Check out the recaps for SOL girls’ soccer teams in action Friday. CR North/Abington photos provided by John Gleeson. Check back for a gallery of photos.
Pennridge 3, Council Rock South 1
There's a certain style of soccer that Rams coach Audrey Anderson likes to watch.
It's no surprise then that she tries to bring that same brand of high-pressure soccer to her teams, especially for the problems it can cause opponents. The lineup may be different, but the way the Rams played Friday morning looked plenty familiar.
"I love the way Penn State's women's soccer program plays with that high pressure and that's what we try and do," Anderson said. "If somebody has the ball, we need to be there immediately. We struggled a bit at the end, but that's typical, we're just starting to get our feet wet and I think everybody has bought in to what we're asking."
Sophomore Emily Kriney broke a 1-1 tie in the second half with a pair of goals to send the Rams home happy winners after fending off a Golden Hawks team up for the opening day challenge. Kriney, who admitted to being a little angry after the Rams gave up the equalizer early in the second half, turned any frustration into productivity in her first start.
“She just works so hard,” Anderson said. “I said to the girls yesterday I like our odds because we have a Kriney behind us (goalkeeper Meghan) and a Kriney in front of us (Emily) so I’ll take those odds. Emily Kriney is just a workhorse, everyone else may quit on a ball but she’s going to keep going because that’s just what she does.”
Pennridge started great, grabbing a lead six minutes in when senior Lauren McIntyre glanced in a corner kick service from Raina Adelman. The corner itself came as a result of the Pennridge pressure, in this case a Chance Hendricks tackle, causing a turnover and sending play the other way.
Down 1-0 at the half, CR South came back in the second half adjusted and found a connection up top that hadn't been there before halftime. Aubrey Hondros was able to slip a pass to Sammy Jones, who then calmly slotted home the tying goal past the onrushing keeper to the far corner of the net.
"It's a good run for us and I think Audrey and I view it similarly," CR South coach Nick Heim said. "We both play in conferences that beat you up all season so to get a test of quote-unquote conference play before it starts is good. It may not be the smartest move when you look at the points system but we're more concerned with how we're playing when we get to the playoffs than the points."
Hondros had a nice game for the Hawks on the flank as did Jordi Rubakh, Claudia Steinmetz and goalkeeper Sydney Mandel, who had seven saves.
“It was a good game for us despite the result,” Heim said. “We made some adjustments that helped us. You need to take advantage of every opportunity against a team that possesses the ball as well as Pennridge does and we just didn’t take advantage.”
Shortly after Jones tied the match, the Rams' pressure paid off with the go-ahead tally. Pennridge forced a turnover deep in the Hawks' end, with Lindsey DeHaven slipping a ball to Kriney who had only to put it away in a wide-open net.
With about 14 minutes left, Leah Malone slipped a through ball to Kriney that the sophomore powered in near post under the cross bar for a nice finish.
"With only four or five girls returning, it's about getting everyone to buy in right away," Anderson said. "I thought it showed confidence, composure and just determination that we were not going to put in the 40 hours of preseason work to lose or let anything stay in a game with us."
Pennridge (1-0) will host Lansdale Catholic on Tuesday, and Council Rock South (0-1) will host Downingtown East on Tuesday.
PENNRIDGE 1 2 - 3
COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 0 1 - 1
Goals: P - Lauren McIntyre (Raina Adelman), Emily Kriney (Lindsey DeHaven), Kriney (Leah Malone); CRS - Sammy Jones (Aubrey Hondros)
Pennsbury 1, Central Bucks East 0 (2OT)
The Falcons and Patriots authored another opening day classic that came down to the final few minutes of extra time.
"We’re well aware that we could easily be on the other end of this result. The girls had to dig deep to find out how much they wanted this," Falcons co-head coach Kaitlyn Battiste said. "The first game of the season is so difficult - trying to determine our identity as a team; so many question marks and uncertainties. This was actually a perfect way for us to start the season; after the game one deep breath exhaled a lot of doubts the girls were carrying."
Playing for a team like Pennsbury brings out the best in its players, but also puts a high standard on each new squad to try and reach.
"They have such respect for past teams and teammates and feel that pride each time that they wear the jersey that they needed this game to help them realize their own identity," Battiste said. "In OT, they were playing to win instead of playing not to lose. To win like that was significant."
Rosie Bostian broke the deadlock in the 95th minute on a superb goal.
"We had one or two players applying pressure deep on their goal line. The ball came bouncing back to Rosie outside the 18 and she connected with the ball off of a bounce that was drilled into the upper 90," Battiste said. "It was a thing of beauty."
The Falcons got a nice mix of support from their returning veterans and some of the new faces in the lineup. On a warm afternoon and with extra time summoned, it required a team effort to come through.
"We had a good balance of strong play from our veterans like Rosie Bostian, Gabby Zalot, Evie Ciaccia, Darrien Furiness and energy from fresh faces including Erika Hansen, Sam Strausbaugh, Taylor Mays," Battiste said. "We’re obviously happy with the way they responded."
Pennsbury (1-0) will host Council Rock North in its SOL opener Wednesday, and Central Bucks East (0-1) will host West Chester Henderson in a non-league game Tuesday.
PENNSBURY 0 0 0 1 – 1
CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 0 0 0 0 - 0
Goals: P - Rosie Bostian
Central Bucks South 1, Bensalem 0
The Titans had the edge in numbers but found goals hard to come by Friday.
At the end, Central Bucks South found the goal it needed and came away a season-opening winner.
"The Titans did have a great deal of offensive pressure, outshooting Bensalem by a margin of 18 shots to nine but the Bensalem defense and goalkeeper were solid," Titans coach Betsy Bullock said.
A corner kick late in the first half created just enough chaos to provide a score.
"Ally Cutter had the assist and Janessa Watson scored the goal," Bullock said. "It actually got pinged around the box and Janessa followed a rebound off the goalkeeper."
Lauren Ewell, Bridget Curtis and Dori McMenanin anchored the back line for CB South.
Central Bucks South (1-0) will travel to Quakertown on Wednesday for its SOL opener, and Bensalem (0-1) will be at Neshaminy on Wednesday.
Central Bucks South 1 0 - 1
Bensalem 0 0 - 0
Goals: CBS - Janessa Watson (Ally Cutter)
Plymouth Whitemarsh 2, Phoenixville 0
The Colonials rode their junior class to a season-opening win Friday morning.
Max Leszczynski scored a goal in the second half after assisting the game-winner in the first half as one of three juniors to contribute in all the scoring. Leah Kaye netted the winning tally 12:30 into the game off an assist from Leszczynski while Ava Schreiber provided the assist on the other goal in the 73rd minute.
"I just thought every player from starter to coming off the bench played with a high level of energy," PW coach Ryan Zehren said.
Junior Devon Skiles picked up the clean sheet in goal. Schreiber helped out in the shutout along the backline as did Kate Flanagan, Bella McNew, Guadalupe Carmona and freshman Lauren Ianniello.
Picking up a win over a District I 3A playoff team a year ago in the Phantoms was only the first step for the Colonials, who are seeking a return to the 4A playoffs this fall.
"Just like every team, the girls have been building up to this for weeks now, so it was nice to see it all come together," Zehren said. "It's one win but it's a solid one and hopefully we can keep the energy up."
Plymouth Whitemarsh (1-0) will be on the road at Wissahickon for Wednesday’s SOL opener.
PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 1 1 - 2
PHOENIXVILLE 0 0 - 0
Goals: PW - Leah Kaye (Max Leszczynski), Leszczynski (Ava Schreiber)
Quakertown 1, Perkiomen Valley 0
Panthers coach Mike Koch knew he'd get a good indicator of what his team was about on Friday morning.
Taking a roughly 40-minute bus ride for a 10 a.m. start was going to show how invested the Panthers were to starting off on the right foot. Koch got his answer, and it was a resoundingly positive one.
"We lost some pretty good players and I just love how relentless we are," Koch said. "The positives out of today were our relentless pressure and our center back Melina Jagiello and the girl who scored, Haley Hangey, both are seniors who have been starters for a number of years and really assumed a big leadership role today."
The lone goal in the match came late in the first half thanks in part to a hustle play by a reserve player. Junior Paige Russell showed that relentless spirit and earned the Panthers a corner in the 35th minute.
Quakertown didn't score off the initial service but after PV couldn't clear it, Hangey finally buried a chance to break the deadlock.
"We've built a culture of hard work, that's what we are and what's made us successful," Koch said. "I think it carries on from class to class. We probably played 18 players today and needed every bit of them, but it was the leadership Melina and Haley provided that was tremendously important."
Koch credited Morgan Sipprell for her play both in the goal and sweeping the area around it. The keeper eliminated a lot of possible threats just by being aggressive and going to collect the ball before it could turn into a shot.
"Having that game understanding and awareness of when to do it, she was impeccable today," Koch said. "She usually is in terms of her decision making. She didn't have to make any big saves but that's because of how she manages the game."
Koch cited the play of freshman center back Callie Abel, sophomore midfielder Kyla Frederick and Natalie Reilly. Frederick ended up providing the assist on Hangey's goal after Perk Valley couldn't get the corner kick cleared.
With a start to the SOL Continental that includes matches with Central Bucks South and Pennridge next week, Koch was happy to get an indicator his team is already ramped up and ready to go.
"It's easy to play when the stadium is full of your friends at night," Koch said. "When it's a random Friday morning and most of your friends are probably at the beach and you have to go out and be relentless like they were, that's a credit to them."
Quakertown (1-0) will host Central Bucks South on Wednesday (7 p.m.).
QUAKERTOWN 1 0 - 1
PERKIOMEN VALLEY 0 0 - 0
Goals: Q - Haley Hangey (Kyla Frederick)
Souderton 2, Downingtown West 1
The Indians' first match as defending state champions required a late rally to pull out a win.
Down 1-0 in the final 10 minutes, Hannah Alderfer and Averie Doughty combined on a pair of goals to snare a late victory over a stout Whippets’ side. While all the scoring came in the final 21 minutes of play, there was plenty jammed into the full 80 minutes of the match.
"The first ten minutes of the game was nervy for both teams, as a few mistakes resulted in a number of half chances for either side. Both sides took 15 minutes or so to settle down and find a rhythm to help kick off the season," Indians assistant coach Ian Smith said. "Souderton eventually found their footing, creating a number of chances off a consistently dangerous corner kick service from senior, Sarah Toche-Manley. The Indians' greatest chance came off a corner with five minutes left in the half, as junior Taylor Yoder headed the ball just wide of the post. Souderton ended the half with three shots to Downingtown's one."
Downingtown West began to press harder out of the break, but Alderfer nearly created the first goal for the home side.
"Hannah Alderfer whipped a dangerous cross into Downingtown's penalty area. The cross deflected off a defender and appeared to cross the line in a scrum of players," Smith said. "However, Downingtown's keeper emerged with the ball and no goal was given."
Souderton keeper Morgan Molyneaux, taking over full-time for the graduated Lindsey Pazdziorko, made a pair of crucial saves with about 30 minutes remaining. However, the Whippets proved hard to deny and eventual cracked in a tally.
"With 21 minutes left in the second half, Downingtown found themselves in a dangerous position again, as they patiently worked the ball around Souderton's penalty area until they finally found the opportunity to smash home the go-ahead goal," Smith said.
Souderton pressed numbers up which created enough pressure to let Alderfer and Doughty do their thing.
"With 10 minutes left to play, junior Averie Doughty created space for herself and slipped a ball in behind Downingtown's defense for Alderfer to run onto," Smith said. "Alderfer, one on one with the keeper, slotted the finish into the corner of the net to tie the game."
A turnover a few minutes later opened the door for the winning goal.
"With six minutes left in the game. Alderfer intercepted a six-yard kick and streaked towards goal," Smith said. "With a Downingtown defender close on her heels, she was able to slot the ball towards goal and past the goal keeper for Doughty to knock in Souderton's second goal of the match."
Souderton (1-0) will travel to Archbishop Carroll for a non-league game Tuesday.
SOUDERTON 0 2 - 2
DOWNINGTOWN WEST 0 1 - 1
Goals: S - Hannah Alderfer (Averie Doughty), Doughty (Alderfer)
New Hope-Solebury 2, Upper Moreland 1 (2OT)
The Golden Bears showed a lot of fight on Friday, but came out on the wrong end of an extra-time winner.
"By giving up an early goal, we were forced to really work hard for an equalizer. I was proud of how we responded to the goal and the way we came back," UM coach Lisa Benvenuto said. "We had many opportunities and just couldn’t get the game winner."
New Hope-Solebury's Maggie DeVito provided a brace to supply the Lions with the win. Her first marker came just 3:18 into the game and she put away the winner in the 93rd minute.
Kathryn Morrow and sophomore Angelina Martino played well for Upper Moreland and combined for the Bears' lone tally.
"Kathryn Morrow controlled the middle and created many opportunities including the equalizer," Benvenuto said. "Morrow put a shot on net that New Hopes goalie was able to get to it but not control. Sophomore Angelena Martino put in the rebound. Today was Angie’s first varsity game and it was great to see her finish with her first varsity goal."
Jaclyn Martino made 10 saves in goal for Upper Moreland.
Upper Moreland (0-1) will host Cheltenham in its SOL opener on Wednesday.
NEW HOPE SOLEBURY 1 0 0 1 - 2
UPPER MORELAND 0 1 0 0 - 1
Goals: UM - Angelina Martino (Kathryn Morrow)
Council Rock North 3, Abington 2
Unionville 4, Neshaminy 0
Strath Haven 3, Upper Dublin 0
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