Upper Perkiomen's lacrosse team snapped a three-game losing streak Monday with a non-league victory over Moravian Academy. A 9-4 victory will help get the team in the right frame of mind, according to Bella Carpenter.

Upper Perkiomen's Courtney Bauer fires a shot on goal Monday.  She opened the scoring in a 9-4 win over Mor- avian Academy.  Bauer finished with three goals.

   "We need to be more positive," she said.

            Carpenter, a sophomore, scored a game-high four goals. Courtney Bauer, a senior, added three for the Indians.  Their defensive provided a solid performance, according to head coach Catie Sobotor.

                 "Everyone stepped up," said Sobotor, a first-year head coach. "It's what I've been waiting to see the entire season."

            Caitlin Bauer and Luci Carpenter also scored for Upper Perkiomen, which built an early 4-0 lead. Sobotor expressed hope that the offensive outburst shows that the unit is starting to gel.      

  "The team really wanted the win," said Bella Carpenter, a Green Lane resident. "We need to focus in executing the basic skills."

            According to Sobotor, the culture shock of a new coaching staff has factored into multiple lopsided defeats. She said the players are gradually buying into her philosophy.  

            The biggest change has been the transition to a zone defense, according to Bella Carpenter. The players figured out the new system in a day or two, according to the new coach.

            "We know they can succeed," Sobotor said. "The girls have to believe they can do it, as well."

            The Indians need to do a better job working together, and they have struggled at times to maintain possession and win face offs, according to Bella Carpenter. Sobotor said she figured the team wouldn't immediately figure out how to fill the offensive void left by the graduation of Hope Flack.

            "We need multiple girls to step up," the coach said.

           Bella Carpenter and Courtney Bauer helped Upper Perkiomen build a 5-3 halftime lead. Both battled their way through to the opposing net through the Lions' physical defense. 

            "I keep telling the girls they are going to have to take the bumps," Sobotor said. "After Bella scored her second goal, she just kept going."

            According to the coach, Bella Carpenter displayed the necessary aggressiveness – along with her speed and quickness – to become a consistent scorer. The player said she possesses the skill to help get the Indians where they need to be, which is to "get a little bit better each game."

            Makenna Phipps, a sophomore, recorded five saves in the victory. According to Sobotor, the player is starting to develop a more positive approach.

            "Makenna did a phenomenal job," the coach said.

            The Indians lost 17-4 to Phoenixville in the Pioneer Athletic Conference on Wednesday, April 10. Courtney Bauer, Caitlin Bauer, Lindsay Bieler and Bella Carpenter scored their goals. Phipps recorded eight saves for Upper Perkiomen, which trailed 7-1 at halftime.

            Upper Perkiomen's schedule resumed Wednesday with a conference home game against Pottstown. The team travels to Owen J. Roberts on Tuesday.fifth and seventh innings, and two in the sixth.

            Duka drove home two runs for the team, which finished with nine hits. Starting pitcher Hunter Gooch absorbed the loss despite allowing just three earned runs on six hits over four innings.

            Both of Swenk's homers were hit to center field. Mercon estimated the length of the first blast at 425 feet.

            "Both of the homers were crushed," the coach said. "Macauley's approach has improved so much since last season. It's night and day better."