Upper Perk field hockey has proven what they can do by earning a spot in the PAC-10 championship game. 

        On Tuesday night, the team overcame Methacton field hockey with a final score of 4-2. Upper Perk came out above Methacton in a close league game earlier in the season, and did just the same to continue in this year’s championships.

“We try to do really well in league play to seat us first in our division,” said Head Coach Jamie Warren.

        Upper Perk came out strong in the first half of the game, with senior Mackenzie Lederer scoring the first goal of the night off of an assist from Sam Dingler. Methacton countered aggressively, scoring its only two goals in the first half, giving them at 2-1 lead.

        Goalie Hannah Mack blocked five of Methacton’s seven shots.

        “It has always been a close game with Methacton,” said Warren. “We told [our players] to stay composed and mark your players.”

        The outcome of the first quarter inspired Upper Perk’s girls to fight harder in the second half for their spot in the championship game.

        Team captain Casey Umstead scored Upper Perk’s first and last goal of the second half, securing the win for the team. Maddie Fox scored the second goal of the half, pulling Upper Perk ahead.  Mack shut out all three shots taken in the final half, assuring a win for her team and having a total of 10 saves for the night.

        The win sends Upper Perk to the PAC-10 finals, where they will play Owen J. Roberts for the championship. Getting this far in its season is a goal that field hockey has been working towards since the beginning of the season.

        All of the players are anxious for Thursday’s game for the championships.

        “I plan to leave my heart out in that field and have someone carry me off because I will be working as hard as I can,” said Lederer.

        The team is looking forward to their game against Owen J. Roberts and plans to go into with high hopes and the belief that they can win.

         “Owen J. Roberts has good goal tending,” Warren said. “We’re going to have to work hard to make our shots count.”

        Warren led her team to PAC-10 runners-up last year, and hopes to go beyond that this year and become champs.

        “Coach encourages me to step up and lead effectively,” said Umstead. “Tonight’s game shows how much we want to win the PAC-10 Championship. We came out there with intensity and were excited to play.”

        “If we all connect, we are unstoppable,” Lederer said. “We have the ability to make it far, and with hard work we will accomplish every goal we set.”

        The Lady Indians take the field at 7 p.m. tonight at home for the championship game. The team will also see play in the District 1 playoffs, but where and when has yet to be determined.