Owen J. Roberts prevails, 2-1

One too many touches - that was the main complaint Owen J. Roberts coach Joe Margusity had with his girls' soccer squad's first-half performance Saturday night.

An extra touch in the middle of the field. A dribble to the outside that was then corralled by a defender. One more step with the ball at your feet instead of taking a shot on goal.

Sophomore midfielder Emilie Kupsov heard her coach, and sent one of her first touches of the second half into the back of the net, helping the Wildcats defeat Downingtown West, 2-1, in a nonleague contest.

"I think we pushed through and took care of everything," Kupsov said.

After sophomore Hanna Glass was fouled just outside the 18-yard line, the Wildcats (3-2-1) earned a direct kick. Kupsov stepped up to the ball and knew exactly where she would place it: far post.

The rationale was that if her shot missed, she would have a couple of teammates waiting to pounce on a rebound or even redirect her strike.

But Kupsov didn't have to worry. The ball careened past Whippets goalkeeper Shae Yanez, putting the Wildcats ahead, 1-0.

During the second half, however, Downingtown West (2-3-1) looked dangerous, getting scoring chance after scoring chance.

One shot hit the crossbar, and another header went right over the net for the Whippets.

West coach Wes Davis said his team had "some quality chances and some other chances that I'll say we just weren't efficient on them."

It was Kiya Wilson, a freshman forward, who tied the contest with 23 minutes remaining.

"She gives us a threat up top, and she is meshing well with some of the older girls," Davis said.

Six minutes later, set up by a beautiful Gabby McKee free kick, Kupsov found herself in the box with her back to the net and no one marking her.

The ball came toward her, and she went up for a bicycle kick.

"You just shoot it backwards," Kupsov said. "If it goes in, it goes in."

It did. It was also the perfect first touch.

Owen J. Roberts 0 2 – 2

Downingtown West 0 1 – 1

Goals: OJR-Emilie Kupsov 2; DW-Kiya Wilson.

Saves: OJR-Kristen Emig 3; DW-Shae Yanez 4.