The Salisbury boys soccer team didn’t have many losses last fall. The Falcons went an impressive 9-3 in Colonial League play in 2015. But it was one of their biggest rivals that had the final word when it mattered most.

Northwestern went 12-0 in league play a year ago. It was that same Tiger team that ended Salisbury’s run in the Colonial League tournament (2-0 in the semifinals) and the District 11 Class 2A playoffs (2-0 win in the championship game).

This year, Salisbury looks to return the favor with much of last year’s squad back on the field. The Falcons anticipate Northwestern to be among the league’s best along with Saucon Valley, Palisades, Moravian Academy and Southern Lehigh, but there’s plenty of optimism early on in camp for head coach Mark Allinson and his group.

“With this group of players, we will be rather demanding and hold them to a standard that reflects their skill level,” Allinson said. “Playoffs are a goal every year and with the recent PIAA realignment, we are in a position to hopefully accomplish our goals.”

Salisbury will reap some benefits by remaining in Class 2A with a male enrollment of 221 as the PIAA realigned. Fellow Colonial League contenders Northwestern, Saucon Valley and Southern Lehigh jump up to District 11’s Class 3A, along with Central Catholic. Palisades will stay in Class 2A, while Moravian Academy drops down to 1A. Soccer will now be separated into four classifications instead of three.

Leading that Falcon group is the returning trio of midfielders Ethan Heydt (senior), James Hadinger (senior) and Patrick Adams (junior) that combined for 41 goals in 2015. All three, led by Heydt’s 17 from last fall, will be relied upon to replace the production of leading goal-scorer Zach Adams, who graduated last year.

Heydt was a Colonial League First Team all-star, while Adams (the Falcons’ leader with 19 assists) was a Second Team all-star and Hadinger an honorable mention selection.

“We certainly have enough offensive firepower,” Allinson said. “[Goalkeeper] Tyler Keller and our defense should be strong as well. The team has been working very hard this past week. The team chemistry is a plus. Senior leadership will play an important role.”

Keller was the league’s top goalkeeper last year, and he was recognized with a Colonial League First-Team selection. He leads a strong defensive unit that includes senior midfielder Mason Groff (five goals, five assists in 2015), senior defender John Yurconic and senior defender Sebastian Buckley.

Senior midfielder Collin Fairchild and junior defender Yazid Darwasheh figure to see time at those respective positions this fall as well. The Falcons’ bench will need to be shored up in the upcoming weeks.

“Team depth might become an issue as the season draws on,” Allinson said. “Numbers are not where they need to be at this point. Several players were not in camp at the start. We’re working on formation alignments and finding the ideal combinations of players.”

Salisbury gets its season started on Friday against Whitehall at 3:30 p.m. Game will be played at the Falcons’ home turf.