Upper Perkiomen's lacrosse team rebounded from a hard-fought loss the previous evening to post a victory over a Pioneer Athletic Conference rival. Head coach Catie Sobotor expressed hope that a 10-8 victory over Pope John Paul II on Wednesday,

Abby Orsini, center, etends her stick to catch a pass  against Pope John Paul II on Wednesday, April 12.

April 12 would allow her team to climb out of a rut.
            Mary Kate Sitko scored a game-high five goals, notched one assist and won three face-offs for the Indians Three of her goals came in the second half, when Upper Perk snapped a 5-5 halftime tie.
            "Mary Kate is very aware of what needs to be done and what she's capable of doing," Sobotor said. "You can tell she loves to play the game."
            Payton Bettys delivered first-half goals while Abby Davidheiser, Marianne Uber and Abby Orsini also scored for the Tribe. Ava Hengevald stopped five shots.
            Midway through its season, the Tribe continues to search for a level of consistency. After starting the season with three straight victories, Upper Perk lost three straight in the conference.
            Since a lopsided loss to Owen J. Roberts, the team has won three of its last four PAC games. Consecutive victories over Frontier Division rivals Pottsgrove (April 5) and the visiting Golden Panthers has Sobotor feeling good about its chances to qualify for the playoffs and earn a home game in the District One Class 2A Tournament.
            According to Sobotor, the Indians (6-6 overall, 3-4 PAC) displayed mental toughness with their response to an 11-10 non-league road loss to Central Bucks East on April 11. The coach instructed her players to forget about the defeat in advance of the following day's showdown with the Golden Panthers.

            "We showed we know how to fight," Sitko said. "But I think we need to be more consistent."
            Against Pope John Paul II, the Tribe relied on a strong 10-minute stretch in the second half to extend a 7-6 advantage. Orsini scored from a free position with 11 minutes, 24 seconds remaining. Sitko added two consecutive goals in the ensuing 4 1/2 minutes to open a four-goal advantage.
            "I feel like I know when to take chances," said Sitko, a Pennsburg resident. "More than scoring, I like setting other people up more than scoring."
            The Tribe dominated possession during the 10-minute stretch by winning three consecutive faceoffs. Bettys finished with a team-high four draw controls, and Sitko added three.
            Bettys, Sitko, Davidheiser and Maggie Milkowich handle the majority of face-offs. However, Sobotor said the team calls on Milkowich when it really needs to earn control.
            "There's a degree of technique to being good at draws," Sitko said. "But it's a lot about just being aggressive and physically strong."
            Two days later, the Tribe lost 16-11 to Methacton, the defending conference champion. Davidheiser scored a team-high four goals.
            Sitko delivered three goals and won nine face-offs. Orsini finished with two goals and picked up two ground balls for the Indians, who trailed 10-6 at halftime on Friday, April 14.
            Milkowich and Marianne Uber each scored, while Bettys posted one assist. Hengevald made seven saves.

            On Monday, the host Indians lost 17-6 to Easton in a non-league game. Sitko finished with a team-high four goals and won four face-offs.

            Bettys and Uber also scored for the team, which trailed 12-4 at halftime. Davidheiser contributed an assist and won three draw controls.

            Milkowich won three face-offs and caused two turnovers. Taylor Bieler collected two ground balls and created two turnovers.

            The following day, Upper Perk breezed to a 15-2 conference win over Pottstown. Sitko led the team with a game-high four goals and won six faceoffs.
            Milkowich finished with three goals and an assist and notched five draw controls. Ava Senseny scored twice for the Tribe, which led 10-0 at halftime.
            Mia Schneider posted a goal and two assists. Davidheiser and Uber each registered a goal and an assist. Bieler, Emily Caciola and Mia Ulmer also scored.