The Parkland High School boys soccer team came out firing to start the 2022 regular season. The Trojans won their first two games in a three-day span by a combined 11-0, defeating Pocono Mountain East 6-0 and Bethlehem Catholic 5-0.

Parkland was then tested in its next game on Friday, September 2. The Trojans broke a 0-0 deadlock at halftime to defeat Central Catholic 2-1 in an East Penn Conference game at Parkland High School.

Head coach Scott Mang knows that any win in the league is an important one.

“It is always nice to get a win against a conference team,” said Mang. “Allentown Central Catholic is a quality team, they are well coached, organized and have some excellent players. I thought that their goalie was exceptional.”

Neither team found the back of the net in the first half, but both Stathis Motsenigos and Chris Wood tallied goals for Parkland in the second half. Sam Masenheimer found Motsenigos for the game’s opening goal, but the Vikings immediately answered with a tying goal from Gavin Fitsimmons.

With under two minutes to play and the score knotted at one, Wood stepped up to the penalty mark and drilled the winner for Parkland, which then won its next two games to remain undefeated so far.

“We have been able to play all of our players in every game, which is key to getting them experience in addition to keeping everyone healthy throughout the season,” Mang said. “We have had a very balanced attack, with 10 different players scoring goals and 10 players assisting on goals. We are trying to figure out who we are as a team, what system of play we will be using and who will be playing. Training sessions have been fun and spirited which is key to improvement.”

Parkland (5-0 overall, 5-0 EPC) outshot Central 12-4 in shots on goal. The teams were even in corner kicks, each earning three.

Throughout the first part of the season, Mang has seen many different players step up and provide for the team.

“We have had a lot of contributions from every part of the lineup,” said Mang. “Take away all of the goal scorers and offensive standouts, but our defensive players have also done a lot for us that may go unnoticed.”

The Trojans have road games at Easton and Freedom this week with a home match against Northampton sandwiched in between.