Souderton handles storm, North Penn’s pressure behind Yoder’s brace

TOWAMENCIN >> Really, Souderton had to withstand two storms on Thursday.

The first was an actual storm, a deluge of rain that consumed most of the first half as the Indians girls soccer team visited North Penn. The other was a torrent of pressure from the Knights in the second half as they threw everything they had at Souderton to get a tying goal.

Thanks to a first-half brace from Taylor Yoder and some stellar goalkeeping by the returning Morgan Molyneaux, Souderton withstood the storms for a 2-1 in over the Knights.

“We had to adjust to playing in the rain, settle down and put a little less pace on the ball,” Yoder said. “We had to be ready to settle in and slow things down a little bit after halftime.”

After a pregame shower washed over North Penn’s grass fields, the teams started out looking like a barnburner was on deck. A throw in by Souderton’s Grace Kelley deep in the Knights end led to junior Averie Doughty heading the ball into Yoder’s path, which the junior flicked in five minutes into the game.

The score held for about a minute. North Penn (4-7-1, 2-4-1 SOL Continental) drew a quick corner kick off the restart and Riley Saxman played a perfect ball into the center of the box. Defender Landry Holt, playing center back on Thursday, got up and headed home the equalizer.

Not long after, the skies opened and a heavy rain fell for about 25 minutes, complicating things on the field.

“We knew the ball would be slippery, so we knew we had to have coverage and we talked about it before the game,” Molyneaux said. “We knew who our defenders were and how they were going to change their shape throughout the game.”

Molyneaux missed the last three games due to an injury but wasn’t fazed by the wind, rain or barrage of shots North Penn threw at her in the second half. The junior made nine saves including a nice denial of North Penn’s Liv Urban in the first half with the score tied.

Once the rain broke, the Indians (8-3-1, 4-2-1) found the winner. Avery Nogami got up to win the ball out of the air off a North Penn punt, finding Doughty at the attacking midfield spot. Doughty then sent Yoder in with a through ball and the junior winger did the rest, running into space and tucking home a composed shot with six minutes to play in the half.

“I think we did really well at getting the ball into the middle then finding it wide on the opposite side,” Yoder said. “They left some space there and we know we’re good at getting in, sending it and getting players into the box.

“Averie knows the runs me and Hannah (Alderfer) are making so she’s really good at playing that ball because she’s played the position and just knows how to send it through.”

Souderton’s forwards did a good job of reading North Penn’s high back line, meant to draw offside calls. The Knights caught a few, but Yoder and Alderfer timed most of their runs well or just dropped off the line completely to link with the fullbacks and get a running start.

Down, but no way out, the Knights focused up and committed to score in the second half. North Penn went deep into its bench and continued to throw different looks at the Indians’ back line.

“I thought we had control of the second half but nothing to show for it,” Knights co-head coach Mike Rio said. “We’ve been having moments and games of really good play but at some point we need to start finding ways to get the ball in the back of the net. Souderton’s defense was solid and limited the quality chances we could get even while we controlled most of the play in their half.”

Souderton gave up shots, but didn’t really concede many within the confines of the 18-yard penalty box. Center backs Darby Kramer, Payton Carroll and Kaitlyn DiCandilo did a nice job of bottling up Knights speedster Emily Varilla up top but the Knights still got their looks.

Urban, Saxman, Tia Sheehy and center midfielder Grace Sacchetti were dynamic and put a lot of thoughts forward. Sacchetti in particular was aggressive in going at midfielders and defenders but had to settle for a handful of distance shots that Molyneaux was able to read well.

“We knew they were going to look for (Varilla) up top, she’s their strongest player so we had to put pressure-cover on the ball,” Molyneaux said. “I trust my defense, they trust me so we know communication is key and whenever I call it, it’s me and when they call it, it’s them.”

North Penn’s been beset by a handful of hard-luck losses but the Knights feel they can right their fortunes in the second half of SOL play.

“We know we’re capable of some better results,” Rio said. “We need to execute and find ways to get and keep a lead.”

Souderton finishes a successful week with wins over Gwynedd Mercy Academy and North Penn and a tie at Quakertown, plus their lineup stronger with Molyneaux back in goal.

“Everyone battled pretty well today, North Penn is a tough team, they’re fast and have quite a few really good players who can be threatening,” Souderton coach Lindsy Jones said. “I think it was important to have a first touch, especially defensively and the defense did a really good job, they’re always being tested, but they did a good job not just clearing but they’re really smart in how they play.

“We talk about composure a lot and today, the goals were composed and the defense didn’t fall back to panic play.”

SOUDERTON 2, NORTH PENN 1
SOUDERTON 2 0 – 2
NORTH PENN 1 0 – 1
Goals; S – Taylor Yoder (Averie Doughty), Yoder (Doughty); NP – Landry Holt (Riley Saxman)