While the boys soccer team is in good shape for the district playoffs, head coach Chris Malone and the rest of the squad are hoping to get in the EPC playoffs, which begin this weekend.

But, things are close.

“As of Tuesday we are overall 10-7 and 10-6 in the league,” said Malone. “That puts us at first for our district but in the league playoffs it’s very tight as I believe that has us sitting at seventh.”

The Zephs may be hitting their stride at the right time, as they have won four of their last five games and have 23 goals scored to six against in that time frame. Five of those goals against came in the second half of a loss against Parkland.

“We had a solid 2-0 win over Nazareth in that stretch,” Malone said. “Between the Nazareth and Parkland game the intensity the boys brought was excellent and I applaud them for that. We need to always have that hunger now that all games going forward are virtually playoff games for us.”

The Zephs were set to take on Northampton on Wednesday, after Press deadlines. The Kids are currently third and ahead of the Zephs, but it will be a key game for both teams as far as seeding goes.

“That is a big game for us and a playoff-type game because to absolutely control our own destiny in making leagues, I feel we will need a win or minimum a tie there,” Malone said. “If we don’t get a result there it appears Nazareth would have to lose or tie vs. Easton.”

The Zephs are led by captain Valentin Lezcano, who has 16 goals and 10 assists while Mauricio Vasquez, another captain, has 7 goals and 16 assists as of the writing of this article.

“Attacker Reed Felker has come on strong as of late, having an excellent game at Nazareth and being our man of the match for burying our first goal of the game,” Malone said.

Malone also pointed to Benjiman Campbell, a sophomore who’s had goals in Liberty game, Parkland game, and the PM East game, and has seven on the year. Malone added Campbell, “is someone we are proud of as of late.”

On defense, junior Aiden Taylor is a very reliable center back the Zephs have been able to trust all year.

“Defenders don’t get the glory of the goals, but without his defense we wouldn’t be able to have any success,” Malone said of Taylor. “Cole Richards also had some great saves in net at must-win games against Nazareth and PM East and he is another sophomore who we rely on heavily.”

Boys EPC

Standings

Top 8 make playoffs

1. Parkland 16-0-0

2. Emmaus 15-0-1

3. N’hampton 13-2-0

4. Freedom 13-2-1

5. Liberty 12-3-1

6. Pleas.. Vy. 10-6-0

7. Whitehall 10-6-0

8. Nazareth 9-6-1

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9. CCHS 9-7-0

10. Allen 8-8-1

11. Easton 7-7-2