The Salisbury boys soccer teams came through a rough patch that saw it lose three straight games only to win two of the next three games. Those wins evened the Falcons’ overall record at 5-5 and leave them 4-4 in the Colonial League.

The three-game skid saw Salisbury score just one goal, but it should be noted that the three losses came to teams (Bangor, Wilson, and Northwestern Lehigh) who limit scoring opportunities for their opponents. Defending state champ Northwestern not only has one of the best offenses in the league, but also has a defense that is like a brick wall. It should also be noted that Bangor has allowed just 15 goals in nine games and Wilson has allowed just 22 goals in nine games this season.

“We’re doing OK, but we are going to have some little hiccups here and there,” said coach Mark Allinson after the loss to Northwestern. “What we need to do is win the games that we can win. Today, Northwestern was obviously the better side, and they are a really good team. They have guys who can distribute the ball and their runs off the ball are phenomenal.”

To bounce back, the Falcons beat Catasauqua (1-4 Colonial, 2-6 overall) and Pen Argyl (1-5, 2-6) surrounding a loss to Notre Dame Green Pond (6-1-0, 7-3-0).

Allinson has credited goalkeeper Blaine Berger with helping his team to stay competitive this season. The senior got his first shutout of the season in a 5-0 win over Catasauqua. In addition to Berger’s effort against the Rough Riders, junior Josh Hudak had a good game with two goals and two assists, while Jack Monahan had two goals and Alejandro Zuniga Garcia had a goal and an assist.

“He does a really nice job and has kept us in some games that could have been a lot worse,” said Allinson. “He works hard in practice and faces a lot of shots sometimes but has been up to the task.”

Berger had five saves in the most recent win, which came Monday against Pen Argyl as Hudak scored twice, and Monahan also scored in the win with Alejandro Zuniga Garcia picking up two assists.

“We’ve got two defending state champions (Moravian Academy and Northwestern Lehigh) in our league,” said Allinson. “So you know that your are going to have a lot of tough games and we know we are going to take it on the chin sometimes and we have to be resilient. You have to learn to have resiliency, not just in soccer, but in life as well.

“Obviously, you like to win games and have success on the field, but I have to say just how proud I am of our players because they are just good kids. They say thank you and please and they look after each other. In soccer terms, they come in and they practice hard, and they put in a great effort and that’s what I look at.”

The upcoming schedule has games at Northern Lehigh (1-4-0, 2-5-0) and at home against Palisades (2-4-1, 2-4-1) as the Falcons fight to stay on a path toward reaching the district playoffs.