Whitehall’s girls soccer team made strides in their quest for a district title over the last two years, making it to the district final this year before falling to Southern Lehigh, 2-0, on Nov. 1 at Catasauqua’s Alumni Field.

The top-seeded Zephyrs came off a 4-0 victory over Lehighton in a Class 3A semifinal, and the third-seeded Spartans were 2-1 winners over Pottsville in the other semifinal.

“Two years ago, we didn’t even qualify for the district tournament,” said Whitehall coach Chris Bleam, “so it’s been a journey for our seniors, and we have some young players who’ll come back and try again, but I’m real proud of our group and the effort.”

Freshman midfielder Hallie Thomas scored the first Spartan goal at the 23:04 mark of the first half on an assist by senior forward Morghan Davies.

Ten minutes into the second half Kate Yadush blasted a free kick from 30 yards out, but Southern Lehigh goalie Ava Foran made the save.

Five minutes later, Southern Lehigh forward Ivory MoDavis scored off an assist by Shea Lieberman.

“We tried (to make adjustments). It didn’t work very well, and then after they got the second goal, we changed our shape up top, and we just couldn’t get anything going,” Bleam said. “We got outworked. Southern Lehigh outplayed us. They were the better team tonight. Sometimes that just happens.”

Samantha Kern made 4 saves for the Zephyrs, and Foran made 9 saves for the Spartans.

“We had an awesome season, and from where we were a couple years ago, and last year was just so hard for all of us, I think our kids really represented their school quite well,” Bleam said.

In addition to Kern and Yadush, Whitehall’s senior are Ava Wells, Teagan Crosson, Celeste Garcia, Ella Weber, Kayleigh Fisher, M’balu Fofana, Olivia Mrazik, Erika Rape, and Sophia Mrazik.