The undefeated Parkland High School girls soccer team has had a lot working for it this season. Outside of talent, experience and hard work, depth is something that head coach Al Haddad and his team have been able to utilize. There are 11 starters that take the field first, yes, but the other players on the team that come into the game later on are all depended upon to contribute by Haddad and his staff.

Two of those nonstarters from the last game, senior Sejal Wellington and freshman Elayna Kocher, began the game on the bench, but both scored a goal, the only scoring of the game, to help lead the Trojans to a 2-0 victory over Northampton last Tuesday evening in the District 11 4A semifinals at Emmaus High School.

“Both of these players come off the bench, but they aren’t second-unit caliber players,” said Haddad. “We have six forwards that can start for us and what we have tried to do is create a grouping of three that compliment each other and mix style so defenders have to deal with different players when we sub. “

Parkland remains undefeated and is now 22-0 overall on the season, advancing to the district final.

Wellington broke the 0-0 deadlock just about one minute into when she entered the game in the 19th minute. Kocher was the one that actually sent her the initial pass down field and was credited with the assist. Then, late in the second half, Kocher made sure to join in on the fun, slotting home a low shot off a pass from Emma Hull to double up the lead to 2-0 with 7:30 remaining in the game.

Trojans goalie, Kayla McNevin, did not have to face much trouble all game, and finished with one save.

Parkland will now look to capture its seventh district title in the last eight years. It’s also the third time in the last four seasons that the Trojans are heading to a D-11 final with an unbeaten record. The Trojans will take on the third seed Emmaus (18-4-1) Thursday evening at 5 p.m., at J. Birney Crum Stadium in Allentown.

“Playing for the District 11 Championship is what these girls have been working towards all season,” said Haddad. “Regular season success, EPC success and now District 11 are their first three goals each and every year. We are excited to play Emmaus for a third time for the chip and expect another hard-fought battle. We expect to see their best player in Maddie Woodward back in the middle, so it changes how we expect them to play since the EPC final.”