The Salisbury High School boys soccer team has had to combat low numbers during the Lehigh Valley Summer Soccer League at Lehigh University. With vacations, other sports and other obligations, head coach Mark Allinson never quite knows what his team or lineup will look like each game during the summer.

The Falcons finished with a 3-5 overall record in the eight-game regular season and qualified for the playoffs as the 10 seed. The Falcons were set to take on the seventh seed Easton on Monday evening, but weather forced the game to be postponed to Tuesday.

Even with all of the other factors outside of actually playing soccer going against them at times, Allinson has been pleased with the group he has had this summer season and is proud of how the team competed to clinch a spot in the postseason.

“For the past few summers (COVID-19 included), it’s been a competition between soccer and other priorities for some of our players,” said Allinson. “We are competing with vacation time, work schedules, club teams and other commitments that the players have. We do have a group of core players that consistently are in attendance with our Sports Performance Summer program. Our summer league team Gore FC has provided playing experiences for additional players, but some do not take advantage of what is being offered.”

There have been a number of individual performers that have stood out to Allinson this offseason, including a quartet that have taken it upon themselves to lead the group and better themselves in preparation for the fall season.

“Jacob Knerr, Eddie Hernandez, Josh Hudak and Blaine Berger have put in consistent efforts this summer,” Allinson said. “We view summer league as a recreational league, as a chance to get in condition, improve play among players and hopefully win some games. Upon the conclusion of summer league, we will begin open field sessions and prepare for the upcoming fall season.”

Preseason practices for the fall season is quickly approaching and the Falcons are looking to get back to competing for Colonial League and District 11 titles. The summer goes a long way in helping get to those goals.