Heading into the 2019 field hockey season, head coach Jennifer Bodnar knew that the early part of the schedule would be a challenge.

For the second consecutive season, the Zephyrs faced a front-loaded schedule with three Eastern Pennsylvania Conference teams that amassed a 73-18 record the previous year.

Bodnar said that the team was well aware of the challenges that spate of games posed. They were thrust into the EPC field hockey crucible right out of the gate, with those games ultimately serving as a learning experience, illustrating the areas that they need to address.

“It definitely exposed some of the things we need to work on,” said Bodnar.

She said that the can look at the schedule negatively or positively, realizing that they did some positive things on which they can build.

The Zephyrs dropped three of their first four games, their lone win coming against Pocono Mountain West.

Still, she said that it hasn’t been all gloom and doom. In the first half against Easton, they outshot the Red Rovers and forced a greater number of corners. In their most recent game against Pocono Mountain East, they stayed competitive throughout the game, eventually losing 4-0 to the Cardinals.

Bonder said that she’s been pleased with certain aspects of their game, as well as specific moments during the contests. It’s just a matter of stringing it all together.

“We haven’t put together all 60 minutes yet,” said Bodnar.

She said she’s still optimistic that will come. They showed flashes in their 9-0 win over the Panthers. They managed to fire 46 shots on goal, with Maddie Trocki netting three to lead the Zephs.

They found offense up and down their lineup that evening as Joyce Lu contributed with two goals, while Maddie Steiner, Catherine Hudak, Jenna Rohrbaugh and Jasmin Abdalla each had a goal apiece in the win.

They were also able to set up one another in that game with Trocki once again taking the reins in that department with three assists. Olivia Mittura and Ally Cook followed with two dimes, while Rohrbaugh added another.

While that offensive output showcased their ability to hit the back of the cage, she still knows it’s an area that needs more consistency. In each of their three losses they were shutout. She said they need to find a way to score. The opportunity presented themselves in those three games, they just have to capitalize.

“We need to finish in those situations,” she said.

Right now she’s still tinkering with the best unit to tackle that problem.

“I’m trying to find that cohesive unit to put the ball in the cage,” said Bodnar.

With the team now settling into the middle part of their schedule, Bodnar hopes that they can string together a few wins. Just like last year, they need to put together a good run to try to climb back to .500 or above.

This week they face Parkland, Salisbury, Nazareth and Pleasant Valley.

The team recently beat Salisbury 5-1.

Maddie Trocki scored three more goals with Maddie Steiner and Jenna Rohrbaugh each added one. Rory Watson scored for Salisbury.