Owen J. Roberts handles Hatboro-Horsham 4-1 in 1-AAAA first round

Owen J. Roberts 4, Hatboro-Horsham 1 >> A high-flying start with Brandon Ott scoring twice in the first half saw No. 22 Owen J. Roberts take down No. 11 Hatboro-Horsham in the first round of the District 1-AAAA playoffs.

Hatboro’s Joe Larouche pulled a goal back in the 35th minute for a 2-1 OJR lead at halftime but the Wildcats opened the second half with a flurry. Goals by Austin Koury and Taurean Lee put OJR up 4-1 by the 51st minute, a lead they would preserve the rest of the way.

“We started fast,” OJR coach Eric Wentzel said. “We dictated the play for the first 20 minutes. (Hatboro) came back on us late in the first half and started to take the game over. Give our players credit, they came out in the second half and gave them limited chances while creating our own. We finished our chances which we’ve been struggling to do throughout the year.”

OJR advances to face No. 6 Neshaminy on Thursday at 5 p.m.

OJR out-shot the Hatters 12-8. OJR keeper Ryan Walker made four saves.