Catie Sobtor first observed Mary Kate Sitko's lacrosse abilities during open gym events in the winter of Sitko's freshman year. The coach said she knew Sitko had the potential to be a very good player.

            "I was salivating," Sobotor said. "I thought it would be fun to see what she, and

Mary Kate Sitko releases the shot for her 200th career  goal on Thursday, May 4, against Pottstown.

the team, could accomplish in three or four years."

            Last week, Sitko scored her 200th career goal for Upper Perkiomen during her final regular season game. Sobotor described the accomplishment as significant.

            The fact that she reached the plateau in only two full seasons makes it that much more impressive, according to the coach.  "Mary Kate has the ability and the right attitude," Sobotor said. "She's one of the best players I've ever coached."

            Sitko finished with a team-high four goals and an assist to help lead the Indians to a 14-4 victory over Pottstown on Thursday, May 4 in the Pioneer Athletic Conference. All her goals came in the first half to help Upper Perk build a 9-1 halftime advantage.

            "It's a really big accomplishment," said Sitko, who will continue her career at Bloomsburg University. "I'm proud of myself and happy that I got to do it. But I could not have done it without my teammates."

            All four of the goals came within the flow of Upper Perkiomen's offense, according to Sobotor. The coach claims Sitko is equally talented at converting on set plays as on the fly.  "She's very good at reading the play and taking what the opposition gives her," Sobotor said.

            Mia Schneider contributed three goals and an assist for the visiting Tribe (8-10 overall. 5-7 PAC), who won two of their final three regular season games. Ava Senseny posted two goals. Abby Davidheiser, Maggie Milkowich, Abby Orsini, Taylor Bieler and Angelina Glackin also scored.

            Sitko, who entered the game with 197 career tallies, delivered the historic goal midway through the first half. The Pennsburg resident converted on a one-timer on an attack play to move into second place on the school's all-time scoring list.  "You couldn't ask for a better goal for No. 200," Sobotor said.

            Despite missing her entire ninth-grade season, and playing only 13 games as a sophomore, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Sitko set the goal of collecting 200 goals after a successful junior season.  "When Mary Kate puts her mind to something, it gets done," Sobotor said.

            Last spring, she scored 96 goals to help lead the Indians to a victory in the District One playoffs. Sitko reached the 100-goal plateau in early May 2022.

            "Whenever I get the ball, I look to go to goal," said Sitko, who has scored 70 goals this season and posted 23 assists to set the career record in that category.

            Though a midseason swoon cost the Indians a chance to qualify for the conference playoffs, they have qualified for the District One Class 2A playoffs, which start Wednesday, May 17. They will likely need to make a deep run to allow Sitko a chance to eclipse Hope Flack's school record of 218 goals.