Area soccer teams bring plenty of talent to 2020 season
The past few years, the SOL Continental more than earned its reputation as one of the top girls’ soccer conferences in the state.
While the Continental no longer exists, it’s replacement will have no problem living up to that billing. The new conference, which includes CB West, CB East, CB South, North Penn, Pennridge and Souderton, promises to be a grueling gauntlet for all involved this fall.
Between new-look conferences, teams retooling and a postseason picture that’s still a bit unclear, The Reporter/ Times Herald/Montgomery
Media girls’ soccer squads are prepping for a very different season.
With Lower Moreland and New Hope-Solebury joining the SOL and bringing the total roster up to 24 programs, the league has split from three to four conferences for the coming year. Pennridge won the District 1-4A title last year and advanced to the PIAA semifinals while North Penn orchestrated a superb second-half turnaround, finishing in the final four of the district tournament and elite eight in the state.
Souderton, just two years removed from its 2018 state title, still has plenty of seniors back from that run and the trio of CB schools have all played for a state title since 2014 and all have plenty of quality back.
The new SOL Patriot will include Bensalem, CR North, CR South, Neshaminy, Pennsbury and Harry S Truman (not playing in the fall). Newcomers Lower Moreland and New Hope-Solebury join Springfield Twp, Upper Moreland, William Tennent and Cheltenham (not playing fall sports) in the SOL Freedom and the SOL Liberty adds Quakertown to former SOL American members Abington, Hatboro-Horsham, Plymouth Whitemarsh, Upper Dublin and Wissahickon.
Hatboro-Horsham and Plymouth Whitemarsh battled for the SOL American all the way to the Hatters’ win in the final game of the regular season last year. With eight of 11 starters back, the Colonials are look
ing to claim the first Liberty title and improve on last year’s playoff showing.
Abington and Upper Dublin have some holes to fill, but hope to be a part of the conference title discussion as well.
Not all area schools are playing this fall. The Archdiocese of Philadelphia, as of September 18, had opted out of fall competition, meaning last year’s PIAA 2A champion Lansdale Catholic will have to wait until the spring to play. Likewise, Archbishop Carroll and PIAA 3A semifinalist Archbishop Wood are not competing this fall.
The Inter-Ac has also chosen to postpone fall athletics until 2021 and a handful of PAC schools will not be competing in the fall season.
The AACA is playing, but will not be starting until Oct. 12 and is only playing a league schedule. Gwynedd Mercy Academy and St Basil Academy will both be looking to talented freshmen classes to complement their returning players.
ABINGTON 2019 Record: 9-9 (9-5 SOL American) Coach: Rick Tompkins Notable losses: Riley Crabtree, Emily Friel, Emily Quinn, Grace Quinn, Olivia Oliphant Key returners: Casey Touey, Abby Bautista, Maura Day, Caroline Hughes Outlook: “Our defense is very inexperienced with three new backs and a new goalkeeper. Our season will depend on the strength or weakness of that unit. We should score goals.”
CB WEST 2019 Record: 11-6-3 (5-4-3 SOL Continental)
Coach: Mike Moyer Notable losses: Tori Albrecht, Allie Evan Key returners: Keely McGlone, Shea Lubin, GK Jenna Abaza, Taylor Moyer Outlook: “We have a solid core of players coming back this year. I always think we will compete in every game. We have a solid ‘D’ and a couple of girls that can put the ball away, so we should hold our own. We are just very thankful we are having some type of season.”
DOCK MENNONITE ACADEMY 2019 Record: 10-7 Coach: Stacey Vaitis-DuBost Notable players lost: Sydney Leaman Returning players: Peyton Scialanca, Emma Kratz, Kenzie Derstine, Laura Frederick, Meghan Jurin, Lauren Moatemri, Clara Benner Others to watch: Abby Lanning, Abby Brown, Ashley Lapp, Tess Bergey Outlook: “We are excited to be playing our fall season this year considering the circumstances. The girls have been working hard in the off-season. Our expectations for the upcoming season are to play composed, and focus on the technical/tactical aspects of the game. Each and every one of the girls has demonstrated dedication, perseverance and desire to get back onto the soccer field. The girls are extremely focused, and determined to make this an exciting and successful fall season.”
GWYNEDD MERCY ACADEMY 2019 Record: 11-9-0 (7-5 AACA) Coach: Bill Dailey Notable players lost: Molly Hanson, Sarah White, Peyton Palazzo, Grace Hirschmann, Maddie Mele, Emily Meenan, Kiera Thomas, Kai McClelland Returning players: Samantha Berish, Grace Galbreat, Hailey Morris, Paige Johnson, Tristen Hasson, Carly Andrews, Ellen Malone Others to watch: Isabelle Fiore, Halle Coller, Cassidy Palazzo, Kaylie Griffin, Hannah Griffin, Alexandra Berish, Lynley Koschineg, Ella Koschineg, Riley Morris Outlook: “Playing a shortened league-only schedule due to the pandemic poses particular challenges that this year’s program is looking face head on. The returning players saw an improved season last year and are looking to build on that, welcoming an influx of talented freshmen into the largest program in recent history.”
HATBORO-HORSHAM 2019 Record: 15-3-1 Coach: Kelsey Daley Notable loses: Camryn Ryan, Peighton Toale, Aly Eutermoser, Camryn Hughes, Kara Thomas, Gabby Liott
Key Returners: Maggie O’Neill, Izzy de la Torre, Aly Yankanich, Emily Thomas, Sophia Liott Others to Watch: Emma Levin, Caroline Shegogue, Mia Malofiy Outlook: “Coming off of a successful 2019 season and losing key players to graduation, this 2020 team is more determined than ever to compete at the higher level. The upperclassmen are really stepping up and guiding the way for the underclassman. We are very excited and grateful to be able to have a season.”
LOWER MORELAND 2019 Record: 12-5-1 Coach: Mike Gould Notable players lost: Nicole Castor, Ceili Courduff, Alexandre Krutsinger, Reyna Amit Returning Players: Phoebe Lynch, Sara Matraku, Amy Zesinger, Paige Malpezzi, Maggie McGarry (all seniors) Others to Watch: Payton Lennon (Sophomore), Demmi Fox (Sophomore) Outlook/Expectations: “With a strong senior class and deep group of underclassman they should look to compete for a top spot within their division in SOL. Continue to build on the success that Lower Moreland Soccer has had over the past few years. Strong senior class made up of good leaders, deep freshman class looking to contribute in multiple different spots.”
NORTH PENN 2019 Record: 13-10-2 (6-4-2 SOL Continental) Coaches: Mike Rio and Mark Klemmer Notable losses: Grace Sacchetti, Casey Cavanaugh, Cynthia Sheehy, Emly Schurr, Liv Urban. Key returners: Rebecca Richardson Senior Midfielder, Landry Holt Senior Defender, Anna Fiore Junior Goalie, Reagan Ertel Senior Defender, Emily Varilla Junior Forward. Others to watch: Riley Saxman Junior Midfielder, Kloey Carminati Senior Forward Outlook: “As a program, we would like to continue to build on the success from last season. We had a fantastic run at the end of the year, which culminated in a deep playoff run. The girls are all extremely excited to get to play this year, and they are motivated by the achievements of last season to push themselves even further. Although our regular season looks different than originally planned, we know the five other schools we will be playing are extremely formidable, no game in this league is a freebie, and we are well aware that we will need to bring our “A” game to every contest in order to walk out with wins. I expect our new captains, Becca and Landry, to jump into the leadership positions that Grace and Emily had last year and continue to push themselves and this great group of young ladies forward and continue to show that North Penn is a strong program. It is great that the soccer season is happening and for us as a coaching staff we are excited to once again work with an amazing group of girls.”
PENNRIDGE 2019 record: 22-2-1 (10-1-1 SOL Continental) Coach: Audrey Anderson Players lost: Meghan Kriney, Chance Hendricks, Maddie Anderson, Lauren McIntyre Returning players: Lindsey Dehaven, Leah Malone, Emily Kriney, Kera Dam
Players to watch: Sierra Shaeffer Outlook: “Our goal is to compete in every game in one of the toughest conferences in the state, we will be a very young team with plenty of freshmen making their mark. We have great leadership on the field and look forward to getting some games in.”
PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 2019 Record: 15-5 (11-3 SOL American) Coach: Ryan Zehren Notable losses: Samantha Matthews, Anni Shula Key returners: Devon Skiles- Sr. Keeper, Gabby Cooper, Sr. M/D, Bella McNew Sr. M/D, Kaitlyn Flanagan Jr. /D, Leah Kaye Sr. /F, Mackenzie Leszczynski Sr. /F, Natalie Lannie Sr. /M Others to watch: Fiona Gooneratne Jr/M, Lindsey Berman Sr./M, Emily Caffrey Sr./M Outlook: “Looking to build upon our successful 2019 campaign. With several returning players from last year’s squad (eight of 11 starters), we have high expectations as we head into the 2020 season.”
ST BASIL ACADEMY 2019 Record: 8-11-1 Coach: Bob Opalka Notable Players Lost: Maria Storck, Elizabeth Deal, Grace Comas
Returning Players: Jackie O’Brien, Riley Scannell, Shannon Remolde, Maddie Carter, Regan Bentley, Riley Jones, Haley Magilton, Alex Mahoney, Alex McGonigle Others to Watch: Ava McCrae, Meghan Matthews, Molly McCormick, Tori Nigro Outlook: “While we only lost three seniors, they were three very important players. A lot will depend upon the maturation of the rising seniors and juniors who developed well last year. There may also be a few pleasant surprises coming up from the junior varsity. Our incoming ninth graders bode well for the future of the team. This is going to be an interesting season from the perspective of just getting it in. However, we are grateful to be playing at all. I am hoping that we can make a stronger league showing this year.”
SOUDERTON 2019 Record: 10-7-3 Coach: Ian Smith Notable Losses: Payton Carroll, Darby Kramer, Sarah TocheManley, Grace Kelley Returning Players: Taylor Yoder (Sr/F), Gianna Natale (Sr/D), Morgan Molyneaux (Sr/GK), Ella Kregel (Sr/D), Averie Doughty (Sr/F), Hannah Alderfer (Sr/F), Katie Pazdziorko (Jr/F) Others to Watch: Maggie Fisher (So/D), Avery Nogami (Jr/F/M), Alexis Stefanowicz (So/M) Outlook: “Despite the uncertainty surrounding the season, Souderton remains largely focused on having a successful season. Thanks to a senior core with a lot of experience, the Indians hope to make the most of the 2020 season after dropping out of district play in the first round last year. Souderton’s roster is packed with a number of players who contributed significantly to the school’s first-ever state title and they are returning with a chip on their shoulders after last year’s early departure.”
UPPER DUBLIN 2019 Record: 7-10-1 (7-6-1 SOL American) Coach: Chuck Gesing Notable losses: Laura Pendleton, Julia Eustace, Mia Wright Key returners: Alex Devers, Anna Desch, Karolina Bocul, Lauren Melick Others to watch: Ella Eustace, Ava Costanzo, Olivia Hoffman, Regan Rubin. Outlook: “Can the Cardinals blend upperclassmen experience with new talent quick enough to have a winning season? The Cardinals are not short on talent but need to find a way to balance experience and youth. The big question is how long will it take for them to gel in this pandemic shortened season.”
UPPER MORELAND 2019 Record: 6-10 (4-10 SOL American) Coach: Lisa Benvenuto Notable Losses: Jaclyn Martino, Grace Burns
Key Returners: Senior Forward Kathryn Morrow, Senior Defender Kaiya Herb, Senior Midfielder Mattea Taylor, Junior Forward Emma Frasca. Others to watch: Freshman Forward Kyra Favors, Freshman Defender Devin Bush, Sophomore Defender Katie Slear Outlook: “First and foremost we are so excited to have the opportunity to play this fall and we appreciate everyone who has made this possible. We are playing every day like it is our last day, and that purpose and desire has really helped ignite our intensity as a team. We have a really strong crew of upperclassmen providing leadership and setting the tone for each session, and our team is meshing really well. This season is all new, new division, new competition, new guidelines, but we continue to hold strong to our values as a team, our system, and the fact that everything we do, we do as one.”
WILLIAM TENNENT 2019 Record: 7-10 Coach: Bill Hontz Notable Losses: Ciara McFeely, Liz Layer Key returners: Caroline Weir-F Sr., Gabby Sowers-M Sr., Caitlin Somerville-M Sr., Jackie KubalaM Sr., Chelsea Meltzer-F Sr., Lyndsay Mulholland-D Sr., Sarah Hart-D Jr. and Sydney Moss-K Jr.. Others to Watch: We have a very strong influx of talented freshmen (Dolt, Frank, Langford and DeGeorge) that will help push the team in the right direction. Outlook: “Probably one of the deepest teams we have had in a while and we hope to build on last year’s record. This would have been a great year to push into the playoffs with a deep run with the talent that we have. I’m excited that we are playing this year with all that is going on and excited about this current team and what it can accomplish.”
WISSAHICKON 2019 Record: 11-8 Coach: Chris McDaniels Notable players lost: Carly Amato, Anna Schools, Grace Mullen, Brooke Berry, Quinn Klessel Returning players: Anna May, Natalie Ryan, Margo Kasenchar, Kylie Friedman Others to watch: Caroline Hassall, Lindsey Schmidt, Peyton Weber, Sage Stelzer. Outlook: “We’ve worked hard to improve over the last two seasons and things have trended in the right direction with more wins than the season before. We’ll look to continue to improve with a well-balanced roster that includes talent in every grade. I think our balance on the attack and on defense will give us lots of ways to get results.”