standout effort: “Today we struggled a little in the heat, but I think Audrey Rogan’s energy and dynamic movement were our most threatening weapons outside of Mia’s goals. Audrey is a junior now, and it’s been noticeable that her contribution to our attacking play has improved this year. Between her and Mia’s finishing we were able to secure the win today.”
Up next: CR North (3-0) visits Pennridge at 3:30pm on Thursday.
COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 0 2 – 2
NAZARETH ACADEMY 1 0 – 1
Souderton 9, Cheltenham 0
Eight players scored as Souderton picked up its first win of the season. Emily Dick and Kahlan Hurley shared shutout duties in goal.
Lily Heron opened the scoring with a goal off an assist by Rylie Lowery. Hannah Beckett had a brace by scoring twice, adding an assist for good measure while Ella Longacre tallied a goal and assisted on two others.
Lowery also added a goal, one of three Souderton players with a goal and assist alongside Julia Purvy and Cailee Cush. Kylie Cummings and Grace Yoder rounded out the scoring with a goal apiece.
Up next: Cheltenham (0-1) visits Plymouth Whitemarsh at 3:30pm on Wednesday. Souderton (1-1) hosts Pottsgrove at 3:15pm on Friday.
Palisades 5, New Hope-Solebury 0
Up next: New Hope-Solebury (0-2) hosts Springfield Twp at 3:30 on Sept. 4.
St Hubert Catholic 3, Springfield Twp 2
Up next: Springfield Twp (0-1) visits Wissahickon at 7pm on Wednesday.
Quakertown 13, Harry S Truman 0
Up next: Quakertown (1-0) visits CB West at 7pm on Thursday. Harry S Truman (0-2) hosts Hatboro-Horsham at 11am on Friday.
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