Kyra Lesko noticed the opening and decided to make a run. Her goal Tuesday night lifted Upper Perkiomen's girls soccer team to the District One Class 3A title game and a berth in the PIAA Championships for the first time in school history.

            Lesko's overtime tally clinched a 2-1 victory over Gwynedd Mercy Academy in

Upper Perkiomen's players celebrate Kyra Lesko's game- winning goal and a berth in the District One Class 4A title game.

a semifinal-round game. The senior midfielder converted the game winner after collecting a pass from classmate Mary Kate Sitko nearly 10 minutes into the first of two overtime periods.

            A defensive midfielder, Lesko rushed up the field after noticing some empty space along the left wing on an attack by the top-seeded Indians. She slid to the middle of the field, collected a cross from Sitko from the right wing and delivered the decisive tally past goalkeeper Ellie Verrell.

            "Kyra took off like she was shot out of a cannon," Tribe head coach Mike Freed said of Lesko, a Pennsburg resident, who nearly collided with teammate Sarah Fisher on the final play.

Lesko called for the ball, according to Sitko.

            "She was screaming my name," said Sitko, a midfielder who also lives in Pennsburg. "I knew I had to get rid of it."

            Fisher also scored for the undefeated Indians (21-0-1), who guaranteed themselves at least two more games. They will take on Bishop Shanahan in the district title game at 7 p.m. on Thursday at Norristown. The PIAA Class 3A playoffs start seven days later.

            The victory also extended the coaching career of Freed, who is retiring at the end of the season. A loss would have ended his 14-year tenure with the Tribe.

            "I realized this was going to be either the best day or the worst day of my coaching career," said Freed, who admitted that it flashed before his eyes earlier Tuesday. "Either feast or famine. Fortunately, it was feast."

            Lesko said the players were determined not to end their season one win short of States. Last season, the Tribe lost on penalty kicks in the district semifinal to Villa Joseph Marie. 

"Before the overtime started we decided we can't lose this game," Lesko said.

            The Indians dominated after regulation. According to Freed, they found another gear, and he said they did it on their own.  "I wish I could take credit for saying something inspirational," the coach said.

            Sarah Edwards earned two direct kicks in the 2 minutes, 40 seconds of overtime. The second one forced Verrell to make a save.

            Forward Sarah Straup hit the crossbar with a shot from the left wing approximately four minutes into the extra period and delivered a shot on goal with 7:20 remaining.

            Fisher opened the scoring midway through the second half. She converted a rebound off her own shot with 24:55 left in regulation.

            Less than three minutes later, Gwynedd Mercy, the No. 4 seed, forced a 1-1 tie. Caroline Drakely headed in a cross from Hannah Griffin past Indians goalkeeper Ava Long.

            The Indians opened district play with a 4-1 victory over Marple Newtown last week. Sara Edwards finished with two goals and an assist.

            Straup and Fisher also scored for the Tribe, which built a 2-0 lead in the quarterfinal round match on Thursday, Oct. 27 before eliminating the No. 9 seeded Tigers. Megan Cairns added two assists, and goalkeeper Long recorded six saves.

            Edwards opened the scoring nine minutes into the game on a left-footed boot off a pass from Lesko. Midway through the first half, Straup poked a pass from Cairns past the charging Marple Newtown goalkeeper Mariana Castillo.

            Shauna Kerrigan's brought the visiting Tigers within 2-1 with 19 minutes remaining in the first half. However, Edwards' second tally, on a breakaway with a minute left in the half, staked the Indians to a 3-1 halftime advantage.

            Fisher's goal, off an assist from Edwards, capped the scoring with less than six minutes remaining.

Upper Perk recorded 18 shots on goal.