Six SOL field hockey teams will be in action in Wednesday’s second round of the District One AAA Tournament.
#15 COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH at #2 CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH
Central Bucks South
- 17-1 overall
- 13-1 SOL Continental Conference champions (sixth consecutive conference crown)
- Defeated third-seeded Wissahickon 5-0 on Sept. 6.
- Only loss of season to North Penn (1-0) on Oct. 2
- Winners of five in a row heading into tournament
- Last year, the Titans entered the postseason as the number one seed with their only loss of the season to Souderton (1-0) on Oct. 3 and boasting a five-game winning streak heading into the tournament.
Last game: Opening round bye
Co-coach Jeff Harding says: “We are very fortunate to be in a place where we can continue to play a game the kids really enjoy. Not every year goes your way, but we feel through hard work and a team approach, the program will have its best chance. We are really looking forward to competing in the District One Tournament and representing the SOL Continental Conference. The team has really been peaking at the right time with their play, energy and passion.
Council Rock South
- 12-5-1 overall
- 10-3-1 SOL National Conference (third place)
- Tied eighth-seeded Neshaminy on Oct. 11 and defeated 11th-seeded Council Rock North 2-1 on Sept. 24
Last game: Defeated #18 Avon Grove 2-1 in an opening round thriller when junior Kristen Meihofer scored with five minutes remaining in the second of two overtimes. Alexis Carroll scored a first half goal to knot the score 1-1 after the Red Devils took an early 1-0 lead. Meihofer scored the go-ahead goal with 13 minutes remaining only to watch Avon Grove knot the score with eight minutes left, setting the stage for OT.
Players to watch: Alexis Carroll (Sr. Captain), Colleen Kirlin (Sr., Captain), Kelly Schlupp (Sr. Captain), Kristin Donohue (Jr. Captain)
#19 OWEN J ROBERTS at #3 WISSAHICKON
Wissahickon
- 15-3 overall
- 13-1 SOL American Conference champions
- Opened season with 4-2 win over 11th-seeded Council Rock North
- Only losses of the season came at the hands of second-seeded Central Bucks South, Villa Maria Academy (top-seeded in the Class AA bracket) and Springfield (third seed in Class AA)
- Trojans enter postseason with an eight-game winning streak
Last game: Opening round bye
Players to watch: Emily Gallagher (Sr., Striker), Jackie Hibbs (Sr., Midfield), Angela Virtu (Jr., Center Back), Ashley Laskowitz (Soph., Sweeper)
Coach Lucy Gil says: “It always means a lot to make it this far. We have been playing better and better with each game, so we feel we are ‘peaking’ at the right time. They have been working very hard to improve, and it shows.”
Owen J. Roberts
- 9-9-1 overall
- 7-5-1 PAC-10 (Second place in Liberty Division behind top-seeded Spring-Ford)
- Lost for the season leading scorer and Duke University recruit Heather Morris to an ACL tear
- Had three-year run as PAC-10 champions snapped this season by Spring-Ford
Last game: The Wildcats eked out a 3-2 upset over 14th-seeded Downingtown East in Monday’s opening round. Lauren Schweppe had a goal and two assists to lead the Wildcats, who fell behind 1-0 at halftime. The Wildcats knotted the score when Ashley Kucera deflected Schweppe’s corner shot into the cage. Schweppe tipped home a Kucera shot for a 2-1 lead, and Emma Christman scored an insurance goal. The Wildcats had an advantage in shots (20-18) and corners (14-8). Goalies Lizzy Tamburro (nine saves) and Ally Mooney (eight saves) combined for 17 saves in a busy afternoon.
#9 CENTRAL BUCKS WEST at #8 NESHAMINY
Neshaminy
- 15-3-1 overall
- 12-1-1 SOL National Conference champions, first SOL championship since 2008
- Defeated 11th-seeded Council Rock North 3-2 on Oct. 15 to knock the Indians out of first place for the first time all season
- Won nine and tied one in last 10 games to close out season
Last game: Senior Brittany Sheenan scored one goal and assisted on another to lead the Redskins to a 2-0 win over #25 Radnor in Monday’s opening round. Sheenan converted a penalty stroke to send the Redskins into halftime with a 1-0 lead, and Abby Alexis added an insurance goal in the second half. The story of the game was the Redskins’ defense, which allowed the Red Raiders to take just two shots. The defense in front of veteran goalie Sarah Mitchell included Juliette Rihl, Erin Bedesem, Emily Curtin and Annie Kopera.
Players to watch: Brittany Sheenan (Sr.), Annie Kopera (Sr.), Rachel Rotteveel (Sr.), Sarah Mitchell (Sr.), Malloree-Jo Mason (Sr.), Emily Curtin (Sr.), Juliette Rihl (Sr.), Erin Bedesem (Jr.), Amanda Binczewski (Jr.), Abby Alexis (Soph.), Marlena Koellner (Fr.), Christen Pennington (Fr.), Amanda Blum (F.)
Central Bucks West
- 14-5 overall
- 9-5 SOL Continental Conference (second place)
- Opened season with five straight wins and went on to earn first district berth since 2008
- Defeated 15th seeded Council Rock South on Sept. 4 and twice defeated 20th-seeded Hatboro-Horsham.
Last game: Senior Heather Zezzo scored a pair of goals to lead the Bucks to a 2-1 win over Methacton. The two teams exchanged goals in the first half to go into halftime deadlocked 1-1. Zezzo scored the game winner using an Erick Fiorelli assist.
Players to watch: Offensively – seniors Heather Zezzo and Ginny Moore “Great finishers that have been finding the back of the cage well all season,” coach Casey Hughes said. “Also, junior Erick Fiorelli and sophomore Kim Hitchcock are extremely strong offensively and have been playmakers. Junior Elena Romesburg is consistently one of my extremely strong players on the field and a force to be reckoned with.” Defensively – “Mackenzie Gallagher is our anchor and will lead the other backs,” Hughes said. “Look for my young sophomore backs – Jacqueline Fitzgerald and Carson LeGreca - to step up and play strong as well. Sophomore goalkeeper Brianna DeAngelis is strong between the pipes and has been making good saves all season. This team is very strong, and they are ready to prove themselves.”
#11 COUNCIL ROCK NORTH at #6 WEST CHESTER HENDERSON
Council Rock North
- 14-5 overall
- 12-2 SOL National Conference (second place)
- Split season series with conference champion Neshaminy and fell to Council Rock South, accounting for two league losses
- Returned just three players from last year’s championship National Conference squad
Last game: Alex Kuzma scored a pair of goals to send the Indians into halftime with a 2-1 lead. Freshman Jennica Jonowich set up junior Kate Keller for a late insurance goal to seal the first round win.
Players to watch: Alex Kuzma (Sr.), Gabby Tofig (Sr.), Alyssa Mangano (Sr.), Stefani Ruzzic (Sr.)
West Chester Henderson
16-3 overall
- Ches-Mont League National Conference champion
- Tied 14th-seeded Downingtown East last week
Last game: Henderson won its first district playoff game in eight years on Monday, pounding an overmatched Interboro squad 8-0. Last year, after an opening round bye, the second-seeded Warriors were upset by Spring-Ford in the second round. Senior Katie O’Donnell, who boasts 39 goals on the season, scored five goals to lead the Warriors. Senior Emily Torrance added two goals, and Haley Weaver scored a single goal for the Warriors, who led 4-0 at the intermission.
#20 HATBORO-HORSHAM at #4 UNIONVILLE
Hatboro-Horsham
- 10-8-1 overall
- 7-6-1 SOL Continental Conference (third place)
Last game: The Hatters pulled off the tournament’s biggest with their 2-1 overtime win over 13th-seeded Perkiomen Valley. The Hatters, despite controlling play, held only a 1-0 lead at halftime. Colby Eldridge (Carlie Baldus assist) scored the Hatters’ goal with nine minutes remaining in the half. The Vikings knotted the score, but the Hatters won it 46 seconds into overtime when Eldridge and Baldus once again worked their magic with Eldridge connecting for the game winner.
Unionville
- Ches-Mont League American Conference champion
Last game: Opening round bye.
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