The Salisbury girls soccer team has been dealing with some injuries of late, but has managed to play well short-handed.

In last Thursday evening’s game against Southern Lehigh, Falcon head coach Rick Babyak could have used two of his sidelined offensive threats.

“This was just the type of game that Rylee [Donaldson] and Holly [Bruns] would have excelled in,” Babyak said. “They both have great speed to get up and down the field, and there was a lot of space for them to move around today. We sure could have used them out there.”

The Falcons (12-3-3 overall, 9-2-1 Colonial League) could not find the back of the net, and the Spartans got a goal by them just five minutes in to win the Colonial League regular season finale 1-0 at Salisbury High School.

“I think we started off the game a little bit nervous,” said Babyak. “We got ourselves in a little trouble because of that. We weren’t firing on all cylinders, and there’s no excuse for that. We need to be ready for a game like this. It was a big occasion against a good team, and they came out nervous.”

Both teams came out fast, knowing a win could position them better in this week’s league tournament.

Junior forward Kelly Gardus chipped a shot just wide of the goal with less than two minutes gone by. But then quickly down on the other end of the field, Mady Singley had a shot that also went wide. One minute later, Mel Gluck received a pass along the far sidelines, took a few dribbles and crossed in a pass that found the head of Kristen Cocozza for the game’s opening goal.

“There was a bit of a lack in coverage on their goal,” added Babyak. “We let our guard down for a second, and they were able to take advantage of it, and it stuck.”

There were not many other opportunities on net for either team in the first half, as each team struggled to keep possession and mount attacks at the opposition’s goal.

The best chance in the second half came midway through when Kelly Kuscan ripped a shot that was saved by Spartan goalie Ellie Cassel and caromed off the crossbar and out of play for a corner kick. The ensuing kick was cleared away and Southern Lehigh prevented any damage.

“We certainly had our chances tonight,” Babyak stated. “It was unfortunate that we weren’t able to capitalize, and that we were unlucky on some of the shots that hit posts. But we have to do a better job of finishing and creating more chances on net.”

Cassel finished with two saves, and Kyra Bruns made three saves on four shots.

Salisbury will now look to regroup as it advances to the Colonial League tournament to face number one seed Saucon Valley. Semifinals were played Tuesday, after Press deadline. See next week’s Press for more about the playoffs.

“Our goal is always to get to the league tournament, but we’re not satisfied with just getting there, we want to win it,” said Babyak.