Check out the recaps for SOL girls’ soccer teams in action Wednesday.
SOL Continental
Quakertown 1, Central Bucks South 0
The Panthers have decided they aren’t going to be any fun to play against this season.
Figuring if it worked, why change it, Quakertown again applied an unending barrage of pressure in their conference opener and eked out a win over a tough Titans side under the stadium lights.
“Relentless pressure, it’s worked for us for two games now,” Panthers coach Mike Koch said. “We’ll see how long it continues, but we just relentlessly pressure the ball. A freshman forced a turnover and another freshman scored.”
Koch never expects to get many goals against the usually defensively sound Titans and that was the case on Wednesday. The Quakertown coach lauded South keeper Shannon Snyder for denying a couple gleaming chances along with Titans midfielder Lauren Farrell for handling his team’s pressure well.
The teams were locked in a scoreless tie through 40 minutes, but something told Koch to just keep the pressure on.
“We’re difficult to play against, it’s just high-pressure with a lot of players putting on the pressure and forcing mistakes,” Koch said. “We’re trying to capitalize on mistakes but at the same time we’re putting pressure on, we want to stay organized and composed so we don’t get counter-attacked on.”
The Panthers have four freshmen featuring heavily this season, and while Koch said they were a little nervous, they handled their first conference game well. In preseason, the Panthers had a night scrimmage that Koch thinks helped ease some nerves.
With about 31 minutes left, the Panthers struck.
“We put pressure on the ball and one of the freshmen, McKenna Calabria, the ball came through clean to her and put it over the center back,” Koch said. “The other freshman, Angela Calvanese, ran onto it and got in clean and was very composed, tucking it into the far corner.”
Quakertown didn’t bunker down after going ahead but the Panthers did have to withstand a late charge by CB South in the final five minutes.
Koch credited his back line for their efforts in preserving the shutout.
“Cori Pursel played really well at center back and Gianna Monastra and Brenna Foster at outside back were very strong,” Koch said.
CB South (1-1, 0-1 SOL) hosts CB East on Friday. The Panthers (2-0, 1-0) will host rival Pennridge in a battle of two teams yet to lose this fall.
“I don’t think too many people had Quakertown-Pennridge as the battle of unbeatens on Friday,” Koch said. “They’ll be a challenge, they’re very good but we’ll get to the drawing board and see what we can do.”
QUAKERTOWN 0 1 – 1
CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 0 0 – 0
Central Bucks West 2, Central Bucks East 0
The Bucks picked up a significant win by beating the rival Patriots in their SOL Continental opener.
“This was the first time that any of my players won on East’s turf,” West coach Mike Moyer said. “After the lackluster effort on Saturday (against Cumberland Valley), the girls came to play today.”
West struggled through a flat start but found its way into the game in the first 10 minutes and began to put on pressure. CB West’s tenacity paid off with a corner kick and the game’s first tally.
“We started connecting passes and got our first corner kick,” Moyer said. “Taylor Moyer hit a laser that Tori Albrecht headed into the back of the net to give us a 1-0 lead at halftime.”
The Patriots, who were coming off a win on Tuesday, didn’t give up their field easily and battled the Bucks through the second half.
“We got fouled just outside the box. This time (Taylor) Moyer found Ryan Fitzsimmons on a set piece that we’ve been working on,” Moyer said. “When it works it looks beautiful and they were able to pull it off to give us the 2-0 win.”
It required a full squad effort and the Bucks got good contributions in each third of the field.
“Courtney Moylan and Keely McGlone were fantastic in the back, and Erin Fitzsimmons and Shea Lubin were great in the midfield,” Moyer said. “Now we have to get ready to play the reigning state champion on Friday.”
West (1-1, 1-0 SOL) welcomes Souderton for a Friday evening contest while East (1-2, 0-1) visits Central Bucks South.
CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 1 1 – 2
CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 0 0 – 0
SOL American
Hatboro-Horsham 3, Upper Dublin 2
The Hatters came into Wednesday’s conference opener a little beat up and tired, but they weren’t going to let it stop them.
Hatboro-Horsham had to gut it out late but managed to hold off an equally determined Upper Dublin side in a tight SOL American contest. Both teams put plenty of chances on goal, but it was the Hatters’ will that provided the final outcome.
“I am so proud of my team and how they played today. Everyone left everything they’ve got on that field,” HH coach Kelsey Daley said. “The last 10 minutes they were gassed but they never gave up and for that I am so proud of them. Some defensive players stepped up like I asked them to and had outstanding games. This team plays for each other and that really showed today.”
Upper Dublin, which is continuing to replace a host of starters from last season, got the upper hand first. Senior Laura Pendleton headed in a corner from Karolina Bocul about 10 minutes into the contest.
The Hatters didn’t drop and senior Ally Eutermoser provided a huge lift off the bench. Almost immediately after subbing in, the forward started to create chances and put one away off a ball from Cam Ryan in the 17th minute to knot the score 1-1.
Eutermoser struck again about seven minutes later when Cam Hughes found her with space in front of the Cardinals’ goal. The forward got herself squared and buried the go-ahead goal.
“Ally is a great player on and off the ball and if she gets the ball at her feet, she’s a very dangerous player,” Daley said. “Cam Ryan had a great assist to her that led to first goal. They feed her and if she’s in the right spot at the right time, it’s going to be a goal.”
Both teams traded chances to the break and as the second half started. With the Cardinals putting numbers up on a corner kick, the Hatters ended up taking advantage.
A cleared ball out led to a counter for sophomore Emily Thomas, who carried the ball most of the field and put away a goal about 15 minutes into the second half.
Upper Dublin wasn’t done, with Pendleton turning a three-pass combo with Mary Rose Brown into her second goal of the day with about 14 minutes left in the contest.
Down a couple starters on the back line, the Hatters withstood the Cardinals’ last charges and keeper Martine Royds made a key stop on Brown in the final few minutes.
“Coming into the season, I wanted fitness to be the No. 1 thing,” Daley said. “They were a little gassed at the end but had the heart to keep winning and that’s what we had to do today. I’m impressed with how this team is together, I knew they were a close group but on the field, they leave everything out there for each other.”
Hatboro-Horsham (2-0, 1-0 SOL) will host Wissahickon in a night game Monday. Upper Dublin (0-2, 0-1) visits Cheltenham on Friday.
HATBORO-HORSHAM 2 1 – 3
UPPER DUBLIN 1 1 – 2
Upper Moreland 5, Cheltenham 2
Rebounding from a double overtime loss in their season opener, the Golden Bears handled a confident Cheltenham team on Wednesday.
“We wanted to use what we learned in the loss to control and finish in this match. Cheltenham is not a team that we take lightly,” UM coach Lisa Benvenuto said. “Mark (Woodcock) has done a fantastic job with his girls and it showed today. I give a lot of credit to them, they worked hard and all the way to end of match, and they were able to really capitalize on their opportunities.”
Emma Frasca and Kathryn Morrow connected on the first goal of the match, but the Panthers’ Donya Baxter tied it up about three minutes later. Mattea Taylor put the Bears back in front briefly, but a late goal by Zoe Moreland sent the game to half tied 2-2.
“Up top for us Emma Frasca is a workhorse. She runs down every ball and seems to put herself in the right spot at the right time,” Benvenuto said. “Of our five goals, she was involved in three of them. Coming off our bench, Mattea Taylor was able to put away a left footed rebound, from a Frasca shot, giving us a 2-1 lead.”
A miscue led to an own goal by Cheltenham, giving Upper Moreland a lead it wouldn’t relinquish the rest of the day.
“Kathryn Morrow controlled our attack, and finished off an assist from Madison Zachweija. Our last goal, was off of an Emma Meakim corner, where Grace Burns finished with a beautiful headball,” Benvenuto said. “In the defensive end, Emma Meakim and Megan O’Donnell continue to control the back line and Jaclyn Martino in goal today had two saves.”
Upper Moreland (1-1, 1-0 SOL) visits Abington on Friday afternoon while Cheltenham (1-1, 0-1) will host Upper Dublin.
UPPER MORELAND 2 3 – 5
CHELTENHAM 2 0 – 2
Wissahickon 2, Plymouth Whitemarsh 0
Carly Amato’s brace was enough to carry the Trojans in a hard-won match Wednesday.
“First half was even and we were good enough to finish a free kick by being aggressive in the area,” Wissahickon coach Chris McDainels said. “Second half was interesting as PW came out really hard and pressed for 25 minutes with several opportunities.”
Wissahickon’s defensive group was the standout performer of the day, withstanding the Colonials’ pressure and keeping a clean sheet.
“We defended well and got the insurance goal in a blast from Amato from 25 out on a corner,” McDaniels said. “Both keepers, Quinn Klessel and Caroline Hassall, were outstanding to lock up the clean sheet. Klessel had a great save on a one-v-one early in the second half and came off her line well.
“Anna Schools had some timely tackles and headers to relieve pressure.”
Wissahickon (1-0 SOL) visits Hatboro-Horsham on Monday night while PW (1-1, 0-1) hosts Springfield Township on Friday.
WISSAHICKON 1 1 – 2
PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 0 0 – 0
Abington 4, Springfield Township 1
The Ghosts had to rally but got their first win of the season on Wednesday.
“Springfield took an early lead but the Ghosts bore down and rebounded with four unanswered tallies,” Abington coach Rick Tompkins said.
Grace Quinn scored for the second straight game while Haley Pollock, Lily Gray and Emily Friel opened their season accounts.
Abington (1-1, 1-0 SOL) will host Upper Moreland on Friday, and Springfield Township (0-2, 0-1) will be on the road at Plymouth Whitemarsh Friday.
SOL National
Neshaminy 4, Bensalem 1
Neshaminy’s still putting together the picture of just what type of team it will be this fall, but it sure helps having four quality senior captains to fall back on.
The seniors led the way with their scoring as the new faces in the lineup got a chance to show their stuff in the team’s SOL National opener on Wednesday. Neshaminy and Bensalem played at the Trifecta Sporting Club under the lights to add another dimension to the game.
“We’ve got a good senior class and four senior captains who are strong leaders,” Neshaminy coach Renny Papendick said. “We have a lot of talented freshmen and we’re trying to figure it all out. We have some sophomores in the mix and a few juniors so we’re trying to find the pieces to the puzzle.”
Neshaminy jumped out to a 3-0 at the half, and taking the advantage allowed the Redskins to settle down and just play.
“We moved the game to Trifecta Sports in Oakford, it’s a grass field but has a stadium environment and we probably had 300-400 people here so it was a nice atmosphere,” Papendick said. “Our freshman goalie Labadie really stepped up but at the end of the day it was the play of our senior girls – Emily Tantala, Gina Sexton, Kristin Curley and Mel Prinos – they did a really nice job for us.”
Sexton put away a pair of goals for Neshaminy while Tantala and Curley each found the back of the net to pace the scoring.
Along with Labadie, Papendick cited the play of sophomore Jordyn Fregia at center back, who was making just her second start on the back line after converting from center midfield. He added that juniors Carly Gross and Nina Mason also had solid matches.
“In the second half, we were able to pin them back and rest some of the starters and move girls into different positions,” Papendick said. “We gave up a goal late on a counter but it was a good team effort. We’re trying to find out team identity but we’re going to work really hard, we’re going to press and it was a good team win.”
Despite the result, the Owls battled throughout the 80 minutes.
“They’re very well-coached,” Papendick said. “There’s definitely a little bit of rivalry but it was a very fun game.”
Neshaminy was tested in its opening games against Unionville and West Chester Rustin but came out of the experience a better team.
“We really came together over the weekend as a team and said it has to be a team effort,” Papendick said. “There is no one star on this team, we have to do it across the board whether its a senior or a freshman. They’re coming together, it’s early in the season but it’s a good step and a building block for the rest of the season.”
Neshaminy (2-1, 1-0 SOL) visits Council Rock South on Friday. Bensalem (0-2, 0-1) hosts William Tennent on Friday.
NESHAMINY 3 1 – 4
BENSALEM 0 1 – 1
Pennsbury 4, Council Rock North 0
Pennsbury’s offense found a good gear while the defense shut down an Indians side off to a nice start in Wednesday’s SOL National opener.
“As a team today, we ‘solved the puzzle’ as the coaching staff likes to say,” Pennsbury co-head coach Kim Lindemann said. “Each game presents a new challenge and as a team today we used the first half to learn, make adjustments, and solve the puzzle.”
Veteran forward Evie Ciaccia put the Falcons on the board first, knocking in a rebound off Gabby Zalot’s initial shot. From there, both sides duked it out with neither able to really take a stand or control play.
“The rest of the first half was sort of stagnant with neither team really maintaining much possession,” Lindemann said. “At halftime we spoke to the girls about staying mentally tough. We asked them to lock in and focus on the remaining 40 minutes in front of them and eliminate the errors by keeping their minds dialed in.”
The Falcons did just as requested and Ciaccia got a big jolt from freshman Taylor Mays up top. Ciaccia made it 2-0, then Mays charged into the book with a second half brace to double Pennsbury’s advantage.
“It was a big game for Taylor. She really came out of her shell and got comfortable taking people on,” Lindemann said. “She and Evie were great together up top today.”
Quelling an Indians attack off to a 2-0 start wasn’t an easy task but the Falcons got another big game from another of their experienced players to lead the way.
“Bella Arcuri had a big game for us defensively,” Lindemann said. “She is relentless and doesn’t give up on the ball and helped to create offensive opportunities even from the back line because she just doesn’t quit.”
The Falcons (2-0, 1-0 SOL) host Downingtown West in a nonleague game Thursday at 3:45 p.m. CR North (2-1, 0-1) plays host to Harry S Truman on Friday.
PENNSBURY 1 3 – 4
COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 0 0 – 0
Goals: P – Evie Ciaccia 2, Taylor Mays 2
Council Rock South 6, Harry S Truman 0
The Golden Hawks opened conference play with a first-half outburst from their attack.
Sammy Jones pocketed a brace inside a five-minute span, the first coming off an assist from Jordi Rubakh in the sixth minute, to bracket a goal by Claudia Steinmetz. Madison McDowell made it 4-0 with 15th minute goal and Katelyn Millevoi scored just before the half.
Rubakh put one away two minutes into the second half to cap the day. Carli Dickel had the shutout in goal for CR South.
Council Rock South (2-1, 1-0 SOL) hosts Neshaminy on Friday while Harry S Truman (0-1) will visit CR North on Friday.
COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 5 1 – 6
HARRY S TRUMAN 0 0 – 0
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