The Sports' Week in Review: Girls Soccer Making Strides

It didn’t look pretty for the Upper Moreland girls soccer team Wedesday afternoon against Cheltenham.

The team was down by four goals at halftime, as the team couldn’t get anything going. 

Head coach Joe Joyce told his girls during the halftime break to just relax and play soccer.

“They were really tired, “said Joyce. “They were kind of down in the dumps. I told them at halftime to go out there and have some fun and everything will work out.” 

The Bears came into the second half a different team, salvaging two goals by the time the game was over. They had more opportunities on the offensive end that almost lead to a few more goals.

“I was happy that we kind of reset a little bit after halftime,” said Joyce. “I like the second half much more than the first half. We are our own worst enemy.”

With a final score of 4-2, Upper Moreland did walk off the field with a loss, but the girls showed they are able to turn a game around with just the right pep talk.

“I have players, but they are having a tough time trying to play together,” said Joyce. “Sometimes they are over anxious.”

Standing at a 2-4 overall record, the Bears still have a lot of work to do. They are looking to get better with each game.

“I like them to talk more on the field,” said Joyce. We are not communicating well on the field. They are a lot of great individual efforts. The girls are trying too much sometimes. Making one or two moves is fine, but making three or four you are going to get the ball stripped. I don’t care how good you are.”

The Bears aren’t out of contention to be competitors in the league. Most of the teams this season are even. Even though Upper Moreland has suffered from the injury bug, the team looks to get some players back next week.

“The league is up for grabs,” said Joyce. “Upper Dublin has always been one of the strongest teams [in the league] and [we] lost to them only 3-0. If I had my keeper and sweeper, it would’ve been a different game.”

The Bears game against Upper Merion has been postponed today. They travel travel to Springfield Monday.

The Sports Week In Review: 

Football

Upper Moreland couldn’t figure out Exeter last Friday evening. Exter was able to move the ball up and down the field on the Bears’ defense and pulled away with a 55-0 win. It was the most points allowed this season by Upper Moreland.

The home game against Intebero tonight has been postponed until Monday, Sept. 26, at 6 p.m. at Upper Moreland.

Girls Tennis

The girls tennis team faced a tough task in going up against one of the top tennis teams in the area Upper Dublin Monday afternoon. The Bears didn’t win a match against the very talented Lady Cardinals team.

The team looks to regroup in non-league action as it travels to Lansdale Catholic on Monday afternoon.

Boys Soccer

Things didn’t get better with the new week, as Upper Dublin edged Upper Moreland 1-0 in a league match up.

Upper Moreland, winners of the league a season ago, finally got on the winning edge with a 3-0 victory over Cheltenham Wednesday. 

The Bears 3:30 p.m. soccer match against Upper Merion has been postponed today.

Upper Merion has only scored five goals combined this entire season in seven games.

Field Hockey

The skid continued for field hockey this week.

It started last Friday when Jenkintown defeated the Bears 3-0.

On Monday, league leaders Upper Dublin came into town and recorded 15 shots on goal against the Bears’ defense. Upper Moreland couldn’t score a goal and lost 5-0.

Despite solid defense and numerous shots on goal, Upper Moreland couldn’t defeat host Cheltenham on Wednesday as they were defeated, 2-0. Both Cheltenham goals came in the second half. Saige Wenik recorded seven saves for the Bears.

The 3:30 p.m. girls varsity/JV Field Hockey against Upper Merion today has been postponed.