Owen J. Roberts girls soccer tops Plymouth-Whitemarsh to gain District 1-AAA quarterfinal

Freshman Mahogany Willis scored two goals and Katie Dempsey distributed two assists Saturday as the Owen J. Roberts girls soccer team continued its improbable journey through the District 1-AAA bracket with a 3-1 victory over Plymouth-Whitemarsh.

The Wildcats (12-7-2), who had to win a play-in game against Haverford Wednesday to gain the 28th and final seed in the tourney, took out fifth seed Pennridge 2-1 in Thursday’s first-rounder.

They continued their surge in impressive fashion against the 12th-seeded Colonials by opening a 3-0 lead.

Willis began the scoring 15 minutes into the match, then connected again five minutes into the second half before Morgan Shronk tacked on another goal. Emilie Kupsov had an assist for the Wildcats.

“One big thing is that we’re healthy again,’ OJR coach Joe Margusity said. “In the (late-season) losing streak, we were down a number of starters. The other thing is that they’re getting addicted to the playoff atmosphere. They see how different the playoffs are from the regular season. It’s the first time in about eight years I felt that electricity back with us in districts.’

The Wildcats visit Central Bucks West (a 1-0 winner over Boyertown) in Tuesday’s quarterfinal, and can clinch a state tourney berth with a victory.