Check out the recaps for SOL girls’ soccer teams in action Thursday. Lower Moreland/Wissahickon photos courtesy of Greg Zesinger. Check back for a gallery of photos.
Non-league crossover
Central Bucks West 3, Council Rock North 2
If ever a win could be described as a “CB West win,” Thursday night’s would fit that bill.
Mackenzie Gausch crashed the box on the far post side after the Bucks had played in what seemed like a last-gasp corner kick in the final minute of regulation, booting in the go-ahead goal with the 17 seconds left on the clock matching her jersey number. The Bucks had started on fire, saw the Indians take the front foot and tie the game before finding themselves again late.
The result was a West-like win and one that was much-needed.
“Throughout the past couple weeks, it’s been a struggle having our fight, and I think today we proved it,” West junior captain Janelle Blokker said. “Our last game against Pennridge, we showed up, played for our team and played for us and tonight proved to us we deserved to win because of all the hard work we put in.”
West came out fired up. Bucks senior captain Eva Wierzbowski, a Pitt recruit, played a fantastic through ball to junior Emery Sterling on the right wing, which the junior cut in with and rifled into the top shelf at the far post six minutes in.
Sterling, who announced her college commitment to NJIT on Thursday afternoon, helped the Bucks double their lead two minutes later when her initial take was blocked, only to pop out to Wierzbowski. The senior didn’t waste the chance, putting the hosts ahead 2-0 less than eight minutes in.
“We all had the energy today, I felt it during warmups,” Wierzbowski said. “We were all pumped up and when we start strong in those first five minutes – we had in the beginning of the year – we get the goals quick and bring the fire at them, I don’t think teams are ready for that.”
CR North settled into the game, then battled back on the scoresheet. Senior Mia Cairone laid a short ball into the path of senior Sydney Linus, the midfielder lofting a long-range shot that settled in under the bar with 22 minutes left to halve the lead.
The Indians leveled off the score with 5:13 left in the first half when junior Audrey Rogan had a clean-up goal of her own, tapping in from short range after a throw-in deep in West’s end got knocked around in the box.
“It was mostly just energy. We’ve been in overtime a lot lately, and we did not want to go into overtime again,” Blokker said. “We’ve been there, we didn’t want to do it, so we all found something else within us. We were all so tired, but we just kept pushing and pushing.”
Blokker and the rest of the back line – Kaia Ward, Mia Menard and Reegan Moran – had their hands full trying to contain Cairone, along with North wingers Isabel Diaz, Tavi Copestick and the midfield of Linus, Rogan and Sara Tyler. Up top, the Bucks’ attack got a boost from Andrea Friel and a revitalized Sterling and Wierzbowski as they started to apply pressure in the last legs of regulation.
Wierzbowski had a challenging swerving shot well saved by CR North’s Reese Ludwig with 7:51 left.
“We just needed to have the belief,” Wierzbowski said. “We have so much talent on this team, we know we can keep the ball, we just have to have the confidence.”
West’s Rian Detweiler played the last corner in, the initial ball going past Blokker around the penalty spot and taking a bounce into the path of Gausch. The winger caught the half-volley with her left foot, sending the ball spinning inside the far post for the winner.
“Our last goal, Kenzie, she just had so much composure,” Blokker said. “It was the last couple seconds, and I know so many people would be frantic, especially me, but she put it on the ground, hit it low and hard and that’s what went in. That’s what we needed.”
Scoring Summary
1st Half
CBW – Emery Sterling (Eva Wierzbowski) 34:12
CBW – Eva Wierzbowski (Emery Sterling) 32:36
CRN – Sydney Linus (Mia Cairone) 22:14
CRN – Audrey Rogan 5:13
2nd Half
CBW – Mackenzie Gausch :17
CB West captain Janelle Blokker: “It’s all about passion. The past two weeks, we’ve played (CB) South, East and Pennridge, so all that passion built up and it came together in this game. We wanted to win, we wanted to get on a good streak again.”
CB West captain Eva Wierzbowski: “We don’t like defending for four minutes straight, that’s just something you don’t want to do,” Wierzbowski said. “At halftime, we talked about when you win it, try to connect a pass first instead of just getting it out. That area’s already being pushed up by the other team, so we wanted to keep the ball once we won it.”
Up next: Council Rock North (7-3, 4-1 SOL) hosts Villa Joseph Marie at 3:30 on Friday. CB West (7-5, 2-3) visits Lower Moreland at 4 on Monday.
CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 2 1 – 3
COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 2 0 – 2
Pennridge 3, Neshaminy 2
A duel between two teams in the top eight of the current District 1 4A rankings came down to the final few riveting moments.
The host Rams, in front of a lively crowd on their annual Pink Night, jumped out to a 2-0 lead, but the dynamic attacking pieces of Neshaminy weren’t in a mood to be kept quiet. Neshaminy got a goal back, Pennridge responded and the visitors converted a late PK to make sure the final few minutes were just as intense as the rest.
Senior Riley Williams scored twice, her second holding up as the winner, to lead the Rams.
“It was 2-0, then 2-1, it felt comfortable then all of a sudden we got a little tired and a little sloppy and the momentum changed,” Rams coach Audrey Anderson said. “We had to do what we could until halftime to get ourselves back in a good rhythm.”
Anderson, who was named the 2023-24 PIAA/NFHS Girls Soccer Coach of the Year on Thursday, noted the significant challenge of defending Neshaminy’s potent offense led by seniors Kylie and Taylor Maxwell.
“We knew what they were going to do, the Maxwell sisters are incredible and they had about five more players we had to account for,” Anderson said. “When you have that many players to worry about, you have to manage the game, play your style and hope it’s enough to keep the ball and make some good things happen for you.”
Scoring Summary
1st Half
P – Riley Williams (Caitlyn Peace) 28:40
P -Jessie Moylan (PK) 17:55
N – Abby Collins 11:55
2nd Half
P – Riley Williams 34:06
N – Kylie Maxwell (PK)
Pennridge coach Audrey Anderson on Riley Williams: “Riley’s that very clinical, technical type player. She can do a lot, so we’ve been trying to play to Riley’s strengths as much as possible, but for her to put that third goal in the way she did, she was so composed, and it was unsavable. It went flying, just a well-hit ball and I feel happy for her. She’s not playing college, she’s fine with that so for her to have the season she’s having, it’s a great way to go out.”
–On senior Jessie Moylan’s presence: “Jessie steps up and takes a PK very confidently, but aside from her goal, her presence in the midfield these last couple games has been outstanding. She’s winning balls out of the air, and it’s something we weren’t doing the first couple of games so for her to win those balls, it makes it that much easier for our center backs. She’s very composed, and you know what you’re going to get.”
–The Rams continuing to grow: “We grinded tonight and I think that is somewhat becoming our identity, we’re not afraid of that grind, but I want the girls to realize we can manage things a little bit better. We’ll get there, I think we’re in a good place for this point of the season, and I’m excited to see what we look like by the end of the season.”
–Standouts: “Caitlyn Peace did a really good job. She didn’t score but she was dangerous, and she was able to get behind defenders. Our back four – Gabby Herrmann, Addy Mills, Avery Runk and Natalie Walter – did a really good job of making sure we accounted for the players that were dangerous going forward. We talked about it before the game started: what defender doesn’t want to play against great offensive players? I thought it was a great game for our back four to play against such high-level players.”
Neshaminy coach Josh Van Reed on the match: “Pennridge worked hard all over the field tonight. I was very happy with our play at the end of each half. We created some good chances after making some adjustments. It’s a game where you need to minimize mistakes because the other team will take advantage. We played hard until the last minute. I was very proud of our effort tonight. It was a great game be part of.”
Up next: Pennridge (8-1, 4-1 SOL) visits William Tennent at 3:30 on Monday. Neshaminy (9-2, 5-0) visits Abington at 3:30 on Monday.
PENNRIDGE 2 1 – 3
NESHAMINY 1 1 – 2
Central Bucks East 6, Council Rock South 2
The final score wasn’t telling of the type of match the Patriots and Golden Hawks played on Thursday.
While East jumped out early and built a 3-0 halftime lead, the visiting Golden Hawks pushed right back and closed within 4-2. It would be two of East’s standouts on the night – Madelyn Hill assisting Jessie Bernabe – that gave the hosts some breathing room as they collected their ninth win in as many games.
Scoring Summary
1st Half
CBE – Madelyn Hill, 34:47
CBE – Mia Forney (Jessie Bernabe) 30:23
CBE – Kieria Sleicher (PK) 28:25
2nd Half
CRS – 35:47
CBE – 27:58 Stella Genin (Madelyn Hill)
CRS – 23:22
CBE – Jessie Bernabe (Madelyn Hill) 16:34
CBE – Ava Mignon (Kiera Sleicher) 5:48
CB East coach Jake Nesteruk: “First off, credit to Nick Heim and his group – they made this game difficult to work through in key moments. They’ve got a great team and it shows in their work ethic and discipline. I thought our girls had a strong night.”
Madelyn Hill’s efforts: “The stress of playing in a game like this gets eased a bit when you start running like we did, and that’s a total credit to Madelyn Hill for forcing a turnover and finishing a ball clinically. Mads had such a good night for us, and her way of playing is exactly what we needed to create opportunities.”
East standouts: “Jessie Bernabe was such a key in this one and added a level of composure in our own half that we needed to progress the ball. I thought her ability to link up with Ava Mignon and Stella Genin really got us through a few tougher spells in the second half. All and all, this group continues to do the right things together and approaches these games with the right mindset to keep getting better.”
Up next: CB East (9-0) hosts Conestoga (9-1) in a duel of the top two teams in the District 1 4A rankings at 10am Saturday. CR South visits Hatboro-Horsham at 3:45 on Monday.
CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 3 3 – 6
COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 0 2 – 2
North Penn 3 Bensalem 0
Results have eluded the banged-up Knights this season, but they’ve continued to put the effort in and were rewarded on Thursday.
Senior Maddy Murphy bagged a brace, the Buffalo recruit blasting a couple of shots from outside the 18 home on each side of halftime while Lily McGee snagged the winner in the first half
Scoring Summary
1st Half
NP – Lily McGee
NP – Maddy Murphy
2nd Half
NP – Maddy Murphy
North Penn coach Mike Rio on the win: “Solid team win, I thought the defense had a strong game and we were able to control a lot of the game in the midfield and possess the ball. Bensalem’s goalie made some nice saves on a few other opportunities, but it was a good bounce back after the game against East on Tuesday. We are starting to get some players back from injury as well so hopefully we can put some solid games together here in the second half of the season and make a push.”
Up next: North Penn (3-8, 0-5 SOL) visits Springfield Twp at 3:30 on Monday. Bensalem (1-6, 1-4) travels to Quakertown at 7 on Monday.
NORTH PENN 2 1 – 3
BENSALEM 0 0 – 0
Lower Moreland 5, Wissahickon 0
The SOL Freedom Divison-leading Lions made it eight straight wins and three straight shutouts on Thursday.
Lower Moreland, which hasn’t lost since dropping its opener to defending PIAA Class A champion Dock Mennonite, jumped out to a strong start behind the efforts of Nikki Sahl. Sahl, a senior committed to East
Stroudsburg, scored the first goal and assisted the next two in the first half.
Five different LM players found the back of the net while the defense continued to hold a clean sheet.
Scoring Summary
1st Half
LM – Nikki Sahl
LM – Payge Lennon (Nikki Sahl)
LM – Shannon Mahon (Nikki Sahl)
LM – Emma Leibert
2nd Half
LM- Quinn Rozanski (Emma Leibert)
Lower Moreland coach Todd Hill on the win: “The offense worked really hard to attack in a variety of ways again today. We were able to put pressure on (Wissahickon’s) defensive unit throughout. Nikki Sahl had a really strong game today. She had a great shot on a free kick from 20 yards out, placing it in the top corner of the net. She also distributed the ball really nicely, creating opportunities for others that turned into goals.”
Offensive standouts: “Shannon Mahon continues to put lots of pressure on defenses and find ways to put the ball in the back of the net. 
Additionally, Quinn Rozanski continues to impact the game in lots of ways. She is so calm in chaos, she was able to place the ball in the corner of the net today in the middle of a box filled with defenders. Her composure during intense moments is a strength she brings to our team.”
LM’s defense: “The defensive unit continues to gel as well. They worked really hard to limit the Wiss attacking opportunities. Keira Huber continues to grow as a presence in the middle of the field. She has an instinct to be in the right spot to support the defensive line, and then she does a good job at initiating the counterattack. I am really proud of her because this is a new position for her this year as a senior, and she has become an integral part of our defense.”
Up next: Lower Moreland (8-1, 5-0 SOL) hosts Delco Christian at 7pm on Friday. Wissahickon (4-3-1, 1-3-1) hosts Council Rock North at 3:30 on Monday.
LOWER MORELAND 4 1 – 5
WISSAHICKON 0 0 – 0
Plymouth Whitemarsh 2, New Hope-Solebury 0
The Colonials had been doing a lot of good things on the field in their past few games, but a prolonged scoreless streak certainly weighed over the team.
It took nine minutes Thursday, but Maddie McGuckien snapped a nearly seven-hour long spell of frustration in front of goal, and the Colonials were on their way to a needed win. The Lions dug in and didn’t make it easy, but there’s no remedy better than scoring in soccer, and PW finally got a dose.
Scoring Summary
1st Half
PW – Maddie McGuckien
PW – Katie Lukens (Mia Baron)
PW coach TJ DeLucia on the win: ” Much-needed win tonight for PW. We had another heartbreaking loss Tuesday night vs. Upper Dublin, so it was nice to bounce back tonight at New Hope. We controlled play for the 80 minutes, but there was no quit in the New Hope squad. They dug in and defended hard. It had been seven-plus hours of gameplay since we had scored. It’s not a secret and it’s not for lack of chances. We’ve been a bit unlucky, but we haven’t been as clinical in front of net as we need to be.”
The impact of McGuckien’s goal: “When Maddie McGuckien scored less than nine minutes into the game, you could tell that it was a relief for everyone. It was Maddie’s fifth goal of the season, and she took a first time shot with her left on a ball that New Hope tried to clear out of the box. Maddie dominated play in the middle of the park and earned a PK later in the game that the New Hope goalkeeper was able to save.”
Katie Lukens’ goal: “With 13 minutes to go in the half, Katie Lukens attacked a corner ball from junior Mia Baron and put it in the back of the net. It was Katie’s first goal of the season and Mia Baron’s third assist. Katie is our senior co-captain center back. She is a four-year starter, a terrific leader for our team and has been a warrior on the field. The last few league results have really frustrated her, and I know how much this means to her, so I had her give the pregame talk before the team took the field for the tap tonight. So, for her to score today, it was a great moment.
“Mia’s goal contribution shouldn’t be ignored as she continues to put in great service from the corner.”
Finishing out the win: “We had many more opportunities to score, including hitting the crossbar twice from shots outside the 18. We had 14 corners and held them to zero corners. So, while we hoped for a bigger scoreline, we did what we set out to do tonight. Again, credit to New Hope for defending hard for 80 minutes. We have another opportunity tomorrow to right this ship against a really talented Rustin team. Even after a long bus ride after a New Hope night game, we look forward to the challenge.”
New Hope-Solebury coach Laura Motley on the match: “We knew tonight would be a tough game. Plymouth Whitemarsh has a number of talented players, and they move the ball around well. They were dangerous with through balls and corner kicks, but our defensive line played with poise and determination and truly kept us in the game.”
–Standouts: “Arya Heble made numerous incredible saves including stopping a penalty kick. We were 2-0 at half and were able to hold them off the scoreboard in the second half. Arya Heble, Devon MaGuire, Rebecca Peterson, and Hailey Castellano had outstanding games tonight. Proud of the whole team for fighting through to the final whistle.”
Up next: PW (4-3-1, 1-3-1 SOL) hosts West Chester Rustin at 3:30 on Friday. New Hope-Solebury (1-7, 1-4) hosts Central Bucks South at 3:30 on Monday.
PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 2 0 – 2
NEW HOPE-SOLEBURY 0 0 – 0
Quakertown 6, Springfield Twp 3
The offenses erupted after halftime Thursday as the Panthers and Spartans combined for seven tallies between them.
A monster effort by senior Millersville recruit Ashlyn Calabria made sure it was Quakertown that had the better of the scoring and a long, but enjoyable bus ride home. The speedster winger was a force, connecting on two goals and setting up two others.
Scoring Summary
1st Half
Q – Faith Greenday (Ashlyn Calabria) 24th min
ST – Karly Hartman 28th min
2nd Half
Q – Ashlyn Calabria (Maddie Taylor) 53rd min
Q -Maddie Taylor (Jewel Renshaw) 54th min
ST – Karly Hartman 57th min
ST – Ava Brinch 57th min
Q – Ashlyn Calabria 58th min
Q – Taylor Kletzing (Jewel Renshaw) 71st min
Q- Rachel McMonagle (Ashlyn Calabria) 77th min
Quakertown coach Jon Gingrich: “The team played well today and we never wavered when we let goals in. Our confidence and effort was high all game, and it allowed us to score six goals today.”
On Calabria’s play: “Senior Ashlyn Calabria was an absolute beast for us up top. She scored two goals and had two assists. She was all over the field and when we needed offense, Ashlyn came through.”
Standouts: “Senior Maddie Taylor. Not only did Maddie get a goal and an assist, she was critical on defense saving multiple efforts from Springfield that would have been goals. Maddie’s leadership was huge in keeping our defense together. Junior Jewel Renshaw also had two assists, her corner kicks and direct kicks led to multiple chances for us and scoring two goals.”
Up next: Springfield Twp (3-5, 3-2 SOL) visits Abington at 3:30 on Friday. Quakertown (5-3, 2-2) travels to Saucon Valley at 10am on Saturday
QUAKERTOWN 1 5 – 6
SPRINGFIELD TWP 1 2 – 3
Hatboro-Horsham 1, Upper Moreland 0
Any game between the Hatters and the Golden Bears is a big one and Thursday’s clash had that type of energy.
The Hatters slipped one home in the first half, but that was all they’d get against UM keeper Gracie Costello, who put together an incredible game in goal with 13 saves that included one drawing praise from both sides.
Scoring Summary
1st Half
HH – Ryleigh White (Brena McKeown)
Goalkeeper saves:
UM Gracie Costello 13
HH Riley McGuire 6
Hatboro-Horsham coach Chris Artman: “We came out flat in the first half, which was to be expected after an extremely hard fought double overtime tie on Tuesday night. We just did not have a lot of energy. We were not winning balls and not connecting many passes. Toward the end of the half, we started to pick up our play. Brena McKeown slid a ball into Ryleigh White who ripped a right footed shot over the UM keeper for her sixth goal of the season.”
–On the Hatters second half: “We had a lot more energy and were connecting passes through the midfield and changing the point of attack. Sophomore Brena McKeown was a strong presence in the midfield, winning several balls and switching the field.”
“We created a bunch of scoring chances, but the UM keeper made several great saves. Freshman Courtney Rinius hit a left-footed shot that was destined for the upper left corner, but the UM keeper made an unbelievable save, pushing it off the crossbar.”
UM coach Lisa Benvenuto: “Play of today’s game was pretty evenly distributed. We improved today with stepping to the ball, using our bodies, and winning the 50/50 balls.
“Our girls worked really hard today, they fought through to the last whistle trying to get that equalizer. We definitely were able to generate some dangerous opportunities, we just couldn’t finish them off. We take each game, win or lose, and we learn from it, and continue to grow as a team.”
–Standouts: “Defensively, we had really strong play from Lizzie Walker, Annalise Messina, and Deanna Swedberg. Swedberg was solid today, being strong on the ball, and coming out with the ball on some really significant plays. Our goalie, Gracie Costello had a strong game with a tremendous save toward the end of the game that helped keep our fight alive.
Up next: Hatboro-Horsham (4-4-1, 1-3-1 SOL) hosts Council Rock South at 3:45 on Monday. Upper Moreland (5-4, 2-3) hosts Central Bucks East at 3:30 on Monday.
HATBORO-HORSHAM 1 0 – 1
UPPER MORELAND 0 0 – 0
Abington 1, William Tennent 1 (2 OT)
Two of last season’s SOL division champions couldn’t find separation in 100 minutes of play on Thursday.
The Panthers scored early thanks to Sofia Jakimoski converting a goal off a Leila Santos cross, but the Ghosts responded.
Scoring Summary
1st Half
WT – Sofia Jakimoski (Leila Santos)
A
William Tennent coach Elise Jara on the match: “This was a well-played, hard-fought tie. The play was back and forth for most of regulation. Sofia Jakimoski put the ball in the back of the net off a nice cross from Leila Santos. We were on our heels for the second overtime, and I was proud of the way we fought for the tie.”
Standouts: “Leila really worked the right side and was able to get past her defender to play the ball across. Leila had a great game and worked well up and down the right side all game. She was instrumental in keeping Abington’s speed at bay. Our back line led by Mia Rahn and Sami Roby did an excellent job of stopping any offensive threat.”
Up next: Abington hosts Springfield Twp at 3:30 on Friday. William Tennent hosts Pennridge at 3:30 on Monday.
WILLIAM TENNENT 1 0 0 0 – 1
ABINGTON 1 0 0 0 – 1
Upper Dublin 6, Cheltenham 0
The Flying Cardinals continued their roll after a 5-0 first half through the SOL Liberty, taking down Cheltenham in a crossover game ahead of a nonleague test on Friday.
Scoring Summary
UD – Rosie Sitman (Christina Buccafuri)
UD- Abby O’Meara (Kaelyn Hartman)
UD- Ava Shohen (Bridget DiMartile)
UD – Peyton Ward (Kaelyn Hartman)
UD – Maeve Hogan
UD – Bridget DiMartile (Charlotte Marlowe)
UD coach John Topper: “It was a full team effort highlighted by standout performances from Charlotte Marlowe and Christina Buccafuri on the right side of the field. Christina was dangerous all day. She assisted the first goal and created numerous other chances for her teammates. Charlotte was steady presence on the back line but also was able to join the attack and make herself dangerous on the offensive side of the field as well. I’m proud of the way the whole team played today.”
Up next: Upper Dublin (7-2, 5-0 SOL) hosts defending PIAA Class A champion Dock Mennonite at 3:30 on Friday. Cheltenham hosts Souderton at 3:30 on Monday.
UPPER DUBLIN – 6
CHELTENHAM – 0
Central Bucks South 6, Pennsbury 1
A breakout night for Titans freshman Khloe Montini propelled the hosts to a solid win over a quality Falcons team.
Montini, who started the season as a JV swing player, netted a first half hat trick to ignite South’s offense while Peyton Mumm bagged a second half brace and Riley Karpinski rounded out the scoring.
Scoring Summary
1st half
CBS – Khloe Montini 18:37
CBS – Khloe Montini 17:23
CBS – Khloe Montini :09
2nd Half
CBS – Peyton Mumm 26:36
CBS – Peyton Mumm 17:50
P
CBS – Riley Karpinski 2:22
CB South coach Pat Lordi: “The complete team effort and work that was put in the entire game was impressive by all players. Our defense played well all night, and the midfield connected with the forwards to put pressure on the opponent. We created 15 shots and generated offensive threats all night. It’s easy to say things went well in a 6-1 game, but the girls started to click a few games ago, and I guess this is the icing on the cake. Most impressive is the commitment to each other that really stands out. Hopefully, this gives us the confidence to continue moving forward and getting better as a team.”
–Standout: “Morgan Sowosh was excellent in goal while making her first start of the year.”
Up next: CB South (9-3, 4-2 SOL) travels to New Hope-Solebury at 3:30 on Monday. Pennsbury (6-5-1, 2-4-0) visits Plymouth Whitemarsh at 4 on Monday.
CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 3 3 – 6
PENNSBURY 0 1 – 1
Souderton 13, Harry S Truman 0
Up next: Souderton travels to Cheltenham at 3:30 on Monday. Truman travels to Upper Dublin at 3:30 on Monday.
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