Coach Joe Margusity hopes that the Wildcats (19-7) can keep moving on when they face Pennridge in their state semifinal at 4:45 p.m. Tuesday at Harriton High.
The District 1 champion Rams enter the game with a 23-1 record, including a 1-0 win over Strath Haven in the semifinals.
"We've played our best soccer all season in the past two games," Margusity said. "We have never played Pennridge before, but I know Jorge [Rodriguez], their coach, is a very good one and they'll be ready for us.
"They are the most talented team we will face. I guess I should hope that their bus has a flat tire," he added with a chuckle.
Pennridge has arguably the best field player in the area in Stevi Parker, who has 38 goals this season.
She was held scoreless by Strath Haven in the quarterfinals, but teammate Megan Shenk curled a corner kick into the net with 45 seconds to play in the first half for the game's lone goal.
Julianna Provine has been hot in the playoffs for the Wildcats with six goals. She has 15 overall. Meghan Antrim is the Wildcats' leading goal-scorer with 18.
Tuesday's winner advances to the state championship game at 3 p.m. Saturday at Hershey Stadium against the winner of the other Class AAA semifinal Tuesday between defending state champion Peters Township (18-3-1), the District 7 runner-up, and Upper St. Clair (18-2-1), the District 7 champion.
Jems eye AA crown
Unbeaten Villa Joseph Marie (22-0) is the other District 1 team alive in the girls' state playoffs. The Jems, looking for their 11th state crown, meet Central Valley at 5 p.m. Tuesday at Hollidaysburg in one Class AA semifinal. The other semifinal pits Mars (23-0-1) against South Park (21-1-2).
Villa Joseph Marie has been among District 1's highest-scoring teams this season with 94 goals. The team has yielded just seven goals. If the Jems win their semifinal, they will play at 5 p.m. Friday at Hershey Stadium.
Contact staff writer Don Beideman at 267-815-0733 or dbeideman@pmhillynews.com.
