There are only a few varsity teams left playing in postseason action this time of year.
The Council Rock North girls volleyball team, this year's District One-AAA runner-up, won handily last night in the first round of states, outpacing Girls High 25-5, 25-6 and 25-9.
Senior setter Jackie Davies led the way with 19 assists, 5 kills and 6 digs. Sarah Kiely pitched in with 7 kills, 10 digs and 2 blocks. Caroline Anderson added 6 kills, 2 blocks and 5 digs. Rachel Friedman also contributed 8 kills to the Rock's state playoff win.
The Lady Indians move on to pool play on Friday Nov. 13 against Mount Lebanon, Allentown Central Catholic and the winner of Cardinal O'Hara and Spring Grove.
The Archbishop Wood girls fell Nov. 10 in their state soccer opener against Villa Jo Marie as the Jems took a 2-1 halftime lead on goals by Emily Market and Becky Pfender. A goal by Vikings midfielder Christine Ferrelle kept Wood in the game at the intermission but a goal after the break by Dominique Ponente sealed VJM's 3-1 victory.
Jems keeper Courtney Shaw made 7 saves for the Villa. Alyson Hop made 3 stops for the Vikings.
Pennsbury suffered a 2-1 loss Nov. 10 in its state field hockey opener against Emmaus. Sophomore Allie Brady scored the lone goal for the Falcons, who finished fifth in the district this year.
District One sub-regional action begins this Friday night in football with Pennsbury, Neshaminy, Council Rock South and Council Rock North facing off against some familiar, some unfamiliar foes.
At 7 p.m., Pennsbury will host Unionville, a team they have yet to play against this season. The SOL National champion Falcons went 9-1 this season, finishing with a 27-20 OT thriller against league runner-up Neshaminy. The Redskins host SOL National rival Abington. The Galloping Ghosts defeated the Redskins, 28-24, in a week four battle in Abington. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. CR North will go up against North Penn, a team they shared a league rivalry with last season. The Knights went unbeaten in reclaiming the Continental Conference this year so Friday's game could get ugly fast. North Penn romped in every game it played this season including a season opening win over Bethlehem Liberty, a team that went to the Eastern Conference championship a year ago. CB South was the only team to keep the deficit under three touchdowns, and they lost 27-7 on their home turf.
Seeded 10th, Council Rock South might have a better time with No. 7 Ridley but they'll have to beat the Green Hornets down in Delaware County. That may be a daunting task but the Hawks have had to prove their mettle in previous match-ups this season.
Here's hoping they're able to do it again.

Labels: Council Rock North, Council Rock South, CR North, CR South, Neshaminy, Pennsbury

The Haverford College women's soccer team earned a number of individual honors Tuesday, Nov. 10 as announced by the Centennial Conference office in a postseason press release.
Sophomore Katie Van Aken, a Council Rock North alum from New Hope, and junior Maura Schiefer were tabbed for the First-Team All-Centennial squad, junior Michele Buonora was named Second-Team all-conference while senior Erin Dowling earned Honorable Mention league honors.
Haverford head coach Jamie Gluck, who in just her third season with the program has already led the Fords to three Centennial playoff berths, was voted the 2009 women's soccer Coach of the Year by the league's coaches. The team's third place finish in the 2009 standings was the highest since the 2005 season when the Fords finished in a tie for second place.
This is Schiefer's second all-league honor after finishing the 2008 postseason with a Second-Team all-league honor. Buonora was an Honorable Mention player last season and this is Van Aken's first postseason conference honor.
Van Aken paced the offensive attack for the Fords with nine goals and one assist. She was third in the league in goals scored, goals per game (0.50) and game-winning goals (4). Her 19 points for the year was sixth-most in the Centennial.
Schiefer helped spearhead a defensive back line that allowed just 16 goals over the season, fourth-fewest in the league. The Fords' goals against average of 0.86 per game was also fourth-best and their 10 shutouts was tied for second-most in the conference.
Buonora tallied three goals and added two assists for a total of eight points, third most on the squad. The lone senior of the bunch, Dowling, concluded her final season with identical statistics to Buonora's.
Gluck improved her career mark at Haverford to 29-20-6 with the 2009 season's 12-3-3 record. The team's 12 wins this year was fourth-most in program history.

Labels: Council Rock North, CR North

The Gettysburg College women’s soccer team had three players voted All-Centennial Conference Honorable Mention by the conference’s head coaches according to a release by the league office on Tuesday, Nov. 10.
Senior Tara Gaston picked up her third-straight all-conference accolade, junior Sarah Yeager earned her second, and freshman Casey Attanasio, a Council Rock High School alum from Newtown, landed her first postseason distinction.
After earning first-team All-CC as a defender in each of the previous two seasons, Gaston dropped down to honorable mention following a position change on the field. As an attacking midfielder and team co-captain, she turned in her best offensive performance on the pitch, finishing second on the team with a dozen points on five goals and two assists.
A second-team all-conference selection last fall, Yeager started all 17 contests as the center back for Gettysburg’s defensive unit in 2009. She helped the squad finish top five in the Centennial Conference in nearly every defensive statistic, including fourth in shutouts (9) and fifth in goals against average (0.98). Yeager has appeared in 45 matches and has helped the team record a 0.91 goals against average.
Attanasio was one of four freshmen named all-conference this fall. She appeared in 15 matches as a forward, including 10 as a member of the starting lineup. Attanasio finished tied for the team lead with five goals, adding one assists for 11 points. Casey was third on the squad in both scoring and shots (30) and she tallied a pair of game-winning goals against Bryn Mawr and Lebanon Valley College.
Her best scoring output of the season came in her first conference affair against Bryn Mawr as she lit up the Owls for a pair of goals in the first 10 minutes of play.
Gettysburg finished 9-7-1 overall, including a 4-5-1 mark in conference play this season. The Bullets finished just outside the playoff picture, tying for sixth.

Labels: Council Rock North, CR North

By Steve Sherman
Sports Editor
Before this season, Pennsbury was the perennial powerhouse in the Suburban One League (SOL) National Conference.
Council Rock North went out and beat the Falcons 3-1 the first time the sides faced off at the Rock. In a match that took place in early September, it was the very first league match of the season for both teams so maybe the sides were still getting their feet wet in varsity play.
Pennsbury exacted revenge when it outpaced the Indians 3-2 in a late-season matchup but lost to sister school CR South in the last week of the season. That opened the door for the Rock’s way to the league title. The Indians walked right through that opening with a 3-0 triumph over the Hawks that assured North the conference crown.
What’s more, the Indians needed the win in order to garner a more favorable seeding in district play.
Senior Sarah Kiely led the way for North with 9 kills, 8 digs and 4 blocks. Rachel Friedman pitched in with 9 kills and 23 digs. Jackie Davies contributed 28 assists, 2 kills and 14 digs. And Bailey Dowd added 8 kills to the Rock's cause.
Because of that win, North earned a No. 6 seeding and the Falcons were awarded No. 8, placing them in the same bracket as top-seeded Bishop Shanahan.
While North won all of its first three playoff pairings after receiving a first round bye, the Falcons fell 3-1 in a district quarterfinal match with Shanahan.
“It was intense because we knew what was on the line,” stated Kiely, of the win over the Hawks. “If we didn’t win that game, then our rankings for postseason wouldn’t have been as good as it was.”
And of course besting runnerup Pennsbury made the league championship that much sweeter.
“It was awesome to win over Pennsbury,” stated Kiely. “They win [the league] every year and last year they beat us for the league title so...”
After winning the league, North advanced to the D-One quarters with a 3-2 win over Strath Haven Oct. 29, outpacing the Panthers, 25-16, 25-18, and 15-6 in games one, three and five. Haven was a winner in games two and four, outpacing the Rock by identical 25-19 scores.
Caroline Anderson led the way to the playoff win with seven kills and 14 digs. Jackie Davies pitched in with 43 assists, and five kills. Bailey Dowd contributed 13 kills, and five blocks. Rachel Friedman added nine kills and 22 digs. Kiely came through with 16 kills, 15 blocks, four aces and 10 digs.
“Strath Haven put up a fight. The match was intense because their middle was hitting really well and we were blocking really well,” stated Kiely. “But some passes were great and some not so great; some sets were great and others weren’t.
“We were able to overcome the drought in that final game and we just pulled away with the win.”
In districts, the Indians had the advantage of having seen each of its first three opponents before the tournament tipped off. Earlier in the season, North faced off against Haven and Penncrest in midseason tourneys in addition to scrimmaging against St. Basil’s in preseason.
“Our seeding provided us with the perfect rout to the district finals,” stated Kiely. “I wish we could have placed higher but it really worked out for us in the end.”
In the D-One semis, Kiely came through with 13 kills and 5 blocks helping the Indians to a 3-1 win over 10th-seeded St. Basil’s. The win over Basil’s, who upset second-seeded Upper Merion, guaranteed North a berth in the upcoming PIAA tournament.
Though she deserved a lot of the credit too, Kiely was quick to commend her teammates for the fine job they’ve done getting the Rock into states.
She had this to say of Friedman, who contributed 17 kills to the Rock’s state qualifying win over Basil’s.
“We need her to win. She has the ability to see over the front row,” explained Kiely. “When she’s passing back row, she notices things with the other team’s defense so she tells me where to hit.”
A strong hitter, Bailey Dowd is the tallest on the team so she is counted on to block. But Dowd brings so much more to the Indians, said Kiely.
“She does a great job of getting everyone’s energy up and getting everyone pumped up for the games,” stated Kiely. “She has quite the hit when she’s on; she slams the ball on the floor.”
Libero Amanda Carmen is one of the best passers on the team and Davies is perhaps the best setter that North has ever had.
“She gives me different sets and she confuses the heck out of the opposing defense,” explained Kiely. “The blockers don’t know where she’s going and that’s a benefit.”
“I can go on about everyone. Those are just some people that bring different personalities to the team and help us achieve our goals
In their semifinal win over St. Basil’s, the Rock forged ahead with a 25-20 win in game one only to see Basil’s rebound with a 25-19 win of their own.
Tied at 16-all, a late run keyed by a Kiely block and two kills by Davies gave the Indians the win and all the momentum they needed to advance.
“That was the game-changer. We knew we had to win,” stated Davies. “This was the game that tells all. Whoever wins it, they were going to win the match.”
It was team unity helped the Rock pull through in the semis, said Davies.
“We don’t have just one or two stars, we’re a team,” said Davies. “We have amazing right sides, amazing outsides. Our defense will not let a ball drop without a body hitting the floor after it.”
There are seven seniors, three of whom--Kiely, Davies and Carmen--are scattered into the starting lineup. Lauren Malakoff plays back row as does Danielle Stewart, who comes in sometimes for Dowd. But it’s not so much their age but their camaraderie that makes North a cohesive unit that is successful on the hardwood, says Kiely.
“We’re friends--we all want to hang out together. That and the combination with the will to win just makes our team different because our chemistry works so well together,” sge said.
“The team chemistry just flows on this team,” said Davies. “All of us have so much drive and want so much to be the best we can.”
Tomorrow afternoon at Wissahickon, we’ll find out if they’re the best in District One.
Stay tuned.

Labels: Council Rock North, CR North

Labels: Council Rock North, CR North

By Rick Fortenbaugh
For BucksLocalSports.com
It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say there’s probably never been a night quite like this in the annals of Lower Bucks County scholastic football.
At the top of the list, of course, is the Neshaminy at Pennsbury game tonight in front of a monster crowd at Falcon Field.
All that’s on the line here is the Suburban One National League championship, bragging rights in Lower Bucks football and probably the No. 2 seed for the District 1 Class AAAA playoffs.
Next up is the Council Rock South at Council Rock North game. This is also a huge rivalry with all kinds of playoff implications. Rock South has already garnered its first playoff spot in the young history of its program, while Rock North will be looking to make sure it gets its second.
The amazing thing is there’s an excellent chance the Suburban One National League could very well end up with five of the 16 Class AAAA playoff berths. For one league to have nearly a third of the field is both impressive and probably unprecedented.
It doesn’t stop there, however. Conwell-Egan will play in the first round of the Philadelphia Catholic League Class AAA playoffs this evening, while Bristol and Morrisville have road games that also have playoff implications.
Neshaminy (8-1) at Pennsbury (8-1), tonight, 7 p.m. — It really is anybody’s guess how this will go. Although Pennsbury wiped out its first eight opponents by wide margins, somehow it often didn’t look all that impressive. Sure enough, the Falcons stumbled on the road at Abington last week. The only losses for both Neshaminy and Pennsbury were to Abington. What makes this is strange is Abington also lost to both Council Rocks. If Abington coach “Tiny’’ Tim Sorber hadn’t messed up his timeouts against Rock South, his Ghosts would also be playing for a league title tonight against Truman. Neshaminy-Pennsbury can go either way. This will be about turnovers, execution and catching a break or two along the way.
Council Rock South (7-2) at Council Rock North (6-3), tonight, 7 p.m. — It will also be jumping in Newtown as the sister schools wage their latest war in a series that has been dominated by the unexpected. Rock South is more of a ball-control team; Rock North is the better passing team. Both defenses have been similar, although Rock North has really turned it on of late by crushing Abington on the road and coming up one point shy against Neshaminy on Heartbreak Ridge. Like Pennsbury-Neshaminy, don’t even bother trying to analyze or handicap this cross-town collision.
Conwell-Egan (5-4) vs. North Catholic (4-4) at Plymouth-Whitemarsh, tonight, 7 p.m. — North Catholic beat the Eagles in the regular season two weeks ago by the score of 19-15 in a contest that could have gone either way. Conwell-Egan is coming off a game in which Kerry McAnany scored four touchdowns. The Eagles are also looking for a semifinal playoff victory for the second year in a row.
Bristol (5-3) at Lower Moreland (6-3), tonight, 7 p.m. — The records are similar, but it’s Bristol that would appear to be a pretty solid favorite. The Warriors, who are currently in the fourth spot for a playoff berth, have been peaking and just crushed Springfield-Montco. Lower Moreland lost to Springfield and had its hands full in an earlier game at Morrisville. The home team is also fighting for a playoff berth, but it’s Bristol with the better talent.
Abington (6-2) at Truman (2-7), tonight, 7:30 p.m. — Despite missing out on some power points when a team backed out of a game earlier in the year, Abington looks to be in good shape for the playoffs as it enters tonight’s game in the ninth spot. Truman has made some progress this year under new coach John Iannunci. It’s also possible Abington may have a bit of a letdown after beating Pennsbury, keeping the score close.
Morrisville (5-4) at Conrad Science (0-7), tomorrow, 11 a.m. — This a repeat of a game from earlier in the season in which Mo’ville won, 47-0. Unless the Delaware team has gotten a sudden influx of last-minute talent, look for more of the same from a Morrisville team that will be able to do anything it wants.
William Tennent (1-8) at Bensalem (2-7), tonight, 7 p.m. — If nothing else, this represents a good chance for the Owls to finish up strong. (Bensalem is scheduled to play Norristown next week, but Norristown is in the playoffs). In fact, it’s a very good chance. The Tennent coaches do what they can, but some of the Panthers look like they belong on a JV field.

Labels: Bristol, Conwell-Egan, CR North, CR South, Morrisville, Neshaminy, Pennsbury

By Rick Fortenbaugh
For BucksLocalSports
Warning: Do not attend tonight’s Pennsbury at Abington football game if you have high blood pressure, are prone to anxiety attacks, or can’t control your temper.
Reason: Abington coach “Tiny’’ Tim Sorber is sure to infuriate you with his endless whining, screaming, ranting, moaning, crying and begging for penalties against the Falcons.
Yes, it’s time for top-ranked Pennsbury (8-0) to take it on the road to a town that has about as much class as its coach.
In other words, none.
In Pennsbury’s last game at Abington, the Falcons lost in overtime when a foaming Sorber went absolutely ballistic on the refs.
Also that evening, an Abington fan was hauled away for assaulting a Pennsbury student and several Abington players were later suspended for repeatedly kicking a Pennsbury player as he lay on their sideline.
Heck, just last year the out-of-control Sorber could be seen verbally going at it with a Pennsbury fan during halftime at Falcon field.
Since the PIAA and District 1 have made no attempt to discipline Sorber, he probably has already started to make sure tonight’s refs are on board with the Galloping Ghosts. And if he hasn’t already, look for Sorber to start working the refs right around the coin flip.
It truly is pathetic, but as Pennsbury found out the last time it went to Abington, sometimes intimidating the refs works. Suffice it to say, the Falcons were the victims of one of the biggest hose jobs in the long and sad history of hometown high school football officiating.
Possibly making tonight even more stressful is the fact that it could be a pretty good game. Although Abington has lost to both Council Rocks, it also owns a 5-2 record and a victory over powerful Neshaminy. The Ghosts also desperately need this game to make the playoffs.
A playoff berth isn’t a problem for Pennsbury, currently the No. 1 seed in District 1 and ranked in the top five of Pennsylvania. A victory tonight would also assure Pennsbury of at least a tie for its first league title since 1993.
Pennsbury has been dominating all year. It has given up only 40 points overall and its first-team defense has allowed just three touchdowns. The last touchdown drive against the Falcon defense traveled exactly two yards.
Another thing to watch is the matchup between Pennsbury’s defense and Abington’s prolific passing game. Other than in the 34-3 loss to Rock North, Abington has posted big offensive numbers all season.
Of course, Abington has also allowed big offensive numbers, which could be trouble against a Pennsbury running game that is among the best in the entire district.
***
Calvary Christian (6-1) at Morrisville (5-3), tonight, 7 p.m.: This does not look good for the Dawgies. Calvary Christian has scored more than 40 points in three straight games and owns a fairly convincing win over Bristol. Coach Mike Reichebach’s son can throw the ball, CC has a good running game and it also plays some defense. Morrisville has come back to earth as the quality of its schedule has improved.
***
Springfield Montco (2-6) at Bristol (4-3), tonight, 7 p.m.: The Warriors have played much better the last two weeks after a stretch of mediocre football. With playoff implications also involved, there’s no reason to see that trend stopping tonight.
***
Bensalem (2-6) at Neshaminy (7-1), tonight, 7 p.m.:The Owls always come to play, but there’s just not enough talent to get it done against good teams. And make no mistake about it, Neshaminy is a good team. Redskins coach Mark Schmidt will also make sure his team isn’t caught looking ahead to next week’s game at Pennsbury. If Neshaminy wins tonight, it can gain at least a share of a league title next week. The Redskins are also right in the hunt for a very high playoff seed.
***
Archbishop Ryan (0-8) at Conwell-Egan (4-4), Saturday, 7 p.m.: Although Ryan plays by far the tougher schedule, the fact remains it hasn’t won a game yet. Ryan probably figures this is a good shot to get in the victory column, but there’s no reason to think Conwell-Egan won’t play relaxed, loose and well as it gets ready for the playoffs.
***
Truman (2-6) at Council Rock North (5-3), Saturday, 1:30 p.m.: Once again, this is another game in which one team is playing for a lot more than the other. In this case, Rock North is still very much in the playoff picture despite its tough one-point loss at Neshaminy last week. A Rock North win makes next week’s already huge game against Rock South even bigger.

Labels: CR North, CR South, Neshaminy, Pennsbury, Truman

LANCASTER - Katie Van Aken capped off a strong week of play by being named the Centennial Conference women's soccer Offensive Player of the Week as announced by the league office Monday, Oct. 26.
During a week in which the Fords went 2-0 in conference play, Van Aken netted game-winning goals in both games and accumulated three goals on just five shots.
Van Aken, a Council Rock High School North alum from New Hope, leads the team with eight goals, which also ranks the sophomore in a tie for second within the league in goals scored. Her 17 points is tied for fifth place among the Centennial's scoring leaders.
Monday's conference honor marks the second time during her career Van Aken has been named the Player of the Week. During her freshman campaign, she earned the weekly award on Oct. 20, 2008.

Labels: Council Rock North, CR North

By Steve Sherman
Sports Editor
Pennsbury defeated Council Rock North the second time the sides faced off this season in girls volleyball and the two are sometimes bitter rivals in the Suburban One League National Conference.
But when the wins and losses were tallied up at the end of the season and a division winner was declared, it was the Rock who was left holding the trophy.
The Falcons left the door open for the Lady Indians to lay sole claim to the conference crown when Pennsbury lost to sister school CR South on Thursday, Oct. 15. North walked right through the open door, defeating the Hawks in a battle of their own with South.
The Indians outpaced the Hawks in three straight sets, finishing the regular season at 11-1 and the SOL National Conference trophy in hand.
Council Rock North captured the SOL National Conference crown with a three-set win over CR South on Thursday, Oct. 15--senior night. Pictured above in the front row, from left are the North seniors: Danielle Stewart, Lauren Malakoff and Kristen Sargente. Second row: co-captain Sarah Morrison and liberio Amanda Carmen. Back row: co-captain and middle blocker Sarah Kiely, floor captain and setter Jackie Davies.

Labels: Council Rock North, CR North

Council Rock North keeps rolling right along in girls volleyball with a pair of wins recently over William Tennent and Neshaminy. The Lady Indians won both matches in three straight sets starting with a 25-15, 25-15, 25-14 win over the Panthers.
Sarah Kiely had a monster game with 6 kills, 3 blocks, and 5 services aces Oct. 8 versus Tennent. Bailey Dowd also came through for the Rock with 11 kills. Rachel Friedman posted up with 10 kills and 14 digs. Jackie Davies added 27 assists and 12 digs.
Against the Redskins Oct. 13 in Langhorne, CR North posted consecutive wins of 25-21, 25-14 and 25-17. Kiely came through again, recording 14 kills, 2 blocks and 13 digs. Davies did her part, contributing 26 assists and 7 kills to the North effort. Kristin Sargente added 11 digs to the Rock's cause.
For Neshaminy, Kelsey Ryan had 10 kills, 8 digs, 2 blocks and 2 aces. Stacy Bartleson added 7 kills.
With the win, the Indians pushed their record to 10-2, overall, 9-1 in the SOL National Conference. The 'Skins fell to 6-7, 4-5 in the SOL.
North completed their regular Monday, Oct. 19 on the road with a big win over sister school CR South. The Indians' straight set win over the Hawks helped them capture the SOL National Conference championship.
And on Friday, Oct. 23, the Indians volleyball team, along with the CR North boys soccer team will battle a far different foe--breast cancer.
At 6 p.m., the boys will go up against the girls on the court in the Ultimate Volleyball Challenge. The doors to the main gym open at 5.
The proceeds benefit Athletes Helping Athletes and the Eileen Stein Jacoby Fund at Fox Chase Cancer Center. Supporters can also make a donation online by clicking here.

Labels: Council Rock North, CR North

Kristin Sargente had three kills and eight digs in a Council Rock North girls volleyball 3-0 win over Harry S Truman Oct. 6 at the home of the Lady Indians. Sarah Kiely added nine kills and five blocks to North's winning effort. Danielle Stewart came through with 11 assists and six digs for the Rock which pushed its record to 8-2, 7-1 in the suburban One League National Conference. The Indians won all three games using scores of 25-14, 25-18 and 25-10.
North padded those stats on Oct. 8 to 9-2 overall, 8-1 in the SOL with a 3-0 road win over William Tennent.

Labels: Council Rock North, CR North

By Steve Sherman
Sports Editor
His team's Defensive Player of the Week after wins over Rice, Ole Miss and Florida, Ryan Hamilton was elected team co-captain this year at Vanderbilt.
But after suffering a torn pectoral muscle in the first quarter of a game two loss to LSU, Hamilton's collegiate playing days may be over. Sources say Ryan underwent surgery to repair the tissue Sept. 14 and is done for the season.
Last year for the Commodores, Hamilton set season highs in total tackles (104), tackles for loss (4.5), interceptions (4) and fumble recoveries (3).
A Council ROck North alum from Wycombe, Hamilton was second on the team in total tackles and third in solo tackles with 51. He also ranked among the SEC Top 10 in total tackles, posting a career-high effort of 16 stops against Tennessee.
Hamilton put together one of the finest defensive games ever in a Vanderbilt victory at Ole Miss, contributing three interceptions, a fumble recovery and six tackles. His three picks against the Rebels matched a Commodore single-game record.
His first interception, returned 79 yards for a touchdown, came with the Commodores trailing 10-0 and Ole Miss driving deep in Vanderbilt territory. His final pick sealed the road win, adding a huge fourth-down tackle that ended a Rebel threat at the Vanderbilt 1-yard line.
For his efforts, Hamilton earned Walter Camp Football Foundation National Defensive Player of the Week and SEC Defensive Player of the Week honors. Ryan followed the Ole Miss game with 10-tackle performance in an upset win over Auburn. Two of those tackles were for loss, including a quarterback sack.
Hamilton also aided Vanderbilt's victory over South Carolina with eight tackles, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. He also posted 13 tackles and fumble recovery against Florida.
Come postseason, Hamilton was outstanding in Commodores victory over Boston College in Music City Bowl, contributing six total tackles and an interception.
Vanderbilt pushed its record to 2-2 after posting a 36-17 win over Rice Sept. 26 in Houston. Next, the Commodores host Ole Miss at 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3.

Labels: Council Rock North, CR North

By Rick Fortenbaugh
For BucksLocalSports.com
While this week’s schedule is not as attractive as the last, there are some games that will still generate a lot of interest on the Lower Bucks County scholastic football slate.
Two of the bigger ones involve the Council Rock schools with Rock South looking to rebound from its first loss when it hosts Bensalem tonight and Rock North hoping to extend its three-game winning streak at Pennsbury’s Homecoming tomorrow night.
Also of interest are a pair of non-league games involving Morrisville and Bristol.
The Owls ended a two-game losing streak when they beat Truman last week, while Rock South suffered its first loss in an away game at Pennsbury. This has the potential to go down to the last minute. Bensalem’s offense is still not where coach Dan McShane would no doubt like it to be, but the Owls had a strong second half against Truman. Rock South, meanwhile, has just two touchdowns in its last two games, including the dramatic escape against Conwell-Egan. If Bensalem can stop the triple option and give its offense enough chances, a minor upset could very well result.
As if this wasn’t a tough enough assignment, John Iannucci’s Tigers will be up against a Neshaminy squad that will be looking to wash away the taste of its first defeat. That came at undefeated Abington, where a furious Redskins rally in the fourth quarter came up just short. Truman can play some defense, but it’s offense is still far from upper-tier Suburban One National League standards. It’s just hard to see much excitement on The Ridge tonight.
George Gatto’s Warriors lost this game last year and you can be sure they’ve been reminded of that all week. Pennington has a nice passing game headed up by junior Keith Dearden (nearly 300 yards last week) and a decent running game featuring ex-Pennsbury back Malcolm Perry. A week ago, Pennington lost to Calvary Christian, 29-28, when it came up short on a gutsy attempt for a two-point conversion late in the fourth quarter. Most people consider Bristol to be superior to Calvary Christian, so that’s good for the Warriors. There will be some points tonight, but look for Bristol back Woodrow Vorters to make the difference.
Look for more offensive fireworks at the historic Robert Morris Stadium from Dawgie quarterback Matt Cookson and Co.. Morrisville lost its first game last week, but the setback came in a 33-26 thriller against Lower Moreland in one of the Dawgies’ best efforts in years. New Hope opened some eyes by playing Bristol tough in the first game in the history of its program, but it’s been back to reality for the Lions ever since. In that stretch was a loss to Princeton Day, which Morrisville hammered, 37-7.
It’s Homecoming Night at Pennsbury and there’s sure to be a huge crowd unless the weather really stinks. The numbers tell the story of what the Indians are up against. Pennsbury has avalanched its four opponents by a combined score of 130-22 and its first-team defense has allowed just 10 points. Making matters worse for Rock North is the fact Pennsbury showed a nice run/pass balance last week. Rock has a strong passing game with quarterback Tyler Hamilton, but Pennsbury also has an excellent secondary. Throw in the depth factor and Rock North is a big underdog despite its record.
Although the injury bug has continued to hit Conwell-Egan with standout wide receiver Ryan Bond the latest to get dinged up, the Eagles shouldn’t have many problems with this Saturday night foe at the Hank Morgan Stadium. Among Goretti’s losses was a setback to Cardinal Dougherty, which Egan just handled, 28-7, just last week. As Council Rock South can testify, Conwell-Egan does play some tough defense and it’s hard to throw on the Eagles.

Labels: Bristol, Conwell-Egan, CR North, CR South, Neshaminy, Pennington, Pennsbury, Truman

Council Rock North went 7-1 and finished first in an extremely tough pool at The Ford Tough Challenge girls volleyball tournament held Sept. 26 at Haverford High School.
Among the highlights for the Lady Indians, a pair of wins--25-23, 25-22--against Penncrest, the 10th-ranked team in the state, and outscoring top-ranked Shanahan in total points over two games.
After falling to Shanahan, 25-19, in game one, the Indians rebounded with a 25-16 triumph over the top-ranked PA team.
The Rock made it as far as the quarterfinals before falling at the hands of an impressive Cardinal O'Hara team in a very close match, 20-25, 25-23, 12-15.
CR North senior Sarah Kiely was named to the all-tournament team after posting 21 kills and 13 blocks at Haverford. Senior Jackie Davies recorded 74 assists while junior Bailey Dowd came through with 25 kills.
Junior Rachel Friedman posted up with 21 kills and 36 digs. Junior Caroline Anderson contributed 10 kills and 26 digs. Junior Dani Borgia added 32 digs to the Indians' effort.
North is 6-0 overall on the season. The Rock plays its biggest rival this week in Council Rock South at 7 p.m. on Tuesday (JV-5:30) before traveling to Pennsbury at 7 p.m. on Thursday (JV at 5:45).

Labels: Council Rock North, CR North

Council Rock North pushed its record to 5-0, overall with a 3-0 Sept. 21 triumph over volleyball powerhouse Villa Maria Academy.
The Lady Indians won the first game easily, 25-14, and the next two in OT, taking both using identical 27-25 scores. Sarah Kiely led the way with 16 kills, and 5 digs.
Bailey Dowd and Caroline Anderson posted up with 9 and 8 kills, respectively.
Jackie Davies did her part, lending 35 assists, and 10 digs to the effort.
The Rock is 4-0 in the Suburban One League (SOL) National Conference including a 3-1 victory over division rival Pennsbury. The Indians are ranked No. 8 in the region according to a poll posted by a Philadelphia newspaper.
--Steve Sherman

Labels: Council Rock North, CR North

Early this morning, Gettysburg College freshman Casey Attanasio (pictured, right), a Council Rock North alum from Newtown, was named the Centennial Conference Offensive Player of the Week.
Attanasio made the most out of her first collegiate start at Bryn Mawr College on Sept. 20, posting a pair of goals in a lopsided 7-0 conference victory. She posted the match’s first goal at 7:14 and turned in a second tally just past the 10-minute mark.
Attanasio's multi-goal scoring output was the first by a Bullet since Katie Myers scored twice against Franklin & Marshall College on Oct. 17, 2006. The honor bestowed upon Attanasio was the women’s soccer team’s second in as many weeks and followed in the footsteps of fellow first-year teammate Suzy Englot, who was tabbed Co-Defensive Player of the Week the previous week.
Gettysburg is 4-1-0, (1-0-0 CC) and is riding a four-game winning streak, but the Bullets embark on their toughest challenge to date in their next affair Wednesday, Sept. 23 at top-ranked Messiah College (6-0-1).

Labels: Council Rock North, CR North

By Steve Sherman
Sports Editor
Having experienced several early season offensive woes, Council Rock North got a visit yesterday (Sept. 17) from Harry S Truman.
It would appear that a skirmish with the Tigers was all the Lady Indians needed to get their offense headed in the right direction.
The Rock scored four goals in the first half then doubled that total after the intermission in an 8-0 triumph over Truman. For North, it was its first league win of the season. In the Indians’ previous matchup, the team failed to score at all Sept. 15 in a 1-0 loss to SOL National conference rival Pennsbury.
Becky Ely tallied the winning strike early in this one. She’d add goal No. 6 on a corner opportunity later on in the second half and an assist on goal No. 3 drilled into the cage by Sarah Rowland in the first half. For her part, Rowland tallied a hat trick, putting goals No. 3, 5 and 8 into the cage.
Sophomore Hannah Plappert posted goals No. 2 and 4. Sister Elly Plappert, a senior at North scored goal No. 7 while adding three assists. Assists were also registered by Alex Kuzma (on the game-winner), Sara Clark, Rebecca Houser and Devin Everett, who had two.
The win over the Tigers evens the Rock’s league record out at 1-1. North is 2-3 overall on the season. The Indians also won a non-league affair against Episcopal Academy, taking that game by a 2-1 score. The team’s losses have come at the hands of Wissahickon and Oley Valley.
Meanwhile, Truman falls to 0-1-1 overall on the season, 0-1 in the SOL National conference. HST senior Sarah Pote stood tall in goal for the Tigers. Amanda Krause played the same position at the other end of the field but may have been the most lonely player on the field in this one.
Next up for North is a trio of league affairs starting with Monday’s night game 7 p.m. at William Tennent. From there the Indians travel to Neshaminy on Wed., Sept. 23 for a 3:30 p.m. matchup followed by a home pairing vs. Bensalem 3:30 p.m. Fri., Sept. 25.
Meanwhile, Truman has the weekend to get ready for Neshaminy, whom it hosts at 3:30 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 21. At 7 p.m. on Tuesday, the Tigers host cross-town rival Bristol on the turf at Henry Morgan Stadium. The on Friday Truman travel to Bensalem for a 3:30 p.m. pairing.

Labels: Council Rock North, CR North, field hockey

By Steve Sherman
Sports Editor
Council Rock North has won a Suburban One League (SOL) trophy every season for the last three years so the Lady Indians are used to dominating their league.
Last season, the Rock went undefeated in the SOL National Conference after winning the SOL Continental title the previous two campaigns.
North senior Greta Skudra—a four year varsity player positioned at third singles—took a moment recently to reflect back on last year’s accomplishments.
“We wanted the best chance at states and that’s what we needed to do for that,” stated Skudra. “It was good winning the league for the third year in a row; I like getting a medal.”
With seven seniors including district qualifier Julie Shursky gone from last year’s team, you’d think the Indians might have to take a step back this year.
Thus far however, that hasn’t been the case. Yesterday (Sept. 16), the Rock disposed of William Tennent 7-0 for its third consecutive win in the SOL. Including wins over CB West and North Penn, North is 5-1 on the season.
Against Tennent, sophomore Chrissy Gall—who plays first singles—outpaced her Panther foe in straight sets, 6-1, 6-0.
Freshman Hannah Capponi also won in straight sets at No. 2 singles, 6-0-6-1. Skudra—who won her match in straight sets, 6-0, 6-0—doesn’t see any reason why North can’t repeat as SOL champs in her final campaign for the Indians.
“We have a lot of good freshmen so I think we’re just as good if not better than last year,” she stated. “We—Alexa and I—are hoping to go to states.”
North hasn’t made it out of districts during the time that Skudra and Alexa Gall have been members of the Rock’s tennis team. Last year, North made it past round one in district play then fell short in a second-round pairing with Conestoga.
So far in league play, the Indians have been perfect.
In yesterday’s match against Tennent, North swept Tennent in doubles play with senior Alexa Gall and junior Nina DeLucia winning in straight sets, 6-0, 6-4. Sophomore sisters Erika and Dara Pinkus, a set of twins who play at second doubles, also won in straight sets, 6-2, 6-2.
The No. 4 doubles team of sophomore Alexandra Cozzarin and freshman Megan Sutton won in straight sets, 6-0, 6-0.

Labels: Council Rock North, CR North

The Council Rock North girls varsity volleyball team placed third at the Creason Classic held Saturday, Sept. 5 in Harrisburg.
After going 4-2 in pool play, the Lady Indians defeated New Oxford, 25-13, in the quarterfinals before falling to Whitehall, 25-23, in the semis.
Whitehall went on to win the tournament, defeating Cumberland Valley, 25-22, in the championship.
Afterward, CR North senior setter Jackie Davies (pictured, right) and junior middle Bailey Dowd (left) were named to the All Tournament Team.
The Indians begin league play at 7 p.m. tonight at home versus SOL National Conference rival Pennsbury. A junior varsity match is scheduled for 5:30.

Labels: CR North, Pennsbury

By Steve Sherman
Sports Editor

The road ended Monday, June 29 for the SOL National/Bicentennial (BAL) in the fifth annual Carpenter Cup softball tournament.
The opportunity to work together with the opposition is what assistant coach Frank McSherry relishes about the tournament, which combines the Council Rocks, with Neshaminy, Pennsbury of the Suburban One League, with Bristol Morrisville and some other teams from the Bicentennial Athletic League (BAL).
“We get the opportunity to coach kids that we coach against all year long and some that we never see as coaches,” stated McSherry.
“When we see the kids the following year, they no longer see you as the enemy, which is really refreshing.”
The local girls would have fared much better in the tourney, said McSherry, if not for an infield-outfield collision in game three of opening day that led to a 6-5 loss to Delaware South.
What hurt the SOL National’s cause most, according to the coach, was losing hurlers Sarah McGowan, of Neshaminy, and Kiersten Cain, from Bristol, when the team took the field against Jersey Shore. Both pitchers headed out to Colorado Monday, June 29 to compete in a national showcase tournament out west.
Earlier in the tournament, McGowan had held the opposition scoreless in four of the seven innings she pitched in wins over Chester and DelCo. Cain didn’t give up any runs in those same matchups and was on her way to a win vs. Del-South when all hell broke loose.
With two outs in the bottom of the seventh, a gaffe made on a popup over second base scored both the tying and winning runs for Delaware South, which went on to win the championship.
“We could very well have walked away from Wednesday at three-and-oh,” said McSherry. “That would have put us in a better position to win.”
Before the locals were eliminated however, the girls from lower Bucks got another chance to show their stuff to the collegiate scouts who came to South Philadelphia’s FDR Park looking for their next big NCAA prospect.
The SOL National/BAL trailed early in their final game against Jersey Shore. Pennsbury junior hurler Kait Schilling got herself into trouble in the bottom of the first inning, putting a pair of baserunners on with no outs after surrendering a single to pitcher Kasey Bulman and issuing a walk to infielder Alisha Cumberton. Third baseman Leann Ventriglia got the big hit in the frame, slapping a triple that scored a pair of runs for Jersey Shore.
Schilling got the locals on the board in the top of the second inning, scoring Bristol sophomore Brooke Dugger from third base with a sac fly to centerfield. Dugger had gotten on base with a walk, went to second on a passed ball then to third on an error by opposition right fielder Ani Sasala.
Jersey Shore padded their edge in the bottom of the third inning however, getting three more runs off Schilling. Again, Kait put a pair of runners on base with no outs, giving up back to back singles to Danielle Raneri and Bulman.
Center fielder Nicole Saggiomo’s single did the most damage, pushing a pair of runs across the plate that put Jersey Shore up, 4-1. Taylor’s McDonough’s triple then put the team from the Garden State up 5-1.
From there, things got a little wild, though no further damage was done by Jersey Shore. After drawing a walk – still with no outs – Ventriglia stole second and went to third on a sacrifice before getting cut down at the plate on a ground ball tapped by Jill Martin.
Martin then stole second and went to third on an error before getting cut down at the plate going for run number six.
Cantiello came on in relief of Schilling in the fourth and got out of the inning in order even though a runner – Maggie Fermo – reached base with no outs on an error at third base by Truman freshman Tiffany Koenig. That’s because Cantiello got the first out on a sacrifice bunt by Jen Retzer and her teammates got the next when they snuffed Fermo out at third trying to grab two bases on the bunt.
The locals missed a huge opportunity in the fifth inning after putting a pair of runners on base with no outs on back to back singles by Cantiello and Jopko. Retzer got out of the jam however with no damage, striking out the side when she fanned Council Rock North junior Chloe Pinto, Calvary Christian sophomore Kelli Reichenbach (looking) and Neshaminy junior Erin Quense. The runners were left standing at second and third base when Retzer threw a wild pitch on an 0-1 count with Quense up to bat.
With one last chance to stay alive, the SOL National nearly pulled it off in the top of the seventh, scoring a pair of runs and loading the bases with just one out.
Pinto’s double scored the first run of the frame for the locals pushing home Cantiello, who’d gotten on base with a leadoff single. With one out, Reichenbach got on board on Fermo’s fielding error that also sent Pinto to third base. Jersey Shore’s next gaffe loaded the bases with Quense jamming the sacks on an error made by Bulman.
Pinto represented run number two for the locals as she scored on a shallow fly ball over second base by William Tennent sophomore Ashley Alden. But Reichenbach also tried to score on the play from second base and that was a big mistake.
She never made it, instead getting cut down at the plate ending this year’s run by the SOL National/Bicentennial.
Schilling took the loss for the locals. Cantiello pitched three scoreless innings in relief and also had a good day at the plate with a pair of singles and a run scored.
“She was a big offensive threat for us,” said McSherry. “She went 2-for-2 and she pitched three or four scoreless innings.”
Delaware South, which had edged the SOL National/BAL earlier in the tourney, went on to win the championship, downing previously undefeated Berks in a pair of 3-2 wins that both went to extra innings.
Berks had handed Del-South its only loss in a 1-0 win on Monday, June 29. But the girls from Delaware reversed the tide however on Tuesday, defeating Berks first in a 9-inning matchup then in an 8-inning battle that decided the championship.

Labels: CR North, Neshaminy, Pennsbury, softball, Truman

By Steve Sherman
Sports Editor
Defending a Carpenter Cup title doesn’t necessarily add to the pressure to win.
Just ask SOL National/ Bicentennial head coach Keith Smeraglio, who says it actually lessens the burden.
“It makes it easier,” stated Smeraglio, flatly. “We know we have a good team and the kids went out and played like it.
“The defense was great, we got timely hitting and we have a tremendous [pitching] staff.”
Earlier today (June 17) at Meiklejohn Stadium, the local boys shrugged off a third-inning 1-0 deficit, plating seven runs the rest of the way in a 7-3 tournament opening triumph over Berks County. The SOL/ Bicentennial won this one going away, despite the fact it was out-hit, 10-7, by Berks. That’s because the opposition stranded over a dozen batters along the basepaths.
“I think we had almost the same amount of hits but we had a lot of clutch hits,” commented Council Rock North senior Scott Runzer, who was 1-for-3 on the day. “With guys on third, we had at least two or three sac-flies. Doing things like that definitely helped us score some runs so that was clutch.”
Defensively, Smeraglio led with his trump card in starting Harry S Truman and Bristol Legion lefthander Josh Patman in the opener against Berks. Last year, it was a pair of lefties — Patman and New Hope-Solebury southpaw Vinnie Vorhees — who kept the opposition off-balance.
Vorhees set ‘em up and Patman knocked ‘em down.
First, it was the New Hope lefty striking out 12 batters combined in quarterfinal and semifinal triumphs respectively over Mercer and defending champ Chester.
Then, it was Patman who got the final out in both the 2008 Carpenter Cup semis and the finale. In the championship win over Lehigh Valley, he got the win, after recording the final two outs in the top of the ninth.
This time out however, it was a rough outing for Patman. After getting the first Berks batter to take a called third strike, he put the next two on board with a walk and a hit batsman. But Berks failed to take advantage of the situation, launching a popup and a fly ball to Nick Mascioli to end the inning.
Patman put another pair of batters on board in the second, issuing a free pass to Kyle Hartman and a single to centerfield by Jonah Pulford. Again, Berks failed to capitalize on the opportunity. When Nick Riegel single to short, Pulford advanced to second but Hartman was picked off at third base. Patman got out of the jam, inducing a force-out at second base to Neshaminy shortstop Rick Brebner.
On the other side of the hill, Berks pitcher Brad Smith was keeping the defending champs’ bats quiet, retiring the first six hitters in order.
“The first time out, everyone was trying to hit home runs and stuff, just jumping at balls,” stated Runzer. “The second time around, everyone relaxed and started swinging to get hits.”
The local boys finally started to make some noise in the third when the SOL-N/ BAL drew a walk and single by Brebener that put a pair of runners aboard. The men were stranded however when Chris Dock junior Ryan Seiz – last year’s hero in the finale with a 2-run walkoff homer in the bottom of the ninth – struck out swinging.
Berks finally broke through in the third, scoring a run off Holy Ghost Prep righthander Andrew Strenge, of Morrisville. After retiring the first two batters, Strenge surrendered consecutive singles then an RBI double down the left field line by Hartman that scored Sean Hagen. With runners at second and third base, Andrew pitched out of the jam, fanning Pulford to keep it close.
It was HGP junior Greg Olenski who plated the first run for the SOL/ Bicentennial. After getting hit by a pitch, he advanced on a Scott Runzer single, went to third when a walk was issued to Shane Coleman then came home on a double-play grounder hit to short by Nick Mascioli.
Seiz redeemed himself in the fifth, putting the local boys on top for good by pushing CR South sophomore Bill Fleming across with an RBI triple. Olenski put the SOL on top by two, scoring Seiz with an ensuing RBI double.
The bottom of the fifth was a wild one for Berks. With CR South sophomore lefthander Greg Welsh in for Strenge, Berks sent six batters to the plate – two had reached on walks and another pair slapped singles. Add in a stolen base and a failed pickoff attempt and one might think an opposing rally would have been the result. When the dust settled, however, the enemy had but a single run to show for their trouble.
That’s because Neshaminy senior Tyler Orr nailed Blaise Fernandez trying to score from second base on Chris Lloyd’s single to right field. After inducing a popup to Frankelvin Reyes, Welsh put another pair of runners aboard, surrendering a single and a walk. The CR South lefty finally settled down, fanning Garrett Gitler to get out of the inning.
The locals really took advantage in the top of the sixth, plating three more runs on just two hits. SOL/ Bicentennial put a pair of runners aboard with Eric Ebert reaching on an error and Orr slapping a single to centerfield. It was Matt Hone coming through with the big hit, an RBI double down the left field line that pushed Ebert across.
Kelly Adams then plated Orr with a sac-fly to right field. Bristol junior Adam Moore repeated the feat with a sac-fly to left field that scored Hone.
The bottom sixth looked like another shaky one for the locals, defensively, especially when Berks put their first two batters on board on an error and a walk. Again, Welsh settled down, inducing a ground ball to Tim Ravel and striking out Fernandez.
Orr scored the final tally for the SOL in the eighth. After drawing a walk, he advanced on a fielder’s choice, went to third on an error then came home on a ground ball hit to short by Corey Hower.
After waiting around for nearly 2 hours, Neshaminy junior Ray Hyjurick finally got his chance to pitch in the seventh. Ray made the most of it, retiring the side in order. After surrendering a double to C Faust to open the eighth, he recorded the next three outs on a fly ball to left field and a pair of grounders.
After the game, Hyjurick spoke of what it was like waiting in the wings.
“It’s a little nerve-wracking but it’s also exciting — you can’t wait to get into the game and play here.
With his team holding a commanding lead, Smeraglio countered with Abington junior Jake Ruch. The 11th-grader allowed a walk but nary a run putting this one in the books favor the boys from Bucks County.
Another factor that helped the locals was that both CR South and North made it to the postseason this year, with the Indians advancing all the way to the state quarters.
“It was a good run — we made it to the quarterfinals in states,” commented CR North infielder Scott Runzer, who is headed to West Chester. “The team we lost to — North Penn — ended up winning it so that was tough.
“The good thing was that all the guys from North were able to stay sharp coming into Carpenter Cup playing so late into the [varsity] season.
With North part of the Continental Conference last year, Runzer was not part of the 2008 Carpenter Cup champions. So Runzer would really like to see this team repeat last year’s feat. With his current squad wearing a target on its back, he knows the task will not be easy. Still he believes this group has the talent.
“Everyone is coming out to beat us since this team won last year,” stated Runzer.
“I know we have the potential to repeat; we have really good pitching and I know we can hit the ball too.
That much was proven today in a 7-3 win, favor: the locals.
***
NOTES: From here, the SOL-N/ Bicentennial returns to Meiklejohn at 12:3o p.m. this Friday, June 19 where they’ll take on Lehigh Valley, 3-1 winners over Inter-AC. Lehigh will surely looking to avenge last year’s loss to the locals in the tournament finale.

Labels: Baseball, CR North, CR North Baseball

Newtown Legion Coach Bob Maley could not schedule any games for Post 440 while Council Rock North conducted its postseason run. North opened state tournament play June 1 with a win over Central High School. Slated to play a state quarterfinal pairing against North Penn on Thursday, June 4 and again on Friday, June 5, the Indians were stuck inside with the rains coming down outside. The battle against the Knights finally took place on Saturday with North Penn edging the Rock, 2-1.
Now, Maley can finally gather his Legion team, though the makeup games are too numerous to mention them all.
There are two Newtown games added to this week's baseball lineup including a home game at noon, Sunday, June 14 against Yardley-Western. And next Wednesday's road match-up against Northampton has been turned into a 5:30 p.m. doubleheader.
-Sports Editor Steve Sherman

Newtown Legion Post 440
Updated Schedule

Northampton at Newtown Wednesday 6-10-09 5:45 p.m.
Falls at Newtown Thursday 6-11-09 5:45 p.m.
Newtown at Yardley/Morrisville Friday 6-12-09 5:45 p.m.
Yardley/Morrisville at Newtown Saturday 6-13-09 12:00
Yardley/Western at Newtown Sunday 6-14-09 12:00
Yardley/Western at Newtown Monday 6-15-09 5:45 p.m.
Bristol at Newtown Tuesday 6-16-09 5:45 p.m.
Newtown at Northampton Wednesday 6-17-09 (5:30 p.m. Doubleheader)
Newtown at Yardley/Western Monday 6-22-09 5:45 p.m.
Lower Southampton at Newtown Thursday 6-25-09 5:45 p.m.
Newtown at Yardley/Western Sunday 6-28-09 1 p.m.
Falls at Newtown Monday 6-29-09 5:45 p.m.
Newtown at Falls Tuesday 6-30-09 5:45 p.m.
Newtown at Bristol Wednesday 7-1-09 5:45 p.m.
Lower South at Newtown Thursday 7-2-09 5:45 p.m.
Yardley/Morrisville at Newtown Friday 7-3-09 5:45 p.m.
Newtown at Lower South Sunday 7-5-09 (1 p.m. Doubleheader)
Newtown at Bristol Monday 7-6-09 5:45
Bristol at Newtown TBD TBD TBD
***
FIELDS
Bristol: Truman High School
Falls: Pennsbury High School
Lower South: Copper Kettle Field
Yardely/Morrisville: Phila Biblical University
Northampton: Northampton Civic Center
Yardley/Western: Conwell-Egan High School

Doubleheader at Northampton on 6/17 will start at 5:30 p.m.

Doubleheader at Lower Southampton on 7/5 will start at 1 p.m.

Labels: CR North, CR North Baseball

By Mary Jane Souder
For BucksLocalSports

ROYERSFORD — It had the look and feel of a risky play with little chance of succeeding.
But this was an advertisement for the value of perseverance.
Twice with Jimmy Smith barreling towards home from third on called suicide squeeze plays in Saturday's PIAA quarterfinal game against North Penn, Knights batter Mark Grassie attempted to bunt fastballs well out of the strike zone.
The first, Grassie somehow managed to get a piece of for a foul tip that saved the base runner. The second, he missed, but with no one anywhere near third, Smith beat the third baseman back to the bag.
North Penn fans exhaled.
"They were fastballs that rode away," Grassie said of his first two attempts. "I couldn't seem to reach out there and get them. With the squeeze, you have to try to get them.
"I tried."
Would Grassie get a third try?
"I knew coach (Bob) McCreary had confidence in me to get bunts down," he said. "I've been bunting a lot the whole year. I really have it hammered in my brain.
"He really believes I can do it."
That belief prompted the Knights' coach to call for the suicide squeeze yet one more time. Grassie wasn't surprised.
"I've actually gotten it with two strikes a couple of times this year," he said.
This time, Grassie didn't see a fastball out of the strike zone but rather a curveball. He knew exactly what to do with it, laying down a bunt toward the mound that easily scored Smith — who doubled to lead off the inning — with the game's first run. North Penn went on to defeat Council Rock North 2-1 June 6 in a PIAA Class AAAA quarterfinal contest.
"I knew there were two strikes, but I have to say I really wasn't that nervous," said Grassie, who was safe at first with his first of two hits on the day. "I felt really confident. I think that's the reason I got the bunt down.
"It was a curveball that started down the middle and dropped to my knees. That's actually a pretty good pitch to bunt, rather than one up high.
"I knew he (Rock North pitcher Scott Runzer) might be coming with a curveball because he threw me two fastballs right before that, so I knew I had to stay low and drop that bunt down because we really needed that run to get us going."
The run put the Knights on top 1-0 in the third, and the significance of Grassie's ability to execute was underscored in Rock North's sixth when - with Kelly Adams on third with one out and the Knights clinging to a 2-1 lead — the Indians failed to push the tying run across with back-to-back bunts.
On the first, Ryan Venner bunted the ball back to the mound on a safety squeeze. Pitcher Eric Ruth looked Adams back at third and fired to Grassie, who was covering first, for the second out. The threat ended when Tim Filer's bunt for a base hit was fielded by Ruth, who threw to first to retire Filer and the Indians.
"Ruth throws the ball very well," Rock North coach Dan Kusters said of his decision to call for a pair of bunts. "He wasn't necessarily throwing the ball by our guys, but in that situation with a runner on third, we need to do whatever we can to get the runner in.
"Tim is a very good bunter, and that third baseman was so far back. He had a chance to put it down and tie the game."
It didn't happen, and on the other side of the diamond, the Knights were celebrating because McCreary's unwavering faith in Grassie's ability to lay down a bunt turned out to be well-founded.
"He's a good fundamental player, and as a nine hitter you're looking for him to put a bat on the ball," the Knights' coach said. "I just had a gut (feeling) to try a suicide squeeze there.
"It didn't work out the first couple of times, but I said, 'What the heck— try again,' and thankfully for us, it worked."
And because it did the Knights are in the most enviable position — the state semifinals, just one win away from a spot in the state championship game.

Labels: Baseball, CR North, CR North Baseball

Trailing Owen J. Roberts, 8-4, in the top of the seventh inning May 22 in the district quarterfinals, Council Rock North senior catcher Tyler Farrell rode a pitch into the gap in right center scoring Jesse Goldberg and Matt Hone and giving the Rock the lead for good.
The final tally was an 11-8 victory over the Wildcats, a win that not only propelled the Rock to states, it also advanced North to the D-I semifinals May 26 where the Indians edged Garnet Valley, 3-2, to get to the district championship.
***
Compiled by Sports Editor Steve Sherman

Labels: CR North, CR North Baseball

By Steve Sherman
Sports Editor

This year’s District One AAAA runnerup, Council Rock North would like nothing better than to win a state championship.
The Indians opened state play on Monday with a 6-2 victory over District 12 runnerup Central.
They head to round two at 3 p.m. today in Boyertown (weather permitting) in a quarterfinal pairing against SOL Continental Conference rival North Penn.
“I think anyone who starts playing high school baseball wants to win a state championship if they can,” stated Indians catcher Tyler Farrell.
“It might not always be realistic but once you have a shot at it, you can see it in sight and you want to fulfill it.
"You wanna go out there and win it.”
In their state opening triumph over Central High, Ryan Hartley got things moving in the right direction when he drove in the Rock’s first run with a second-inning, two-out single to left that scored Tim Filer, on board second with a single and a stolen base.
The Indians added another run in the third on a Scott Runzer single that scored Jesse Goldberg.
The Indians then sacked Central starter Stephen Schall in the fourth, building a 5-1 edge. Hartley again was a catalyst, leading off with a bloop single to right then advancing to second on a groundout.
Goldberg and shortstop Matt Hone laid down consecutive bunts with both runners reaching to load the bases, paving the way to a 3-run Indian outburst.
Runzer did the rest, scattering four hits and three walks while striking out five. At the plate, he added a pair of RBIs on 2 hits.
The 6-2 victory over Central put the Indians on their way. A win over North Penn and two more nets the Rock Keystone Gold.
“We really want to finish our senior year of right—with a state championship,” said Hone Wednesday afternoon in a post-practice interview.
“That would mean so much to all of us.”
***
A week ago, Council Rock North made it all the way to the district championship, knocking off Methacton, Owen J. Roberts and Garnet Valley to get to the title tilt. The Indians showed their ability to bounce back, rebounding from deficits in all three district pairings to advance.
“When we get down, nobody gets scared,” explained Hone. “We seem to battle back and stay with it. We always have a shot. We’re never worried about [trailing].”
The SOL National Conference runnerup, finishing two games behind sister school CR South, North hardly remembers now how its season started off. But boxscores don’t lie and the truth is that the Rock suffered a 22-0 drubbing at the hands of SOL Continental rival CB South in its season opener at home.
Starter Scott Runzer surrendered four runs and threw 62 pitches in the first two frames. Even though the senior righthander gave way to reliever in the third, things wouldn’t get any better for the Indians in the third. Three different North pitchers surrendered 16 runs and seven walks in an inning that saw 20 Titans come to the plate.
“That’s baseball,” stated Farrell. “It was one of those days when nothing that you do can go right and everything they do goes right.”
Game two didn’t get much better with North suffering a 7-4 loss to Germantown Academy in an effort marred by three Indian errors.
“It was just one of those days you put it behind you; the next day you go out there and you get them,” explained Farrell. “You try harder and you make sure that you don’t make those errors.
“You try to win the next game and the game after that.”
***
FALCONS SCALPED
The first two losses might have been ugly but the good news was they were non-league affairs. Game three was a league battle with Pennsbury so it counted.
For a long while in this one, North struggled. By the bottom of the fourth inning, the Indians were looking at a 6-1 deficit. With zeroes on the board in frames two through five, no one thought Rock would rebound. But North did just that, plating six runs in the top of the sixth, ignited by a 2-run homer by Ryan Venner and an RBI double by Lee Marvel.
The Falcons came back to tie in the bottom of the frame, sending the battle to the seventh tied 7-all. But Bill Hartley came through in the visitor’s half of the inning, pushing Venner home with the winning run on an RBI single.
Farrell added pair of hits of his own to the Rock’s effort.
“It seems to be a common thread in some games,” stated Farrell of his team’s ability to bounce back. “We definitely fought hard. It looked like we were out of it but we showed some fight and some spirit and we came back and bulldogged our way into it.”
North followed the win over the Falcons with another come from behind win. This time, the Indians rallied to score five runs in the sixth inning to defeat Truman, 11-7.
“After that, we started on a roll downhill; it was like an avalanche gaining, gaining—you couldn’t stop us
Indeed, Rock rolled to victory in battles against Tennent (7-2), Neshaminy (5-4), Bensalem (12-0) and again beating Pennsbury, this time in a 13-0 thumping of the Falcons
“It’s just a matter of doing your job and taking care of your responsibility,” stated Farrell.
“If you take of the things you have to take care of, the other things will fall in line.”
Oh, there were other setbacks suffered by the Rock throughout the season but none as bad as the 22-0 spanking they endured in the opener. Truman came back and bit the Indians in a 5-3 loss. South won both battles 3-2 the first time and 12-0 blister near the end of the season.
The players say none of that matters now. It’s the state playoffs and the Indians are on fire.
“We’re playing better now than we did in the regular season,” stated Hone. “We’ve been playing our best baseball lately and that’s really all that matters.”
***
Photo caption: Kelly Adams on the mound in another win for the Indians.
Photo by William Anderton

Labels: Baseball, CR North, CR North Baseball

By Steve Sherman
Sports Editor

Seven is a lucky number.
Was for Council Rock North this year in the District One--AAAA baseball tournament.
Trailing Owen J. Roberts, 8-4, May 22 in the district quarters, that's the number of runs the Indians plated in the top of the seventh to help stage an improbable comeback win.
An 11-8 victory over the Wildcats was the final tally, a win that not only propelled the Rock back to states, it also advanced North to the D-I semifinals May 26 where the Indians edged Garnet Valley 3-2 to get to the title tilt.
North outfielder Ryan Venner got the Rock rally going with an infield RBI single hit deep to the hole that scored infielder Scott Runzer, cutting the OJR lead to 8-5.
With two outs, CRN outfielder Jesse Goldberg singled in first baseman Tom Filer to draw the Indians within a pair of runs and also keeping the bases loaded.
Two more runs scored on a soft tapper to third by shortstop Matt Hone. Two more runs came across on the play when the throw to first base by Wildcats infielder Jesse Dahms was off the mark.
All of a sudden, this game was tied with Goldberg ending up at third and Hone at second. That set up catcher Tyler Farrell, who rode a pitch into the gap in right center scoring both runners and giving the Rock the lead for good.
Farrell was 2-for-4 for the game while also pushing 4 runs across.
Also for North (11-5 overall, 8-2 SOL), Hone was 2-for-4 with an RBI, Adams was 2-for-5 with an RBI, Venner 3-for-4 with an RBI. Goldberg pushed 2 runs across the plate.
Rock’s 3-2 win over Garnet Valley in the district semis came via the strikeout and the error--the strikeout on the side of North, miscues on the side of the Jaguars.
The Rock righthander used the strikeout--he had a dozen of them--to keep the GV batters at bay. Trailing 1-0 after two, the Indians tied it up when a popup by Ryan Hartley dropped behind second base, scoring Kelly Adams.
In the fifth inning, Goldberg scored the go-ahead run on a tough chopper to second base by Farrell that was misplayed by GV infielder Joe DeCarlo. Farrell came across with the winning tally when Runzer reached base on an error by Jags first baseman Matt Hendrixson.
GV got a run back in the visitors’ seventh but Kyle Davis grounded out to short to end it, sending the Rock to the D-I title game.
While North fell short of its quest to win the district championship with West Chester East notching a 6-2 win over the Indians last Thursday in Boyertown, the Rock proved once again that, come time for the postseason, it is a force to be reckoned with.
North opens state tournament play this Monday, June 1 against the runnerup from District 12 (Phila. Public League).
After falling behind Methacton several times May 20 in their district opener, the Indians mounted a 5-run rally in the home fifth to emerge with an 8-5 triumph over the Warriors. The outburst was aided by three consecutive bases-loaded walks and was highlighted by a 2-run single by Hone.
“We were hitting the ball hard early on so I felt confident that we would have some chances to score some runs,” stated North head coach Dan Kusters. “We were able to capitalize on a few walks and errors with some timely hitting.”
After surrendering 3 runs on 4 hits in the top of the first, Runzer settled down and scattered just 7 hits over the last six innings to notch a complete-game victory. He struck out six and walked four.
“Scott is a competitor,” stated Kusters, flatly. “He did not have his best stuff, but he battled and got big outs when we needed them. He was very effective from the 4th inning on.”
At the plate, Runzer hit 2-for-3. On the season, he is hitting over .500 with 26 RBIs, 19 runs, 13 doubles, 4 home runs, and 1 triple.
Hone also had a big day, going 2-for-3 with 3 RBI. Farrell and Filer were 2-for-4 on the afternoon.
Unsung heroes for the Indians included Ryan Hartley with his defense at second base, Jesse Goldberg with great defense in right field and Ryan Venner who drew a pair of walks.

Labels: Baseball, CR North, CR North Baseball

By Steve Sherman
Sports Editor

Does it get any better than this?
After capturing the District One-AAA championship and a state runnerup trophy in team play, three tennis players from the Council Rock North boys tennis team captured individual medals on Saturday, May 23 at Hershey Racquet Club.
North junior David Kazakevich, the Rock’s No 1 singles player all season long, captured the top prize for the Indians when he took the bronze medal after defeating Upper St. Clair senior Jay Jones in singles consolations.
North seniors Luv Sodha and Joe Peters also captured a fourth place medal in the doubles tournament after winning their first two matches in straight sets.
Sodha and Peters didn’t fare as well as Kazakevich in consolations, falling to Fox Chapel sophomore Shankar Rajaput and junior Brad Portnoy. The pair did manage to take their opponents to a third set when they won the second set, 7-6 (6).
Like he has all season long, Kazakevich led the Rock’s effort at states, opening the singles tourney by disposing of District 4 champion Mateus Camasmie, a senior from Williamsport, in straight sets, 6-2, 6-4.
In a state quarterfinal matchup, David defeated District 7 runnerup Matt Slamecka, a junior from Butler High, 6-3, 5-7, 6-2.
Kazakevich stumbled against District 10 champion Landon Williams, a junior from McDowell, 7-6 (6), 7-5 but he rebounded well in a battle for third place when he outpaced Jones, who was the District 7 champion, 7-5, 7-5.
Meanwhile, in the doubles tourney, Sodha and Peters easily disposed of Abington Heights sophomore Josh Palmer and freshman Nathan Engh--champions from District 2--in straight sets, 6-1, 6-1. The duo then defeated Philly Public League champions Gabe Steerman and James Ayer, a pair of juniors from Central High, 6-3, 6-1.
Sodha and Peters’ first stumble came in the state semifinal matchup against State College juniors Anurag Kumar and Chris Borden--District 6 champions--before falling in consolations.
As a team this season, Rock did what no other North team did before it, capture a district title in boys tennis. The Indians posted its incredible triumph May 11 at Perkiomen Valley, outpacing perennial powerhouse Lower Merion, 3-2.
Again, the win there hinged on Kazakevich’s success.
No. 1 doubles players Hugo Sanchez and Greg Wasserman along with No. 2 team Dan Snyder and Drew Newman had already won in straight sets. But Matt Savin and Robbie Kay posted wins in straight sets at No. 2 and 3 singles respectively for the Aces.
With the score tied at two wins apiece, Kazakevich pulled off a stunning upset of Coby Kramer-Golinkoff to give the Indians a 3-2 victory.
Kazakevich had faced Kramer-Golinkoff five times before and lost four of the matches. Dave won the first set on a tiebreaker but Kramer-Golinkoff came back and won the second set.
In the rubber match, the Rock senior broke his opponent’s serve to go up 2-1 then went ahead 3-2 before reeling off the next three points for a 6-2 victory and Rock’s first D-I title in the sport since 1995. *
In states, the Indians defeated Erie McDowell, 3-2 in the quarterfinals and Radnor, 3-1 in the semis before falling to North Allegheny in the state championship match, 3-2.
***
* Council Rock High won the district title in ’95 but that was before the district built CR South, which opened in 2002.

LineScores
SINGLES
David Kazakevich - CR North junior
Def. Williamsport senior Mateus Camasmie, 6-2, 6-4
Def. Butler junior Matt Slamecka, 6-3, 5-7, 6-2
lost to McDowell junior Landon Williams 7-6 (6), 7-5
Def. Upper St. Clair senior Jay Jones, 7-5, 7-5

DOUBLES
Luv Sodha/ Joe Peters - CR North seniors
Def. Josh Palmer/ Nathan Engh - Abington Heights, 6-1, 6-1
Def. Gabe Steerman/ James Ayer - Central, 6-3, 6-1
lost to Anurag Kumar/ Chris Borden - State College, 6-1, 7-6 (7)
lost to Shankar Rajaput / Brad Portnoy - Fox Chapel, 6-3, 6-7 (6), 6-2

Labels: boys tennis, CR North

By Steve Sherman
Sports Editor

This season, Council Rock North did what no other North team did before it, capture a district title in boys tennis. The Rock posted its incredible triumph May 11 at Perkiomen Valley, outpacing perennial powerhouse Lower Merion, 3-2.
The Indians owe much of their district championship success to David Kazakevich, their No. 1 singles player.
No. 1 doubles players Hugo Sanchez and Greg Wasserman along with No. 2 team Dan Snyder and Drew Newman had already won in straight sets. But Matt Savin and Robbie Kay posted wins in straight sets at No. 2 and 3 singles respectively for the Aces.
With the score tied at two wins apiece, Kazakevich pulled off a stunning upset of Coby Kramer-Golinkoff to give the Indians a 3-2 victory.
Kazakevich had faced Kramer-Golinkoff five times before and lost four of the matches.
Kazakevich won the first set on a tiebreaker but Kramer-Golinkoff came back and won the second set, 6-3, bringing the district title down to a single set.
The Rock senior broke his opponent’s serve to go up 2-1 then went ahead 3-2 before reeling off the next three points for a 6-2 victory and Rock’s first D-I title in the sport since 1995.
In states, the Indians defeated Erie McDowell, 3-2 in the quarterfinals and Radnor, 3-1 in the semis before falling to North Allegheny in the state championship match, 3-2.
***
LINESCORES

CR North 3, Lower Merion 2
(May 11 at Perkiomen Valley)
Singles: 1. David Kazakevich (CRN) defeats Coby Kramer-Golinkoff, 7-6 (7-3), 3-6, 6-2; 2. Matt Savan (LM) defeats Luv Sodha, 6-4, 6-2; 3. Robby Kay (LM) def. Joe Peters, 6-1, 6-1.
Doubles: 1. Hugo Sanchez and Greg Wasserman (CRN) defeat Brian Maslin and Ben Leavitt, 7-5, 6-4; 2. Dan Snyder and Drew Newman (CRN) defeat Kyle Perry and Ben Satalif, 6-3, 6-1.

Labels: boys tennis, CR North

LOPATCONG, NJ--There’s winning convincingly and then there’s rallying for the comeback. Somehow, the latter makes victory oh so much sweeter.
Such was the case for Blayze DiPasquale, a 16-year-old junior at Council Rock High School North.
DiPasquale completed the feat last week at the International Junior Golf Tour (IJGT) two-day tournament April 25 and 26 at Architects Golf Club.
The 108 IJGT competitors were eager to put their skills to the test against some great links designed by the Architects of the past. Fortunately, the sun was shining bright each day which made for ideal conditions to post low rounds over the weekend.
In the Boys 16-19 Division, John Voetsch of New Vernon, NJ came out firing with an opening round 3-under par 68. Following close behind, Joseph Gunnerman of Yardley, would post and even par 71 while DiPasquale, of Richboro, and Ted Brennan, of Newtown Square, would card 72’s to set the stage for a Sunday showdown.
DiPasquale, who carded six birdies in his opening round, played consistent all day and eventually found himself tied for the lead with Voetsch standing on the 18th tee. After a beautiful drive, a solid approach, it was only fitting that he sink his birdie putt for his first IJGT victory.
Finishing in a tie for second place was Sam Bernstein of Riverdale, NY, with rounds of 74 and 75 and first round leader John Voetsch.
When asked about his keys to victory, DiPasquale had this to say: “My key to victory was trying to play my own game and not letting one shot determine my round. I have finished in the top three before, but it is truly refreshing to get my first win. I am very happy.”
In the Boys 13-15 Division, the battle for top honors was fierce with Brian Tohir from New Canaan, CT coming away with the crown after finishing with a two-day tournament total 144. Tohir opened his first round with an even-par 71 which put him in great position heading into the final-round.
Brian played consistent on Sunday with 12 straight pars before breaking that streak with a birdie on the par 5 13th hole. Coming in a close second was Michael Troy from Stamford, CT with rounds of 72 and 74 and Colin McDade from Rye, NY who followed up his opening round 76 with a 1-under par 70 that earned him the coveted IJGT Low Final Round Belt Buckle.
After the awards presentation, Tohir had these words to say about his win this weekend:
“I have been playing well in my last few tournaments but I was coming up a bit short from the winners circle. It feels really good and I am very happy that I was able to close the deal. My short putts really saved my rounds this weekend”
In the Boys 12 and Under Division, Kyle Sterbinsky, of Yardley, went wire to wire with his tournament-total of 1-under-par 141. Kyle hit the ground running on Saturday with an opening round of 69 and never looked back after final-round 72 in which he eagled the tough par 5 number 11.
After all the divisions had been scored, Sterbinsky was excited to learn that he had earned the J Lindeberg Slater Belt that is awarded to the Low Tournament Round in all divisions.
Coming in second place was Timothy Colanta from Monroe Township, NJ with a tournament-total of 142. Colanta made an honorable run at Sterbinsky by carding a final-round 68 to finish one shot back.
Rounding out the top three was Jake Reilly from Hershey, with a weekend total of 147. When Kyle was asked if there were any gut check moments that brought out the best in him this is what he had to say: “My gut check moment was when I got up and down on hole No. 7 on Sunday. I was putting really well and I knew if I could keep it up I could maintain my lead.”
In the Girls 19 and Under Division, Harin Lee from Bayside, NY brought home the title after shooting a tournament-total 145. Lee opened with a solid round of 74 in which she bettered herself with an even par 71 to finish six strokes better than her fellow competitors.
Taking the runner up position was Scotland Preston from Mountainside, NJ with a consistent weekend of 75 and 76 for a two-day tournament total of 151. Coming in third place was Gabrielle Weiss from Macungie, with a two-day tournament total of 154.
After her round, Lee had these words to say: “I felt like I was not playing very well coming into this weekend, but my driver and my iron shots got me out of some sticky situations. I am very happy to have put two great rounds together for the win.”
As players entered Sunday’s final-round, many were hoping to leave with the coveted IJGT Low Final Round Belt Buckle. This week’s winners were: Andrew Arnold in the Boys 16-19 Division with a round of 73, Colin McDade in the Boys 13-15 Division with a round of 70, Timothy Colanta in the Boys 12 & Under Division with a round of 68, Harin Lee in the Girls 15-19 Division with a round of 71, and Gabrielle Weiss of Macungie, in the Girls 14 & Under Division with a round of 79.
In addition to the low final-round awards, IJGT’s newest sponsor J. Lindeberg awarded their Slater Belts to the two Lowest Rounds of the Tournament for combined Boys Divisions and combined Girls Divisions.
Walking away with the hardware this week were Yardley's Kyle Sterbinsky, and Harin Lee from Bayside, NY.
The IJGT would like to send out a big congratulation to Austin Zurlo of Bernardsville, NJ for his Hole-In-One on the Par 3 number 6.

Labels: CR North, GOLF, Pennsbury