A solid finish allowed Upper Perkiomen's field hockey team to extend its season. However, they appear to have missed out on a home game for the opening round of next week's district playoffs.

           The Indians won six of their final nine games to secure a spot in the District One

Boyertown's Madalyn Detwiler challenges Landrey DeLillo for possession on Oct. 9.

Class 2A playoffs. They reeled off six consecutive Pioneer Athletic Conference victories, including wins over Liberty Division opponents Spring-Ford and Owen J. Roberts.

            After a loss to Boyertown in its regular season finale last week, the Tribe (9-9 overall) will likely open the playoffs Tuesday on the road. Currently listed as the No. 9 team in the power rankings, it could open against Harriton, ranked No. 8. The seeds will be made official during a coaches meeting on Zoom at 8 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 16.  

            "I think we'll be ready," head coach Meghan Griffin said.

            According to Griffin, the team will spend its 12 days between games focusing on securing possession and playing with urgency, among other issues. She claims it has the depth and experience to make another deep postseason run.

            All but one current starter received significant playing time in a 2-1 loss to Northern York in the quarterfinal round of the PIAA Class 2A playoffs last season at Coatesville High School. According to Griffin, the key is making sure that each player handles her responsibility on the field.

            "I don't expect them to be nervous," she said. "I'm sure they will be excited to play."

            Upper Perkiomen ended the regular season with consecutive losses against Liberty Division opponents. Both defeats likely cost the team a berth in the PAC playoffs, according to the coach.

            Boyertown secured a berth in the Final Four with a 5-1 victory over the Indians on Thursday, Oct. 9. Kendal Gilbert delivered two goals and an assist to lead her team. Emily Ulrich finished with a goal and an assist.

            Down 3-0 at halftime, the Tribe pressured the Bears to open the second half. Ava Senseny scored her team's only goal, off an assist from Brianna Godshall, with four minutes remaining in the third quarter.

            However, Boyertown registered the final two goals. It forced Indians goalkeeper Ryann Sanfelice into 13 saves.

            According to the coach, the Tribe did not play its best hockey in recent losses to  Methacton, the No. 4 team in the District One Class 3A standings, and Boyertown, ranked No. 8. She said an early goal by the Warriors in a 6-0 loss on Oct. 7 appeared to take the wind out of her team's sails.

             Griffin claims her players' confidence increased after their wins over the Rams and Wildcats, two of the conference's larger schools. She said they were able to work on a few things in crossover victories over Pope John Paul and Phoenixville in September. The coach claims the experience of playing in the conference's big-school division could give her team an advantage as it enters district play.

            "We're going from a disadvantage to a level playing field," Griffin said.

            The Indians enter districts with a balanced offensive attack. Nine of their 17 field players have scored at least one goal. Maya Pierce, a sophomore, leads all scorers with 11 goals, while Burgundy Gahman, a junior, has seven.

            Sanfelice, the Tribe's standout junior goalkeeper, has posted an .850 save percentage. She has stopped 181 saves this season and is 20 shy of 500 for her career.

            "If we make a deep run, Ryann can set another milestone," Griffin said.