Despite initial concerns about its offense, the unit carried Upper Perkiomen's lacrosse team to a season-opening overtime win. Giana Kozminski's goal lifted the team to a 14-13 non-league win over Quakertown last week. The senior scored her second

Quakertown's Brielle Bailey, left, watches a shot from Olivia Keyser go into the net during last week's season opener. Upper Perkiomen won in overtime.

goal with 1 minute, 38 seconds left in the extra period.
            Olivia Keyser scored a team-high five goals for the Indians. The junior picked up five ground balls and won six faceoffs.
            "We have a good group of girls on attack," head coach Catie Sobotor wrote in a text message. "They all worked very well together."
            Kozminski added one assist, three ground balls and forced two turnovers for the Indians (1-1 overall), who squandered a 9-5 halftime lead before rallying in overtime. Ava Dougherty registered three goals and Jade Bugman scored twice.
            Ava Senseny and Anjolie Chrysczanavicz each scored once. Senseny won six faceoffs, caused four turnovers and picked up two ground balls. Chrysczanavicz posted two assists, won two faceoffs and picked up three ground balls.

            Madison Hicks recorded 15 saves, while Bella Knight stopped two shots.

            Four days later, the Tribe lost 11-4 to Dock Mennonite Academy. Dougherty scored a team-high three goals. Chrysczanavicz scored the other goal while collecting three ground balls and causing three turnovers on Tuesday. Bugman contributed an assist and picked up three ground balls.

            Prior to the first game, Sobotor said the defense may have to carry the team until the offense gets on track. She cited a lack of experienced scorers.

            "[Those players] really need to communicate and slide when needed to prevent the opponent from scoring," the coach wrote in an email message.

            An experienced group of midfielders will likely lead the Indians early on, according to Sobotor. She said the unit is ready to make an immediate impact.

            "They work very well with one another," Sobotor wrote in the message received Monday morning.

            The position group will be led by Keyser and Senseny, two of the most decorated returning players. Keyser, a junior, led the Indians in scoring last season. She earned First Team All-Frontier Division honors.

             Senseny, a senior captain, earned Second Team All-Frontier Division recognition last season after finishing second in scoring. She was also named to the Pennsylvania Area Schoolgirl Lacrosse Association's All-Academic Team.

            Keyser and Senseny will be joined in the middle of the field by Chrysczanavicz, a ninth grader, according to the coach. She wrote that some other younger players will be incorporated into the group.

            "They work very well with one another," wrote Sobotor, whose team hosted Daniel Boone in a scrimmage on Tuesday afternoon.

            Kozminski, a senior, is the top returning defender from the unit that finished 5-13 overall and missed the District One Class 3A playoffs. She earned first-team All-Frontier Division honors last season.

            Hicks, the Tribe's goalkeeper, could face an early barrage of shots. The junior has shown she can handle it. Last season, she recorded more than 200 saves and earned First Team All-Frontier Division honors.

            Mia Ulmer and Bugman are Upper Perkiomen's top two returning offensive players. Ulmer earned Second Team All-Frontier Division honors and was All-Academic.

            Sobotor described the early-season leadership of its quartet of captains – Bugman, Bella Knight, Kozminski and Senseny – as positive. She wrote that they have provided feedback when necessary, explained drills to inexperienced players and pushed everyone to do their best.

            According to the coach, Chrysczanavicz and Dougherty – her classmate – should provide immediate offensive contributions due to their strong skills. Sobotor wrote that both are willing to improve.

            "Very excited to see how these two ladies do this year," wrote the coach, whose team will take on Souderton on Thursday and Northampton on Monday before it opens the Pioneer Athletic Conference schedule on the road against Pope John Paul II on March 26.