Upper Perkiomen guts out win over Bishop Shanahan for District 1-3A title

WEST NORRITON >> Two teams who were looking to make history met for the District 1 Class 3A title Thursday. The high-flying Upper Perkiomen offense was stymied for most of the game, but as it has consistently done in its unbeaten campaign, the Tribe found a way.

A first-half goal stood up as the top-seeded Indians secured a 1-0 victory over the Eagles at Norristown High School. The win keeps Upper Perk undefeated at 22-0-1 and delivers its first district title in either boys or girls soccer.

Shanahan, the sixth seed, falls to 12-6-2 and had its seven-game winning streak snapped. The Eagles will begin the PIAA Tournament against District 12 champion Archbishop Wood. Upper Perk will the third-place team from District 3.

“I think if we could have been a little more clinical in our finishing we could have made it a little easier on ourselves,” said Upper Perk coach Mike Freed. “We missed some opportunities we normally convert, but they played us hard. But, our defense came up with another shutout. They put us under a lot of pressure at the end.

“I’m thrilled to death for the girls. They worked so hard.”

Upper Perk had the better of the play to start the game and mustered the first decent chance early as UP’s two strikers connected. Junior Sarah Fisher sent a little pass to senior Mary Kate Sitko whose shot was stopped by Shanahan goalkeeper Sage Baillargeon, the hero of Tuesday’s semifinal victory over Villa Joseph Marie.

The Eagles had their first decent chance near the midway mark as Alexa Callahan got free for a shot that went into the side netting.
A foul set up the Indians from about 25-yards out. Lauren Powers stepped up and took a shot that deflected off the stomach of Sara Edwards and went into the net past Baillargeon for the 1-0 lead.

“It came off my gut,” said Edwards. “I know how Lauren Powers kicks her free kicks and I ran to meet it and it was too high to kick and it went off my stomach. It means everything to win this.”

The Indians’ offense had the shot advantage collecting nine efforts against four for Shanahan, but they were mostly efforts from distance.

“They’re undefeated and they made their own luck,” said Shanahan coach Ken Schmidt. “They got a call right around midfield, put it up and over and that was the difference in the game, a deflection that trickled into the net. We stuck with them the whole game. We played hard the whole game.”

After the break, Shanahan had a decent spell of pressure against Upper Perk, but they didn’t bend. Shanahan’s best chance of the game came when Callahan’s lofted shot force Ava Long to having to punch the ball over the goal line.

Despite the pressure, shots were few and far in between. The Eagles were held to just three in the final 40 minutes.

“They played a solid back line,” added Schmidt. “(Kyra Lesko) is incredible. She played a great game. She kept it calm. We just couldn’t get that finish we needed.”

Upper Perk held sway and saw the remaining time out and celebrated with its fans as they collected a district title go along with its PAC crown.

“Five of them have been starting since they were freshman and to see it come full circle is tremendous for them,” said Freed.

Upper Perkiomen 1 , Bishop Shanahan 0
Bishop Shananahan 0 0 – 0
Upper Perkiomen 1 0 – 1
Upper Perkiomen goal: Edwards.
Goalie saves: Long (UP) 2; Baillargeon (BS) 4.