Check out the recaps for SOL girls’ soccer teams in action Friday. Abington/CR North photos provided courtesy of John Gleeson. Upper Moreland/New Hope-Solebury photos courtesy of Kathy Leister Photography. Check back for galleries from both contests.
Pennsbury 2, Boyertown 1 OT
The defending District I champions found themselves facing a challenge late in the second half of their season-opening match.
Luckily for Pennsbury, Christine Cataldo-Smith made the trip and made sure her team didn't go home with a loss.
"Never count out the Falcons," Pennsbury coach Katilyn Battiste said. "Boyertown was GOOD. They're going to be a tough team to face at the end of October. We knew – as our first game and with the weather conditions – there would be mistakes. Boyertown put us on our heels early in the second half, but they weathered the storm and fought back into the game."
Playing at Boyertown is not anyone's idea of an easy opener, but it also showed the mettle of a Falcons team learning to play without some of last year's top offensive players and leaders. Cataldo-Smith, who was as valuable as anyone else last season, took over when needed.
"When you have a dynamic player like Christine who never stops battling, the whole team believes there's a chance," Battiste said. "Sophomore Gianna Durle, earning her first varsity start, grew more comfortable as the game wore on. She was able to keep the ball at her feet to find Christine wide open in front of the goal to equalize the score."
Boyertown took a 1-0 lead roughly 15 minutes into the second half but Cataldo-Smith knotted it late in the half to force extra time.
"We were hesitant a bit to start the game, but different players became more decisive and the opportunities were there," Battiste said.
Cataldo-Smith would go on to win it in the second overtime period.
"This is what Christine has always been capable of. She was sidelined at the beginning of last year with an injury, but finished the season leading our team in goals," Battiste said. "Starting the season healthy and as a captain, she's really embracing the leadership."
Not to be lost in the win was the play of Pennsbury's defensive third.
"Alyssa O'Driscoll was big for us in goal. Boyertown's goal was a bullet off of a corner, other than that, she was very clean with deflections and a few rebounds. She played smart today," Battiste said. "Ella Palmieri and Tayler Muller return as starting defenders but junior Ashley Conlow was a big surprise for us stepping into the mix and denying one of their speedier players any significant chances in front of the net."
Pennsbury will again likely rely on a number of different players throughout the season as matches call for different things. The Falcons got a good look at some of that depth on Friday.
"Juniors Gabby Zalot and Rosie Bostian were workhorses for us in the middle today, they did many of the little things well," Battiste said. "We also received many productive minutes from freshman Darrien Furiness, who we asked to play a variety of roles throughout the game. She fit right into the speed of play and physicality of a high school game despite it being her first varsity contest."
Pennsbury (1-0) will travel to Unionville for a non-league game Saturday.
PENNSBURY 0 1 0 1 – 2
BOYERTOWN 0 1 0 0 – 1
Central Bucks South 1, Bensalem 0
The Titans found themselves adjusting to Friday's rain and a stingy Bensalem team in their season opener.
Luckily for South, its returning players have seen more than their share of scenarios and know how to deliver. Senior Mackenzie Edwards netted the game's only goal early in the second half off a cross from right midfielder Emily Radwanski.
"We had a lot of strong possession and quality shots in the box," Titans coach Betsy Bullock said. "Two of the team's captains, 'Meem' Edwards and Brooke Steigerwalt are very strong players and they helped control the middle. They are also two of the three remaining players from our run to the (state championship game) at Hershey two years ago."
The wet weather is a challenge on its own, but amplified against a team that likes to control the ball the way the Titans do.
"It did impact the game. This team plays a nice possession game and that's hard to do on a wet and slick surface," Bullock said.
CB South had two keepers split time in net, with Sarah Letizia making two first half saves and Shannon Snyder stopping four shots in the second half. The Titans' back line was also solid as it debuted its new configuration.
"We do have two returning from the back line from last year and some strong newcomers coming up from JV in Bridget Curtis and Dori McMenamin," Bullock said. "Amanda Krysko and Izzie Manella return, and Lauren Ewell was also getting significant minutes in the back by the end of last season."
Bullock also noted the play of Radwanski, who has moved into a starting role this fall.
"She had the assist and played very well on the flanks," Bullock said. "She was on varsity last year but is now a starter for her senior year."
Central Bucks South (1-0) will travel to Quakertown for its SOL opener on Wednesday.
CB SOUTH 1 0 – 1
BENSALEM 0 0 – 0
Central Bucks West 4, West Chester East 1
Alex Craine had herself an opener on Friday.
The Bucks' forward put away all four goals in the season-opening victory. Craine had a hat trick in the first half.
"We played quick and tough in the first half," coach Mike Moyer said. "We controlled the tempo of the game. Trish (Hauck) did an outstanding job creating chances for us and Alex did what she does best."
Moyer is looking for a big season from Hauck and the senior came through on Friday with a pair of assists.
Against a good opponent, West played a pretty firm match.
"We had one defensive mistake two minutes into the second half and fouled a girl in the box for a PK," Moyer said. "We settled down and just controlled the rest of the game. Alex got her fourth goal from a rocket from 25 yards out."
It was a good opener, but one result doesn't make a season.
"We still have a lot to work on but this is a great start," Moyer said. "We got a lot of girls in today that gave us great minutes. Now we have to get ready for (West Chester) Henderson (Saturday.)"
CB WEST 3 1 – 4
WEST CHESTER EAST 0 1 – 1
Upper Moreland 3, New Hope-Solebury 1
The Golden Bears used a strong second half to win their season debut on Friday.
"The first half was very evenly played with both teams getting opportunities," UM coach Lisa Benvenuto said. "Upper Moreland was able to get on the scoreboard when Sarah Veneziale's corner kick bounced off a New Hope defender and into the goal."
While New Hope leveled the score in the 49th minute, Upper Moreland stuck to its system and formation and began to generate opportunities. The score only remained deadlocked for a few minutes as the home side pressed for an advantage.
"The Bears rallied five minutes later when Sarah Veneziale found Megan O'Donnell on the left flank," Benvenuto said. "O'Donnell beat her defender and blasted a shot past the New Hope goalkeeper."
UM added an insurance goal shortly thereafter when Emma Frasca, a freshman, set up Kathryn Morrow outside the 18-yard box. Morrow beat a defender before burying the shot.
"It was a great team win today," Benvenuto said. "From our defense through our midfield and offense, the play was balanced and controlled. Midfielder Brigid Ounan had a strong showing today as well. In goal, Jaclyn Martino played with confidence and poise, making seven saves."
Upper Moreland (1-0) will host Cheltenham in Wednesday’ SOL opener.
UPPER MORELAND 1 2 – 3
NEW HOPE-SOLEBURY 0 1 – 1
Neshaminy 4, West Chester Rustin 0
Last season's state runner-up isn't easing into the season.
Neshaminy is part of Unionville's pretty loaded season-opening invitational and got off to a solid start Friday, thanks to returning veterans and some newcomers in the lineup.
"Our players have come in and really worked hard this preseason," Neshaminy coach Renny Papendick said. "We really want them to gel as a team and I feel we will figure out our most dangerous lineup. We have a ton of talent and just need to put the pieces together."
Neshaminy returns eight starters from last season including goalkeeper Riley Spingler, who posted the clean sheet on Friday.
Michaela Boyd led Neshaminy with a brace while Deanna Lebotesis and Brooke Mullin also scored. Gina Sexton had a pair of assists.
"Brooke Mullin definitely stepped up and will have a big role for us," Papendick said.
Papendick, who is in his first season coaching Neshaminy, felt his entire team performed well against a quality opening opponent.
"The defense was anchored by Riley Spingler, Kelli Kowalick is a new center back for us, and Hannah Stonkus was outstanding today also," Papendick said. "A few new players stepped up, Mel Prinos and Emily Tantala played great in the midfield."
Neshaminy's tough opening weekend continues with a match against Unionville Saturday.
"We need to build confidence in these early games as we get ready for a long season," Papendick said. "Unionville will be a big test for us."
Abington 3, Council Rock North 2 2OT
The Ghosts picked up a hard-fought season opening win on Friday against a now old conference foe, and they did it in dramatic fashon. Abington is in the SOL American this fall, but the Ghosts won a classic SOL National duel with the Indians to start the campaign.
Elizabeth Tracey brought a dramatic end to the game eight minutes into the second OT, scoring the game-winner to cap a highlight reel sequence.
"It was pretty exciting," coach Rick Thompkins said. "Sophomore Lesha Karaba took the ball down the left flank, cut back and passed it to Kailey Horton, who put a pretty nice stepover move on and got a very nice shot off. The goaltender made a very good save, parried the ball back out and Elizabeth Tracey ran in and buried it. It was a very good goal."
Earlier on in the contest, it was the Indians taking a 1-0 lead when they converted a corner kick into a goal. Late in the opening half, Kaeleigh Serianni – a late substitute – answered with the equalizer, scoring on a rebound. The tie turned out to be shortlived. Almost immediately after Serianni's score, the Indians found the net with the go-ahead goal, again on a corner kick, to go into halftime with a 2-1 lead.
"It was a beautiful play," Thompkins said. "The girl brought the ball across to the near post, and the Council Rock girl sliced in and deflected the ball into the near corner. It was well set up. They did a good job."
With 10 minutes remaining, Camryn Lexow knotted the score when she connected directly on a corner kick, setting the stage for the dramatic finish.
"We were really pressing them," Thompkins said. "In the first half, it was pretty even. They probably had the better of the play, but we only had one shot against us the whole second half and overtime."
The Ghosts' coach started Caroline Hughes, Arianna Mancini, Riley Crabtree and and Emily Friel in the backfield but made a late move that silenced the Indians.
"Right after Camryn (Lexow) scored the tying goal, I moved her into center back and moved Mancini into the left flank," Thompkins said. "From that point on, we really settled down.
"Camryn is just a ridiculously good player. I can do anything with her. She plays center mid, but if I need somebody in the back to settle things down, she can go back there. In the summer league, she plays goal. She's a very good athlete. This is the best team I've had since I've been there."
As for Friday's big win, Thompkins was quick to point out it was just one win.
"It's a very good start against a quality opponent," Thompkins said. "Gavin (Flannigan's) team was very well prepared.
"We obviously need to work on defense on our set pieces because both goals were off of corner kicks, but we're going to score goals."
Sophomore Casey Touey led the Ghosts' offensive attack with seven shots.
"She really played a very good game and she just didn't get results," Thompkins said. "We're going to score goals. I wasn't surprised that we scored three even against a good opponent. It's not just the top 11 – I have people off the bench that contribute as proven by Serianni. She's a senior, she's been waiting forever to get her chance, and she made the most of it."
For CR North, Kaleigh O'Donnell scored off Anna Cairone's corner and Brooke Fischer put one away. Sarah Khantzian played solid in the Indians' net, posting nine saves.
Abington (1-0) will be on the road at Springfield Township for Wednesday's SOL opener, and Council Rock North (0-1) will travel to Haverford for a non-league game on Tuesday.
ABINGTON 1 1 0 1 – 3
COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 2 0 0 0 – 2
Pennridge 6, Wissahickon 0
The Rams' offense should be plenty potent this fall and they showed it in their season opening SOL crossover match on Friday.
Maddie Anderson had a brace to lead five scorers that included Abby Groff, Ashley Groeber, Chance Hendricks and freshman Leah Malone. Groeber also added two assists while Molly Groff and Kat Estep also posted helpers.
"Sarah Williams did an awesome job in the back," Rams coach Audrey Anderson said. "She was very composed and under control the entire time."
Pennridge (1-0) will be on the road Tuesday for a non-league game at Lansdale Catholic while Wissahickon (0-1) will host Plymouth Whitemarsh in Wednesday's SOL opener.
PENNRIDGE 4 2 – 6
WISSAHICKON 0 0 – 0
Plymouth Whitemarsh 7, MaST Charter 1
The Colonials got off to a high-octane start offensively against Philadelphia Public League competition. Mackenzie Leszczynski netted her first two varsity goals while Lindsey Berman and Emily Caffrey also opened their varsity registers.
Alyse Caffrey, Anni Shula and Natalie Lannie also netted goals for the Colonials.
Plymouth Whitemarsh (1-0) will be on the road at Wissahickon for Wednesday's SOL opener.
Methacton 4, North Penn 2
The Knights got goals from Grace Sacchetti and Emma Dickson but couldn't keep pace with their PAC opponent Friday morning.
North Penn (0-1) will travel to William Tennent for a non-league game on Tuesday.
Conestoga 3, Upper Dublin 1
The Flying Cardinals were downed by a perennial District I power on Friday in their season opener. Emily Booth found the back of the net for Upper Dublin with Tina Haig providing the assist.
Upper Dublin (0-1) will host Hatboro-Horsham in Wednesday’s SOL opener.
Perkiomen Valley 2, Quakertown 0
The Panthers fell behind 2-0 at half to the visiting PAC school. Morgan Sipprell made five saves in net for Quakertown while the Panthers outshot PV 9-8 but couldn't find the back of the net.
Quakertown (0-1) will host Central Bucks South Wednesday in the SOL opener for both squads.
St Hubert HS 1, Harry S Truman 0
Harry S Truman (0-1) will host Council Rock South on Wednesday in its SOL opener.
St Basil Academy 3, Springfield Township 2
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