Owen J. Roberts, Upper Perkiomen prevail in PAC girls soccer semifinals

BUCKTOWN >> The Pottsgrove girls soccer team was already the architect of an incredible turnaround from finishing 1-12 in 2020.

Tuesday night in the Pioneer Athletic Conference semifinals, the Falcons looked poised to take that turnaround to another stratosphere.

After Ava Leaman struck gold in the first half on Pottsgrove’s first attack of the game, it carried a one-goal lead on top-seeded Owen J. Roberts into the final 13 minutes of their semifinal.

Then, it was the Wildcats’ turn for a turnaround.

Olivia Thompson leveled the game with 12:29 to play, setting up the last-minute heroics of junior forward Alexa Vogelman, whose right-footed rip with 27.8 seconds to play lifted Owen J. Roberts to a 2-1 victory over Pottsgrove.

The Wildcats earned a spot in Thursday’s PAC championship where it will face No. 2 seed and Frontier Division champion Upper Perkiomen, a 1-0 winner over Spring-Ford in the other semifinal. Sara Edwards’ second-half score provided the difference for the Tribe (17-2).

It wasn’t the easiest night for the PAC’s leading goal-scorer, but Vogelman stuck with it, even if it took 79-plus minutes to get her goal.

“I just think back to practice and all the shots I’ve taken. Sometimes it takes time,” she said. “Soccer is a game of patience. Even when things aren’t falling for you, you have to be patient.”

Thompson gave OJR life on her header from a sophomore Emerson Storti corner kick just as it was looking like Pottsgrove could pull off the upset.

OJR was behind thanks to a nice counter-attacking move from Pottsgrove 13 minutes into the game – its first attack past midfield of the one-sided contest – that began with Emma Gonzalez and ended with Leaman’s lofted shot from 18 yards. It was just the fifth goal conceded by OJR all season.

Pottsgrove took a defensive approach and did it excellently thanks in large part of great performances from center backs Emily Byron, Keleigh Nihart and a Player of the Match performance from sophomore goalkeeper Ella Smith (15 saves).

“Oh my gosh, she kept us in the game. She always has those saves that are awesome,” said senior midfielder Avery Makoid. “I think the defensive part of the game was what we wanted. Obviously getting the goal helped.”

Pottsgrove knew it was an underdog but never played with fear.

“We’re a small school and we play against teams like this it’s never like we should win, but we feel like we’re going to win,” said Makoid.

“A lot of people come out here thinking they’re going to beat us because we’re a smaller school and because of our past record. I don’t think they were expecting that from us,” said Pottsgrove senior midfielder Emily Vishio.

Pottsgrove’s renewed mentality to be a PAC semifinalist and No. 5 ranked in District 1 Class 3A has paid dividends.

“Last year there was just something missing,” Vishio said. “This year everyone came out with the mindset of it being a new year and we’re going to start fresh. The freshman have really helped a lot.”

For OJR (17-1-1), currently No. 2 in District 1-4A, it was ultimately a welcome test against a team intent on nullifying them.

“It was great to face that before we get into districts. We haven’t seen that all year,” Vogelman said. “We haven’t seen a good defensive (approach) like that and it’s something that we need. You need to face every situation and learn to build from it. It was a really good test for us and I’m happy we came through it tonight.”

Pottsgrove heads to the District 1-3A playoffs where it would face Frontier Division foe and PAC finalist Upper Perk in the round of 8 if current rankings hold.

Owen J. is chasing its fourth PAC title in five years after sharing the honor with Spring-Ford in 2020. Thursday’s final is set for 5 p.m.

Upper Perkiomen 1, Spring-Ford 0

There was a simple message Upper Perkiomen head coach Mike Freed conveyed to his players prior to Tuesday’s PAC semifinal game with Spring-Ford.

“We’re here. Don’t think we’re a small school playing a big school,” he said.

The Upper Perk girls took it to heart and played like they belonged. And now they’re playing for the PAC championship Thursday after edging the Rams 1-0.

Sara Edwards scored the only goal needed, connecting on a high shot from the center of the 18. The shot found the perfect spot over Spring-Ford goalkeeper Erika Eickhoff, with Sam Kozminski playing a long ball for Edwards that earned the assist.

“I was confident in the way I hit it,” Sara Edwards said. “It got things more exciting and pushed us harder.”

The Rams, the No. 3 seed who are headed to the District 1-4A playoffs, had three quality chances down the stretch but UP goalie Gabby Neal and the UP defense were up to the task.

“All our backs did great,” Freed said. “Gabby was there to bail us out; 3-4 times she made quick reads.”