Coming off a tie in their first game against Central Catholic in which neither team scored a goal, Parkland High School girls soccer head coach Al Haddad was looking for a better job of finishing out of his team. He found it in their next game.

Olivia Kunz and Demi Olatilo each recorded a goal and the Trojans got into the win column with a 2-0 victory over Easton last Monday night in an Eastern Pennsylvania Conference game at Parkland High School.

“We played well against Central but didn’t do a good job of finishing,” said Haddad. “It was a very physical game and we never were able to get on our front foot. I felt last night against Easton, we were so much more focused on the technical end which proved out in the advantage on the stats. The first goal was such a confidence catalyst for the girls. The second goal was spectacular. The girls were pumped but they know that was only one game, but that effort against such a strong team will pay dividends for sure.”

Kunz scored on a header from Mariana Aubele-Gonzalez and Olatilo hit the netting off a pass by Dani Marsteller for the game’s lone goals. Parkland’s defense kept the Red Rovers offense at bay for the entire game, allowing just two shots on net.

“Their forward is such a powerful player,” Haddad said. “I felt the back line was tremendous in always understanding where she was. We never double a player, but between knowing where she was and always making sure our first defender had proper cover, I was very happy with their performance. Easton only had two shots on goal which is a testament to the backline’s efforts.”

With just one week by them, Haddad is pleased with where his team stands so far.

“It is very early, but I am very happy with where we are,” said Haddad. “Each day the girls have been working very hard to make sure that the early training sessions foundations of play are continued so that we don’t take steps backward. The seniors are doing an excellent job of leading, and we have a very young team that is anxious to contribute. We need to continue to focus on our technical skillsets and if we do that, I think we will put ourselves in good position each day.”

Parkland concludes its week with a conference game at Pocono Mountain West on Friday, and then the next day, a nonconference game at Governor Mifflin.