Upper Perkiomen's best opportunity to take control of its District 1 Class AA field hockey playoff game, and qualify for the state tournament, came early in the second half. 

                The team was awarded a five-minute, man-up advantage when a West Chester Henderson penalty received a yellow card.

                To take advantage, the Indians shifted a player from defense to offense. But Upper Perkiomen couldn't generate any offensive chances, and the host Warriors dictated play. 

                "We really didn't push the ball up the field," head coach Jamie Warren said.

                Just over two minutes after returning to the field, Lexie Dunleavy scored the game-winning goal. Her shot from the right wing on a penalty corner midway through the second half lifted West Chester Henderson to a 2-1 victory in the district's fifth-place game on Friday, Nov. 4.

                Olivia Griffith delivered an assist on the play for the No. 3 seeded Warriors, who opened play in the PIAA tournament Tuesday against the top-seeded team from District 3.

                "We were a little lax on that goal," Upper Perkiomen senior Gabby Martin said.

                The team's best scoring opportunities came in the final 10 minutes following a time out, notching three penalty corners during a 2-minute, 10-second span.

                The Indians rebounded from a second-round playoff loss to post consecutive victories, but fell one win short of their goal.

                "I am definitely disappointed," Martin said following the season-ending loss. "We had our opportunities, but could not execute."

                Hope Flack's goal, off an assist from Abriana Gatto, two minutes into game opened the scoring. Warren said she was encouraged by the initial goal, but implored her team to maintain its offensive pressure.

                "This is playoff hockey, which means the other team is going to come back," Warren said. "We were not on our game. We needed to be more aggressive."

                Henderson notched a 1-1 tie less than three minutes later on a shot by Emma Betrando. The team earned five penalty corners in the first half, forcing Liz Pierson to make seven saves. Pierson finished with 11 saves overall.

                According to Martin, it took a little while for Upper Perkiomen to adjust to the Warriors' more physical style and speed.

                Warren said the Indians performed well in the district playoffs, including a 2-1 second-round loss to Merion Mercy.                 

                "The game was very evenly played," the coach said.

                Martin called it their best overall performance in the tournament. Though the team failed to meet its ultimate goal, she expressed a fondness for her teammates.

                "I wouldn't want to have been through this with a different group of girls," Martin said.

                Warren praised the team's senior class, which also includes Pierson, Michaela Swenk, Kathryn Lehman, Courtney Eidle and Lydia Buckwalter.

                "This will be a difficult group to see go," the coach said. "They all worked hard and do very well."