Town and Country Newspaper

Sports Article

Bears Hold Girls Lacrosse to One Goal

Written by Rachael Blackburn, Correspondent
2013-04-17

Upper Perk's Emily Leight carries the ball from behind the net as Boyertown's Rachel Perry and Emily Gerhart defend against a possible shot on goal in Monday's home game against the Bears.

On Monday Night, the Upper Perk girls varsity lacrosse team (2-4, 3-5) suffered a 16-1 defeat against Pac-10 powerhouse Boyertown (8-0, 9-0).

The Bears got three goals apiece from Haley Wetzel, Annie Rodgers and Emma Morgan.

Rachel Engler dished out six assists.

Beleaguered Upper Perk goalie Katey Lederer had ten saves.

Sophomore Aubrey Wilcox scored Upper Perk’s single goal.

“Going into the game, we knew it was going to be tough,” said head coach Melissa Furey. “Boyertown is the best team in the Pac-10 and has shown that by shutting out multiple Pac-10 teams.”

Furey used the game as a learning experience for her squad. “We wanted to focus on the fundamentals and play as a team for a full 50 minutes.”

“Whenever we play Boyertown, we set team goals. If we accomplish those goals, the loss is less devastating. Yesterday we didn’t allow a shutout and cut down on turnovers,” said senior Rachael Keeney.

“We have a young team with some promising players,” said Furey. “We still have much improvement to make.”

Boyertown’s program has benefitted from a community wide commitment, a model Upper Perk is trying to emulate.

“Boyertown takes advantage of the youth lacrosse programs that have been established. High school players take part in helping coach the younger players, improving fundamentals early,” said Keeney.

“I know that Upper Perk is attempting to do the same, so once a youth lacrosse program thrives, I believe our high school team will have a greater ability to thrive as well,” Keeney added.

For the rest of the week, Upper Perk is hoping to overcome the “big schools” in lacrosse, such as Owen J. Roberts and Methacton.

“I am hopeful that as we play teams closer in our school’s size and team’s ability, we will rise to any challenge and finish our season with wins under our belt accompanied by a sense of accomplishment,” said senior Rachael Keeney.

The younger girls on the team see Keeney and the other captain, Devon Kriebel, as leaders both on and off the field.

Coach Furey puts a lot of faith in her players, and believes that “every season is different considering there are different players each year.”

Furey believes that the rest of the season “depends on the play of the girls.”

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