By Alex Frazier
The new SOL - The Suburban One League will have a new look this year. After years of playing by the numbers, the league finally decided to align the conferences geographically.
In this writer’s opinion, it was about time.
So, instead of North Penn having to commute to Lower Bucks County (and vice versa), the Knights will be playing local rivalries like Souderton,
Central Bucks West and Quakertown. Instead of Neshaminy having to travel to Lansdale and Perkasie, the Redskins can enjoy the commute to neighborhood rivals, Council Rock South and North.
It’s all good.
Here’s what the new alignment looks like:
National Conference
Abington, Bensalem, Council Rock North, Council Rock South, Harry S Truman, Neshaminy, Pennsbury, William Tennent.
Abington, Bensalem, Council Rock North, Council Rock South, Harry S Truman, Neshaminy, Pennsbury, William Tennent.
Continental Conference
Central Bucks East, Central Bucks South, Central Bucks West, Hatboro-Horsham, North Penn, Pennridge, Souderton, Quakertown
Central Bucks East, Central Bucks South, Central Bucks West, Hatboro-Horsham, North Penn, Pennridge, Souderton, Quakertown
American Conference
Cheltenham, Norristown, Plymouth Whitemarsh, Springfield, Upper Dublin, Upper Merion, Upper Moreland, Wissahickon
Cheltenham, Norristown, Plymouth Whitemarsh, Springfield, Upper Dublin, Upper Merion, Upper Moreland, Wissahickon
New rule – In an effort to cut down on the number of yellow cards, the yellow card rule has been modified this year. A player receiving a yellow card must sit out for five minutes before being allowed back in the game at the next official substitution time.
“Essentially a five-minute penalty could theoretically turn into a 12 or 14-minute penalty if there’s no chance for a sub,” said Upper Dublin coach Rick Schmidt.
The yellow-carded player, however, can be substituted for.
The rule has not met with much approval of local coaches. Schmidt said, “I think it’s the most absurd thing I’ve ever heard. It was done for all the wrong reasons.”
Souderton’s Tom Quintois agreed, saying, “I do not like the rule, I would prefer AD's and coaches policing themselves rather than PIAA.”
Schmidt suggested instead, that players’ cards should be tracked over the season like they are at the college level, and penalties imposed after a certain number of infractions.
New coach – Pete Valimont has two dates circled on his calendar. They may not be the most important dates in his new job as head coach of the Pennridge soccer team. But they are meaningful landmarks in his coaching career.
The first date is Friday, Sept. 12 when his Rams take on archrival Quakertown. It will be the first year in some time that the two teams are meeting in a league contest. Also particularly significant is the fact that Valimont will be facing his former Pennridge coach Cesar Garrido also in his first year for the Panthers.
Valimont played midfield and defense for Pennridge for four years, graduating in 1999.
He walked on at Gettysburg and played through his junior year.
Valimont started his coaching and teaching career at Lower Merion High School, in part because his aunt was the head track coach there for 39 years.
“When I got done Gettysburg, I knew I wanted to teach and coach, and she got me to go back and get my teaching certification at West Chester State University, and I did that and while there I was able to work at Lower Merion,” said Valimont.
He started out as a freshman coach and finished as the varsity girls soccer coach at Harriton.
“Within a four year span, I started at the bottom and worked my way up,” he said. “I enjoyed working with the kids and realized I loved sports and
athletics and wanted to put the two together.”
Which brings us to the second circled date—September 20—when he and his team travel to Lower Merion to take on last year’s District One champions.
Valimont has coached both track and soccer and would coach both at the varsity level if he believed he could devote enough time to each.
Because he doesn’t think he can, he has opted to coach track at the junior high level only.
When Pat Lordi announced his resignation last year, Valimont tossed his name in the ring.
“I said I might as well as apply because the worst thing they could say is, ‘No,’” he said, “and it worked out.”
Valimont is excited to start his first year coaching at his alma mater. He exudes optimism about this year’s team, especially because Pennridge is now back in a semblance of the old Bux-Mont league, playing against its natural rivals like Quakertown and Souderton. Both of those games will be under lights.
“I’m looking forward to it,” he said. “It should be a lot of fun.”
The Rams were 5-13-2 (3-10-1 in the National Conference) last year.
Valimont doesn’t expect to challenge for the title this year, but he is shooting for a 10-win season and a spot in the district playoffs.
“I think we can with the talent we have,” he said. “We have a ton of potential. I’m hoping to build a lot of confidence in the first couple of games.
Our players are ready to win and they’re ready to win now.”
Conference Previews –
National Conference
All of the Lower Bucks teams have once again been reunited in the National Conference, which makes for some intense and exciting contests.
National Conference
All of the Lower Bucks teams have once again been reunited in the National Conference, which makes for some intense and exciting contests.
With North Penn moving to the Continental Conference, there will be no defending champion.
It is doubtful any team will run the table this year. The league should be balanced overall with any team capable of knocking off another.
Neshaminy and Pennsbury appear to be the early favorites to vie for the conference championship this year. Neshaminy (10-3-1, second, SOL National last year) returns seven starters, including four-year starter Kyle Soroka at midfield or defense, senior forward/midfielder Zach Turchi and leading scorer Dan Foley.
With the graduation of first-team goalie Dave Brous, the Redskins will have to rely on defenders Tristan Emig and Dan Kennedy to anchor the backfield.
Pennsbury (9-3-2, third) returns four all-league players in midfield/defender Alex Ockford (first team), defender/midfielder Eric Schoenle (second team), forward Eddie Adams (third team) and defender Brian Powers.
Schoenle might just be the best player on the team, but Ockford has experience at a high level as his club team went to nationals over the summer.
After a rough road in the middle of last season, the Falcons came on strong at the end and hope that momentum carries into this year. The last two years Pennsbury fell short of a final four-district finish and a trip to states. This year should be different.
Abington (8-5-1, fourth) peaked at the right time last year. Entering the district tournament as the No. 13 seed, the Galloping Ghosts soared to a second place finish, losing to Lower Merion 2-1 in the final. Although Abington doesn’t return a single all-league player, the Ghosts are not a team to be overlooked as veteran coach Randy Garber gets the most from his players.
The addition of Council Rock North (10-3-1, second Continental) and Council Rock South will definitely impact the conference.
New North coach Wendell Beres will have a lot to work with this year as the Indians lost just three starters from last year, although as with all new coaches there may be a period of adjustment. Forward Alex Ruhfuss, midfielders Jake Fields and Steve Neuman, defender Ryan Tessler and goalie Andrew Foran will lead the Indians.
Council Rock South (10-4, third, Continental) is not a team to be taken for granted, if the Golden Hawks’ 1-1 deadlock in a pre-season scrimmage against Neshaminy is any indication. The Hawks have a strong and deep team headlined by midfielders Greg Cochrane and Ryan Jones.
William Tennent (8-6, fourth Continental Conference) is new to the league this year. The Panthers will be coached by James Barry, who has had incredible success both with the Council Rock North boys (state champs-‘06) and the William Tennent girls (district champs-’08).
“Everything he touches turns to gold,” noted Neshaminy coach Rich Reice.
The Panthers’ best player is midfielder Jeff Pio, a first team all-league selection. They will also rely on Dylan Gerstenfeld in the midfield.
Bensalem (5-9, sixth) is also a team that can be a spoiler. Last year the Owls had one of their best seasons finishing sixth in the league, but they lost six starters. They do return second team all-leaguer Mike Cahill at defense and honorable mention Kyle Sibley in the midfield.
A team-bonding trip to North Carolina may have the Owls pumped for this season.
A team-bonding trip to North Carolina may have the Owls pumped for this season.
Scott Milone takes over a struggling program at Harry S Truman (0-14, eighth) and hopes to build it into a competitive one. The Tigers will build their team around defender Samuel Sen, a second team selection last year. Milone’s goal is to see improvement this year as the players become accustomed to his coaching style.
Continental Conference
The Continental Conference features two 2007 conference champions in C.B. East and North Penn. They will meet in the first league game of the season at North Penn on Sept. 5.
The Continental Conference features two 2007 conference champions in C.B. East and North Penn. They will meet in the first league game of the season at North Penn on Sept. 5.
“It’s going to be very competitive,” said East coach Mike Gorni. “The Continental doesn’t really have any weak teams.”
Central Bucks East (12-1-1, champs) is the prohibitive pre-season favorite to win the league. The Patriots return five first-team all league players, including goalie Jake Pickering, who recorded 19 shutouts last year and defenders Mike Whitaker, Chris Eisold and John Owens as well as regional all-American Sean Peckham and frontrunner Alex Shubert.
“Can we win the close games this year?” said Gorni. “That’s what it’s going to come down to. The league is very good and we’re going to have
to play well. If you don’t bring your ‘A’ game, you’re going to fall to someone else on that particular day.”
Second place will be up for grabs. North Penn (11-2-1, National champs) returns three all-league players from last year in forward Nate Harder (third team), defender K.C. Haywood (third team) and midfielder Ryan Getson (honorable mention). Under the skilled guidance of coach Paul
Duddy, the Knights are very capable of re-loading in their new conference, even though they return just four starters.
Central Bucks South (7-7, fifth National) finished fifth in the National Conference last year and returns dangerous forward Pat Rennie along with Michael Lambing, defender Dane Smith and goalie Dan Fritch. The Titans are focusing on the district playoffs, which they just missed last year.
After an uncharacteristic seventh place finish last year, Souderton (3-11, seventh) could also be in the running for second after a dismal season a year ago. The Indians should be a threat to score goals this year with returning senior forward Craig Heckman, who scored 18 goals last year, and Dan Meulners, a third team all-league forward to complement him.
A.J. Androkites will anchor the defense.
Hatboro-Horsham (7-6-1, fifth) turned some heads last year and could also challenge Souderton or South for third/fourth place. After finishing fifth in the conference, the Hatters, who were seeded 21st in the district tournament, proceeded to knock off No. 12 Upper Darby and No. 5 West Chester Henderson before falling to eventual runner-up Abington.
Hatboro-Horsham returns a lot of strong and speedy players and will build its team this year around senior defender Dan Grosso, midfielder Dan Hucker and forward Rich Hobbs.
Pennridge (3-10-1, seventh National) and Quakertown are both new to the league this year and could each play a role in the final standings.
Under new head coach Pete Valimont, the Rams hope to make their first year in the Continental a memorable one after a disappointing 3-10-1 campaign in the National last year.
Look for defender/midfielder Jake Rapinski to lead the way.
Quakertown (11-4-1, third American) had a successful year in the American Conference. But the Continental Conference is a lot tougher, and they lost a pair of superb midfielders in all-state Paul Lamb and Greg Robinson, also a first-team selection. It remains to be seen how the Panthers will adjust to the tougher schedule.
They also have a new coach Cesar Garrido and may take some time to adapt.
They will depend on their returning all-leaguers Tyler Oates in goal and Zach Smith up front.
Having graduated 16 seniors, Central Bucks West (4-9-1, sixth) will be a young, rebuilding team this year. The Bucks will have to rely on senior midfielder Alex Abdalla, a second teamer last year.
American Conference
Upper Dublin coach Rick Schmidt laments the fact that the conference lost two Class AAA schools in Quakertown and Methacton, which finished third and fourth, respectively.
Upper Dublin coach Rick Schmidt laments the fact that the conference lost two Class AAA schools in Quakertown and Methacton, which finished third and fourth, respectively.
The addition of AAA Norristown doesn’t make up for that as the Eagles have struggled for years at the bottom of the Continental Conference. To their credit, they did show some signs of improvement last year. Moving to the American Conference can only help them build their program and instill confidence.
Upper Dublin (15-1, American champs) and Wissahickon will be the likely contenders for the conference crown. The Cardinals had a strong season last year, finishing 15-1. The loss of two AAA schools had a silver lining for Schmidt. He went out and scheduled two tough non-league games to prepare for the post season. The Cardinals open with Lower Merion and Abington, the first and second teams in the district last year, respectively.
Although Upper Dublin graduated its all-state player Ryan Lafferty, the Cardinals still have strength returning, especially in junior forward Ian Smith (first team), senior goalie Kevin Marvill (first team), defender Ben Kessler (second team) and senior midfielder Ryan Hartzell (third team).
Wissahickon (12-4, second) also returns a strong nucleus of players, including four all-leaguers. Nick Matthews (first team) will lead the attack; and with goalie Dan Beaulieu, who was second best in the league last year, and first team defender Jason Bilotti, the Trojans will be strong in the back.
In the midfield look for Jacob Helman to run the transition.
With nemesis Quakertown out of the league, Wissahickon could make a serious attack on archrival Upper Dublin.
Upper Merion (8-5-3, fourth) is not a team to be taken lightly. The Vikings showed improvement last year and return quality players in defender Heath Kopecky, midfielders Ben Andrews and Shawn Dugan and goalie Joe Delcollo.
Upper Moreland (4-9-3, sixth) should be stronger this season. The Class AA school could knock off some of the big boys this year.
The Golden Bears return freshman phenom and second team all-league selection Manuckph Daramy, who scored 15 goals and 13 assists last year. He and first team forward Nick Fuerst will give opposing defenses a fit.
At the other end of the field, sweeper Nick Cappa and defender Andy Clark will anchor the defense.
Cheltenham (7-8-1, fifth) should compete with Upper Moreland for the fourth spot. The Panthers lost some of their strength through graduation. With no all-leaguers returning, Cheltenham will be a young and inexperienced team.
Springfield (4-11-1, seventh) will still struggle against the larger school in the conference. However, that competition will help the Spartans come district playoff time.
Plymouth Whitemarsh (2-12-1, ninth) should improve on its record from last season. The Colonials will look to third team all-league midfielder James Garrison for leadership.
Norristown (0-14, eighth Continental) showed some fight last year in the tough Continental but still came away winless. The Eagles should break their loss streak this year even though their only two all-league players graduated.
Predicted finishes –
National Conference
1. Pennsbury
2. Neshaminy
3. Council Rock North
4. Abington
5. Council Rock South
6. William Tennent
7. Bensalem
8. Harry S Truman
National Conference
1. Pennsbury
2. Neshaminy
3. Council Rock North
4. Abington
5. Council Rock South
6. William Tennent
7. Bensalem
8. Harry S Truman
Continental Conference
1. Central Bucks East
2. Central Bucks South
3. North Penn
4. Souderton
5. Hatboro-Horsham
6. Pennridge
7. Quakertown
8. Pennridge
9. Central Bucks West
1. Central Bucks East
2. Central Bucks South
3. North Penn
4. Souderton
5. Hatboro-Horsham
6. Pennridge
7. Quakertown
8. Pennridge
9. Central Bucks West
American Conference
1. Upper Dublin
2. Wissahickon
3. Upper Merion
4. Upper Moreland
5. Cheltenham
6. Springfield
7. Plymouth Whitemarsh
8. Norristown
1. Upper Dublin
2. Wissahickon
3. Upper Merion
4. Upper Moreland
5. Cheltenham
6. Springfield
7. Plymouth Whitemarsh
8. Norristown
Preseason SOL Top Five
1. Central Bucks East
2. Pennsbury
3. Neshaminy
4. Council Rock North
5. Abington
1. Central Bucks East
2. Pennsbury
3. Neshaminy
4. Council Rock North
5. Abington
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