Southeastern Pa. girls’ soccer notes

Ben Winderman is in his fourth year as girls' soccer coach at Hatboro-Horsham. For much of that time, the Hatters have been chasing Pennridge and Central Bucks West in the Suburban One League's Continental Conference.

That picture could be changing. The Hatters are in the midst of a four-game winning streak that includes big victories over the Rams, 2-1, and the Bucks, 1-0, putting Hatboro in first place in the conference.

"The win over Pennridge couldn't have been scripted any better," Winderman said. "We played well, and the girls were rewarded for all the preparation they put into it.

"I think we're learning to believe in ourselves. The win certainly helped our confidence."

The Hatters (5-1 overall, 4-1 league) won it when junior Tory Adlam scored with 23 seconds left in the game. Her goal, along with Mary Kate Bateman's score, allowed Hatboro-Horsham to overcome a 1-0 halftime deficit.

"That win was very important," said Adlam, who has five goals this year. "In the past, we'd lose our composure in a close game like that. We're playing with composure now and playing smart.

"We have to keep playing that way. This is a tough week for us. We play Central Bucks South on Wednesday and North Penn on Friday."

In their win over Central Bucks West on Monday night, Bateman scored 20 minutes into the game and the Hatters made it stand up.

It was Bateman's sixth goal of the season.

"I certainly hope the winning streak is a good sign," said Bateman, another junior who has started since she was a freshman. "Even though we have a lot of juniors, we're a more mature team."

Winderman also praised senior Kellie McGoldrick and junior Ramsey McMenamin for their roles in the team's winning streak.

Waxing philosophical. Council Rock South coach John Oberholtzer was philosophical after his Golden Hawks dropped a tough 1-0 decision to intra-district rival North on Wednesday night.

The Hawks fell to 6-2 overall, 4-1 in Suburban One League National Conference play. North, which has yet to yield a goal this season, is 6-0, 5-0 in the conference.

"We looked good, but we had trouble developing shots," said Oberholtzer, a veteran coach in his second season at South. "We weren't missing shots. We just weren't getting them. Our goaltending was good, but the offense was just not in sync. We had trouble opening up our forwards [for shots]."

He credited North with playing at a higher emotional level than his team did. He blamed the Indians' goal on a defensive error.

"I have a better idea now of my players and where they fit in," said Oberholtzer, who must prepare his team for another National Conference battle, against Pennsbury on Wednesday night.

"I'm glad you called," he told this reporter. "Up until now, I've been talking to myself about the loss. This was therapeutic. It's early. It's a long season."

The Hawks have at least six players - Chrissy Vollrath, Paula Jurewicz, Colleen Diviny, Sam Lawson, Kelsey Pressler and Alexa Crosier - planning to play college soccer.

Vollrath is headed to La Salle; Jurewicz and Diviny, Temple; Lawson, Campbell; Pressler, Mount St. Mary's; and Crosier, Vermont.

Panthers on top. Unbeaten Strath Haven has vaulted into first place in the Pennsylvania Soccer Coaches Association's weekly rankings for large schools.

The Panthers jumped from third place last week to the top spot. Pennridge, which had been No. 1, fell to third place, behind Mount Lebanon.

The Rams are followed by Council Rock South, Council Rock North, Conestoga, Boyertown, Penn Trafford, Downingtown East, and Archbishop Wood.

In the association's small-school poll, Villa Joseph Marie has taken the top spot. The only other area team in the top 10 is Villa Maria at No. 6.