After scoring just three goals in its initial four games, Upper Perkiomen's boys soccer team has displayed signs of improvement. The team recently posted its second Pioneer Athletic Conference victory of the season.

            "I believe this team could be a real handful for the opposition by the end of the

River Lahr, center, heads the ball past Upper Perkiomen  teammate Nolan Moose during last week's non-league loss to Kutztown.

year," head coach Kyle Fisher said.

            The Indians defeated Pottstown, 8-0, for their second victory in four games. Anthony Macedo's two goals paced their offensive outburst. Parker Marino delivered a goal and an assist.

            Mason Hess, Nolan Moose, Joe Piccinini, Brandon Hernandez and Ryan McMaster also scored. Matt Donahue registered a team-high two assists, while goalkeeper Ryan Cairns recorded three saves.

            "This group is starting to show it can score," Fisher said. "They are hardworking and not afraid to compete."

            According to the coach, the youngest team of his 12-year tenure leading the Tribe struggled during a challenging non-league schedule. With only four returning starters, it started the season with four straight lopsided losses.

            Fisher describes the last four games as a sign of his team's development. With six sophomores and one ninth grader in the lineup, the team began to reduce the severity and length of its lapses.

            Upper Perkiomen followed up a come-from-behind victory over Pope John Paul with a 4-2 loss to Upper Merion on Thursday, Sept. 4, in the conference. Anthony Macedo and Marino scored, while McMaster added an assist.

            "We generated some great chances," the coach said.

            Two days later, the Indians (2-1 PAC, 2-6 overall) overcame a three-goal deficit against Kutztown. However, they suffered a 4-3 non-league loss.

            Macedo and Kevin Proctor registered a goal and an assist for the Tribe, which fell behind 3-0 in the second half. Marino also scored.

            According to the coach, the Indians have been able to better respond to mistakes. He said early on they committed too many basic miscues during the initial four games.

            "For 95 percent of the time, we played great," Fisher said. "But the lapses we had during the other five percent killed us."

            The Tribe's defensive ability to recover from mistakes will likely improve as the players gain more experience, according to the coach. He said the unit could become a strength.

            The team made several defensive substitutions during the initial four games. However, they have dropped significantly since settling on Landon Parr, a returning senior starter, juniors Tanner Heckman and Proctor, as well as sophomores Jaxon Hyndman and Donahue.

            "We decided these are the guys who give us the best chance to win," Fisher said. "Tanner has been great so far."

            At goalkeeper, the Indians have utilized two starters. Cairns, a returning sophomore, is splitting time with classmate Landon Lyter. Each plays half the game, according to Fisher. He said the arrangement provides his team with the best opportunity to succeed.

              "They are both excellent," the coach said.

             Fisher said he is not ready to declare Cairns or Lyter as the primary goalie, even though it might be easier to make one less substitution. According to the coach, they seem to be rooting for, and supporting, each other.

            "I'm happy to have two really good keepers," Fisher said. "I'm not ready to say one has earned the job all to themselves. I'm curious to see if that goes on for the rest of the season. I think they understand if they do well, the team will succeed."