UPHS Field Hockey Team - 2019 PAC Champions

            Moments after allowing the game-tying goal in last week's Pioneer Athletic Conference field hockey championship game Upper Perkiomen huddled. The players were determined to rally, according to AiYi Young.

            "We said, 'we got this,'" she said. "We wanted to experience this feeling."

            Young's goal, a little over one minute later, lifted the host Indians to a 2-1 victory over Owen J. Roberts on Thursday, Oct. 17. Her clearance of an untimed penalty corner by the Wildcats triggered a wild celebration on their home field.

            Jenna Fiorito delivered a first-half goal and goalkeeper Lynnsi Joyce stopped 12 shots to help the Tribe, who won the Liberty Division crown, clinch its first conference title since 2013.

"We worked so hard to accomplish this," said Young, a four-year starter who recalled her team's previous title game appearance, a loss to the Wildcats in 2016. "This feeling is so amazing."

            Upper Perkiomen (17-4), which opened the District One Class 2A playoffs Tuesday night with an overtime victory over West Chester Henderson, is one win away from returning to the state tournament.

            Young's game-winning goal came in the conference title game came on a penalty corner with 5 minutes, 49 seconds left in the second half. She gathered a rebound near the top of the circle off a shot by Takoda Wells and fired a shot past OJR goalkeeper Cayden Jarvis.

            "AiYi dictated the play," Upper Perkiomen head coach Jamie Warren said of Young, one of five seniors on the roster. "She really wanted the win."

            The goal came 67 seconds after Oliva LeClaire's goal forced a 1-1 tie for the No. 1 seeded Wildcats, who won the Freedom Division title.

            "I never doubted that we could do it," Warren said. "The next two minutes after any goal is scored are crucial. We had to go on the attack."

            Upper Perkiomen scored on a penalty corner in consecutive conference playoff games. According to Warren, the team has made significant strides on the set play since she incorporated a different strategy in practice two weeks earlier. She said incentives to limit the requirement by her players to run sprints increased the intensity level and improved the execution.

            "It forced the girls to work harder," said Warren, whose team qualified for the conference playoffs for the fourth consecutive season.

            Owen J. Roberts forced the action down the stretch, making several offensive runs. The team registered three penalty corners in the final 2:20, including two in the final 15 seconds. Joyce, a sophomore, stopped six shots in the second half for the Indians.

            "Lynnsi made some big saves," Warren said. "She wasn't as crazy aggressive as usual, but she was effective. Our defense remained composed."

            The Tribe shifted Young to defense after taking a 1-0 lead with 14:26 remaining in the first half on Fiorito's goal. The coach described Young's contribution, which included carrying the ball up the field, as invaluable.

            "She's very talented," Warren said of Young, who added an assist. "We utilize her all over the field."

            In their district playoff opener, Young's goal with 5 minutes, 17 seconds remaining in overtime lifted the No. 3 seeded Indians to a 2-1 victory. She converted a penalty corner on a shot from the top of the circle. Colleen Creneti's assist helped to end the game, which was completed despite a steady soaking rain.

            Bella Carpenter opened the scoring for the Tribe, who avoided a season-ending loss and guaranteed themselves at least two more games in the district playoffs. Joyce recorded two saves.

            Both of Upper Perkiomen's goals came on second half penalty corners. Carpenter converted a shot from the right wing with 8:01 left in the second half. Young collected an assist on the play.

            However, the No. 14 seeded Warriors responded less than two minutes later. Lauren Franco's goal, off an assist from Gianna Cugino, forced a 1-1 tie with 6:03 remaining in regulation.

            The Indians forced the action during the first of two scheduled 15-minute periods. They forced three penalty corners during a six-minute stretch. Young converted on the final chance, their 15^th corner of the game.

            The Tribe will host Wissahickon, the No. 6 seed in the second round of districts Thursday. A win would qualify them for the PIAA Class 2A Tournament.