Before the Perkiomen School girls soccer team could excel on the field, the players had to get to know each other off of it, according to Eliza Kuehner.

                One of the team's few returners, Kuehner said the Panthers built that bond on the first day of practice.  "We learned each other's names and laughed together," said Kuehner, a senior forward from Emmaus. "The chemistry showed up right away on the field."

                On Monday, Kuechner scored two goals and added an assist to lead Perkiomen School to a 5-0 victory over the Delaware Valley Friends School in the semifinal round of the Tri-County Independent School League playoffs.

                Anagha Deshmankar, Sarah Chiesa and Isabella San Miguel also scored for the top-seeded Panthers, who advanced to Wednesday's league championship game against Barrack Hebrew Academy.  Olivia Jobe finished with a goal and an assist for Perkiomen School, the team that started the season with 10 new players.  "We seem to be playing our best soccer at the right time," Panthers head coach Justine Segear said. "This team has exceeded my expectations."

                Before taking a 4-0 lead at halftime, Perkiomen School had to overcome a defensive miscue early in the game.

                Goalkeeper Destinee Astheimer had to save a shot by the Dragons, who were awarded an indirect free kick inside the penalty box, after being whistled for an illegal touch.  "At that point, Delaware Valley was the better team," Segear said. "They deserved to score. But they could not convert."

                The Panthers took advantage. Jobe opened the scoring with 29:09 left in the first half, converting on a cross from Kuehner.

Less than five minutes later, Kuehner found the back of the net on a long pass from Jobe.

                Midway through the half, Perkiomen School scored on the same play. Kuechner delivered a pass from the right offensive corner to the left post, where Chiesa's redirect put the team ahead 3-0.

                Segear called the far post run an effective offensive play for the Panthers. She said Kuehner, a four-year starter is especially adept at delivering the key pass.  "It's a very strong play for us," Kuehner said.

                San Miguel capped the scoring midway through the second half on a high shot from 20 yards out. The goal capped Perkiomen School's dominant performance. The team posted 15 shots, and Astheimer finished with only two saves.  The Panthers, who played with only one substitute Monday, have been plagued with injuries, according to Segear.  "They have hit us pretty hard," the coach said.   We've had several key injuries. But the girls continue to keep fighting."

                Jordan Barclay, a sophomore, left Monday's game after injuring her right ankle with 10 minutes left in the first half. The player probably will not be available for the championship game, according to Segear.  "It's pretty swollen," the coach said, adding that the team will likely have one substitute Wednesday.  Maintaining the players' stamina has been a concern, according to Segear.

                Kuehner said she had learned to play through a nagging left ankle injury.

                "I just have to keep going," she said. "The important thing is, we've gotten better as the season has gone along."