Whitehall’s boys soccer team made up for two season-opening losses with a 5-3 home victory against Pocono Mountain West on Aug. 30.

Valentin Lezcano scored the Zephyrs’ first two goals within 90 seconds of each other.

“I was just in the right place at the right time,” Lezcano said. “Got some lucky hits and got some goals. It gave us some confidence, just coming out and winning because we were on a two-game losing streak, so we had to win and get some momentum.”

Juan Estabon added two more goals for the Zephyrs, the second one on a header, and with a 4-0 lead, gave Whitehall backup goalie Michael Nanoah some breathing room.

“Our starter (Cole Richards) got hurt in warm-ups,” said Coach Christian Malone. “I also have Annes Saloum in a knee brace who’s out for a month who’s a starter, so I really have to think about this game. It got chippy at the end, and I knew it would.”

With 18 seconds left in the first half, Elijah Ejiofor found the back of the net for Pocono Mountain West after Oscar Vasquez scored the Zephyrs’ fifth goal.

“At halftime, we talked about just keeping the ball and trying to score more goals,” said Lezcano, “but that didn’t end up happening.”

Considering the fact that the Zephyrs played a double overtime game two days earlier, and that they’d be facing Emmaus two days later, Coach Malone made some lineup changes in the second half.

“We have players at the varsity level who are very quality, but a double overtime game wears on people, and I need them to stay healthy,” Malone said. “There were a lot of j.v. guys in the second half so that we can get through that game without doing wear and tear on guys. I have to think about the longevity of the season and Emmaus Friday. I have to manage it.”

No sooner had the second half started then Pocono Mountain West’s Fahmoro Diomande scored for the Panthers.

Nanoah made a nice save on another attempt by Diomande midway through the half.

Jack Dunham put away the Panthers’ third goal, the final of the match, in the 75th minute.

This week, Whitehall is scheduled to host Easton and Bethlehem Catholic.