Check out the recaps for SOL girls’ soccer teams in action Thursday.
American Conference
Cheltenham 2, Upper Moreland 1
Panthers coach Mark Woodcock saw something on his players' faces Tuesday that he hadn't seen in quite a while.
As the Cheltenham players left the field, they were experiencing what it was like to come out the winners of a high school soccer game. The Panthers didn't win a game last year and graduated a lot of seniors, so this was really a new experience for most of them.
Woodcock admitted it wasn't pretty, but the result was all that mattered.
"It wasn't a thing of great beauty, but to come off the field and realize if you really work hard and you try to learn the lessons from practice and put them into a game, you can get the results," Woodcock said. "Even what you get from being able to grind it out is pretty awesome, and for the girls, it was a pretty big deal."
It was Cheltenham's first SOL win since Oct. 14, 2015, also against Upper Moreland, and it snapped a 21-match losing streak.
The Panthers also found themselves behind at the intermission thanks to a goal from UM's Jaclyn Martino in the final minute of the frame. Woodcock called it "less than ideal" but felt like his players had given great effort in the first half.
"We had had played well enough to still be in the game," Woodcock said. "We said if they went out in the second half and changed just a couple of things, then I thought we could make our way back into the game."
Cheltenham tied the game on a goal by Hope Fallon-Mazer earned by some hard work and tenacity in front of net. It would be a similar story on the winner by Jada Holland, which came in the final five minutes of play.
"It was a clearance out of the box that didn't really work out, I think it hit off three players and came to the feet of Jada Holland," Woodcock said. "She was able to kind of squirt the ball in. At practice yesterday, we talked about how you just need to keep fighting and be in the right place at the right time."
As usual, senior keeper Eliana Weiler made a handful of spectacular saves but her defenders also rose to the challenge in the second half.
"We defended pretty stoutly, Upper Moreland has a decent offense and made a couple of chances but our back line hung in tough," Woodcock said. "They made some critical tackles, and with Eliana in goal, we were able to keep them out. We didn't shut them down but we did well enough to limit them."
Woodcock said his entire team played well, but he especially cited the play of junior Corinne Packel. Despite not scoring, Packel was instrumental in the win.
"I've very rarely encountered a player who more epitomizes what Cheltenham is all about," Woodcock said. "She was absolutely unstoppable. She's not the biggest and not the quickest, but she fights for every ball and makes everything they do difficult. Her motor runs faster than almost any other player I've seen in all my years of playing and coaching."
Cheltenham wasn't handed anything on Tuesday, but it earned a win.
"I can't think many of our players have much experience of winning and winning isn't an easy thing," Woodcock said. "Breaking that habit of losing is difficult and as we came off, this was a new feeling and you could see it in their faces what it meant to them."
Cheltenham (1-2) will host Quakertown on Thursday, and Upper Moreland (2-4, 0-3) will host Springfield Township on Thursday.
CHELTENHAM 0 2 – 2
UPPER MORELAND 1 0 – 1
Goals: C – Hope Fallon-Mazer, Jada Holland; UM – Jaclyn Martino
Upper Dublin 2, Wissahickon 1
The Cardinals and Trojans tend to author classic matches anytime they meet.
After a scoreless first half on Tuesday, the neighborhood rivals turned it into another one of those vintage matchups. UD scored twice in a three-minute span, only to have Wissahickon pull one back in the 66th minute, setting up another close finish.
"We were really satisfied with the way we came out playing," UD coach John Topper said. "We did a good job spreading the ball around, getting out wide and creating opportunities. At halftime it was 0-0 and we were having some trouble in front of the net."
Tina Haig scored again for Upper Dublin, her sixth of the season and three minutes later, Julia Eustace put back a rebound for the eventual game-winner and her first varsity strike. The Cardinals knew Wissahickon wasn't going to quit and senior Alexis Smith cut the lead in half with her goal.
"They have the fight in them that they're not going to give up," Topper said. "If they continue to have that fight, they're going to win some games."
Upper Dublin's defense has been a hallmark of the season so far, and the Cardinals again held their ground behind the play of Erin O'Brien, Caroline Wall, Katie King, Sascha Keitz and Laure Pendleton.
"They've developed a nice chemistry with each other," Topper said. "Beyond that, each one of them is a fighter. They work well but in one-on-one battles throughout the game, they're coming up big in some areas that could be a little bit dicey."
Besides Smith, who had another late chance on goal stopped, Wissahickon got strong games from Rachel Cohen, Grace Mullen, Carly Amato and Natalie Gruenke.
"It was these players determination that kept the team fighting from whistle to whistle," Wiss coach Shannon Creamer-Franke said. "Our take-away is to be confident in our ability as a young team, as we know that we truly got better today."
Upper Dublin (3-0-1, 3-0-0 SOL) travels to Plymouth Whitemarsh on Thursday in a duel between the top two teams in the American standings. Wissahickon (0-4, 0-3) will travel to Hatboro-Horsham on Thursday.
UPPER DUBLIN 0 2 – 2
WISSAHICKON 0 1 – 1
Goals: UD – Tina Haig, Julia Eustace; W – Alexis Smith
Plymouth Whitemarsh 4, Springfield Township 0
The Colonials continued their unbeaten start to SOL play with a clinical offensive outing on Tuesday.
Alyse Caffrey netted a brace to lead the offense while midfielders Ali Diamond and Haley Zygmunt also scored for PW. The Colonials defense also did its job well in front of keeper Hope Barrist.
"Hope recorded her first shutout of the year and the team's second," PW coach Ryan Zehren said. "In front of her, Ava Schreiber, Bella McNew, Haley Zygmunt and Keegan Gallagher all played solid."
Caffrey, who had a hat-trick last Friday, stayed on-form offensively.
"Alyse had two very nice finishes, one from Victoria Betterly and the other from Sam Matthews," Zehren said. "Ali Diamond's goal was from about 25 yards out from almost an impossible angle. It was quite impressive."
Plymouth Whitemarsh (3-1, 3-0 SOL) will host Upper Dublin on Thursday, and Springfield Township (1-3, 1-2) will host Upper Moreland Thursday.
Goals: PW – Alyse Caffrey 2, Haley Zygmunt, Ali Diamond
Quakertown 3, Hatboro-Horsham 2
Things come in threes.
Ashley Gluck's third tally of the season on Haley Pursel's third assist of the season provided Quakertown's third goal of the evening and enough to get by the Hatters on Tuesday night.
Haley Hangey scored the first goal of the night for the Panthers as she continues to make her mark in the lineup.
"Hangey played the finest game of her young career," Quakertown coach Mike Koch said. "She was a difference-maker."
The Hatters got goals from senior Kerryn McBride and sophomore Ally Eutermoser, with Talia DeLuca assisting on Eutermoser's tally.
Melina Jagiello, known for her defense, provided a little offense on Quakertown's second goal.
"She is a first-rate center back and scored an important goal when needed," Koch said.
Quakertown (2-2, 2-1 SOL) will host Cheltenham Thursday, and Hatboro-Horsham (2-2, 2-1) will host Wissahickon on Thursday.
SOL National
Council Rock North 3, Bensalem 2 2OT
Backs against the wall, CR North rallied for a gut-check win on Tuesday.
"It kind of confirmed what I already knew about them," Indians coach Gavin Flannigan said. "They don't give up, they play hard for each other and we have a lot of depth."
Paige Addis' header in the dying seconds of the second overtime lifted North to a win, and finished a long comeback after trailing 2-0 in the 30th minute. Addis, who also scored earlier in the game, helped carry the load for the Indians.
"She keeps putting herself in the right spots," Flannigan said. "Her build-up play is excellent and then she finds spaces in the 18 to attack the ball. She doesn't shy away from trying to score, even after she misses, she doesn't feel sorry for herself, she just tries again to find the back of the net. Its the perfect trait for an attacking player."
Emily Wineberg scored Bensalem's first goal on a well-hit free kick with Julia Murray making it 2-0 after pursuing a service into the box and putting it away.
North pulled a goal back in the 32nd minute and later tied it up in the 46th.
"No one panicked to be honest. Everyone stuck to the ideas and style we've been trying to play, it was more about the final pass or cross to try and get the goal," Flannigan said. "Kaleigh O'Donnell, Lilly Reis and Bailey Matthews stood out today."
O'Donnell scored the Indians' other goal. CR North's defense pitched a nearly 70-minute shutout after going down 2-0, which Flannigan pointed to better possession and making Bensalem chase the ball, as well as tighter set piece defense.
Flannigan credited Bensalem's fight and noted how hard the Owls played, which pushed his players to their limits.
For a team still finding its way, it was a crucial result.
"They should find confidence in themselves," Flannigan said. "When we are doing things the right way, we are a threat for any team. This group lacks experience and a little belief in themselves overall. They need to understand how good they can be and bring that attitude to every game."
Council Rock North (4-1, 2-1 SOL) will host Abington Thursday, and Bensalem (1-3, 0-3) will host Harry S Truman on Thursday.
CR NORTH 1 1 0 1 – 3
BENSALEM 2 0 0 0 – 2
Goals: CRN – Paige Addis 2, Kaleigh O'Donnell; B – Emily Wineberg, Julia Murray
Neshaminy 5, Abington 0
It's all starting to come together for Neshaminy.
On the road Tuesday night, Neshaminy silenced a potent attack and got its own offense firmly on track with a shutout over the host Galloping Ghosts. It was the first time all season Abington had failed to register at least one goal scored.
"Our back four had a very strong game," Neshaminy coach Chelsea Lovelace said. "Leading the defense was senior captain Nicole Palmer, Hannah Stonkus, Deanna Lebotesis and Jessica Dierolf."
Gina Sexton scored a pair of goals to pace Neshaminy, which got markers from four different players and assisted four of five goals. Jackie Ziegler, Palmer and Madyson Bolli all scored, with the latter two heading in crosses.
"Our forwards were connecting really well with our midfielders, and we started to get into a rhythm we haven't really seen yet this season," Lovelace said. "Everyone that stepped on the field did their job and that's why we were successful tonight."
Neshaminy returned plenty from last year's District One championship team, but some new faces have found their way onto the field so far this fall.
"This is Jessica Dierolf's first year on varsity as a sophomore and she has fit great into our back four's mold," Lovelace said. "Gina Sexton, a sophomore, was a swing player for us last year at midfield/forward and junior Michaela Boyd has returned after being injured last year."
Neshaminy (3-1, 2-0 SOL) will host Pennsbury in a 5:30 p.m. contest Thursday, and Abington (1-4, 0-3) will travel to Council Rock North on Thursday.
NESHAMINY 4 1 – 5
ABINGTON 0 0 – 0
Goals: N – Jackie Ziegler (Kristin Curley), Gina Sexton (Emily Tantala), Sexton, Nicole Palmer (Briana Tobin), Madyson Bolli (Emily Tantala)
Council Rock South 9, Harry S Truman 0
Seven different Golden Hawks scored at least a goal in Tuesday's win.
Sophia Datsko and Sierra Tarantino each netted a brace for CR South while Jordi Rubkah had a goal and assist in the win. Adding single goals were Julia Goldberg, Kiera Flanagan and Allie Jones.
Council Rock South (4-0, 3-0 SOL) will travel to North Penn for a non-league game Thursday, and Harry S Truman (0-3, 0-2) will be on the road at Bensalem.
CR SOUTH 5 4 – 9
HARRY S TRUMAN 0 0 – 0
Goals: CRS – Jordi Rubakh (Julie Rebh), Julia Goldberg, Keira Flanagan, Allie Jones, Sophia Datsko (Grace O'Kane), Sophia Datsko (Rubakh), Sierra Tarantino (Kimmy Herritt ),Sierra Tarnatino, Maddy Schmidt
SOL Continental
Pennridge 2, Central Bucks East 1
Communication and connection.
Pennridge got plenty of both and needed plenty of both as it picked up a win on the road at CB East, never an easy task. On the offensive end, the Rams connected well from the outside in, and defensively, their communication provided the difference.
"We connected well with our outside players today, which helped us hold onto the ball," Pennridge coach Audrey Anderson said. "We were able to connect it up to our forwards as well and that definitely helped us get some scoring opportunities."
In the first half, Lindsey DeHaven found Lauren McIntrye in the box with McIntyre putting the ball away for the lead. Not only was it a solid connection, it helped the Rams settle into the game.
"Lauren McIntyre did a really nice job," Anderson said. "It relaxed us a little bit. We've been trying to get some more shots off so for us to connect Lindsey DeHaven and Lauren, that gave the girls a little more confidence they could find forwards under pressure."
With about 22 minutes left, midfielder Nicolette Harrison scored what would be the eventual game-winner with quite a bit of flash and style.
"She scored from an outside mid position with her left foot. It was ridiculous, she looked as shocked as everybody else that it went in," Anderson said. "It was sweet, just a great goal."
Harrison's wonder-strike was set up by winger Abby Groff, another wide player who made things happen.
"Abby did a great job of finding the ball," Anderson said. "She had a couple shots and was just strong on the ball."
Anderson said her backs played "outstanding" and had each other's backs after any mistakes or defensive breakdowns.
"Communication was huge," Anderson said. "We didn't allow them too much time with the ball. Our defenders were really tired because they were working the entire game but that communication from the backs was a game-changer for us."
Pennridge (2-0-1, 1-0-1 SOL) hosts Souderton on Thursday night, and Central bucks East (2-1-2, 1-1-1) will host Central Bucks West on Thursday.
William Tennent 4, North Penn 3
Olivia Miller turned in a sterling performance on offense to lead the Panthers to a conference win on Tuesday.
Miller registered a hat-trick, including the game-winner, scoring in the 28th, 46th and 65th minute to lead Tennent on the offensive end.
"She is just realizing her potential of being a leader on the field," Tennent head coach Bill Hontz said. "Olivia will never take credit for the hard work and will always point to her teammates for being successful, especially tonight. She is a real thrill to watch with the ball."
Panthers veteran Nikki Reh recorded the other goal when she headed home Ashley Rivera's corner in the 54th minute.
Tennent has been tested early in the season but has shown it can hold its own.
"Winning a game in our division is an accomplishment that is very hard to do," Hontz said. "If you look at the scores posted, along with the nonleague scores, it seems that the division is very strong when playing other nonleague games, but we are beating each other up with close games and most going into overtime. It will be fun to coach and enjoy how it all plays out over the year."
Hontz credited the defensive play of Danielle Scott in the final minutes for holding off North Penn.
William Tennent (4-1, 1-1 SOL) will be on the road at Central Bucks South on Thursday, and North Penn (2-1-1, 1-1-1) will host Park on Saturday in a non-league game.
Central Bucks South 5, Central Bucks West 2
Four players scored for the Titans, who picked up their first win in conference play. Aleksa Peev had a goal and assist while Brooke Steigerwalt also scored for South.
Those two weren't surprising, they score a lot.
The Titans also got three goals from a pair of sophomores new to the varsity level. Grace Teece put away two goals and Sophia Kane also found the back of the net.
The game, according to West coach Chris Fehrle, was a tale of two halves.
"The first half was a really good back and forth game," said the Bucks' coach, whose team trailed 3-2 at the intermission. "CB South came out in the second half with a ton of energy and inensity and jumped all over CB West in the first five to seven minutes. (We) did not match their intensity and dug ourselves a hole we could not climb out of."
The Titans upped their lead to 5-2 early in the second half and never looked back.
"It was not one of our stronger performances of the season," Fehrle said. "We did not play a full game, and you cannot afford to do that in our division. There are too many good teams to play one good half."
For the Bucks, Alex Craine used an assist from Tori Albrecht to put West on the board in the third minute, and Meg Gallagher (Craine assist) scored in the 19th minute.
Central Bucks South (1-1-1 SOL) will host William Tennent on Thursday, and Central Bucks West (3-1, 1-1) will travel to Central Bucks East on Thursday.
CB WEST 2 0 – 2
CB SOUTH 3 2 – 5
Non-League
Souderton 3, Lansdale Catholic 0
The usual suspects found the net as the Indians avenged last season's nonleague loss to the Crusaders.
Cara McCausland opened the scoring in the 18th minute, with Bre DiRenzi scoring a few minutes before half and Tori Dowd, with Allie Trick's help, finishing it off early in the second half.
"Very happy with our performance tonight against a tough team," Souderton coach Chris Felber said. "Player of the night is senior Hannah Kramer."
Souderton (2-1, 1-1 SOL) will travel to Pennridge on Thursday for a 7 p.m. game.
SOUDERTON 2 1 – 3
LANSDALE CATHOLIC 0 0 – 0
Goals: S – Cara McCausland, Bre DiRenzi, Tori Dowd (Allie Trick)
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