Kyle Fisher says he can see a path for the Upper Perkiomen boys soccer team to reach the Pioneer Athletic Conference playoffs. He figures the team must win its final

Upper Perkiomen's Aiden Heiser, right, jumps to control a loose ball against Northwestern Lehigh.

four Frontier Division games to qualify.
            Wednesday's road game against Pope John Paul II will likely determine if UP qualifies for the tournament as a wildcard as Phoenixville is expected to win the Frontier Division title.
            "If we can earn an invitation, I believe we can cause some trouble," Fisher said.
            "Getting to the playoffs would be a great feeling," said Mateo Schneidt. "And since it's my senior year, it would be a little more important."
            Last month, the Panthers played Upper Perkiomen tough in a 3-1 victory. Fisher said playing on PJP's grass home field will also pose a challenge.
            "Beating [the Panthers] won't be an easy task," the coach said. "They competed pretty strongly with us the first time."

            Last weekend, the Indians needed overtime to defeat Upper Merion. On Monday, they rolled to a 6-0 victory over Pottsgrove in the final regular season home game.

            Christian McGillen's goal in overtime lifted the Tribe to a 2-1 victory over Upper Merion on Friday, Sept. 30. Schneidt said the team expended significant energy defending the host Vikings.
            "We spent a lot more time on defense than we should have," said Schneidt, who lives in Pennsburg. "I was surprised how they controlled the game. They had more scoring chances than we did."

            McGillen scored both goals against the Vikings, including the game-winner on a feed from Jimmy Friedman. Ethan Barr set up McGillen's first tally.

            Fisher utilized just 13 players against Upper Merion. The day before the game, Fisher said he informed the team of his plan to shorten the bench due to the urgency of the postseason bid.
            "I told the guys these games are a must-win," Fisher said. "We did what we had to do to secure the win. I expected everyone to understand, and they were great about it."
            Against the Vikings, the coach moved Matthew Fisher and Schneidt. He said the strategic shift paid off.

            Two days earlier, the host Indians (6-4-1 PAC, 9-6-1 overall) lost 4-0 to Spring-Ford. They trailed 2-0 at halftime.

            On Saturday, Oct. 1, the Tribe lost 4-1 to Northwestern Lehigh in a non-league game. Fisher utilized 20 players in his rotation.
            Luke Gerstenburg scored his team's only goal on a header midway through the second half. Michael Fisher posted an assist on the tally that brought the Tribe within 2-1.
            The Tigers, the No. 2 ranked Class 2A team from District 11, added two insurance goals during the final five minutes. Schneidt described their collective skills as comparable to Oley Valley, Phoenixville and Upper Merion.
            "Considering the circumstances, I'm very happy with the way we played," Coach Fisher said.
            Against Pottsgrove, the visiting Indians built a 6-0 halftime advantage. Logan Watkins scored a team-high two goals.  Nick Durrant and Matthew Fisher each registered a goal and an assist. McGillen and Aiden Heiser also scored.

            Vin Durrant posted a team-high two assists. Braeden Jerrom, Nick Durrant and Schneidt each added one assist.