Check out the results for SOL girls’ soccer teams in action Wednesday. To view photos of the PW/Upper Merion game, please visit the Photo Gallery.
American Conference
UPPER DUBLIN 2, UPPER MORELAND 0
The Flying Cards are soaring through their season so far, upping their league record to 4-0-1 after shutting out the Golden Bears. When the match began, it was hard to tell which way the game might go as both teams had trouble settling into a rhythm.
“It was a little bit of an ugly game early on,” said Cardinals coach John Topper. “Neither team possessed the ball well and both sides had their chances.”
Five minutes before halftime, however, the Cardinals found their groove when their high-scorer, Kendal Couch, controlled a ball that was being knocked around the box and tapped in a left-footed goal.
Couch’s season has come as a pleasant surprise for Topper who knew he had a seasoned squad with plenty of athleticism, but he wasn’t sure who was going to lead their attack.
“Couch has stepped up and filled that role and that was a big,” said Topper. “She is playing out of our midfield and has eight goals this season.”
Couch’s goal settled the Cards, who had a much more organized second half according to Topper, which allowed Gabrielle Bloom to knock in a second goal on a breakaway, finishing nicely with a tight angle shot.
“We are starting to pull it all together,” said Topper. “In the back, Lexi Rama has been our rock and Dominique Greene-Coleman has been solid organizing our defense and pulling us out of tight situations.”
Bears’ coach Lisa Benvenuto credited Lindsay Walder and Karli Lynch with outstanding play as well as keeper Kim Benge, who stopped 16 shots.
“It was a really competitive game,” said Benvenuto. “We had many opportunities but were unable to finish.”
The Cardinals (4-0-1 SOL, 4-2-1 overall) host Springfield on Friday and next week have a rematch with Plymouth Whitemarsh on Tuesday (9/24), a huge game for both teams who want to not only be near or at the top of the conference but also want to make it to the playoffs.
“They are really starting to believe in themselves,” said Topper. “When we started off, we were solid defensively, but we were having a hard time transitioning. The girls have really bought into the system and the goals we have scored have been an indicator of their growing confidence.”
The Bears are now 1-4-1 on the season (1-2-1 SOL) and host Cheltenham on Friday.
UPPER DUBLIN 1-1 2
UPPER MORELAND 0-0 0
WISSAHICKON 4, CHELTENHAM 0
The Trojans got off to a slow start, unable to score in the entire first half as they faced the Lady Panthers. However, in the first few minutes of the second half, Alyssa Ryan opened the floodgates, scoring the first of four goals in the half on a penalty kick. In the next ten minutes, both Krysta Memis and Maddy Elwell were able to connect to up the Trojans lead to 3-0 and put the game out of reach for the Lady Panthers. Before time expired, Ryan set Meghan Guzewicz up for the fourth and final goal to seal the shutout win that upped the Trojans’ record to 3-1-1 in the league (3-3 overall). The Panthers fell to 0-5 SOL (0-6 overall) and visit Upper Moreland on Friday while the Trojans travel to Upper Merion.
WISSAHICKON 0-4 4
CHELTENHAM 0-0 0
SPRINGFIELD 3, NORRISTOWN 0
The Spartans pounced on the Eagles, scoring in each half on their way to a 3-0 shutout win. Emily Giempietro started off the scoring for the Spartans when she headed in a Brianna Littlepage assist. Littlepage then seized control of a Savannah Schackleford pass to make it a 2-0 game at the intermission. Giempietro closed out the scoring in the victory for the Spartans, scoring midway through the second half. The Spartans evened their league record to 2-2 (2-3 overall) and travel to Upper Dublin on Friday. The Eagles are 0-4 on the season and face Plymouth Whitemarsh to close out the week.
SPRINGFIELD 2-1 3
NORRISTOWN 0-0 0
PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 3, UPPER MERION 2
The Vikings struck first in their battle against the Colonials, but the Colonials scored three straight to put the game out of reach. Elizabeth Goernermann was the first to get on the scoreboard for the Vikings, but Ani Greenspan scored the equalizer for the Colonials who tied it up 1-1 before the half. Nic Abbott and Crissy Terraces scored second half goals to give the Colonials a 3-1 lead which they held until Jenna Kelly snuck in one more in for the Vikings with 30 seconds left in the game. The Vikings were handed their first league loss as their record fell to 3-1 (4-3 overall), while the Colonials upped their league mark to 3-1-1. The Vikings host Wissahickon on Friday while the Colonials face Norristown.
PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 1-2 3
UPPER MERION 1-1 2
National Conference
COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 1, PENNSBURY 1 (2 OT)
The Falcons found themselves in familiar territory as they battled the Indians for 100 minutes in double overtime, following a similar script to Monday’s tie after two overtimes against Council Rock South.
The Indians came out strong and dominated possession initially, allowing Lara Garzilli to find a wide open Tori Hill who tucked the ball away midway through the first half to record an early 1-0 lead.
“They played the best soccer that I have seen a high school team play,” said Ginna Lewing of her team’s first half performance. “It was really good - pretty soccer, so you don’t want to change a thing.”
The Falcons weren’t so pleased with their performance in the first half, but after making some personnel adjustments and regrouping at the half, they came out as a different team in the second half,
“We came out flat again - in the past couple games its been the same kind of story,” said Falcons coach Kim Voorhees. “It was quite the battle, but in the second half we dominated.”
The Falcons had plenty of chances to even up the score, with a number of corner kicks that sent balls into the box that bounced around and made the Indians nervous. In the 87th minute, it was one of those corner kicks that would drive the game into double overtime. Freshman Meredith Webber converted the corner into a shot that was deflected and set up freshman Caroline Foley for the header to score her first career goal and the Falcons’ equalizer to knot the score 1-1.
“We were doing a really good job of weathering the storm,” said Lewing. “But the ball bounced the wrong way and we gave one up.”
Voorhees wasn’t concerned about her team entering the overtime period.
“I feel like we are kind of pros at double overtime,” the Falcons’ coach said. “It’s the first time we have ever trailed in a game this season, so I was glad we found a way to fight back.”
Both teams had their turns at possessing the ball in overtime, although Voorhees felt her team continued to outplay the Indians as they had done at the end of regulation. As time was about to expire in the second overtime, Michaela Finneyfrock dribbled through what Lewing called “a sea of defenders” and put a solid shot on goal that Falcon keeper Sarah McDonald (5 saves) turned away, preserving the tie.
Both teams have busy weeks next week with big games looming on the horizon.
“Our number one thing is getting our legs back and ready for Bensalem Friday,” said Lewing whose Indians are now 3-0-1 SOL (3-1-2 overall). “Then we can get geared up for Neshaminy (9/24 at 7 pm) because I know they have some serious talent. We need to focus and make sure we are ready to go and play the way we did the first half.”
The Falcons (2-0-2 SOL, 5-0-2 overall) also have to recover and regroup, facing Truman Friday but ultimately looking ahead to Neshaminy next Thursday.
“I’m really proud of the girls for what we’ve done so far,” said Voorhees. “But we have paybacks to Neshaminy for our double overtime loss in playoffs last year. That’s the game we are really excited about and we have proved we will continue to battle through regardless.”
CR NORTH 1-0-0-0 1
PENNSBURY 0-1-0-0 1
ABINGTON 3, TRUMAN 2
Sophomore Jamie Gosselin led the Ghosts’ attack, tallying her first two varsity goals, as Abington took down the Tigers on Wednesday. The Tigers never stopped fighting in this league battle, tying the score when Amanda McElhare made it a 1-1 game. Kierstan Falco knotted the score 2-2 before Gabby Nolan, who also contributed an assist, scored the game winner in the Ghosts first SOL win.
The Ghosts upped their record to 1-3 in the league (2-4 overall) and finish their week at William Tennent. The Tigers, who have yet to get one in the win column, are content with their league performance thus far after a 3-2 loss to Council Rock North on Monday and Wednesday’s narrow loss. Although their league record stands at 0-4, coach Jack Kinloch feels it doesn’t reflect the level that they are playing at and the improvement the club has made in recent years. The Tigers will be further tested on Friday when they travel to Pennsbury.
COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 2, BENSALEM 1
Nikki Caffey and Taylor Dillon proved to be a lethal combination for the Golden Hawks as they downed the Owls. The first goal was tallied by Caffey off a Dillon assist, then the tables were turned for the second goal as Caffey registered the helper on a Dillon goal. Keeper Allison Taub turned away an Owls’ penalty kick to keep it a 2-0 game going into the half. The Owls added a goal in the second half when Julia Rymarczuk put the Owls on the scoreboard to cut the deficit to 2-1, but it was too little too late. The Owls record dropped to 1-3 in the league (1-6 overall). The Hawks, who upped their record to 3-0-1 (4-0-1 overall), get right back in the saddle to face undefeated Neshaminy under the lights on Thursday.
CR SOUTH 2-0 2
BENSALEM 0-1 1
NESHAMINY 5, WILLIAM TENNENT 0
The Redskins blanked the Panthers, scoring three goals in the first half on their way to a 5-0 shut out. Gabby Farrell (one assist) and Fran Donato led the scoring with two goals each, while Megan Schafer added a single goal and an assist. Amy Mandia and Katie Suchodolski were each credited with an assist for the ‘Skins, who rolled to their second 5-0 shutout this week. The Panthers saw their record drop to 0-4 in the league (1-4 overall) while the Redskins have no blemishes on their 6-0 record (4-0 SOL).
NESHAMINY 4-1 5
TENNENT 0-0 0
Continental Conference
CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 1, PENNRIDGE 1 (2 OT)
The much anticipated matchup of two of the Continental Conference’s top teams, the Bucks and the Rams was basically what everyone expected - a hard-fought back and forth battle that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
CB West coach Jorge Rodriquez, who is the former Pennridge coach, wasn’t sure what the outcome was going to be as he entered the match without three of his starting attackers.
“I was hoping for a tie at least,” said Rodriguez. “We were missing some key players, including our leading scorer Shea McCarty. We did a lot of rotation and it worked out really well.”
An entire hour would pass before either team got on the scoreboard, but in the 61st minute, the Bucks set up Pennridge’s Ashley Butcher for a penalty kick after being called on a handball foul, and Butcher took full advantage of her opportunity and put the Rams on top 1-0.
Facing a deficit, the Bucks put on the pressure and the Rams struggled.
“We kind of panicked,” said Rams coach Audrey Anderson, Rodriguez’s former assistant. “We weren’t able to hold onto the ball.”
The Rams, in their desperate state, handed out seven free kicks to the Bucks. “The kicks were from about 40 yards out, which are very dangerous,” said Anderson. “And they were pretty much right in a row.”
It ended up being one of those free kicks that would put the ball in the box and after a scrum ensued, Mackenzie Carroll tapped it into the net with six minutes left in regulation to tie the game 1-1 and send it into overtime.
Neither team is a stranger to overtime. Pennridge has already battled through two previous overtimes, and West has faced three OT games, and it was a continuation of their evenly matched battle.
“They (Pennridge) had the better of the play,” said Rodriguez. “They had a couple of runs and they had one corner that went wide. But with about four seconds left, we had the best shot of the night by Sophie McKnight and their keeper (Amanda O’Hara) made a good save.”
Rodriguez commended the play of his keeper, Grace Bendon, as well.
“Bendon did great,” he said. “She is a nice presence on the field and she communicated in the back and organized the team really well.”
Rodriguez was also happy with the leadership his captains showed on the field in their toughest league match thus far.
“ Emily Grove, Gwen Harvey and Zoey Traficante anticipated and picked off passes, and won a lot of balls in the air,” said Rodriguez. “Gwen and Zoey controlled the midfield with their passing when we needed it the most.”
The Rams’ offense had a tough night with two goals called back, and Anderson felt her team’s greatest strength was its defense led by Julia Rufe.
“Our defense was incredibly strong tonight,” she said. “They made very few mistakes and the one mistake they made, West capitalized on.”
The Bucks’ record is now 2-0-2 in the league (3-1-2 overall) while the Rams sit atop the conference along with CB East boasting a 3-0-1 record (6-0-1 overall). Both teams are back in action on Friday as the Bucks host CB South in an afternoon game and the Rams welcome Souderton to their turf.
Although overtime games can be stressful physically and emotionally, Anderson finds a silver lining.
“We have a lot of freshman and new players and they are figuring out what it takes to win a game,” said Anderson. “It’s teaching them you have to fight for everything, and it’s nice to figure that out now rather than towards the end of the season.”
CB WEST 0-1-0-0 1
PENNRIDGE 0-1-0-0 1
CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 3, SOUDERTON 0
The Patriots got on the scoreboard early as Kristen Murphy took advantage of what coach Paul Eisold described as a defensive mistake by the Indians in the third minute. Shaun Kane added another goal in the 29th minute off a through ball from Annie Axenroth to up the halftime lead to 2-0. Nicole Pannella closed out the scoring for the Patriots off an Emily Horn assist in the second half, and Paige Marcinkowski (3 saves) and Lauren Burrell (1 save) combined in the goal for the shutout.
“It was a quality win for East over a good opponent,” said Eisold, who commended the midfield play of Jess Chang and Maddie Myrtetus along with the defensive efforts of Jess Shaw. “Souderton continued to fight the whole game, and East worked tremendously hard to keep possession.”
Jackie Parry had an impressive game for Indians, whose record fell to 0-3-1 (2-3 overall). Souderton’s keeper turned away 12 shots. The Patriots improved to 3-0-1 (6-0-1) and travel to Quakertown on Friday while Souderton visits Pennridge.
CB EAST 2-1 3
SOUDERTON 0-0 0
CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 3, HATBORO HORSHAM 1
The Titans scored a trio of goals in under 15 minutes as they topped the Hatters on Wednesday afternoon. Kelly Senour started the scoring barrage off a Meg Walker assist in the 17th minute, followed by goals from Lauren Gibbons (Shelby Epstein assist) and Kylie Walsh (Jackie Sasser assist). Gibbons and Walsh scored back-to-back goals in the 30th and 31st minute to give the Titans a 3-0 lead. Annette Disipio knocked one in the for the Hatters before the half, and neither team found the net in the second half. The Titans, who evened out their SOL mark at 2-2 (3-2 overall), held a 12-2 advantage in shots while the Hatters’ record fell to 1-3 in the league (2-3 overall)
CB SOUTH 3-0 3
HATBORO 1-0 1
QUAKERTOWN 1, NORTH PENN 0
The Panthers picked up their second win of the week after rallying past the Maidens. Shannon Gibat scored the lone goal (Jami Soriano assist) for the Panthers in the third minute, and neither team found the net again in the remaining 77 minutes. Keeper Erinne Finlayson kept the Panthers in the game, making eight saves to record the shutout win. The Panthers evened up their league mark at 2-2 (4-3 overall) and face CB East on Friday while the Maidens (0-3-1 SOL, 0-4-1) host Hatboro Horsham.
QUAKERTOWN 1-0 1
NORTH PENN 0-0 0
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