Owen J. Roberts avoids the upset this time, downs Upper Perkiomen
BUCKTOWN >> Seeking to erase the memory of their first-round bow from last season’s district playoffs, Owen J. Roberts didn’t quite get off to the ideal start.
Tied at the half and trailing in draw controls, the Wildcats bounced back, using a second-half surge to down Upper Perkiomen 8-6 to advance to the second round of the District 1-AAAA playoffs on Tuesday night at Owen J. Roberts’ North Field.
“It was in the back of our minds,” said OJR junior Anna Dempsey of last season’s surprising 8-6 loss to Downingtown West, “but I think everyone tried to keep their minds focused on Upper Perk. It was a tough way to go out last season … none of us wanted a repeat of that.”
Using a five-goal outburst during the second half, OJR had enough to hold off Upper Perkiomen, though the Tribe pushed back all the way to the finish.
As a result, No. 6 seeded Owen J. Roberts (12-1 PAC-10; 18-3 overall) advances to the second round of the District 1-AAAA playoffs, where it will host No. 11 Abington — 11-10 winners over Strath Haven after four overtimes — on Thursday. No. 27 Upper Perk’s season comes to a screeching finish, though the Tribe (8-5-10; 12-8) left Bucktown with plenty of satisfaction.
Early on, it was anyone’s game.
The Wildcats dominated the possession, but couldn’t do much about it against Regan McComb in goal.
The senior keeper who is bound for Coastal Carolina University registered 14 saves, including 11 in the first half to keep the Tribe afloat going into the break.
“She was unbelievable in goal,” said Upper Perkiomen head coach Susan Flack. “She stepped up and made a lot of big stops to keep us in the game early on.”
Making their first district appearance since the 2011 season, the Tribe played inspired, eventually holding their second lead at 4-3 with 20 minutes left in regulation after Kenzie Gebhardt’s goal to open the second half.
“I couldn’t ask for much better from this team,” added Flack. “Especially against a team like Owen J. — our defense was phenomenal, our attackers stayed patient and waited for the play to develop and our middies were making plays all over the field. This was just another example of how great our leadership was this season.”
Gebhardt, Hope Flack and Morgan Rynn each scored a pair of goals while Liz Fox posted an assist. Rynn scored the final two goals of the game on free positions to end OJR’s 13-minute, five-goal scoring run that ultimately proved the difference.
Kerry Huzzard scored all three of her goals during that 13-minute stretch where OJR secured five of six draw controls. Dempsey scored her third goal and added an assist on Frankie Carroll’s goal where she froze McComb and caught her leaning with 10:22 left. Maddie Gebert had a goal and an assist while Anna Lavelle posted an assist.
Owen J. Roberts dominated the draw control in the second half, using a 7-2 advantage to outscore Upper Perk 5-3.
“It took us a really long time to adjust to their goalie,” said Gebert. “She was stepping out on us – a lot of goalies don’t do that, and that threw us off. We’re used to shooting fast, shooting far out and shooting right away. Against this goalie, we had to fake and freeze her. We couldn’t get anything easy.”
The Wildcats took control of the possession with 5:51 left and held the ball nearly the entire rest of the way. Battling the double team, OJR took care of the ball, limited the mistakes and stood tall by the time the final buzzer sounded.
“It’s exciting to know that we’re on our way to the second round,” said Dempsey. “We pulled it out. Like coach (Joe Tornetta) always tells us, that shows a lot of character.”
The Wildcats will go up against an Abington program that they scrimmaged during the offseason.
“They play really aggressive and loud,” said Gebert. “So we’ll need to bring the intensity right from the start.”
Speaking of intensity, it will be a key game in deciding OJR’s PIAA playoff hopes.
“We’ve got to give it our all,” said Dempsey of the second round game Thursday. “If we can get past the second round, we do have a chance at states. If any year, this is our year to get to states.”
NOTES >> Coming off her standout debut in the PAC-10 title game, Owen J. Roberts’ keeper Claire Hampton moved to 2-0 on her career with six saves in the win. … UP lost 20-5 to Downingtown East in their district opener in 2011.
