UMHS Boys Soccer is Playoff Bound

It sure wasn’t an easy road for the Upper Moreland soccer team.

At one point in the season, the team was sitting at 2-4 and couldn’t figure out what was holding them back from winning tight games.

Now with the regular season in the books, the Bears are heading to the playoffs as one of the hottest teams in the area.

Winners of 10 consecutive games, Upper Moreland has to wait to hear who its first opponent will be in the playoffs. 

For now, the team will take a breather after beating key teams the past week and a half.

“We lost a few tough ones,” said senior Tyler Foerst. “Through out the streak we beat a bunch of good teams. Wissahickon was a huge win. I think we have the confidence that we can beat anyone.”

The Bears are sure proving they could beat everyone. During the team’s current 10-game win streak, they have mustered a few come-from-behind wins.  Even if the opponent made a late charge, Upper Moreland held them off.

“They knew what they had to do,” said head coach Jack Knauss.  “There was no sneaking into the playoffs. The people you are supposed to beat you beat. Mentally I think they understood that they had to take care of their job.”

The Bears did more than get the job done; they proved that they are still one of the elite teams in the area. Now they are not only playoff bound with a hot streak, but they learned to never look down when things aren’t going well.

“We are a strong team physically and emotionally,” said Foerst. “I feel that we can beat anyone if we play our game.” 

Knauss’ job for the next few days is preparing the Bears for their next opponent.

“I never want to take credit for anything,” said Knauss. “I believe in them. We did talk about what we wanted to change. We made some important moves and shifted some of the kid’s roles. They know how to win; it is the matter if they are physically and mentally prepared. That is my job to make sure they are.”

A 10-game win streak sure isn’t going hurt Upper Moreland.

“Going into the playoffs it is always good to get a bunch of wins in a row,” said senior Tommy Hayes. “I was always thinking playoffs. We got unlucky a few times in the beginning of the season. We know we have to keep on working hard.”

The journey isn’t over now. Once District play rolls around, the Bears are going to be favored as they have the win streak to prove they can be unstoppable at times. Since when has winning been a bad thing?

“I think going in the playoffs being smart like this is really good,” said Knauss. “Why not keep winning? We have been saying that to each other.”

Whatever the Bears are doing to stay on the winning side has been working, as they picked the right time to peak.