Witt scores 2, helps Oley Valley beat Devon Prep

If he wasn’t behind a historic senior class, Anthony Witt might play a larger role for this Oley Valley boys soccer team.

The forward is asked to provide a spark off the bench. To generate some dangerous chances in limited minutes.

During the PIAA quarterfinals, he did that and more.

Witt scored twice in the second half and helped Oley

Valley knock off Devon Prep 4-0 in a Class 2A game at Oley Saturday.

The Lynx are headed to the semifinals for the second time in four seasons. They’ll host District 4 champ Lewisburg Tuesday at 6.

What has made Oley so successful is players being willing to accept their assignments. Witt, who could be a starter for many teams, doesn’t mind being a reserve.

“It’s a nice taste,” he said. “I get to go out there and create and do the most I can.

I try to get the ball in front of the net and put it in.”

Witt’s goals came in a 7:30 stretch and both were on the doorstep. He knocked in a rebound off Alex LaVerdure’s tricky shot and he lunged to put home a cross from Danny Turchi.

Oley (18-1-1) has six players with at least five goals. Witt delivered his fifth and sixth on Saturday.

“It’s kind of a goal scorer’s mentality,” Oley coach Shawn Meals said. “Just being in the right place at the right time. Not hanging back and anticipating that it’s going to be in the net. He’s always there to clean up, which is a good thing.”

Oley has 12 seniors and nine of them have started the majority of games. These guys were freshmen when the Lynx lost to Quaker Valley in the state semifinals in 2017.

The junior class is a little smaller but is also making a big impact. Nate Fatkin, Nate Pufko, Josey Williamson, Turchi and Witt all contribute in various ways.

“We have a good group