Expectations for Upper Perkiomen's field hockey team remain high. In order to contend for a Pioneer Athletic Conference title and get back to the state tournament,

AiYi Young participates in a passing drill during practice on Tuesday.

the team will rely on significant contributions from a strong group of 11 freshmen and 10 sophomores.

            "Our numbers are really up," head coach Jamie Warren said Tuesday morning. "This is a good group."

            With only five returning starters, the underclassmen will vie for the remaining six spots and receive plenty of playing time, according to Warren. She expressed hope that internal competition would enhance their development.

            The coach declined to identify most of the ninth graders, four of whom played on a club team over the summer. "They are going to contribute," Warren said.

            Abriana Gatto and Morgan Fiorito are the only seniors remaining from the team reached the PIAA Class 2A Championships last season. Juniors Jenna Fiorito, AiYi Young and Tori Williams also played a major role for the Indians, who finished third in the District One Class 2A tournament.

            Gatto finished with one goal and one assist in their bronze-medal game, a 3-2 victory over Great Valley. Young also scored in the game. Sophomores Bella Carpenter and Colleen Creneti helped them capture the PAC's Frontier Division title with a 10-0 record.

            Last season, Young and Gatto were named to the Pennsylvania High School Field Hockey Coaches 2A All-Star Team. Young was selected for the first team, while Gatto earned second team honors.

           "We have a good core of juniors and seniors," the coach said.

            Warren is counting on the quintet for leadership. She said the team – which will host its annual Play Day event with two other teams on Tuesday afternoon, before opening its official schedule on Aug. 28 at home against Southern Lehigh -- needs to get better in practice.

            "We need to practice at a consistently high level in order to be successful," she said. "The goal is to play in practice like we do in games, and get the players to gel."

            Carly Eidle, a junior, is competing with Lynnsi Joyce, one of the ninth graders, to start at goaltender. According to Warren, Eidle has the edge in experience, while Joyce is quicker.

            "That should be a strong position for us," the coach said.

            According to the coach, Upper Perkiomen will be motivated to capture a conference title. Last season, the team scored first in its semifinal playoff game against Owen. J. Roberts. However, the Wildcats rallied for a 2-1 win and denied the host team a shot at the title.

            The team will utilize the experience as fuel to beat the Wildcats, Methacton and Perkiomen Valley, according to Warren. "We have to be able to defeat those teams," she said. "It's great competition."

            The coach has implemented a new system. She said the utilization of a 2-3-2-3 alignment would promote better alignment and additional support for the attacking forwards, among other benefits.