Check out the recaps for SOL girls’ soccer teams in action. CB West/CB East photos provided courtesy of Tracy Valko. Check back for a gallery of photos. Hatboro-Horsham/Wissahickon photos provided by Josh Stelzer.
SOL Colonial
Central Bucks West 3, Central Bucks East 2
Last fall, CB East turned the lights out on CB West's season in the District 1 4A playoffs.
That match almost finished in the dark anyway, as the teams slugged out regulation and two overtimes before the Patriots advanced over the Bucks in a spot kick shootout. Luckily for both sides, there was no chance of that on Monday thanks to the new lights at East, which were getting their first use for a varsity sporting event.
East turned its lights on, but this time it was the Bucks who kept the hosts in the dark when it came to getting a win, mounting a stirring comeback in the final 20 minutes for a dramatic 3-2 win.
"It felt great - they were talking about how much they wanted to win this first game under the lights on their field," West junior Alexis Castro said. "We were down 2-0, so it felt pretty great to come back and win. We don't give up on our team."
“We were dead in the water,” West coach Mike Moyer said. “It was unbelievable.
“It was just a great win. East is super talented. I honestly think they are the best team in our league this year, but the one thing about West teams is that we work our tail off. Sometimes hard work beats talent.”
Castro was lights-out during West's rally, thumping in the game-winning goal off a header with five minutes left, assisting the Bucks' opening goal and standing firm in the wall to help block two final kicks from East in the last half-minute. Just when it seemed like it could be lights-out again, the Bucks turned the power back on to earn a gutsy win in their season opener.
"We talked about it at halftime, we knew we had to pick it up," Castro said. "We did not want to lose this game and we've never had a win like this. It's a very big confidence boost and we're going to enjoy it on the way home."
With plenty of natural light at the first tap, the stadium's light towers didn't actually turn on until midway through the first half. Once they did, it illuminated an East attack that had been applying pressure from the start.
Elliot Forney forced a diving stop from West's Jules Broskey on a blast from distance a few minutes in, and the Bucks back line of Kate Weyer, Ava Longo, Courtney Moylan and Janelle Blokker were busy. The Patriots generated plenty of chances through their front line of Camryn Williams, Gwyn Krystiewicz and Mikayla Gray in the first 20 minutes.
It was the Bucks however, who nearly lit up the scoreboard first. A counter put junior Ashley Lott in alone, but an aggressive play by East keeper Mae Leedy led to a save on the breakaway to keep the scoreless tie.
"It was a very mental game," Williams said. "At times, it was hard to connect with our back line from up front to get everyone to press up. There needs to be a lot more communication and I think we're a very athletic team, so our high press can continue to get better, and this is only the start."
Williams, a senior co-captain committed to Seton Hall, stayed aggressive in the first half and with minutes left on the board, hit a perfectly weighted through ball to Krystkiewicz. The senior forward latched onto the pass and unleashed a blast off her right foot that settled into the upper back corner of the goal for a 1-0 lead with 1:54 before half.
East nearly got a second goal at the horn, with Williams managing to get a shot off just before the buzzer that Broskey was able to keep off the line.
"I wouldn't say the goal gave me confidence, but it did relieve some of my nerves," Williams said. "At the same time, playing our rival, it's such a mental game that if we're not all relaxed and composed, then it's not going to be good enough."
Williams got her goal a minute into the second half. Gray slipped a diagonal ball across the box and Williams beat Broskey to the far post, the senior forward sliding in to toe-poke one past the senior keeper for a 2-0 lead.
"Especially with us on the front line, it has to be more loud and we need to continue to communicate," Williams said. "At halftime, we always talk about our positives but also the negatives we need to work on and I think, including our first game, we've continued to improve on our negatives.
"We came out strong in the second half, but the second we start to relax, that's when they can take over."
West started knocking back, with freshman Mackenzie Gaush forcing Leedy into a save and fellow freshman Emery Sterling hitting a swerving shot that just sailed over the crossbar near the midpoint of the second half.
The Bucks finally got a goal with 19:37 to play off a counter. Castro received the ball in the midfield, turned and slipped a through ball up to Rian Detweiler while the sophomore settled into space and ripped a shot into the back of the net.
"That goal really picked us up," Castro said. "We were playing to gaps, first half we were doing it but not finishing our chances. After getting all those chances, I knew we were going to get one and it really picked us up."
“That was the spark that we needed,” Moyer said.
Four minutes later, it was another lightspeed counter that led to the equalizer. West played the ball back to Broskey, who bombed a clearing kick into the middle of the park that found Eva Wierzbowski.
From there, Wierzbowski set the ball to the right flank where Lott was running into space and got another chance at goal. Her skimmer was able to slip the keeper's gloves and change the red scoreboard lights to 2-2 with 15:05 remaining.
After the Bucks hit the underside of the crossbar, Leedy made a great diving save with about 6:30 left to keep the match tied. With five minutes on the clock, West earned its first corner kick of the match.
Detweiler and Castro flipped roles from the first goal, with the sophomore forward curling a perfect ball right to the center of the box where Castro soared into the air and nodded it home.
"I'm very much looking for it to come to me and it did," Castro said. "I'm just proud of this team, everyone found a way to contribute, and I hope we can keep winning."
For a young West squad, it was quite a season opener.
This year I’m starting seven girls that never started on varsity before,” Moyer said. “It’s a whole new team. It took us a while to figure some things out. We have a couple of freshmen starting. There were a lot of people there, and we were very nervous, and they took it to us. They destroyed us in the first half. We finally settled in, got that first goal.
“As young as we are and just the confidence this is going to give them – it’s great.”
East (1-0, 0-1 SOL) visits CB South at 3:30 pm Wednesday. West (1-0 SOL) visits North Penn at 3:30 on Wednesday.
CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 0 3 - 3
CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 1 1 -2
Goals: CBW - Rian Detweiler, Ashley Lott, Alexis Castro; CBE -Gwyn Krystkiewicz, Camryn Williams
Pennridge 3, North Penn 0
The opponent was different, but the Rams started their 2022 season on the same field their 2021 season came to an end.
Any lingering feelings about last fall's shootout loss to Conestoga in the state playoffs coupled with a veteran-laden Knights team looking to start strong didn't make for an ideal opener. Once Pennridge settled in however, the midfield helped push forward to pick up an opening win.
"We were a little rusty for maybe the first 15 minutes, and (North Penn) really had the only scoring opportunities in that opening part of the game," Rams coach Audrey Anderson said. "Once we got our feet wet a little bit, we started moving the ball around through our midfield and found gaps between their defenders to start going at them."
Junior Liv Grenda, who missed the latter half of 2021 with a foot injury, certainly helps do that.
"Liv doing her thing making runs off the other midfielders and forwards, she got in clean and scored our first goal off a ball from Kate Brashear," Anderson said.
Grenda added a second goal just a few minutes later, finishing a corner kick by Casey Malone.
Pennridge is heavy on juniors and sophomores this fall, but they have a pretty good senior captain in Joey Tomlinson too. In the second half, Tomlinson was able to receive a ball from Malone, turn and finish for her team's final tally.
Once they took the lead, it was up to Pennridge's midfield to keep it. Grenda rotated between an attacking and a holding role while Sophie Craig played her minutes in a few weeks coming off an injury and around them, Ava Kiwak, Hannah Primwhere, Lauren Murphy and Riley Williams were among the other contributors.
"It seems to be a thing with this program where the young players step up when they're needed," Anderson said. "Our keeper, Seretha Demoss, is a freshman and when I asked her how it felt to get her first shutout, she said 'I think I have more in me,' which I thought was great."
North Penn continues its homestand by hosting CB West at 3:30 on Wednesday. Pennridge travels to Souderton for an 8 pm start on Wednesday.
PENNRIDGE 2 1 - 3
NORTH PENN 0 0 - 0
Goals: P - Liv Grenda 2, Joey Tomlinson
Central Bucks South 2, Souderton 0
The Titans leaders have come ready to play this season.
On the attacking end, the combo of Eva Costello and Allison Sauers are clicking while in the back, keeper Kristen Conway is anchoring a defense that's posted two shutouts in two matches. With a first-year coaching staff, it's just what South needed moving into its first SOL contest.
"We had a very strong first half and created a lot of scoring opportunities, but Souderton made it difficult for us in the second half," Titans coach Gabbie Nolan said. "Our goalie Kristen Conway's leadership really helped us get through the second half to seal the win. It wasn't the prettiest win, but I'm proud of my players for fighting through."
Sauers or Costello have played a part in all four Titans goals this season. Monday, it was as facilitators as each senior tallied an assist on one of the two goals scored by freshman Alana Peev.
"They're smart offensively and they're both playmakers," Nolan said. "They have a lot of good movement off the ball to put their teammates in a situation to succeed."
That ability to connect gave South an early lead and put Souderton in a spot where it had to try and battle back. After shutting out Archbishop Carroll in their opener, the Indians faced their first deficit of the year but continued to battle.
"Slightly slow start for us. South had some really quick and crafty attacking players who were doing a good job of stretching our defense from time to time. In the first half, they were able to make a nice run across our back line and in behind for a one-on-one finish. From there we were chasing the game," Souderton coach Ian Smith said. "Senior goalkeeper Abby Allen did a good job keeping us in it in the first half, stepping quickly off the line and controlling her 18. She also helped us settle down a bit and get organized after the game."
Nolan cited Conway's positivity, focus and direction from the back as the pillars that have held the team together through two games. South needed her against an Indians side that upped its intensity looking to claw back into the game after halftime.
"We were more organized and raised our intensity a bit, but still struggled to create quality chances. Sophomore Julia DeCaro had a decent chance on a ball over the top that she put just wide at the start of the half," Smith said. Freshman Sienna Stunkard also worked really hard in the second half and created a few chances for herself, getting a few shots on target. We had about three corner kicks that I thought we created quality chances from, but in the end couldn’t get the finishing touch."
South's leaders have shown up so far, but the Titans are also getting contributions from plenty of others including some doing what's needed even if it's out of their comfort zone.
"Kila Kienzle has been controlling the back," Nolan said. "She's actually a center mid but is playing out of position. She has stepped up big time."
South hosts CB East on Wednesday at 3:30. Souderton hosts Pennridge under the lights at 8 pm on Wednesday
CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 2 0 - 2
SOUDERTON 0 0 - 0
Goals: CBS - Alana Peev 2
SOL Liberty
Hatboro-Horsham 3, Wissahickon 2 (OT)
Anyone in the stands at Wissahickon on Monday feeling a sense of deja vu wouldn't have been too far off.
Last fall, the Hatters came to Wiss and edged the Trojans 3-2 in a highly competitive, intense and entertaining District 1 playoff game. Monday night, the Hatters came to Wiss and edged the Trojans
3-2 in a highly competitive, intense and entertaining SOL opener.
"Another OT thriller for the Lady Hatters but this time we were able to find the back of the net from a goal by Mia Malofiy assisted by Sarah Roesing," HH Coach Kelsey Daley said.
Hatboro-Horsham got off to a dream start, with Roesing hitting a rocket from 25 yards out that dipped under the crossbar just 21 seconds in, capitalizing on a short clearance by Wiss. Keeping the lead throughout the half, the Hatters doubled it up just before intermission off a give-and-go between Sarah Boland and Kitty Randa with Randa putting away the finish.
Despite having the lead, Hatboro-Horsham felt like it left some opportunities on the pitch.
"The Hatters had a great game tonight, but we just couldn’t finish," Daley said. "We hit the post multiple times, hit shots just wide or just over top. Wiss goalie (Meredith Blight) had some big saves for them."
The Trojans took the punch and kept standing at the half. Last season's SOL Liberty champion, Wissahickon has some quality experienced players returning who helped get their team back in it.
Kylie Friedman cut the lead in half with a 51st minute goal off an assist by Kendall Dries. About 25 minutes later, with the game nearing the end of regulation, Wissahickon won a free kick in a potentially profitable area.
Senior Sage Stelzer took the effort, driving it right on goal with the right amount of pace and accuracy to bend it over the keeper but under the bar for the equalizer.
Two minutes into overtime, Mia Malofiy was at the right place, right time for the Hatters to make sure they didn't have to play a full 100 minutes for a second time this season. Roesing had the initial shot, which Blight pushed away but Malofiy pounced and slammed home the rebound winner.
"I have to praise the play of Jordyn Harris. She really stepped up for us at center defense and never backs down from a challenge," Daley said. "The entire team played well, and we had the better of play and chances but just couldn’t finish some shots.
"The girls never gave up and worked really hard to get the win tonight."
The Hatters host Abington at 3:45 on Wednesday. Wissahickon makes the short trip over to rival Upper Dublin for a 3:30 start Wednesday.
HATBORO-HORSHAM 2 0 1 - 3
WISSAHICKON 0 2 0 - 2
Goals: HH - Mia Malofiy, Sarah Roesing, Kitty Randa; W - Kylie Friedman, Sage Stelzer
Quakertown 3, Upper Dublin 0
A resolute defensive effort from the Panthers helped Quakertown pick up a road win to open SOL play.
The visitors scored all three goals in the final 16 minutes, two on penalty kicks after keeping a veteran Upper Dublin attacking unit under wraps defensively. Keeper Darby Vail led the way as the standout player of the game.
"It was definitely a tough opener - Upper Dublin was a tough opponent. What we did well was defend their top three," Quakertown coach Jon Gingrich said. "Our senior goalkeeper, Darby Vail, was awesome for us, a standout in net. Our defense, as a whole, was awesome. Due to the heat, we played multiple players in defense, and everybody stepped up for the win. The win was a complete team effort."
Upper Dublin coach Chuck Gesing also lauded the play of Vail and credited the Panthers for their "gritty, gutsy and physical performance."
The Cardinals started out strong but couldn't seem to catch a break as the match went on. Their main concern after the match was senior midfielder Regan Rubin, a Nevada recruit who had over a dozen assists last season, who left the game in the first half with an injury and wasn't able to return.
"Tough day. We were playing well early, we got two outstanding opportunities in the first five minutes, and as the game went on, it got worse and worse for us," Gesing said. "We went into halftime 0-0 despite outshooting Quakertown 8-1. On a hot day, I knew we were not in a good spot."
In the 64th minute, a foul call in the box gave the Panthers a penalty kick. Ashlyn Calabria stepped up to the spot and converted, putting Quakertown in front for good.
"That was enough to turn the tide," Gesing said. "We gave up another PK on a frustration foul about 12 minutes later and then allowed one off a throw-in with five seconds left."
Defender Carolyn Sipprell converted the second penalty kick while Callie Abel had the third goal.
It also didn't help the Cardinals that Vail was turning them away at every opportunity.
"She kept us in the game, making saves all game," Gingrich said of his senior keeper. "She led the defense and organized everything to keep a clean sheet."
Gingrich also noted the play of his entire defensive unit, which relied a good deal on the bench to stay fresh on a hot afternoon. Seniors Mackenna Calabria, Angela Calvanese, Callie Abel, Carolyn Sipprell and top reserves in junior Carlee Roesener and freshman. Anna Greenday put in 80 strong minutes to start the season.
Quakertown heads to Plymouth Whitemarsh at 3:45 on Wednesday. UD plays host to rival Wissahickon at 3:30 on Wednesday.
QUAKERTOWN 0 3 - 3
UPPER DUBLIN 0 0 - 0
Goals: Q - Ashlyn Calabria, Carolyn Sipprell, Callie Abel
Abington 6, Plymouth Whitemarsh 1
The Ghosts offense continued to click while showing off its depth to start SOL play.
Six different players - Anna Cleary, Kara Slavin, Piper Mc Ginley, Harper McGinley, Lily Gray and Carley Slavin - found the back of the net on Monday. Maura Day had three assists, Maddie Egan had two helpers and Harper McGinley added an assist to her goal.
Abington visits Hatboro-Horsham at 3:45 on Wednesday. PW plays host to Quakertown at 3:45 pm Wednesday.
ABINGTON - 6
PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH - 1
Goals: A - Anna Cleary, Kara Slavin, Piper Mc Ginley, Harper McGinley, Lily Gray and Carley Slavin
SOL Patriot
Council Rock South 4, Bensalem 2
While the Golden Hawks played to a draw in Friday's opener at Hatboro-Horsham, they weren't overly thrilled about it.
"We came out pretty strong today. I think as a unit we were a bit upset with how we played Friday and wanted to get back to our style of play," South coach Nick Heim said. "I felt we generated chances early and we stressed we needed to dictate the pace of play."
Playing an Owls side that's always game and coming off a strong showing in its season opener, the Hawks wanted an early tally to set the pace. About 15 minutes in, they got just what they wanted.
"Kathryn O’Kane put us on the board with an unassisted goal from about 30 out," Heim said. "We kept knocking on the door, but Bensalem’s goalie was solid."
Eventually, CR South broke the wall down again and doubled its lead thanks to Kyle Bamberger punching home a rebound with seven minutes remaining in the half.
O'Kane and Bamberger would keep up their strong play after the break.
"At half we stressed continuing to keep our foot on the gas and close them out," Heim said.
Five minutes in, Kathryn O’Kane beat a few defenders and slotted Kylee Bamberger for a nice finish. Two minutes later O’Kane flicked a ball on to Cam Blatz who made it 4-0."
The match was far from done however and the Owls didn't just roll over.
"To Bensalem's credit they clawed away and scored two in a four-minute span to make it 4-2 with 10 left before we could close the door," Heim said.
The Hawks’ coach called it a good win, especially to start conference play but added that overall, his team still isn't where it wants to be overall.
Finishing four goals looks good but doesn't highlight all the standouts for CR South.
"Although they don’t show up on the scoresheet, Reghan Mudie and Zoe Brossman were instrumental for us today and we had numerous players create chances for us in the final third," Heim said.
Bensalem visits Council Rock North at 3:30 on Wednesday. The Hawks host Neshaminy in a 3:30 start on Wednesday.
COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 2 2 - 4
BENSALEM 0 2 - 2
Goals: CRS - Kathryn O'Kane, Kylee Bamberger 2, Cam Blatz
Council Rock North 7, Harry S Truman 1
The Indians improved to 2-0-0 on the season while picking up a win in their SOL opener on Monday.
CR North hosts Bensalem at 3:30 on Wednesday. Truman hosts Pennsbury at 3:30 on Wednesday.
SOL Freedom
Cheltenham 3, New Hope-Solebury 3 (2 OTs)
The Panthers and Lions dueled back and forth for 100 minutes Monday, enduring the heat, injuries and challenges to share a point in the standings.
"I’m proud of the way our team played in our first game of the season. We persevered through the heat and injuries, moved the ball well and got off a lot of shots, which is one of our goals this season," Cheltenham coach Leah Matusow said. "There was great leadership in our midfield from Amelia Fishman and Lily Crocker and our defense held their ground today with some great saves by our keeper Amaya Washington."
Cheltenham struck first, getting a goal from Maya Schwartz assisted by Ciara Rodriguez seven minutes in but fell behind 2-1 soon after. Schwartz tallied a second goal, this assisted by senior Maddie Messa, to make it even after a busy first half.
New Hope-Solebury was carried in the first half by Ava Marrone, who bagged both goals off assists from Mia Usatin and Hayden Tumminello.
"It was a very back and forth game. Lots of momentum shifts," Lions coach Matt Duffey said. "We suffered some injuries during the game and had to shift multiple players around into unfamiliar positions. They responded to the adversity and hung tough for the draw."
Duffey also noted the play of Meeghan Griffin before she unfortunately had to leave the game due to injury.
New Hope-Solebury took a 3-2 lead in the second half off a misplay by Cheltenham that led to an own goal for the Panthers.
"We didn’t hang our heads and came back a few minutes later to tie it up 3-3 after a goal scored by sophomore forward Layla Baxter. We went into overtime and gave ourselves several chances, but NHS’s keeper did a great job in the back," Matusow said. " It was a hard fought game on both sides, and the girls gave everything they had for 100 minutes."
Cheltenham hosts Lower Moreland at 3:30 on Wednesday. New Hope-Solebury hosts Springfield Twp in a 7 pm start on Wednesday.
CHELTENHAM 2 1 0 0 - 3
NEW HOPE-SOLEBURY 2 1 0 0 - 3
Goals: C - Maya Schwartz 2, Layla Baxter; NHS - Ava Marrone 2
Lower Moreland 2, Upper Moreland 0
The score went to the Lions, but the game on the pitch was far from one-sided.
"Although the score might not reflect it, it was a pretty even match with both teams getting the same amount of shots off throughout the game," UM coach Lisa Benvenuto said. "The first goal was on us, the entire team was slow in moving into the defensive transition which led to a goal for Lower Moreland."
Nikki Sahl put away a goal on each side of the half to lead LM to a season-opening win. Morgan Pennisi assisted on one and Demmi Fox set up the other.
It was the first win for first-year head coach Todd Hill and one that came hard-earned. While the Lions ended the day with a clean sheet, they had to battle for it.
"Our defense played a solid game, maintaining a shutout with a stellar performance from center defender Amelia Brown and goalkeeper Sandra Malave," Hill said. "I was pleased to see our team’s resilience as UM continued to threaten throughout the second half."
Upper Moreland is still looking for a win after playing Upper Merion to a draw in its opener, but the Golden Bears again displayed their usual tenacity.
"The rest of the play was even, we had some really dangerous opportunities, but were just unable to finish," Benvenuto said. "Our girls played tough, they followed our game plan, continued to push for opportunities, and pressure LM's defense. I was proud of their effort and their sportsmanship."
The Lions host Cheltenham at 3:30 pm Wednesday. The Golden Bears are on the road at William Tennent for a 3:30 start Wednesday.
LOWER MORELAND 1 1 - 2
UPPER MORELAND 0 0 - 0
Goals: LM - Nikki Sahl 2
William Tennent 4, Springfield Twp 1
After opening their season with a setback to Bensalem, the Panthers got on the right path to open league play.
A strong effort in the midfield led by sophomore Paige Marek helped Tennent keep an experienced and potent Spartans attack in check.
"We controlled play in the middle of the field thanks to a strong game by Paige," Panthers coach Elise Jara said. "Our midfield recovered much better to help support the defense and stop Springfield's attacking front line."
Tennent scored all four of its goals in the second half, with its second of the game easily the most spectacular. With the score level 1-1, Marek set up the go-ahead goal with a fantastic assist.
"She sent a ball in from the 40-yard line on the far left side that Kaitlyn Frank put in with a diving header," Jara said. "Paige won many of the 50/50 balls in the middle of the field and distributed well to progress the play to the offense."
Theresa Ditri had a brace to lead Tennent offensively.
The Spartans visit New Hope-Solebury for a 7 pm start Wednesday. Tennent travels to Upper Moreland for a 3:30 start on Wednesday.
WILLIAM TENNENT 0 4 - 4
SPRINGFIELD TWP 1 0 - 1
Goals: WT - Theresa Ditri 2, Kaitlyn Frank, Sofia Jakimoski
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