Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 6/14/23
From Staff Report
Senior Ava Clemson said beating defending PIAA 3A champion Conestoga for a third time and reaching the state finals for the first time in school history was a major accomplishment for the Owen J. Roberts girls’ lacrosse team.
But there’s another goal.
“It feels really good, but it’s a stepping stone to our bigger goals!” said Clemson after the Wildcats defeated the Pioneers, 6-4, Tuesday at Upper Perkiomen. “All season we’ve been taking one game at a time and we’re continuing that through these final games!”
The Wildcats (26-1) will face Penncrest – the team they downed, 14-7, in the District 1 final – in the state title game at Penn State’s Panzer Stadium Saturday at noon. Penncrest toppled Springfield-Delco, 10-5, to advance.
But it didn’t come easy for OJR, which fell behind, 2-0, to Conestoga (19-6) on Tuesday. Clemson (2GB, 1DC) made it 2-1 and later in the half Alexa Vogelman (3G, 2GB, 2CT) scored her second to put the ‘Cats ahead for good. Gabbi Koury (2G, 2A, 3GB, 1CT, 3DC) had two goals in the second half and Vogelman scored her third
Conestoga’s Kate Galica had three goals and was strong on the draws while Alex Lepore was clutch in the goal with 11 saves. For OJR junior goalie Korrigan Sweeney made 10 stops.
OJR’s defense, sometimes overshadowed by the tandem of Koury and Vogelman, held the Pioneers to four goals in each of their wins. Only four times all year has a team scored more than four goals vs. the stingy Wildcats.
“The chemistry and communication between our defense is so strong!” said Clemson. “We’ve been playing together for so long and play against strong offensive players so we’re always pushing each other to our best abilities.”
How has the large OJR senior class navigated the long season?
“Our connection on the team is so strong,” Clemson said. “We’re all so close and can connect and build each other up through every practice and game. We have fun but we always work hard and never stop pushing each other.”
Owen J. Roberts 6, Conestoga 4
Conestoga 2 2 -4
Owen J. Roberts 3 3 -6
Conestoga
Kate Galica 3g
Piper Kienzle 1
Alex Lepore 11 saves
OJ Roberts
Alexa Vogelman 3g, 2gb, 2ct
Ava Clemson 1g, 2gb, 1dc
Gabbi Koury 2g, 2a, 3gb, 1ct, 3dc
Blakely Doyle 1gb
Cailin Harrington 1gb, 2ct
Colby Wasson 1gb
Avery Wentzel 1gb, 1ct
Korrigan Sweeney 10 saves