The Salisbury girls soccer team slipped up in its test against fellow top Colonial League team Saucon Valley 1-0. The loss was the team’s first in Colonial League play and dropped the Falcons from first place to third in the league. But just two days later, Salisbury righted the ship, taking down Bangor 2-0 last Thursday evening at Salisbury High School.

With only two games left during the regular season, it was an important game for both teams, as the Slaters also were fighting for a league playoff spot.

Caylin Meikrantz and Erica Holben each had a goal in the second half, and the Salisbury defense shutout Bangor (10-6-0, 6-4 Colonial League) to preserve the victory in a physical contest that had a playoff-like feel to it.

“It was a very hard-fought game,” said Salisbury head coach Rick Babyak. “It was way too physical. I’m very proud of the way my girls played and held up against the physical play.”

The Falcons (11-2-3 overall, 8-1-1 CL) had plenty of opportunities to go ahead in the first 42 minutes, but Bangor’s defense wouldn’t allow it. Salisbury outshot the Slaters 7-0 in attempts on goal, but Bangor goalie Montana Cassaro did her part to keep the game scoreless.

Cassaro also came up with an important save on a penalty shot by Meikrantz, after a player was taken down inside of the 18-yard box.

“We could have folded when we missed the penalty kick, but we didn’t,” said Babyak. “That just goes to show the character of these girls, Caylin and the rest of the team, that they kept fighting.”

The Falcons did keep fighting, and were rewarded with a goal.

Meikrantz would not be denied a second time at scoring. After a Bangor corner kick was cleared away, the senior midfielder drove down the field and put her team in the lead for the first time all night with her drive passed Cassaro with 22 minutes remaining.

“Missing that penalty kick, I just didn’t want to put my head down even though I did for a little,” said Meikrantz. “I just kept making my runs and knowing that I could get it in. I just had the confidence and kept my head up for the team.”

Her goal inspired the team, as about 10 minutes later, Holben, a sophomore forward, curled in a shot off a pass by Paige Nicholas to put the Falcons up 2-0.

The physical play never stopped as a few yellow cards were handed out in the second half, including a second one and ejection for a Bangor player. There was also a quick stoppage by the referees to warn the fans in the stands.

Salisbury finishes the regular season with home games against Moravian Academy Tuesday and Southern Lehigh on Thursday as the Falcons try to lock down a high seed in the league tournament.

“We still need to win at least one of the next two,” Babyak added. “We aren’t taking Moravian Academy lightly. They’re on the up-swing after beating Bangor. It’s one game at a time for us. We’d love to get that win and then beat Southern Lehigh this year.”