The magic number for Salisbury field hockey so far this season is four.

Every time that the Lady Falcons have put that fourth goal of the game on the board, they win. They have had a 4-1 win against Bethlehem Catholic (1-4-0 EPC, 1-6-0 overall), a 4-0 win over Palisades (0-7-0 Colonial, 0-6-0 overall), and a 4-3 win over Catasauqua (0-5-0, 1-5-0). Fortunately for the team, in three of its last four games, Salisbury has scored four goals to get the win in those games.

On Monday, Salisbury (3-2-1, 4-3-1) downed Catasauqua 4-3 in overtime behind two goals each from Kendra Morgan and Sarah Beckage. Goalie Caroline Gedney made four saves in goal for Salisbury. In addition to scoring four goals, the Falcons offense kept the pressure on Rough Riders goalie Sophia Becker, who made eight saves on shots from Salisbury players.

Monday’s win came on the heels of a 3-0 loss to Palmerton (3-3-0, 4-3-0) with the Blue Bombers handing the Falcons their fourth shutout of the season, including a scoreless tie against Saucon Valley (0-2-2, 1-2-2) earlier in the season.

Ironically, all but two games this season have been shutouts in one form or another. The Lady Falcons defense has shutout teams three times, including the game against Saucon Valley and opponents have shutout Salisbury four times, also including the scoreless tie.

In a win over Palisades last week, Salisbury won 4-0 and got goals from four different players in the win. Ellie Schneider, Gwen DeFazio, Riley Knecht, and Beckage all scored goals.

On the season, six different players have goals for Salisbury with young players leading the way. Sophomores Beckage (6 goals), Morgan (3 goals) and DeFazio (2 goals) lead the way with junior Maya Afif having scored twice, while senior Riley Knecht and freshman Ellie Schneider both have one goal for Salisbury.

The upcoming schedule features a showdown with perennial Colonial League power Southern Lehigh (4-0-0, 4-1-0) and two nonleague games against Kutztown (0-4-0) and Lehighton (4-2-0). Rematches against Colonial League teams begin after those three games when Saucon Valley and Salisbury play for the second time next Tuesday.