Through five games, the Upper Perkiomen girls soccer team has continued to improve, according to head coach Mike Freed.  "With each game, you can see the girls a little more organized," he said. "Each player is learning her role on the field. It's what you want to see."

        On Tuesday, the Indians utilized a strong first half to defeat visiting Pottsgrove in the Pioneer Athletic Conference. In a 4-1 win, Jessie Fisher registered two goals.

        Mackenzie Gebhardt finished with a goal and an assist, while Hannah Light added an unassisted goal for the Indians (3-2 overall, 2-1 PAC-10), who rode a 4-0 halftime lead to their second straight victory.

        "We're feeling pretty confident," senior defender Morgan Rynn said. "The team is starting to vibe. We're playing with more cohesion."

        Upper Perkiomen made several good decisions finding the open man against the Panthers, according to Freed.  "We moved the ball really well," the coach said. "Our game against Palisades (a 1-0 loss on Sept. 4) looked similar, but we just couldn't finish any of the plays."

        According to Freed, the roster consisting of several contributing underclassmen should contend for a berth in the PAC-10 Final Four. He said the team should compete with Phoenixville and Pope John Paul II for one of two playoff berths in the Frontier Division. The coach also described the goal of qualifying for the District One Class AA playoffs realistic.

"The girls are making plays within our system," Freed said.

        This season, the coach shifted to a 4-3-3 alignment to take advantage of strong midfield play. According to Freed, the new formation has allowed Upper Perkiomen's defensive players to take a more offensive posture.

        On Tuesday, the Indians utilized an aggressive offense to quickly take control. Gebhardt, a junior, scored three minutes into the game. Fisher, a sophomore midfielder, converted off a pass from Gebhardt midway through the first half.

        The Indians added two more goals late in the half. Leight, a sophomore forward wearing a cast on her left hand and forearm, scored off an assist from Helena Buhrgard. Fisher capped the team's scoring 1:05 before halftime.

        "It feels very nice to have a cushion like that," Rynn said. "You don't have to frantically have to work to score in the second half."

        On Monday, the Indians dominated visiting Kutztown in a 3-1 non-league game. Buhrgard, an exchange student from Switzerland, finished with two goals and one assist.

        Gebhardt added one goal and one assist for Upper Perkiomen, which led 2-0 at halftime and posted a 17-6 shot advantage. Morelli recorded five saves.

        Freed described Buhrgard as a pleasant surprise.  "Her skills are very good," the coach said. "She is very composed on the ball."

        On Thursday, Sept. 10, the Indians lost 3-1 to Phoenixville in a PAC-10 match. Jesi Rossman registered two goals and one assist for the Phantoms, who held a 14-6 shot advantage.

        Allison Ritting scored Upper Perkiomen's only goal without an assist. Rachel Morelli notched 11 saves.