The offensive acumen of Sarah Fisher and Sarah Straup has propelled Upper Perkiomen's girls soccer team to a solid start in its defense of their Pioneer Athletic Conference and District One titles. The forwards delivered both goals in an overtime

Sarah Fisher, right, plays a header in the midfield last  week agains Pope John Paul II.  Fisher scored the game winning goal in overtime.

victory over Pope John Paul II last weekend.

            They also assisted each other's goals in the 2-1 victory on Sept. 18. Fisher, a senior, delivered the game-winning goal from the left wing. Her score, late in the first of two scheduled 10-minute periods, ended the game.  "[Straup] is so important to our attack," head coach Casey Lewis wrote in a text message. "Without either Fisher or Straup, neither is as productive."

            Ava Long finished with 11 saves for the Tribe (6-3 overall, 2-2 PAC) which withstood a second-half push by the visiting Panthers to post their 27th consecutive victory over a Frontier Division opponent.

            According to Fisher, the opposition is usually prepared to play the defending PIAA Class 3A finalist.  "Teams are very happy when they beat us," Lewis said.

            Fisher – a senior attacker who was selected to the all-state team as a sophomore and earned all-Southeastern Pennsylvania honors last season after delivering 23 goals and 17 assists to help the Indians reach the state title game with an undefeated record – attracts double teams on a regular basis.  "Everyone definitely knows her name," the coach said.

            Still, she used to her speed to work behind a Pope John Paul II defender and collected a pass from Straup on the left wing. Fisher then beat Panthers goalkeeper Kyanni Escudero with a high shot from 25 yards out with 46 seconds left to end the game.

            Lewis said the Upper Hanover resident's best attribute is her soccer intelligence.

            "It's off the charts," Lewis said of Fisher, who even saw time at midfield due to Katie Proctor's absence from the lineup. "That is what makes her a special player."

            Straup, who has scored in every game this season, scored with 10 minutes left in the first half to force a 1-1 tie. After working behind the defense, she collected a through ball from Fisher on the right wing and converted her shot.

            Lewis felt Straup did not play particularly well despite playing a role in both goals, citing her inability to convert several offensive opportunities. Lewis described his expectations for the junior as lofty, based on how well she has played so far this season.  "The fact that she had a goal and an assist, shows the incredibly high expectations I have for her...because I know she can achieve them," the coach wrote.

            The Panthers dictated play in the second half, forcing Long to make six saves. The junior was forced to leave her feet for four of them.  "After scoring the first goal, we got a little comfortable," Fisher said.

            Lewis credited the performances of freshman holding midfielder Brooke Sullivan and Upper Perkiomen's back four defenders Elizabeth Proctor, Morgan Sweed, Maelyn Bolinsky and Elyse Kreiner for their efforts after halftime.

            On Monday, the Indians suffered a 3-1 loss to Boyertown. Fisher scored the only UP goal, converting a free kick from 25 yards out to cut into a 2-0 halftime deficit.

            However, the host Bears responded by converting a penalty kick to regain a two-goal advantage. Long stopped 10 shots for the Tribe.

            Moving forward, the Indians need to do a better job connecting offensively, according to Fisher. Lewis claims the team has played its best in a pair of 2-1 losses to Perkiomen Valley and Schuylkill Valley.

            "Overall, we've got a strong core," the coach said. "We're heading in the right direction."