The Parkland High School girls soccer team came out on the right end of a one-goal decision in the District 11 final. In their next game the Trojans dropped a one-goal contest, falling to District 1’s fourth-place team Pennridge 1-0 last Tuesday night at Parkland High School.

“Pennridge played at a speed that we were not prepared for,” said Parkland head coach Al Haddad. “They had high pressure defending everywhere on the field. Their pure speed at every position, their technical speed and their tactical speed was off the charts.

“They played more one-touch passes accurately than any team we have ever played. What we were doing in two touches, they were doing in one. We have to raise our level of speed of play to compete.”

The Trojans finished the year 19-3-1 overall, winning both Eastern Pennsylvania Conference and District 11 titles.

“I’m so proud of what this team achieved this year, especially knowing how they struggled with scoring all season,” Haddad said. “Against Pennridge, we actually had the better chances. Our defensive effort was spectacular all season and especially against them.

“In the conference and district tournaments, we started to find the net with the chances that were present all season and defensively played great from the top to the back.”

Winning the conference and district are goals that the Trojans come up with year in and year out. Parkland has won two district titles in a row and six of the last seven overall.

“It never gets old to win at anything, so another district title is a very prideful accomplishment,” said Haddad. “This might have been more meaningful when you realize we lost nine starters from last year’s team. Although we returned a lot of players with varsity experience, we started with an entirely new back line, goalies with no varsity experience and only two senior starters every game.”

With such a young roster that gained experience and a winning culture, Haddad should have an even stronger roster next year.

“With only two seniors starters this year, we bring back a strong team that is already extremely focused on what we need to do to be better competition for District 1 caliber teams,” Haddad said. “Our team defending kept us in the game on Tuesday and a bounce off a crossbar changes the game for us. But at the end of the day, we have to be faster in everything we do, and the girls are already talking about the changes we need to make. To have that early commitment already is exciting.”

The graduating seniors include Mariana Aubele-Gonzalez, Sarah Janukowicz, Marissa Olenwine, Reagan Kinney and Demi Olatilo.