
Lady Indian Kathryn Lehman launches the ball into the goal in Monday afternoon's home game against Pottsgrove. Lehman scored twice in the 17-3 rout of the Falcons.
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Through four games, the Upper Perkiomen girls lacrosse team has beaten the teams it's supposed to, according to head coach Susan Flack. She said the team's two lopsided losses could provide evidence to help the Indians improve this season. Developing continuity is the key.
"The girls are working very hard together," Flack said. "We're going to figure it out. I am seeing improvement in each game."
On Monday, the team dominated visiting Pottsgrove in a 17-3 victory in the Pioneer Athletic Conference.
Aubrey Wilcox finished with a game-high four goals and an assist for the Indians, who led 11-0 at halftime. Morgan Rynn and Olivia Vogel each contributed three goals, while Hannah Leight and Kathryn Lehman each scored twice.
Upper Perkiomen (1-1 PAC-10, 2-2 overall) forced Falcons goalkeeper Haley Jacobs to make 16 saves.
"We play pretty well together," Vogel said after the victory. "We know each other's strengths and weaknesses, and we all get along well."
Early on, Upper Perkiomen will rely on a handful of seniors to return to the PAC-10 playoffs. Sam Dingler, an All-PAC-10 first team selection the last two years, will anchor the team's defense. "That part of our team is still pretty strong," said Olivia Vogel, a senior attacker.
Other seniors include Wilcox, Marielle Kuhns and Brittany Baskin.
According to Flack, midfielder Rynn, who earned PAC-10 honorable mention honors, defender Jenna Wismer, goalkeeper Regan McComb and attacker Alyssa Long lead a contributing junior class.
Three freshmen and seven sophomores are receiving significant playing time, according to Flack. She said in time they will become significant contributors.
"Athletically, they are there," the coach said. "Throwing and catching the ball are critical, and when they get that down they are going to be dangerous."
The Indians, who were scheduled to take on Pope John Paul II on Wednesday, will be without attacker Megan Koder, who suffered a knee injury playing soccer in the fall.
On March 24, they opened the season with a 20-0 victory over Quakertown. Rynn delivered a game-high five goals, while Dingler contributed four goals and Wilcox added three.
Three days later, Upper Perkiomen dropped its PAC-10 opener to Phoenixville.
Megan Nemeth recorded 21 saves to lead the Phantoms to a 13-4 victory in the Frontier Division. Aubrey Wilcox and Kathryn Wilcox had for two goals for the Indians, who trailed 7-1 at halftime. McComb stopped 15 shots.
"We could not put the ball in the cage," Flack said.
The following day, Souderton posted a 13-1 victory over Upper Perkiomen.
"Souderton came out really fast," the coach said. "The game was played much more evenly than the score indicated."
According to Kuhns, the lopsided losses exposed Upper Perkiomen's weaknesses. She said they include shot placement.
"We need to be able to put up a fight against good teams," Vogel said.
According to Flack, the Indians' offensive players also need to improve their possession efficiency and display more poise in the face of a double team.