Three SOL girls’ soccer teams will be in action when the PIAA Class AAA Tournament begins Tuesday.
In the giddy afterglow of Central Bucks East’s win over Downingtown West in Saturday’s District One AAA title game, a group of East players – arms linked – gathered for a photo. It was a large group – 14 altogether, and they’ve shared quite a journey. They are the team’s 14 seniors, and they are more than just teammates. They are family.
The explanation for why they’ve all stuck with it, according to Emma Loving, is not all that complicated.
“I think it’s just how much we all love each other because even if girls aren’t getting time and they are seniors and they’ve been here four years – it’s just the camaraderie we have as a team,” the senior captain said. “We all love each other, we’re like a giant family, and we just get along so well.
“We have so much fun doing what we love together, and you can’t beat that. You can’t get that anywhere else.”
“We’re a family, 100 percent,” senior Paige Weiss added. “We love each other completely.
“We’re there to support each other, whether it’s on or off the field.”
The groundwork for this year’s district title run was laid last year when then second-seeded East fell to top-seeded Pennsbury 2-0 in the district title game.
“We were so hungry after losing the district title,” senior Emily Horn said. “It was just crushing to lose, and we came out and we were going to work so hard for this because we were so hungry from last year.”
The Patriots bounced back from their disappointing loss to Pennsbury in the district title game and advanced to the semifinals of the state tournament for the second time in as many years, but they wanted more.
“Throughout high school soccer, we’ve been in positions where we’ve gone really far in states, but we’ve never had the hardware to prove it,” Loving said. “(Last year), we were second in our league, we were second in the district, but this year we’ve got the Continental Conference championship and the District One championship.
“Not that you need these things to know you’re working hard, but it just goes to prove how hard you’re working, and it’s paying off. Ever since the district final last year, we’ve wanted that game back. We wanted to be in this spot again, and we got it. All our hard work paid off in the end.”
Coach Paul Eisold credited his four senior captains – Loving, Horn, Weiss and Maddie Myrtetus – for setting 
the tone.
“We’ve had tremendous leadership from the captains,” the Patriots’ coach said. “They’ve been outstanding in every facet of preseason, of leadership, of picking the girls up, of making the girls understand the importance of games and of making sure they don’t get too high and mighty.
“When you’re humble, it makes it easier to play game to game.”
It also doesn’t hurt to be driven, and this year’s squad, according to Eisold, had a point to prove.
“They really felt after last year they really wanted to give a better showing,” the Patriots’ coach said. “They were a little inexperienced last year, and I think that showed through.
“That being said, they got to the (state) semifinals, but they’re not satisfied.”
This year, the Patriots have not lost in 22 games with the only tie on their record to Souderton late in the season.
“It’s crazy,” Myrtetus said. “Every time we’re earning it, we’re proving it, and we’re working through it, and we’re working for our goals and working for our wins.
“With this team, we are such a close family that every win is just so much excitement and so much happiness. On the bus rides home, we have our traditions after each win. It just keeps adding on all the happiness and the hype.”
This year’s Patriot squad set goals and then went out and achieved them.
“We make goals that we want to go far, but you definitely have to take it game by game because if you look ahead, then you’re losing your goal,” Weiss said.” You have to take it one goal at a time.”
Horn echoed a similar sentiment when asked the key to this year’s district title run.
“Definitely the perseverance and taking one game at a time and not looking too far forward,” she said. “Always just realizing we have to make each play, and it’s not an individual game.
“We have to work as a unit, win each game and then look forward.”
“We never looked ahead, thinking, ‘Oh, we’re going to be district champs this year,” Myrtetus added. “That was never the thought process.
“It was always taking it one day at a time to get here, and once we got here – this is the big game, now is our moment to do it.”
On Saturday, the Patriots did it – they won the gold, they earned the hardware.
“It really feels good,” Weiss said. “Our team has worked very hard. It wasn’t easy, and staying positive definitely helps. We’re seniors, and (this) is a feeling we’ve wanted all year.”
“We are just through the roof ecstatic,” Horn said. “I don’t think we’ve ever been happier as a team.”
In Tuesday’s state opener, the Patriots will face District Three’s fourth place team, Cedar Cliff, in the first game of a girls/boys doubleheader at War Memorial Field (5 p.m.).
“Obviously, I don’t know what’s going to happen in states, but I can tell you this – they’re going to give it everything,” Eisold said. “They’re not done – they still want to compete.”
#1-1 CENTRAL BUCKS EAST vs. #3-4 CEDAR CLIFF (at War Memorial Field, Tuesday, 5 p.m.)
Central Bucks East Patriots
- 21-0-1 overall
- 13-0-1 in league play; SOL Continental Champions
- Regular season wins over #19 Upper Dublin (4-0), #6 West Chester Henderson (3-0), defending Class AA state champion Villa Joseph Marie, #24 Central Bucks South (1-0 & 1-0), #8 Pennridge (3-2 & 1-0).
- Only blemish a 1-1 tie on Oct. 21 to #25 Souderton
- Last season: Lost in PIAA state semifinals to Canon-McMillan, 2-1.
- Offense led by arguably the state’s best player, senior UPenn-commit Emma Loving. Bri Talbot and Paige Weiss have been solid up front as well. Hannah Zach is an underrated threat at midfield.
- Captured program’s first ever District One AAA after finishing as district runner-up in 2014.
How they got here:
- In Saturday’s District One AAA title game, the Patriots received goals in the second half from sophomore Delaney Kennedy (Abby Brown assist) and Megan Mannato to earn a 2-0 win over 10th-seeded Downingtown West.
- CB East defeated fourth-seeded Spring-Ford 1-0 in a hard fought district semifinal battle. Senior Emma Loving found the net with a free kick with just over nine minutes remaining in regulation to account for the game’s only goal.
- In a district quarterfinal contest, the Patriots defeated archrival Central Bucks South, the tournament’s 24th seed, 2-1. A goal by Emma Loving (Megan Mannato assist) put the Patriots on top 1-0 at halftime, and Mannato’s goal in the 51st minute made it a 2-0 game before South’s Kelly Senour connected for the 2-1 final.
- After an opening round bye, the Patriots – sparked by Emma Loving’s hat trick – defeated 16th-seeded Wissahickon 6-1 in a second round game. Hannah Zach added a pair of goals, and Abby Brown scored a single goal.
Cedar Cliff
- 14-5-1 overall
- 10-3-1 Mid-Penn Commonwealth Conference second place behind Cumberland Valley
- Led offensively by Marci Russell (11 goals, 4 assists), Mirandi Gallucci (9 goals, 11 assists) Ashley Hoagland (7 goals) and Emily Esser (5 goals, 10 assists)
- Gallucci and Katey Frank earned first team all-conference honors, and Maddy Hindermyer and Esser were named to the second team.
How they got here:
- In a district semifinal game, top-seeded Cumberland Valley – with an 8-1 regular season win over Cedar Cliff – defeated 12th-seeded Cedar Cliff 2-0. Defender Katey Frank held Cumberland Valley’s Rachael Dorwert, who had 40 goals in the regular season, to just a late-game goal.
- In a District Three quarterfinal game, Cedar Cliff defeated 17th-seeded Hershey 1-0. Maci Russell scored a goal late in the first half, and that 1-0 lead stood the rest of the way.
- In an opening round District Three contest, 12th-seeded Cedar Cliff pulled off a major upset, sending fifth-seeded Hempfield home in a 2-1 loss.
#1-3 COUNCIL ROCK NORTH vs. #2-1 WALLENPAUPAK (at Scranton High School, Tuesday, 7:30 p.m.)
Council Rock North Indians
- 15-5-3 overall
- 9-3-2 in league play; third place in SOL National
- Key regular season wins over #17 Abington (1-0 twice), #2 Pennsbury (1-0), and #21 Mount St. Joseph (8-1)
- Ties to Neshaminy (1-1) on October 13, Council Rock South (0-0) on October 15, and Haverford (0-0) on October 17
- Last season: Lost in District One AAA first round to CB South in PKs.
- Goalie Jeri Belardo has registered 11 shutouts on the season
- Offense led by Becca Margolis (7 goals and 5 assists), Tori Hill (4 goals and 16 assists), Mia Scalamandre (4 goals), and Kayla Robinson (19 goals and 5 assists)
How they got here:
- In a hard fought battle for third place, Council Rock North won in penalty kicks (5-4). Caitlyn Duffy, Brielle Reich, Mia Scalamandre, Tori Hill and Lauren D’Amelia connected on all five of their team’s shots. Earlier, Sydney Allen turning a Becca Margolis pass into a goal to knot the score 1-1 in the first half. That tie stood the rest of the way.
- Council Rock North battled 10th-seeded Downingtown West to a scoreless tie after regulation and two overtime periods in a district semifinal game. The Whippets won the game 3-1 in penalty kicks.
- Sparked by a pair of Kayla Robinson goals and the shut down performance of its defense, Council Rock North upset sixth-seeded West Chester Henderson 2-0 in a quarterfinal game. Goalie Jeri Belardo was credited with five saves.
- In the Indians’ second round 2-1 upset of third-seeded West Chester Rustin, sophomore Meredith Hill broke a 1-1 halftime tie in the 74th minute, using a Casey McAlister assist. Tori Hill (Brielle Reich assist) gave the Indians a 1-0 lead, but Rustin came back to knot the score.
- In an opening round game, Council Rock North defeated 19th-seeded Upper Dublin 5-1, scoring four second half goals to blow the game wide open. Kayla Robinson led the Indians with the hat trick. Becca Margolis and Sydney Allen added single goals. Lauren D’Amelia, Mia Scalamandre, Tori Hill and Caitlyn Duffy contributed assists. Jeri Belardo had six saves in goal.
Wallenpaupack
- 13-2 overall
- Lackawanna League Division II champions
- Led offensively by senior Skylar Wirth (24 goals) and freshman Rachael Tirjin (17 goals)
- Lady Buckhorns have scored 71 goals this season.
- Second District 2 championship in past three years
- Lost to District Three runner-up Wilson 4-1 in the opening round in last trip to states in 2013
How they got here:
- In the District 2-4 AAA subregional championship, Wallenpaupak defeated third-seeded Williamsport 2-1 in overtime. Shannon Vennie (Skylar Wirth assist) scored the game winner in the 93rd minute. It was the Lady Buckhorns’ only shot in OT. Earlier, freshman Rachael Tirjin connected to knot the score 1-1. Goalie Olivia Gregory had eight saves.
- In the district semifinals, Wallenpaupak defeated defending district champion Pittston 2-0. Skylar Wirth scored both goals. Rachel Speak had an assist in a game the Lady Buckhorns dominated.
#1-5 CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH vs. #3-1 DANIEL BOONE (at Exeter Township High School, Tuesday, 7:30 p.m.)
Central Bucks South Titans
- 14-7-2 overall
- 7-5-2 in league play; Third place in SOL Continental
- Key regular season wins over #27 North Penn (4-1 & 2-1), #23 West Chester East (1-0) and 14-6-1 Archbishop Wood (1-0)
- Close regular season defeats at the hands of #1 CB East (1-0 both times), #25 Souderton (2-1) and Villa Joseph Marie (2-1)
- Ties with #8 Pennridge on October 8 and Souderton on September 21.
- Last season: Lost in District One AAA second round to Great Valley, 3-1
- Offense led by Aleksa Peev and Kylie Walsh
- Goalie Sophia Boggs has been clutch for the Titans in net, registering 10 shutouts.
How they got here:
- In Saturday’s must-win fifth place game against sixth-seeded West Chester Henderson, Emily Andrusko (Krysta Reading assist) scored with seven minutes remaining in the second overtime to propel CB South to a 2-1 win over the Warriors. Sophia Boggs recorded 11 saves.
- In its first playback game after falling to CB East, CB South upset second-seeded Pennsbury 2-1. An own goal gave the Titans a 1-0 lead, and after the Falcons knotted the score, defender Krysta Reading scored the game winner with 10 minutes remaining.
- Central Bucks South fell to top-seeded Central Bucks East 2-1 in a quarterfinal game that saw the Patriots open up a 2-0 lead. A goal by Kelly Senour cut that lead in half.
- In the second round, CB South upset SOL Continental Conference rival and eighth-seeded Pennridge 2-1 in double overtime when Courtney Taylor scored (Aleksa Peev assist) with six minutes remaining. A goal by Kylie Walsh spotted the Titans a 1-0 lead in the opening half, but the Rams knotted the score in the second half, setting the stage for OT.
- In an opening round contest, Central Bucks South upset ninth-seeded Downingtown East 2-1, scoring a pair of second half goals to erase a 1-0 halftime deficit. Freshman Brooke Steigerwalt (Krysta Redding assist) and freshman Mackenzie Edwards (Courtney Taylor assist) each scored a goal, and Sophia Boggs came up big in the net.
Daniel Boone
- 17-2-2 overall
- 8-0-2 Berks Division I tied with Governor Mifflin for first place
- Lost to Governor Mifflin in Berks League semifinals
- First District Three AAA championship in program history
- Led by Kayleigh Kardos and Alayna Roesener – whose throw-ins are a trademark of the squad – as well as goalie Makenzie Witzel
How they got here:
- Daniel Boone capped its remarkable run through the District Three Tournament with a 2-1 overtime win over top-seeded and previously undefeated Cumberland Valley in the title game. Alayna Roesener (Madison Spitko assist) scored the game winner with 11 minutes remaining in the first overtime. Earlier Kayleigh Kardos scored using a Taylor Carroll assist. Makenzie Witzel recorded 10 saves in the Blazers’ upset of the two-time defending champions.
- In Daniel Boone’s 2-0 district semifinal win over seventh-seeded Conestoga Valley, the Blazers got on the scoreboard on an own goal 63 minutes into the contest, and five minutes later Kayleigh Kardos (Alayna Roesener assist) found the net with an insurance goal.
- Daniel Boone was sparked by a pair of Kayleigh Kardos goals – both set up by Alayna Roesener throw-ins – in a 2-0 win over third-seeded Manheim Township. Kardos scored two minutes into the game, using a Megan Breidigan assist, and she added an insurance goal early in the second half.
- Daniel Boone received first half goals from Kayleigh Kardos, Alayna Roesener and Marissa Stevenson in its 3-2 opening round win over 11th-seeded Dallastown.
About the Author
