Check out the results for SOL girls’ soccer teams in action on Monday.
American Conference
PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 1, WISSAHICKON 0
The Colonials, according to Steve Slack, had some things to fix after giving up four goals to Upper Dublin on Friday.
“We wanted to tighten things up in the back,” the PW coach said. “And get the ball to the forwards to see what they can do.”
The Colonials did improve defensively as they were successful in preventing the Trojans from scoring, ultimately shutting them out largely due to keeper Morgan Jerin, who turned away 10 shots. The game remained scoreless for over an hour, but in the 63rd minute, Crissy Terraces played a through ball to Nicole Abbott who placed her breakaway goal in the bottom corner for the victory.
Both teams continued to fight in the remaining 17 minutes, but the Colonials were able to hold off the Trojans, who saw their record fall to 1-1-1 (1-3-1 overall).
“After we scored, we didn’t sit back and we still tried to go,” said Slack. “We scored on the best chance we had today, and we were fortunate it went in. It was an all around gritty team performance today.”
Although not able to find the net, the Trojans held a 16-8 advantage in shots while their keeper, Jen Bondarchuk, stopped five shots.
The Colonials, who upped their record to 2-1-1 in the league (3-1-1 overall), will face Upper Merion on Wednesday and Norristown on Friday.
“We play one game at a time and hopefully we can get a win against Upper Merion,” said Slack. “It should be a good game.”
PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 0-1 1
WISSAHICKON 0-0 0
UPPER MORELAND 2, NORRISTOWN 0
The Golden Bears evened up their league record at 1-1-1 (1-3-1 overall) as they shut out the Eagles on Monday and recorded their first win of the season. Lindsay Walder got on the board first using a Morgan Valera assist in the 28th minute. The Bears continued to control the game as Brianna Byard added a goal midway through the second half (Sydney Bachmayer assist) to close out the scoring.
Coach Lisa Benvenuto credited junior forward Taylor Valera with a tremendous game and noted the performances of Samantha Cancel and Morgan Valera. The Eagles, whose record dropped to 0-3 in the league, host Springfield on Wednesday while the Bears face undefeated Upper Dublin.
UPPER MORELAND 1-1 2
NORRISTOWN 0-0 0
UPPER MERION 2, SPRINGFIELD 0
Jenna Kelly and Anna Davis scored for the Vikings, who remain perfect in the conference with a 3-0 record (4-2 overall) with all three of their wins 2-0 shutout wins. The Spartans fell to 1-1-1 (1-3-1 overall) and look ahead to face Norristown on Wednesday. The Vikings, who are proving they are not to be overlooked, travel to Plymouth Whitemarsh to see if they can continue their winning streak.
UPPER DUBLIN 5, CHELTENHAM 2
The Lady Cardinals are off to a great start to the season, racking up their fourth consecutive win in league play. In their most recent win, they received a pair of goals from Anna Petrucci and single goals from Kendall Couch, Aimee Dublin and Julie Cross. The Cards, who improved to 4-0 in the league (4-2-1 overall) have been dominating offensively, scoring 20 goals in their last four games. The Panthers goals were scored by Ruby Tomasic and Tiana Han, and their record dropped to 0-3 (0-4 overall).
National Conference
BENSALEM 3, WILLIAM TENNENT 2
The Owls eked out a victory over the Panthers to nab a much-needed first win of the season.
“We’ve had a couple of tight games,” said coach Lew Mladjen. “We needed to get something positive after losing two games in the last few minutes.”
Bree Rock sparked the offense as she converted a Sid Doherty assist into a goal in the first minute of play. Unfortunately for the Owls, they were foul prone and set the Panthers up to score the equalizer when Alyssa Christiansen knocked in a 35-yard kick off the post to knot the score at halftime.
“We came out with a little more pep in the second half,” said Mladjen.
Ten minutes into the half, Rock sent a through ball to Doherty who finished the job and regained the lead. But the Owls repeated their first half mistake and committed a foul, which led to a free kick where Christiansen again powered in a long shot to tie it up.
“It was a little sloppy on both sides,” admitted Mladjen. “Although we had more opportunities.”
In the 59th minute, the Owls got their chance to finally finish a game when Christine Cueto played a ball through the Panthers’ back line allowing Doherty to run onto the ball and slip it by the diving keeper to the near post.
“The last five minutes they made us sweat,” sad Mladjen. “We had more opportunities to put the game away, but the last five minutes were a little dicey because most of the play was in our half.”
Center backs Kayla Ryan and Julia Rymarczak were instrumental in the victory, according to Mladjen, who credited their solid play throughout the season thus far.
“I think the positive is that the girls have been looking for some finishing touches and we needed confidence that we could score,” said Mladjen. “Our defense has been strong, but we need to be more under control defensively. They believe they can win - it was just a matter of getting one under our belts.”
The Owls, who improved their league mark to 1-2 (1-5 overall) face a daunting week that includes challenging Council Rock South and North. The Panthers’ record fell to 0-3 SOL, 1-4 overall, and they look ahead to host undefeated Neshaminy on Wednesday.
BENSALEM 1-2 3
WILLIAM TENNENT 1-1 2
COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 0, PENNSBURY 0 (2 OT)
In a battle of two of the National Conference’s top teams on Monday, the Golden Hawks and Falcons, both undefeated, faced off for a scoreless 100 minutes.
“I think it went back and forth,” said Golden Hawks’ coach Kimmy Francis. “Although the first half we had the better of the play, the ball was in their end of the field the entire second half.”
Although the Hawks were controlling the ball, the back of the net was proving elusive as they missed two good chances on breakaways due to poor shot placement. As the teams entered the second half still deadlocked at 0-0, the momentum started to shift.
“In the first half, we came out pretty flat, and we made some adjustments at half,” said Falcons’ coach Kim Voorhees. “I was pleased with the second half and how we went to two overtimes. It was a big test for us to see if we could make the adjustment at halftime.”
Perhaps the Golden Hawks were worn out from a tough first half, but Voorhees says her Falcons were dynamic, particularly Uche Onuoha, Megan Engelands and Jayden Peto, who earned the title of “Player of the Match.”
The Falcons actually found themselves with a great chance on goal with ten minutes remaining in regulation, but Rock South keeper Allison Taub (seven saves) got her fingertips on the ball for the save, sending the game into overtime.
“Her confidence level is huge,” said Francis of her second-year varsity player. “She is a lot more comfortable now and communicates with our back line - all five of them are a unit.”
The Hawks were re-energized as they entered overtime, controlling play once again. Francis acknowledged that her defense improved as the game went on, and they were able to shut down the Falcons advances, yet the attack wasn’t able to find the net.
“We’ve been saying that we run them in preseason so that when we have these OT games and long weeks, we are in shape,” said Francis who also is pleased that she has a deep bench of players to draw from.
The Golden Hawks’ coach credited Gabi Rosenfeld with a solid game for the Hawks in her first start since an injury in preseason left her foot in a cast. She also lauded the play of Alyssa Dotzman while Falcons keeper Sarah McDonald kept her team in the game with 8 saves.
The Hawks and Falcons now boast idential league records at 2-0-1. The Hawks travel to Bensalem Wednesday while the Falcons, who have only allowed one goal this season, face another undefeated conference foe, Council Rock North.
COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 0-0-0-0 0
PENNSBURY 0-0-0-0 0
NESHAMINY 5, ABINGTON 0
The Redskins used a balanced attack to down the Ghosts in a shutout win. Five players either scored or registered an assist in the victory, and an SOL opponent has yet to score a goal on the ‘Skins this season.
Gabby Farrell scored twice in the first 12 minutes, setting the tone for the attack (Katie Suchodolski and Megan Schafer assists). Katie McCoy found Megan Schafer for an early first half goal while Fran Donato added one more before halftime off an assist from Schafer. Donato scored once more as she turned a Farrell pass into a goal, to keep their record spotless at 6-0 (3-0 SOL). The Ghosts, who host Truman on Wednesday, are still searching for their first league win as their record fell to 0-5 (0-3 SOL).
Abington coach Rick Tompkins applauded the efforts of Jess Domansky and Mary Gene Mugnier, but admits his team was “outclassed by Neshaminy.”
The ‘Skins will travel to William Tennent on Wednesday and then face Council Rock North on Thursday.
NESHAMINY 4-1 5
ABINGTON 0-0 0
COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 2, TRUMAN 1
The Indians cruised past the Tigers after they opening an early 2-0 lead with goals by Michaela Finneyfrock and Kayla Robinson. Jillian East was able to cut the lead to one in the second half, but the Tigers couldn’t recover from their first half deficit. The Indians are now 4-0 in the league and 4-1-1 on the season while the Tigers fall to 0-3 in the league (1-4 overall).
COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 2-0 2
TRUMAN 0-1 1
Continental Conference
QUAKERTOWN 4, CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 3
The Panthers made history on Monday afternoon, beating the Titans for the first time in school history.
“We have always respected CB South because they play the game the right way, and they are well coached and very precise,” said Mike Koch. “As we try to improve our program, beating them is a big accomplishment.”
The Panthers may have been worried early on as the Titans found the net first when Lexi Brockenbrough gave her team the early lead (Lauren Gibbons assist). However, the Panthers made sure everyone knew they were there to play and tied it up less than two minutes later when Shannon Gibat registered an assist for a Carle Peacher goal. The Titans answered back when Nikki Weiss scored in the 27th minute off a Shelby Epstein assist, but the end of the first half belonged to the Panthers.
Gibat, the Panthers’ most dangerous attacker, set up teammate Lauren Pursel to tie the game 2-2. Then, with 26 seconds remaining in the half, Linzi Wolfe sent in a high ball that Gibat headed past the keeper, a play the Panthers have used multiple times this year already.
“Everybody we play accounts for Shannon,” said Koch. “Linzi Wolfe is probably very underrated, and she takes advantage of that. She is pushing double digits on assists.”
Armed with a 3-2 lead as they broke for halftime, Koch and his team found themselves in a good place.
“We felt pretty good and we felt confident that we were playing with them,” said Koch. “We were very much involved in the match.”
The Titans continued to battle and it took them twenty minutes in the second half to find the net, but Lindsay Weiss (Jess Volm assist) made it a 3-3 game late in the 59th minute. Six minutes later, Jamie Soriano took a corner kick with a wicked backspin and slipped it past Finlayson, who got her fingertips on the ball before it crashed into the far side for the game winner.
With still more than ten minutes left in regulation, the Panthers just had to maintain their status.
“South started to put pressure on us and they pushed people forward which gave us some chances,” said Koch. “It was a game with a lot of offense.”
Koch was particularly impressed with freshman Katie Crouthamel in the victory.
“She is dangerous, active and all over. She can recognize space that is created due to people guarding Shannon,” said Koch who also was pleased with his two center backs, Courtney Wait and Jess Minnichbach.
“They’ve done a really good job at organizing our defense after we lost some players to graduation,” said Koch. “They did a fantastic job of keeping us organized and shutting down their attack down the middle of the field.”
Goalie Erinne Finlayson (13 saves) also was key in the Panthers' big win.
Titans’ coach Joe Bocklet, although disappointed with the loss, commended the play of both Shelby Epstein and Hannah Knerr.
The Titans saw their record drop to 1-2 (2-2 overall) and host Hatboro on Wednesday while the Panthers improved to 1-2 (3-3 overall) and host North Penn at Alumni Field for a 7:00 game.
“’I’m hoping we bring some confidence,” said Koch. “This was a nice confidence boost today, and I am hoping we can build on it.”
QUAKERTOWN 3-1 4
CB SOUTH 2-1
CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 2, NORTH PENN 0
The Patriots shut out the Maidens 2-0 at War Memorial Field on Monday afternoon. Both teams put forth a solid effort according to Patriots’ coach Paul Eisold, but the Patriots controlled the majority of the play. In the 23rd minute, Emma Loving assisted Shaun Kane to make it a 1-0 game heading into halftime. Kane proved threatening again as she used her corner kick to assist Miranda Meehan’s goal that clinched the shutout with 16 minutes remaining. Patriots’ keepers Paige Marcinkowski and Katie Dolf teamed for the victory that upped East’s record to 5-0-1 overall (2-0-1 SOL). Eisold also noted strong defensive play by Holly Moyer, Emily Horn and Abby Emmert. The Maidens fell to 0-2-1 in the league (0-3-1 overall) and travel to Quakertown on Wednesday for a night game while the Patriots host Souderton.
CB EAST 1-1 2
NORTH PENN 0-0 0
PENNRIDGE 4, HATBORO HORSHAM 0
The Hatters came out fast and aggressive but couldn’t stop Pennridge’s Jackie Stevens, who scored three of the Rams’ four goals. Stevens connected on her first goal off an Ashley Butcher assist after 15 minutes of play. Less than twenty minutes later, Stevens struck again as she broke free of her defender and upped her team’s lead to 2-0. The scoring barrage was just beginning as two minutes later Butcher scored after her shot deflected off a Hatter defender. One minute later, the Rams connected for their third goal in less than five minutes when Stevens powered in a goal to complete her hat trick. The Rams continue to climb the ranks of the Continental Conference, upping their record to 3-0 (6-0 overall) and host CB West on Wednesday where coach Audrey Anderson will face off against former Pennridge head coach Jorge Rodriguez. The Hatters saw their record drop to 1-2 in the conference (2-2 overall). They will travel to Quakertown for their next league match up.
PENNRIDGE 4-0 4
HATBORO HORSHAM 0-0 0
CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 1, SOUDERTON 0
The visiting Bucks used a goal by Shae McCarty (Gwen Harvey assist) in the 68th minutes to break a scoreless tie with the Indians. West keeper Grace Bendon was credited with five saves in the shutout while her counterpart, Souderton’s Jackie Perry, turned away eight shots.
The Bucks, who improved to 2-0-1 in the league (3-1-1 overall), will face undefeated Pennridge on Wednesday for a 7 p.m. contest. The Indians, who are 0-2-1 in league play (2-2-1 overall), will travel to Central Bucks East on Wednesday.
CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 0-1 1
SOUDERTON 0-0 0
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