Sports
UMHS Boys' Soccer Team Preparing for Big Week
Upper Moreland High School Boys Soccer is looking to make a late playoff push as next week will determine key positioning in a tight playoff race.
The Upper Moreland boys’ soccer team is in the midst of a playoff run.
With games on the schedule starting to dwindle, the team has one of the biggest weeks of the season ahead of them.
Starting on Monday is a week that will be full of positioning for final playoff spots.
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The Bears are the , which means they know what they have to do to defend the title.
“Next week we have to really get focus,” said senior Carl Wambold. “We need to prove that we can beat Wissahickon and then come out and beat Upper Dublin as well.”
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The Bears lost to both Wissahickon and Upper Dublin earlier in the season.
They were only able to score one goal combined in both contests.
Next week, the teams will be battling for playoff position. In order for Upper Moreland to reclaim the league title, they must beat both opponents.
“We would love to get second place in this division at least,” said senior Kyle Lynch. “Upper Dublin is a very skilled team, but I feel that we can get through next week.”
A few weeks ago, the Bears weren’t even talking about playoff contention. The team seemed out of sync and couldn’t figure out opponents.
Now, the Bears are one of the more dangerous teams in the area. Not only are they defending well, the offense has picked it up, as well.
“I think it shows how much a team can come together even though they have been in such hard times,” said Wambold. “With all this young talent and stuff we have really stepped it up. We have an entire midfield of juniors. In the beginning of the season they were all new talent. Now they know what they are doing.”
Credit head coach to the turn around.
Knauss showed why his 12-year experience in the league mattered. He didn’t panic when his team didn’t look pretty on the field.
“Our defense have really stepped up,” said Knauss. “The first couple games I thought we were shaky. We have really jelled in the back. I think bringing Carl in as our stopper really made a big difference. Now is a great time to come together. We have something to prove.”
The Bears must prove that even though they are defending champs and lost a few key pieces in the midfield position, they are still a threat. Now with the pieces falling into place, the Bears are their biggest enemy en route to the playoffs.
“Next week is when we have to step up and do what we need to do,” said Wambold.
