Check out the recaps for SOL girls’ soccer teams in action Tuesday. CB West/CB East photos courtesy of Tracy Valko, and PW/Abington photos courtesy of Michael Rice. Check back for galleries of both games: https://solsports.zenfolio.com/f405978483 (Pennridge/North Penn photos courtesy of Abbe Kiwak/Pennridge soccer, and Hatboro-Horsham/Wissahickon photo courtesy of Jessica Cassel/Hatboro-Horsham soccer)
SOL Patriot
Bensalem 2, Council Rock South 1 (OT)
At the end of last season, the Owls’ returning players asked the team’s coaches to have a meeting.
The fall of 2022 hadn’t gone anywhere near as planned, so the conversation was pretty frank and direct.
“I asked them what they wanted and one of the things they said was that they didn’t want any drama,” Bensalem coach Bob Crawford said. “We’ve been working a lot on that, talking about how to support each other through tough times. It’s easy to support someone when things are going good, but what are you going to do when that breaks down?”
At halftime, that would be tested. After the Golden Hawks found the back of the net with about 15 minutes remaining in the first half, the Owls found themselves behind.
“We told them they were playing the right way and they were trusting each other,” Crawford said. “We explained they’re allowed to make mistakes, they’re allowed to be themselves and they don’t have to be perfect. If they make a mistake, their teammates will be there to pick them up, not to judge them.”
Crawford knew it would be a challenge to get a goal back against CR South, but also knew if his players believed they could do it, they’d have a chance.
At the break, the Owls talked about how to limit the speed and skill of the Hawks’ forward players while also keeping CR South from working the ball from side to side. On the other end, it would be a matter of working together, which helped lead to the eventual tying goal.
“We’re going to continue to support them and create an environment where they feel like they can open up and be themselves,” Crawford said.
Sydney McCoy and Caitlin Groves linked up to bring the score level, McCoy supplying the ball into Groves, who went at the goal and found a lane to finish her opportunity.
That would be it until overtime, with both keepers coming up large. For Bensalem’s Haley Esposito, it was a commanding performance against a talented attacking unit.
“She was fantastic,” Crawford said. “It’s not only the way she makes saves, but the way she controls the back line and controls the ball with her feet, she’s so calm and the girls know they can pass it back to her at any time.”
In overtime, Bensalem was awarded a free kick about 40 yards out that would lead to a dramatic game-winner.
“Vanessa Shay hit one heck of a kick and Devon Bell was really aggressive going after it,” Crawford said. “Devon got in and was able to head it past the goalie and their goalie, she made about three beautiful saves in the game where it’s like ‘How am I going to get it past this kid?'”
The win was vital not only for the Owls in the standings, but to show the players what they can accomplish as a group. According to Crawford, the fact that it came against a true quality opponent should be a major boost for his players.
“I can’t tell you enough how well coached that South team is and how prepared they are from year to year,” Crawford said. “It amazes me how his players always seem to know where to go with the ball and to make the right decisions and that’s a credit to Nick (Heim) and his coaches.”
CR South (1-1, 0-1 SOL) visits Neshaminy on Thursday at 3:30 and Bensalem (1-0, 1-0) will visit CR North at 3:30 on Thursday.
BENSALEM 0 1 1 – 2
COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 1 0 0 – 1
Goals: B – Devon Bell, Caitlin Groves
Neshaminy 3, Pennsbury 0
A lot of the names may be new, but the result looked the same.
Neshaminy, replacing eight regulars from last season’s starting lineup that included a District I title and a PIAA semifinal appearance, hit the pitch against a rival Falcons team that’s also undergone some change. A benefit to a deep team, like the one Neshaminy had a year ago, is that while the names may be new, they know what they’re doing.
“I was really impressed with the overall play today as the game progressed,” Neshaminy coach Josh Van Reed said. “We seemed to settle down and combine with each other more and more.”
Among the few holdovers for Neshaminy is midfielder Abby Collins, who plays the often thankless job of holding midfielder really, really well.
“She is great at winning balls, tackling and creating going forward,” Van Reed said. “It really helps everyone else.”
After an opening 20 minutes that Van Reed characterized as his players getting those first match jitters out, things started to click. All three Neshaminy goals came from a pair of sophomores, with Ava Hood opening the season account about 25 minutes in.
“The ball was off a corner and Pennsbury got a touch that knocked it down and bounced on the ground to Bri Garyah, who passed it back to Ava,” Van Reed said. “She hits a really solid ball and she got all of this one, which hit the crossbar and went in.”
Garyah, who found a role as a spark off the bench last year in the postseason as a freshman, finished off a big day with a pair of goals.
“Allie Ortman settled a long ball and it fell right into Bri’s path and she took the defender on,” Van Reed said. “She had a quick move around the defender and finished the ball back post.”
The second half saw the Redskins pepper the goal, clanging a couple chances off the crossbar and the post. Eventually, a through ball from Collins latched on with Garyah, who was taken down in the box and awarded a penalty kick.
“She went to the spot and tucked the ball in the corner for her second goal,” Van Reed said. “It was a good start for us but it’s a long season and lots to work on.
“I am very impressed with the hard work the girls are putting in each day.”
Ava Affanassiev earned her first clean sheet in goal for Neshaminy.
Neshaminy (1-0, 1-0 SOL) hosts CR South at 3:30 on Thursday. Pennsbury (0-3, 0-1) visits Harry S Truman on Thursday at 3:30.
NESHAMINY 2 1 – 3
PENNSBURY 0 0 – 0
Goals: N – Bri Garyah 2, Ava Hood
Council Rock North 7, Harry S Truman 1
While the Indians have plenty of talent this fall, it’s still tough to play back-to-back days with the second game also serving as a league opener.
CR North answered the challenge on Tuesday, putting together another strong offensive outing and responding when the Tigers fought back in the first half.
“A solid performance on a back-to-back early in the season got us another win,” North coach Gavin Flanagan said.
Junior forward Mia Cairone, who recently pledged to Penn State, opened the scoring with back-to-back goals. Nicole Muradov put in another to make it 3-0, but instead of breaking the game open, the Indians would be pushed back a little bit.
“Truman battled hard and defended well, and they scored on a long throw and good finish,” Flanagan said.
The best way to respond to a goal is to get one back, and Addison Martin was able to get her first goal as a varsity player late in the opening half in response.
Martin tagged a second goal after halftime, wedging the finish between tallies from Ashley Barone and Maddy McGettigan.
CR North (2-0, 1-0 SOL) hosts Bensalem at 3:30 on Thursday. Truman (0-1, 0-1) hosts Pennsbury at 3:30 on Thursday.
COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 4 3 – 7
HARRY S TRUMAN 1 0 – 1
Goals: CRN – Mia Cairone 2, Addison Martin 2, Ashley Barone, Maddy McGettigan, Nicole Muradov
SOL Liberty
Plymouth Whitemarsh 2, Abington 1
Last October, the Colonials walked off the field at Abington disappointed in the outcome but optimistic about what was to come.
That night, a hard-fought 2-1 loss in overtime to start the District I playoffs, was PW’s seventh straight loss to the Ghosts. When the final whistle blew on Tuesday, that streak was over.
“We’re pumped, we’ve worked really hard this preseason, and while our optimism is tempered, we do feel like we earned this win today,” PW coach TJ DeLucia said. “Prior to today, we had lost to Abington seven straight times and last year, in the playoffs, we lost 2-1 in overtime. The playoff game was a huge step in proving to ourselves that we can play with that team.
“Our team wanted it today, for multiple reasons, so I am thrilled for them to experience that on our home field to open our season. It should give us confidence moving forward.”
After 40 minutes, things stood quite differently. A gaffe on the back end by the Colonials allowed the Ghosts to pounce and put away their first goal of the season for a 1-0 lead they carried to the break.
“I don’t think we believed we could win in the first half,” DeLucia said. “We ceded ground and balls to Abington. We allowed them to do what they wanted, and we were reacting.”
Once the second half began, the team that finished last season with a gutsy performance and tried to build on it all summer was back.
“Something changed, we were more physical and really got on the front foot,” DeLucia said. “We started challenging for the ball, winning second balls, and reacting faster.”
The Colonials still needed a goal, or more ideally, multiple goals.
“We’ve put an emphasis on set pieces on film from our scrimmage and at practice over the past couple of weeks,” DeLucia said. “Today, I joked with the old PW girls and boys soccer coach, Steve Slack, that he hadn’t told me the secret yet about how to score goals. He said ‘Set pieces.'”
Both PW goals, fittingly, would come off set pieces. Funny how that works sometimes.
“We won a free kick at midfield,” DeLucia said. “Senior defender Meg Wendler played a beautiful ball that bounced in front of the keeper, and our sophomore forward, Mia Baron, timed her run and ran the ball into the back of the net.”
A few minutes later, another call awarded PW a free kick in the range of sophomore Maddie McGuckien. Sometimes, snapping a losing streak needs a moment of brilliance and that’s just what the midfielder provided.
“Maddie took it from the left sideline about 15 yards out from the endline. She curled it in back post. Incredible shot,” DeLucia said. “Maddie has been one of our best players all preseason and her final 25 minutes today was just outstanding.
“She was big and physical as a freshman last year, but her skill has improved so much, on the ball, shooting and her conditioning is where it needs to be. She is going to turn some heads.”
With the lead, the task fell to Plymouth Whitemarsh’s defensive unit to preserve it. DeLucia cited the play of Brianna Reynolds, Meghan Wendler, and Katie Lukens along the back line and their wall in net.
“Caitlyn Dinh, as expected, was terrific. Superstar performance for our senior keeper,” DeLucia said. “To hold a team as skilled as Abington to one goal requires a total team effort.”
Baron had a big moment scoring the tying goal as she and forward partner Keria Whalen, also a sophomore, earned a shoutout for their play.
“They were terrific in different ways, Whelan holding up play and Mia with endless energy,” DeLucia said.
Abington (0-2, 0-1 SOL) hosts Hatboro-Horsham on Thursday at 3:30. PW (1-0, 1-0) visits Quakertown at 7 pm on Thursday.
PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 0 2 – 2
ABINGTON 1 0 – 1
Goals; PW – Mia Baron, Maddie McGuckien
Hatboro-Horsham 3, Wissahickon 0
It was a good afternoon for Hatters players named Boland.
A pair of first-half goals by Sarah Boland and a second half marker by Leah Boland paced Hatboro-Horsham to its first win of the fall. Behind the Bolands was a Levin, with senior Emma Levin producing an assist on each
of the three goals.
“The first half was the best soccer I have seen this team play, and we were able to capitalize on some dangerous plays,” HH coach Kelsey Daley said. “Emma Levin led the offensive play with strong attacks toward the net.”
Levin, a standout committed to Towson, was pulling all the right strings on Tuesday.
“She is just so smart on the ball,” Daley said. “She is always delivering passes to the perfect spots.”
Levin worked a pair of give-and-go plays perfectly with Sarah Boland in the first half, then skimmed a through ball deftly to Leah Boland in the second half to produce all the scoring the Hatters needed.
“The second half was not as strong as the first, but we still held Wissahickon to no goals,” Daley said. “It was a total team effort, and the defense had a good showing with Alyssa Tooley recording her first shutout of the season.”
Hatboro-Horsham (1-1, 1-0 SOL) visits Abington at 3:30 on Thursday. Wissahickon (0-2, 0-1) hosts Upper Dublin on Thursday at 3:30.
HATBORO-HORSHAM 2 1 – 3
WISSAHICKON 0 0 – 0
Goals: HH – Sarah Boland 2, Leah Boland
Upper Dublin 2, Quakertown 1 (OT)
Playing on the road at Quakertown is hard, playing at Quakertown at night is even harder, and trying to get one on the Panthers on the road, under the lights and in overtime? That’s a tall ask.
Upper Dublin, sparked by some newcomers and backed up by a few vets, was up for the challenge. The Flying Cardinals went down early but held together and rallied to pick up their first win of the season.
“We have a lot of talented but inexperienced varsity players, so we went in with a lot of questions about how people would respond,” UD coach John Topper said. “Quakertown is always pretty direct and physical, so they tested us and especially our younger girls tonight. We were pleased with the way they responded.”
Topper, who is back as the Cardinals’ head coach after stepping back for a few seasons as an assistant, called it a typical first game performance. There were moments where UD looked sloppy and others where the visiting team was playing in the manner it hopes to this fall and in general, grew into the game.
A miscue on a corner led to the ball not being cleared and setting up Quakertown to strike from the edge of the box in the first half.
“It was a nice goal but our girls stayed composed,” Topper said.
As the clock inched toward halftime, Upper Dublin got even, thanks to a good combination going forward.
“Erin Seabrook hit a beautiful ball wide to Anna DiMartile, who linked up with her sister Bridget DiMartile, one of our freshmen, who got the equalizer,” Topper said. “That was a nice boost for us going into halftime.”
Following a pretty back-and-forth 40 minutes in the second half, the teams went into overtime. Topper felt like his side came out really well in the extra time, pushing numbers up and creating chances that led to a finisher about halfway through the first overtime frame.
“Anna DiMartile was able to get in and find the game-winner,” Topper said.
Aside from the DiMartile sisters, Topper pointed to a number of returners and new faces who accounted well on the field Tuesday night.
“Abby O’Meara gave us great minutes as a center back and a center midfielder, she was one of those unsung heroes,” Topper said. “Obviously, Bridget DiMartile got the game tying goal, and I thought Peyton Ward did a wonderful job out on the left wing for us, created some nice chances and gave us opportunities on the flank.
“Our outside backs, Sophia Sirianni, Mads McManus and Lydia Bell, really held it down for us.”
Upper Dublin (1-0, 1-0 SOL) visits Wissahickon on Thursday at 3:30, Quakertown (0-1, 0-1) hosts Plymouth Whitemarsh for a 7 pm start on Thursday.
UPPER DUBLIN 0 1 1 – 2
QUAKERTOWN 1 0 0 – 1
Goals: UD – Anna DiMartile, Bridget DiMartile
SOL Freedom
Upper Moreland 3, Lower Moreland 2 (2 OTs)
A clutch goal by Kyra Favors, a lot of heart and tough defending helped the Golden Bears edge the Lions in an early-season thriller.
“Today our girls showed some tremendous grit and composure,” UM coach Lisa Benvenuto said. “After being up 2-0, we allowed a talented Lower Moreland team back into the game.”
Favors, who not only notched the game-winner but the opening goal, was the beneficiary of some solid team ball movement and passing. Upper Moreland needed almost the entirety of the first half to capitalize, but finally did when Lizzie Walker connected with Favors on a corner to open the scoring.
UM tallied again early in the second half, grabbing a two-goal lead.
“Going into the second half we knew that Lower Moreland was going to come out with some fire, we were able to contain them, and create a goal in transition by finding Brooke Lobban,” Benvenuto said. “Brooke took a well placed shot that was deflected by (LM keeper) Giulianna Fogarty, and Madeline Cox was there to put it in for her first varsity goal.”
The Lions were down, but far from out.
“Keira Hubler started the scoring with a tough shot from 25 yards out,” LM coach Todd Hill said. “Nikki Sahl had a great hustle play to set up Morgan Pennisi for a nice finish on our second.”
Hubler scored 10 minutes after the Bears’ second goal with Pennisi finding the net about 13 minutes later to level things off. The teams battled the rest of the way, but it would take an extra session and a half to decide the outcome.
“Going into OT, all you can do is be mentally prepared and rely on your fitness and composure,” Benvenuto said. “We were able to do both, keeping control of the ball, creating opportunities and finishing. Brooke Lobban found Kyra Favors in the 95th minute to finish the game.”
There were plenty of standout performances on both sides.
“Senior defender Abbie Wasserstrom had a really strong game and back-up goalkeeper Giulianna Fogarty did a great job keeping us in the game throughout,” Hill said.
For Upper Moreland, the contributions came from the back to the front
“The effort today was team wide. Our defensive backs, Molly Meakim and Devon Bush played outstanding, along with our center back Annalise Messina. All three were able to slow LM’s attack and win the ball. They were critical in our win, along with our goalie Gracie Costello,” Benvenuto said. “In the midfield, Lizzie Walker and Maggie Brophy controlled the middle and were able to find our forwards in transition. We had some really strong contributions coming off the bench and were able to keep our play consistent.”
Costello was credited with six saves in the win.
Upper Moreland (2-0, 1-0 SOL) visits William Tennent at 3:30 on Thursday. Lower Moreland (0-1, 0-1) hosts Cheltenham at 3:30 on Thursday.
UPPER MORELAND 1 1 0 1 – 3
LOWER MORELAND 0 2 0 0 – 2
Goals: UM – Kyra Favors 2, Madeline Cox; LM – Keira Hubler, Morgan Pennisi
New Hope-Solebury 2, Cheltenham 1
A tenacious effort from both sides led to a spirited game and the Lions scratching out a hard-earned three points against the Panthers to open SOL play.
“Both teams played really hard,” New Hope-Solebury coach Matt Duffey said. “We are a pretty young team, so it was great seeing so many players step up and our captains showed great leadership. Really happy for the great start.”
Cheltenham, coming off a big win on Friday, came out on fire and showed some strong tactical play on the defensive end to throw off the Lions early.
“We started off with good energy and ball movement,” Panthers coach Leah Matusow said. “We knew they were going to have some speed up top and I thought we did a nice job of containing them and got a couple offsides called, which was great.”
That helped lead to some production on the other end for Cheltenham, with some nice passing up top finally combining with Ciara Rodriguez setting up Mikki Carrera for the first score of the match.
New Hope-Solebury was able to settle in and managed to bring the score back even before halftime.
“We got even with Ceci Capriotti able to dribble past the goalkeeper and slot it home 1-1 with the assist to Mia Usatin,” Duffey said. “I felt like from that point on, we were fairly on top of Cheltenham. We put a lot of pressure on them, generating some decent opportunities.”
The Panthers poured on more pressure to start the second half but were unlucky not to convert on a few prime chances.
“Sydney Holland kept the pressure on with several good shots,” Matusow said. “We just couldn’t capitalize on those opportunities.”
Eventually, New Hope-Solebury was able to get the ball into a dangerous area and created a scoring chance. In a sequence that summed up the effort of both teams, the Lions’ initial service was broken up by Cheltenham, but New Hope-Solebury’s refusal to give up on the play led to a breakthrough.
“We were able to get a ball to Mia in the corner. She delivered a nice cross that the Cheltenham keeper got a hand to, but could not fully control,” Duffey said. “Nina Meixler crashed the net and scored the second goal.”
Despite falling a goal short, the Panthers gave an effort worthy of more.
“I thought we played well, had some good movement and that our defensive line did a good job,” Matusow said. “Our center backs, Tabitha Sterman and Lily Wilden, did well with communicating and disrupting New Hope’s flow.
“We are going to learn from this game and get better tomorrow as we prepare for two more games this week.”
New Hope-Solebury (1-0, 1-0 SOL) hosts Springfield Twp at 3:30 on Thursday, Cheltenham (1-1, 0-1) visits Lower Moreland on Thursday at 3:30.
NEW HOPE-SOLEBURY 1 1 – 2
CHELTENHAM 1 0 – 1
Goals: NHS – Nina Meixler, Ceci Capriotti; C – Mikki Carrera
William Tennent 6, Springfield Twp 0
After holding the fort for 40 minutes, the Panthers erupted in the second half for a big win to open SOL play on Tuesday.
“This was a tale of two halves, we came out slow and allowed Springfield’s formidable forwards to possess the ball and put a lot of pressure on our back line,” Tennent coach Elise Jara said. “Junior Abi Meehan and senior Theresa Ditri were solid on defense.”
While they were on the back foot for most of the first half, the Panthers not only kept the ball out of their net, they salvaged a score of their own.
“Maddie Hughes, a senior, scored our first and only goal of the first half on a deflection of a perfectly executed corner kick from sophomore Sofia Jakimoski,” Jara said.
Tennent came out with a renewed vigor in the second half and turned the tide of the possession battle. It didn’t take long for the Panthers to double their lead on a goal by Jakimoski following a spectacular set up.
“Sofia Jakimoski scored on an assist from freshman Bailey Kasner,” Jara said. “Bailey battled through three defenders and was able to feed Sofia a ball that she finished on.”
That was only the start of a terrific game in the midfield for Kasner. Before the final horn, the freshman tagged two goals of her own, each assisted by junior Paige Marek.
Ditri wrapped up an explosive second half with two goals in the final 15 minutes on assists from Abi Meehan and Mikayla Nye.
Tennent (2-0, 1-0 SOL) hosts Upper Moreland on Thursday at 3:30, Springfield Twp (0-1, 0-1) goes to New Hope-Solebury on Thursday at 3:30.
WILLIAM TENNENT 1 5 – 6
SPRINGFIELD TWP 0 0 – 0
Goals: WT – Theresa Ditri 2, Bailey Kasner 2, Sofia Jakimoski, Maddie Hughes
SOL Colonial
Central Bucks West 2, Central Bucks East 1
Bree Benedict had no idea what was coming, but she knew it would be that way.
The former CB West goalkeeper is back at her alma mater this fall as the Bucks’ new head coach, following a successful spell at Lansdale Catholic. Her first game coming against archrival CB East just meant that there’d be
no easing into it.
“When you play East, you just can’t expect anything,” Benedict said. “The game is just going to be wild from the start.”
The front leg of a doubleheader at War Memorial Field, with the boys’ game following, certainly delivered on that. East, which had won its season opener on Friday at Abington, was on the front foot for most of the opening 40 minutes.
Thanks to Jessie Bernabe, the Patriots also had a 1-0 lead at the break on a tally that earned high praise from the opposing coach.
“The goal that Jessie Bernabe scored, that’s got to be one of the best individual goals I’ve ever seen,” Benedict said. “It’s definitely going to be up there for goal of the year in high school soccer this year.”
With a new coach, a new style of play and some notable departures from last year’s dream postseason run, the Bucks are going through some change right now. Benedict expected it would take some time and she was glad to see her players respond after they fell behind and trailed at the half.
While there were times in the first half when the Bucks looked a little rattled or panicked, they leaned on their veterans in the midfield to help calm things down. Kate Weyer, Eva Wierzbowski and Alex Castro – all team captains along with Ava Brunner – put their mark on the game.
“They’re all really great leaders and really great soccer players, they’re really coachable,” Benedict said. “The way they can connect as a middle three is really fantastic and most of our play has to go through them.”
Once West started to connect passes in the middle third, things started to open up in the attacking third and the through ball became a difference-maker. Benedict cited the play of Mackenize Gauch up top as helping create some space.
East, which is also finding its way early on after last season’s District I runner-up and state playoff appearances, still has a potent attack. The Bucks’ new-look defense was able to hold up in the second half to give the attack an opportunity to get things going.
“Janelle Blokker and Cece Funseth both stepped up and just had tremendous games at center back,” Benedict said.
Both the Bucks’ goals were effort plays off rebounds, Wierzbowski hitting in the equalizer and junior Avery Markowitz crashing in to find the eventual winner.
“Coming out of this game, we have a lot we need to work on,” Benedict said. “There’s a lot of system changes we’re going through that this game exposed, but it’s allowing us to fix it and work together on it. I think it’ll be a little bit of a work in progress as everyone buys into this new system.”
West (1-0, 1-0 SOL) hosts North Penn at 7pm on Thursday. East (1-1, 1-0) visits CB South for a 3:30 start on Thursday.
CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 0 2 – 2
CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 1 0 – 1
Goals: CBW – Eva Wierzbowski, Avery Markowitz; CBE – Jessie Bernabe
Central Bucks South 5, Souderton 0
Kila Kienzle started her senior season with a bang.
The Titans’ attacker scored each of her team’s first three goals to snag a natural hat trick. It was a group effort getting her there, with a trio of sophomores in Tessa Hughes, Alana Peeev and Riley Karpinski each tallying an assist on one of the goals.
“She was hungry to score. She found the ball and got to it,” South coach Gabbie Nolan said. “Her first goal went off her back into the goal just because she threw her body at it off the corner.”
Nolan, now in her second year leading the Titans, lauded the senior’s tenacity and for adapting to a change in role.
“That’s the type of player she is,” Nolan said. “She played center back for us last year and now we have her up top and she goes out and had a hat trick in her first game up there. I’m super proud of her.”
While South was able to celebrate plenty with the first half hat trick, it was the opposite for the host team.
“Rough start for us at home today. We had a lack of communication and energy to start, which led to a series of corner kicks that kept us under pressure for the first ten minutes,” Souderton coach Ian Smith said. “We gave up a weak goal on a lost mark and shortly after we gave up a second on a miscommunicated step.
“Started to find some footing after the second goal but gave up another somewhat against the run of play before half.”
The Titans tacked on two more goals in the second half. Karpinski tallied a second helper setting up junior Lily Black. Then Morgan Hughes put a cap on the game with a ripper of a shot from long range, with a pass from Olivia Wade putting her in the right frame to fire away.
“The girls came in ready, trusted their preparation and didn’t let up,” Nolan said. “There was a lot of communication on the field to keep us organized.”
Souderton tried to find its footing, but playing from behind proved a tall order while trying to make up the deficit.
“Second half we wavered between confident communication and a lack of confidence,” Smith said. “South was sharp and scored some quality goals, one of which from about 30 yards out, which put the game out of reach for us.”
CB South (1-0, 1-0 SOL) hosts CB East at 3:30 on Thursday, Souderton (0-1, 0-1) travels to Pennridge at 3:30 on Thursday.
CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 3 2 – 5
SOUDERTON 0 0 – 0
Goals: CBS – Kila Kienzle 3, Lily Black, Morgan Hughes
Pennridge 5, North Penn 1
The Rams’ seniors made sure a quick turnaround from Monday’s season-opening win against Owen J Roberts wouldn’t result in a letdown.
Four goals by Pennridge’s fourth-years paced another robust offensive outing. Seniors Liv Grenda and Hailey Primwhere each tallied a goal and assist, with Primwhere’s helper coming on a goal scored by her twin sister Hannah.
Grenda and fellow senior co-captain Sophie Craig opened the scoring just a few minutes in, with Craig converting on a pass from Grenda. Hannah Primwhere headed in her sister’s corner for a 2-0 lead, then Hannah Primwhere scored for a three-goal advantage.
In the waning moments of the first half, freshman Gabriella Howley registered her first high school goal on an assist by Jessie Moylan.
Grenda wrapped up the Rams scoring with a second half goal. Pennridge, which has won seven straight SOL conference titles, also got a boost with the return of senior fullback Casey Malone after she sat Monday recovering from an injury.
North Penn got on the board late thanks to a long-distance blast by Maddy Murphy for the Knights’ first goal of the season.
Pennridge (2-0, 1-0 SOL) hosts Souderton at 3:30 on Thursday. North Penn (0-2, 0-1) will play under the lights, visiting CB West at 7 pm on Thursday.
PENNRIDGE 4 1 – 5
NORTH PENN 0 1 – 1
Goals: P – Sophie Craig, Hannah Primwhere, Hailey Primwhere, Gabriella Howley, Liv Grenda; NP – Maddy Murphy
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