Check out the recaps for SOL girls’ soccer teams in action Monday. CB West/North Penn photos provided by Keith Clemens Photography. CLICK HERE for a gallery of photos.
SOL CONTINENTAL
Pennridge 1, Souderton 0
Their work is often not flashy and it's a demanding position, but center midfielders carry a lot of weight in their squads.
Two of the SOL's strongest midfields met at Pennridge on Monday, with the Rams winning the battle in the center of the pitch in the second half to pick up a key victory. Lindsey DeHaven pocketed the winner, heading home a ball from Abby Groff to keep the Rams atop the Continental standings by a point over the Indians.
"It was a full team win today, everybody stepped up and did their part," Rams coach Audrey Anderson said. "Winning the balls in the midfield was huge for us. It gave our backs a break and they work so hard for us every game, so if we can continue to win those balls in the midfield, we'll be successful."
Pennridge's starting central trio of Nicolette Harrison, Maddie Anderson and Ashley Groeber played nearly every minute and were pivotal in the second half as Pennridge slowly won control of possession. After an even first half played mostly through the middle, the Rams ability to hold ground and win the ball forced Souderton to lose standing in that third of the field.
"It's a good thing for me to go back and look at and ask how do we attack when we play a fast defense," Souderton coach Lindsy Jones said. "We need to move the ball around, we can’t just go forward and play a direct game."
Harrison, a senior who recently committed to West Chester, was especially impactful with her ability to win the ball in a number of different ways.
"She was very strong," Anderson said. "She didn't panic and get the ball off her foot too quickly. She stood her ground, she kept the ball at her feet and it was very hard for them to get the ball from her feet. I was very happy with Nicolette's overall performance today, she did a great job of being able to hold onto the ball and that's what we need in the middle of the field."
Both teams got solid showings from their back lines and goalkeepers. Pennridge's Mary Kate Levush made three saves while Souderton's Lindsey Pazdziorko made six, with both seniors making some difficult stops at key junctures.
After taking its first loss of the season to CB West last week, the Rams have responded with two straight shutout wins.
"I like that we don't quit," Anderson said. "I like that we have so many players we can send the ball to instead of relying on just one player. They all seem to like each other and what I'm seeing is we're going to have bumps in the road, but they've recognized it's ok to lose, we just have to keep at it."
Pennridge (5-1, 3-1 SOL) travels to CB East on Thursday. Souderton (2-1-2) returns to action Friday when it host Garnet Valley in nonleague play.
PENNRIDGE 0 1 – 1
SOUDERTON 0 0 – 0
Goals: P – Lindsey DeHaven
Central Bucks East 1, Quakertown 0
In clash of two disciplined defensive squads, the Patriots rode an early second half goal to a win on Monday.
"Quakertown played tight defense and kept us out of the box most of the game," CB East coach Paul Eisold said. Everything on goal in the first half was from distance and their keeper did a really nice job keeping us out."
Morgan Sipprell made eight saves as she continues a strong run of play in goal for the Panthers.
Quakertown threatened several times, but the Patriots' back line was up to the task.
"Quakertown was very disciplined and when they had opportunities, they struck fast and furious," Eisold said. "They had great organization and set pieces and fought extremely hard to the end."
Mary Duffner recorded her second consecutive shutout.
"The back line of Ashley Balderson, Anna Bound, Erick Ives and Kendall Hudson were extremely busy," Eisold said. "Izzy Hunter was fabulous closing out the game for Julie Beedle, who worked tremendously hard all game battling against Haley Pursel in the midfield.
"Julie used a lot of hard work and constant pressure, taking away her time and space."
Emma Martin put away the lone goal in the 44th minute after combining with Elise Duffy.
"We finally possessed the ball up front and Elise got in behind the defense on the end line and played a ball across to Emma, who buried it with pace," Eisold said.
East (2-3-1, 2-2-1 SOL) hosts Pennridge on Thursday while Quakertown (0-4-1, 0-3-1) heads to Central Bucks West.
CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 0 1 – 1
QUAKERTOWN 0 0 – 0
Central Bucks West 3, North Penn 1
The Bucks found the Knights a tough foe to break down.
"We started off a little slow. They are the most disciplined team we have faced. Their coach is doing a great job with that program," West coach Mike Moyer said. "Ryan Fitzsimmons was up to her usual tricks again. She made a great run down the side, cut it in and hit the upper 90 from 25 yards to jump start our offense and give us that boost we needed."
Taylor Moyer put West up 2-0 when she struck a 28-yard free kick into the upper corner of the net, but the Knights responded to cut the lead in half just before the break.
"NP did a very good job closing us down," Moyer said. They are a very talented team."
Fitzsimmons, who has been a consistent presence all season, gave her team a much-needed insurance goal in the second half.
"Our third goal was all Ryan. It was all hustle. I can’t even tell you what she means to our team. After she scored to make it 3-1 we finished out the game," Moyer said. "My defense was amazing again led by Trish Hauck, Megan Gallagher and Arianna D’Lia. Jenna Abazza had another outstanding game in net and Tori Albrecht and Erin Fitzsimmons are really making it hard for opposing midfielders."
North Penn (4-2-2, 2-1-1 SOL) hosts CB South on Thursday while the Bucks (6-2, 2-2) battle Quakertown
CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 2 1 – 3
NORTH PENN 1 0 – 0
Goals: CBW – Ryan Fitzsimmons 2, Taylor Moyer
SOL NATIONAL
Pennsbury 2, Council Rock South 1
For the second straight conference game, the Falcons found themselves trailing after an early goal.
They again rallied for a win, although it took a little longer to find the goals on Monday.
"I'm very proud of the mental effort of the team today," Falcons’ coach Kaitlyn Battiste said. "Trying to dig out of a hole early, we had a lot of individuals working hard but trying to do too much."
Samantha Jones struck early, giving the Golden Hawks a fifth minute lead.
"We got caught watching a little bit and gave them too much space to shoot in the first half," Battise said. "But they made adjustments; tightened up defensively and minimized South's shooting opportunities in the second half."
Pennsbury got a spark from sophomore Gianna Durle in the second half.
"She gave a relentless effort in connecting our players from defense to offense," Battiste said. "She played with a ton of confidence taking chances at the appropriate times and also playing the simple pass that generated our offense."
Evie Ciaccia provided the offense for the Falcons, scoring twice in five minutes at the 71st and 76th minutes, with the winner assisted by Durle. Rosie Bostian supplied the assist on the first goal
"Evie was awesome in front of the goal today and finished two great opportunities," Battiste said. "Evie just stayed active, a lot of movement up top and she opened her body up really well to shoot on as much of the goal as possible."
Alyssa O'Driscoll made four saves for the Falcons.
CR South coach Nick Heim was not at Monday's match, but his assistant coaches relayed a couple of standout performers.
"Emily Hemlich (six saves) played very well in goal for us, making some critical saves," Heim said. "Madison McDowell got us on the board early and stayed dangerous throughout the course of the game. Aubrey Hondros played a very complete game in midfield, as did Kimmie Herritt."
Pennsbury (7-0, 4-0 SOL) hosts Harry S Truman on Thursday while CR South (2-2, 1-2) treks to William Tennent.
PENNSBURY 0 2 – 2
COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 1 0 – 1
Goals: P – Evie Ciaccia 2; CRS – Samantha Jones
SOL AMERICAN
Upper Dublin 1, Plymouth Whitemarsh 0
The Cardinals' standout defensive effort was rewarded by a clean sheet in Monday's win.
"We would have liked to have another goal or two, but getting a clean sheet, which we haven't done a lot this year, was really big," UD coach John Topper said. "They put together 80 good, solid minutes in the back and created some chances. We're always looking for a couple more but all in all, I was very pleased with the team effort."
Emily Booth provided the game's only tally on what Topper described as a "pretty spectacular solo effort."
"She was about 20 yards out and she beat the keeper," Topper said. "She more or less created the chance herself. She just put it over the keeper's head."
Upper Dublin tweaked its back line, with Maddie Sanders moving from right back to center back and drawing the assignment of checking PW's dangerous forward, Alyse Caffrey.
"She stayed in Caffrey's area of the field and did, I think, a good job limiting her chances and not giving Caffrey a chance to run at us because we respect how dangerous she can be," Topper said. "Maddie, along with Sasha Kietz, did a really nice job.
"She's so dangerous when she can turn and run with the ball, so we wanted to deny her the ball and by extension, the chance to turn and run at us."
Topper also cited the play of his central midfield of Tina Haig, Laura Pendleton and Priya Kaneria. With Aidan Hopkins and Lexie Moss still on the mend, the Cardinals have had some different players stepping up in that central position.
"They possessed the ball at times, won 50/50 balls and kept the ball out of our end," Topper said.
Despite the loss, the Colonials got strong defensive efforts from Devon Skiles, Josee Tassoni, Kaitlyn Flanagan, Bella McNew and Gabby Cooper.
PW (3-3, 2-3 SOL) visits Upper Moreland on Thursday while Upper Dublin (3-3, 3-2) is home against Wissahickon.
UPPER DUBLIN – 1
PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH – 0
Goals: UD – Emily Booth
Hatboro-Horsham 5, Cheltenham 0
The Hatters bounced back from a loss to CB West on Saturday, their first of the season, to stay unbeaten in conference play.
"After a tough loss over the weekend, the Lady Hatters bounced back and played a well battled game," Hatters coach Kelsey Daley said. "Everyone got time to contribute on this victory."
Emily Thomas scored a brace to lead the Hatters, who also got tallies from Kara Thomas, Cam Ryan and Cam Hughes.
Hatboro-Horsham (6-1, 5-0 SOL) hosts Abington on Thursday in a battle between the conference's co-leaders while Cheltenham (0-5) hosts Springfield Township.
Upper Moreland 4, Springfield Twp 1
Sarah Veneziale's first half brace provided all the scoring the Golden Bears would need.
Following her example, her teammates added two insurance goals after the break.
"It was a great team effort today for us. We controlled the ball, the tempo and got on the scoreboard early," UM coach Lisa Benvenuto said. "Sarah Veneziale continues to lead the team by example. She works hard on the field and it shows in what she is able to create with her teammates."
Kathryn Morrow assisted Grace Burns, then scored off Emma Meakim's assist in the second half. Brigid Ounan and Emma Frasca assisted on Veneziale's first half markers.
Josey Thorp had the lone goal for the Spartans.
Springfield Twp (0-6, 0-5 SOL) is at Cheltenham on Thursday while Upper Moreland (3-3, 2-3) hosts Plymouth Whitemarsh.
UPPER MORELAND 2 2 – 4
SPRINGFIELD TWP 0 1 – 1
Goals: UM – Sarah Veneziale 2, Grace Burns, Kathryn Morrow; ST – Josey Thorp
Abington 4, Wissahickon 2
The Ghosts stayed unbeaten on the season behind a brace from Casey Touey and goals from Cam Lexow and Kailey Horton.
Wissahickon (3-3, 3-2 SOL) vists Upper Dublin on Thursday while Abington (6-0, 5-0) travels to Hatboro-Horsham for a clash between the conference co-leaders.
Non-league
Central Bucks South 5, Great Valley 0
The Titans got a well-honed offensive showing in a nonleague win on Monday.
Five different players scored a goal and every goal was assisted as South rebounded from a tough week.
"They played as offensive unit," South coach Betsy Bullock said. "They created space by their movement off the ball and crossing the ball from the flanks."
Chelsea Nicholls opened the scoring by converting a cross from Emily Radwanski. Lauren Farrell, who had two assists, fed Grace Tecce for a 2-0 halftime lead.
"Sophia Kane opened the second half with a goal following a pass from Meem Edwards," Bullock said. "Aly Cutter finished a breakaway following a feed from Grace Tecce. The final goal came from outside mid Lauren Spear who received the ball from Lauren Farrell."
Sarah Letizia made two saves and Shannon Snyder stopped three shots to combine for the shutout.
The Titans (3-2-1, 1-2-1) visit North Penn on Thursday night.
CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 2 3 – 5
GREAT VALLEY 0 0 – 0
Goals: CBS – Chelsea Nicholls, Grace Tecce, Sophia Kane, Aly Cutter, Lauren Spear
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