Saturday’s conference matchup with Bangor was more than just an early-season league showdown. With two of their next three Colonial League games among the league favorites, a strong showing against Bangor was critical for the Lady Falcon soccer team.

Salisbury certainly put forth a strong showing. Five different players scored on Saturday afternoon, including two from junior Caylin Meikrantz, that positioned the Falcons (4-1 in Colonial League) into third place as of Sunday with a 6-0 shutout over the Slaters (1-2 in Colonial League).

Results from Tuesday’s game against Northwestern, a team with a successful postseason track record, were not available at time of press. Following a game against Wilson on Thursday, Salisbury travels to Saucon Valley, which is currently unbeaten in the Colonial League, next Monday.

“The bottom line is we have to really show up with our top game against them [Northwestern],” head coach Rick Babyak said. “I think on any given day when we play our game, and everybody is focused and playing the entire game with focus, we can compete with a team like that. And we can compete with a Saucon Valley. I really believe that. If we don’t come out with our best game, if we have a little lapse, that’s where we are going to get ourselves in trouble against a team like that.”

Saucon Valley returns many pieces from last year’s squad that finished as runner-up to Northwestern in both leagues and districts.

“Saucon Valley is going to be one of our best competitions,” Meikrantz said. “We need to prepare for that throughout this week, winning each game.”

The Falcons got off to a good start preparing for Northwestern with a dominant showing on both ends of the field against Bangor. Salisbury held a 35-5 advantage in shots and led 4-0 comfortably at halftime.

Meikrantz scored the first one for Salisbury, as senior goalkeeper Jordan Kamp booted a deep pass over the midfield mark. After a couple of bounces, Meikrantz got behind the Slater defense, tracked down the ball, and fired a shot into the back of the net.

“Sarah Reilly was going to it, too, but I just took off,” Meikrantz said. “I just placed it in the left corner because the goalie came out a little.”

That tally opened the flood gates. Freshman Rylee Donaldson set up senior Sarah Reilly for the game’s second goal. Junior Holly Bruns’ tally made it 3-0 with 11 minutes to play in the half. Sophomore Vivan Rogers cleaned up a rebound opportunity not even a minute later.

It’s been a pleasant change on the offensive side of the ball after Salisbury relied upon Mackenzie Groff to handle much of the scoring last year. This year, there are more scoring threats from the midfield and forward positions than there were in 2014.

“We probably became a little bit too much of a one note last year where if they could shut our one thing down, even for how good she [Groff] was, if we didn’t have options other than that it was difficult for us at times,” Babyak said. “In a way, it’s good that we have to diversify.”

Meikrantz punched in her second goal midway through the second half after Rogers’ initial shot was saved. Donaldson, who leads the Falcons in scoring on the season, fired a shot off the left post and into the goal for the Falcons’ 6-0 final.

Kamp recorded three saves in net for the Falcons’ second shutout on the season.

“We’ve been dangerous throughout this season when we all pass together and connect, and when we all get into the game, not just one person trying to do everything,” Meikrantz said. “It’s really working as a team.”

Thursday’s game against Wilson is scheduled for 3:45 p.m.