Five minutes into Upper Perkiomen's PIAA Class 2A quarterfinal game last weekend, head coach Jamie Warren noticed her players dropping back when Palmyra

Tori Williams, left, and Takoda Wells, battle for a loose ball during Upper Perkiomen's 2-0 loss to Palmyra in the PIAA playoffs on Saturday, Nov. 9 in a game played in Elverson.

had the ball. Warren called a timeout with 20 minutes, 10 seconds left in the first half.

            During the huddle, she could be overheard from the scorers' table imploring her players not to back off. Following a season-ending 2-0 loss on Saturday, Nov. 9, the coach admitted that the Indians played with a lack of confidence.

            AiYi Young described her team's play a "bit shaken up" in the first half. She explained the team's early performance as "frantic." Young, a senior midfielder, called the loss a bittersweet ending to her high school field hockey career.

            Lauren Wadas scored both goals in the first half on penalty corners for the Cougars at Twin Valley High School. The District Three champions advanced to Tuesday's semifinal round. According to Young, the Tribe (20-6) was not prepared for Palmyra's early effort.

           "They came out with a lot of fire," said Young, an Upper Hanover resident. "We weren't ready for that."

            Warren described the outcome as a missed opportunity for Upper Perkiomen, which captured the Pioneer Athletic Conference title and reached the District One Class 2A title game before rolling to a 6-0 victory over Archbishop Carroll in first round of states on Nov. 5.

            "This is especially tough because you don't get to compete in the second round of the state tournament too often," the coach said. "We beat ourselves. We are just as good a team as Palmyra. We deserved to be here, too."

            The Cougars (21-3) scored both their goals on penalty corners. Wadas opened the scoring on a shot from the right wing with 12:44 left in the half. According to Young, her team collectively "hung its head" after the goal.

            Wadas, a senior midfielder who has committed to continue her career at Northwestern University, scored against with 4:05 left in half. Her shot from the right side of the top of the penalty circle beat beating Indians goalkeeper Lynnsi Joyce with a shot. Mia Julian registered an assist.

            The Tribe did not register a shot on goal in the first half. It managed just one penalty corner less than a minute before halftime.

            "I just think that when you get to states, you have to play your best game, Warren said. "I don't think we did that."

            According to Young, the team regrouped in the second half. It played the Cougars even, not allowing them a shot on goal. Upper Perkiomen earned seven penalty corners, but notched just one shot on goal.

            After overcoming a few key injuries, the Indians reeled off nine straight victories to post a conference title and reach the district title game for the first time since 2013. Young described their 2-1 victory over Owen J. Roberts on Oct. as the season highlight.

            "It's something we've been working on for a while," said Young, who will continue her career at the University of Connecticut. "It was great to be able to achieve that goal."

            According to Warren, the conference tournament performance started an excellent run. She said the title clinching provided a clue that the team was "on to something special."

            "When we played with confidence, we did well," the coach said.

            Young and four classmates – Jenna Fiorito, Tori Williams, Michaela Greczek and Carly Eidle – appeared in two PAC title games and two state tournaments. According to Warren, replacing the talented class will likely be a challenge,

            "When you lose a strong group of seniors there's going to be a learning curve (the following season)," the coach said.

            Young, Fiorito and Williams, will compete in the PhilaFH Sr. All-Star Game on Sunday at Bryn Mawr College's Applebee Field.