Check out the results for SOL girls’ soccer teams in action Thursday.
SOL NATIONAL
PENNSBURY 3, NESHAMINY (OT)
What stacked up as a premier match on paper certainly lived up to the billing. Cara Thomas' second goal of the day stacked up as the winner in extra time to negate a late Neshaminy rally.
"The word we kept using all week was 'trust,'" Pennsbury coach Kaitlyn Battiste said. "Trust each other to get the job done. Everyone did their job today."
After Pennsbury built a 2-0 lead with 8:06 to play, Neshaminy's Brooke Mullin dug down and rallied her team back with a pair of goals at the 74:18 and 77:53 mark in the second half. Mullin's first goal came off a free kick on an assist from Maggie Daeche while her second was a 1-on-1 duel with the keeper after a through ball from Kristin Curley.
"Brooke Mullin had two hard-fought goals which helped us tie the game, but with us being flat the entire game, it wasn't enough," Neshaminy coach Chelsea Lovelace said. "We didn't play to our full potential. We were out-worked."
Thomas opened the scoring for Pennsbury with a 60th minute tally, which remained the only score until Whitney Roth doubled the lead at the 71:54 mark. After playing selflessly early in the season, the forward pair of Thomas and Roth took matters into their own hands on Thursday.
"Our forwards scored three beautiful goals," Battiste said. "Both of Cara's goals as well as Whit's came from outside the 18 with beautifully driven balls. Those aren’t traditionally high-percentage shots, but I think they both recognized today we want them to take those chances. They've proven they can do it."
Thomas' winner was an expertly-hit volley that came 6:27 into the first 10-minute overtime.
"Cara probably has the most deceptive speed on the team," Battiste said. "She knows how to finds another gear to create space for herself and her shot is just incredible – it's one of the most fundamentally sound approaches to the ball that I've seen – very smooth but also powerful."
But it wasn't just the forwards that chipped in to the win. Given the level of both teams, every player the Falcons put on the field was needed. A second half yellow card pulled Pennsbury's starting goalkeeper off the field for five minutes and the Falcons' back line stepped up.
Battiste called her defense's performance "incredible" and also credited Neshaminy for taking advantage of its two miscues all game.
"Rachel Beri made two goal-line saves with our backup keeper in goal and Hope Drewes assisted the first two goals," Battiste said. "You have to believe you're going to have a positive result when you have your defense making those types of contributions on both sides of the ball."
When two rivals as good as Pennsbury and Neshaminy meet, the game isn't always free-flowing. That wasn't the case on Thursday.
"Our midfielders dominated possession. Neshaminy-Pennsbury games can turn into kick-and-run but they all got involved and really were the link from our backs to our forwards," Battiste said. "Senior Meredith Weber and junior Lizzy Kirk played like the composed veterans they are. We also saw breakout performances from sophomore Christine Cataldo-Smith and freshman Gabby Zalot who were both very disruptive to the Neshaminy defense."
Pennsbury (4-0, 2-0 SOL) will be on the road at Council Rock South on Tuesday, and Neshaminy (4-1, 2-1) will host Cumberland Valley in a non-league contest Saturday at 11 a.m. The Eagles – who fell to Central Bucks East in the state semifinals last year – are 4-0-1 and feature 2015 PA Gatorade Player of the Year Rachael Dorwart. The UNC commit had 47 goals and 12 assists last year as a sophomore.
PENNSBURY 0 2 1 – 3
NESHAMINY 0 2 0 – 2
Goals: P- Cara Thomas (Hope Drewes) 60:09, Whitney Roth (Drewes) 71:54, Thomas 86:27; N- Brooke Mullin (Maggie Daeche) 74:18, Mullin (Krisitn Curley) 77:53
COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 2, ABINGTON 0
The Indians shook off a surprising setback to Bensalem on Tuesday with a professional performance on Thursday.
A fourth minute goal by Kayla Robinson and 18th minute strike by Becca Margolis was just what North needed. Robinson and Margolis also provided an assist on the other's goal.
"We came out firing after a disappointing loss. Senior leadership in training (Wednesday) and during today's warm-up was key," CRN coach Wendell Beres said. "The duo of Becca Margolis and Kayla Robinson played well together. Senior center midfielders Caitlin Duffy and Emily Mackin dictated the tempo and won every 50/50 ball. Overall a solid rebound game for us."
Beres added that Wednesday's training was focused on getting past Tuesday and instilling a sense of preparation and respect for every opponent on the schedule.
Scoring first and scoring early was also critical for the Indians.
"It was huge. After Tuesday, if we gave one up or didn't score early the pressure may have started to build," Beres said. "Instead we gained confidence and settled in."
Council Rock North (4-1, 3-1 SOL) will travel to Archbishop Wood on Saturday for a non-league contest (12:30 p.m.). Abington (0-4, 0-3) will host Upper Dublin in a non-league tilt Friday.
ABINGTON 0 0 – 0
COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 2 0 – 2
Goals: CRN – Kayla Robinson (Becca Margolis) 4', Margolis (Robinson) 18'
BENSALEM 7, HARRY S.TRUMAN 0
The Owls picked up their second National win of the week in a complete performance.
"Solid game all around with contributions from everyone," Bensalem coach Lew Mladjen said.
Kylene Rogers (Taylor Haffner assist) put the Owls on the board five minutes into the contest, and by halftime, Amanda Credidio (Julia Murray assist), Kayla Poll (Tori Yergey assist) and Sydney Miller (Amanda Felice assist) had added singled goals to put the Owls on top 4-0.
Felice (Rogers assist) scored her second goal 10 minutes into the second half, and goals by Haffner (Murray assist) and Samantha Crawford (Murray assist) closed out the scoring. Murray finished the game with three helpers.
Bensalem (3-2-1, 2-2 SOL) will be on the road at Central Bucks West for a non-league game on Saturday at noon. Harry S Truman (0-6, 0-3) will host Plymouth Whitemarsh on Saturday in a non-league game (10 a.m.).
BENSALEM 4 3 – 7
HARRY S TRUMAN 0 0 – 0
Goals: B – Kylene Rogers (Taylor Haffner) 5', Amanda Credidio (Julia Murray) 15', Kayla Poll (Tori Yorgey) 24', Sydney Miller (Amanda Felice) 27', Amanda Felice (Kylene Rogers) 50', Taylor Haffner (Julia Murray) 52', Samantha Crawford (Julia Murray) 71'
SOL CONTINENTAL
PENNRIDGE 2, SOUDERTON 0
A pair of goals 51 seconds apart separated the Rams from the host Indians.
Defender Rachel Velez scored in a post-corner kick scramble 51:08 into the game, and a deflected shot from Ashley Groeber led to an own goal less than a minute later. Otherwise, it was a fairly even game between two defensively strong teams.
"The difference was going to be which team could keep possession the longest," Pennridge coach Audrey Anderson said. "Their defenders were amazing, I scouted them and I was impressed with their speed up top. We were concerned with their forwards and defenders."
The difference in possession came from the midfield, where Pennridge senior Erin Stevenson had another strong outing.
"Our midfield dominated," Anderson said. "Whoever I had in there did a great job of keeping the ball. It was unfortunate that (Souderton) had an own goal to seal it. Our goal the second half was to put as much pressure on them as possible."
Anderson also credited Velez, who played right back but generated a lot of attacking pressure down the sideline in the second half.
"The poor kid, in the first half they were giving her balls she couldn't get to," Anderson said. "She's so dangerous when she goes forward. and it's just another player they have to worry about. She's been working on keeping her width and getting into dangerous position down the field."
Pennridge (3-1, 2-1 SOL) travels to Cheltenham Friday in a nonleague match, and Souderton (2-2, 2-1) will be on the road at North Penn on Tuesday..
PENNRIDGE 0 2 – 2
SOUDERTON 0 0 – 0
Goals: P- Rachel Velez 51:08, Own goal 51:59
CB SOUTH 3, WILLIAM TENNENT 0
The Titans put a lot of pressure on Tennent but didn't secure the win until two late goals on Thursday.
Aleksa Peev's first half goal off a Maddie Koch assist stood up as the game winner thanks to some tough defending. South iced the game with goals by Morgan Hilton and Brooke Steigerwalt in the final five minutes.
"There was tremendous offensive pressure throughout the game by the Lady Titans with many shots on goal, but they could not find the back of the net until the last five minutes," Titans coach Betsy Bullock said. "Corinne McDonald dribbled to the goal line and sent a diagonal ball back that was finished by Morgan Hilton. The final goal was a rocket taken outside the box by Brooke Steigerwalt with an assist by Courtney Taylor."
Steigerwalt and Taylor have been very productive recently for South in the attack.
"They are both fast and tenacious," Bullock said.
Taylor was also involved in a key defensive play in the second half.
"Tennent played it direct over the top and it was a footrace with their forward and our center back, Courtney Taylor," Bullock said. "Courtney had to head it back to (Sophia) Boggs for the save."
Boggs made seven saves for the shutout.
Central Bucks South (5-1, 3-1 SOL) will host Bensalem on Monday in a non-league match, and William Tennent (3-3, 1-2) will be on the road at Central Bucks East on Tuesday.
CB SOUTH 1 2 – 3
WILLIAM TENNENT 0 0 – 0
GOALS – CBS: Aleksa Peev (Maddie Koch), Morgan Hilton (Corinne McDonald), Brooke Steigerwalt (Courtney Taylor)
SOL AMERICAN
WISSAHICKON 2, HATBORO-HORSHAM 2 (2 OT)
A pair of two-goal performances canceled each other out in this first meeting of new SOL American rivals.
Wissahickon senior Maddie Elwell bookended two goals, one in the first half, around a second-half brace by Hatboro-Horsham's Ali Hontz.
"The girls dug deep and battled against a good team that has some talented players and a special one in Elwell," Hatters coach Ike Onyeador said. "Very proud of the girls and the effort they gave and I'm looking forward to hosting Wissahickon."
Hatters keeper Miranda Royds was busy, making 11 saves to preserve the tie.
"Emily Vervlied came up big for Wissahickon with five shots on frame and fierce play in the midfield," Trojans coach Shannon Creamer-Franke said. "Maddie Elwell, with an early goal in the first half, was able to level the score late in the second half to give Wissahickon an eventual tie."
Hatboro-Horsham (2-1-2, 2-0-2 SOL) will be on the road at Central Bucks West for a non-league game on Monday, and Wissahickon (3-1-1, 2-1-1) will travel to Cheltenham on Tuesday.
HATBORO-HORSHAM 0 2 0 0 – 2
WISSAHICKON 1 1 0 0 – 2
GOALS: HH – Ali Hontz (Bergen Sims) 51:15, Hontz (Emma Roesing) 71:14; W- Maddie Elwell 11:31, Elwell 77:40
Saves: HH – Miranda Royds 11, W – Nicole Hastings 1, Klessel 6
UPPER MORELAND 0, SPRINGFIELD 0 (2OT)
Offense was tough to come by for either team Thursday afternoon.
“The Bears struggled to find the back of the net this afternoon at Springfield,”” UM coach Lisa Benvenuto said. “(We) were able to possess the ball through the middle and get offensive opportunities, but just couldn't finish. Springfield also developed some attack; however neither team could finish.
"Maggie Finn and Madison Pisut continued to play strong in the middle of the field for the Bears"
Upper Moreland (2-2-2, 2-1-1 SOL) will be on the road at Quakertown on Tuesday, and Springfield (0-4-1, 0-2-1) will travel to Upper Dublin Tuesday.
SPRINGFIELD 0 0 0 0 – 0
UPPER MORELAND 0 0 0 0 – 0
QUAKERTOWN 4, CHELTENHAM 0
The American newcomer Quakertown prevailed in the battle of Panthers, continuing its strong start to the conference season.
Vic Sturgess scored twice for the Panthers, who opened up a 3-0 halftime lead. Katie Crouthamel and Ashley Gluck each added single goals. Lauren Pursel, Kyra Handel, Haley Pursel and Carly Peacher each contributed an assist.
Quakertown (3-0-1 SOL) will host Saucon Valley on Saturday, and Cheltenham (0-3) will host Pennridge in a non-league game Friday.
QUAKERTOWN 3 1 – 4
CHELTENHAM 0 0 – 0
Goals: Q – Vic Sturgess (Lauren Pursel), Sturgess (Kyra Handel), Katie Crouthamel (Haley Pursel), Ashley Gluck (Carly Peacher)
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