Upper Perkiomen's boys soccer team has made significant strides at the midfield and on defense, according to head coach Kyle Fisher. He said unit's offense is close becoming similarly efficient.  "All we need is one win to get over the hump."

Fisher said. "Once we do that, I think the wins are going to come in bunches."

            On Monday, the Indians took visiting Quakertown into overtime. However, Evan Kemp's breakaway goal with 3 minutes, 22 seconds left in the second overtime period lifted the Panthers to a 3-2 non-league victory.

            Kemp collected a long clearing boot from Quakertown goalkeeper Zach Mahler beyond the midfield line, worked past the deepest defender and beat Upper Perkiomen goalkeeper Jackson Lill with a low shot to clinch the victory.

            Fisher described it as a Hail Mary pass kind of pass. Ian Costanzo, a junior midfielder, said the long ball pulled one of the Indians defenders out of position which created a lane for Kemp.  "We've been good at defending that play all year," Costanzo said.

            Brandon Strecker finished with a goal and an assist for the Panthers (2-5-1 overall). Brad Konklin's tally on a rebound midway through the second half staked them to a 2-1 lead.

Ryan Casola and Cole Kendra each scored on penalty kicks for the Indians. Kendra's tally, with 4:01 left the second half, forged a 2-2 tie and forced overtime.

            Early in the second of two scheduled, sudden death, 10-minute overtime periods, Upper Perkiomen had a chance to secure its second victory of the season. However, Mahler saved a header off a penalty corner to extend the game.  "We're very upset that it ended the way it did," Costanzo said. "Our guys fought to the end, and I'm proud of them for that."

            After falling behind 2-1, the Indians forced the action during the final 15 minutes of regulation. They came close to scoring on a breakaway and headers on consecutive corners with approximately 10 minutes left in the second half.  "We played our game during that period, which is keeping the ball on the ground," Costanzo said.

            According to Fisher, his team has made significant strides controlling the ball on offense, but remains one pass short of converting key offensive opportunities into goals.  "We had some real good quality scoring chances," the coach said.

            Fisher points to the elimination of blowout losses as evidence of Upper Perkiomen's improvement. The team has not suffered a loss by more than three goals in the Pioneer Athletic Conference, including a 2-0 loss to Owen J. Roberts on Wednesday, Sept. 20.  "It's very difficult to score goals in our league," the coach said. "Our players understand that."

            Quakertown's youthful roster, which lost 16 seniors from last year's team, is struggling to cope with the speed of the varsity level, according to head coach Kevin Woulfe.

            "This is a talented group," he said. "But they are inexperienced. I don't think we executed well at all. I feel like we lucked out by getting the victory. I think Upper Perkiomen deserved it more."