Northampton head boys soccer coach Chris Bastidas knew Jackson Vajda would break his Lehigh Valley area record of 114 goals, and he was happy about it.

“He was one of my favorite players ever to coach,” beamed Bastidas. “He was just so good and so humble.”

Vajda not only broke Bastidas’s record (116 goals), but he also helped the Konkrete Kids to their first East Penn Conference (EPC) title in school history. In their title run, Vajda finished his senior season with 52 goals.

For his efforts on the soccer field as well as the basketball court, Vajda is the Northampton Press Co-Male Player of the Year.

It didn’t take Vajda long to realize soccer would be his sport. He began playing the game when he was 8 in the local YMCA recreation league.

“When I was 10 or 11, I really fell in love with the sport,” recalled Vajda. “I started working really hard when I was younger, and I felt that I could get somewhere with it one day.”

Vajda’s chances of excelling in the game took an upswing when he began playing for Lehigh Valley United. He also has played for the prestigious USL, which attracts some of the best talent throughout the country.

“I thought it was a great opportunity at the time,” stated Vajda. “It gave me the chance to improve on my game. I began to understand how important footwork was in the game.”

His career began an upward spiral during his sophomore season, as he scored 30 goals that year. His parents, Jason and Tammy, played a pivotal role in Vajda’s rise. A former Lehigh Valley football coach also played a role in his rise as well as his decision to continue his career at Lafayette College.

“I knew if I kept working that I could be one of the better players in the Lehigh Valley,” added Vajda. “At the time, it was kind of a surreal feeling. My parents were always there for me, and they kept pushing me forward.

“Mike Palos, my mom’s brother, helped me with my choice of Lafayette. I went there to visit, and I knew it was the place for me to continue my career.”

Basketball also has played a key role in his athletic career. Even though he only played his freshman and sophomore years, Vajda still made an impact as an important role player on the team.

“Jackson obviously was a great soccer player, and he even contributed for us on the court,” said Northampton head boys’ basketball coach Matt Scholl. “He is a Division 1 athlete.

“I believe he would have been a tremendous basketball player if he played his junior and senior seasons, but it became too much of an obstacle with his soccer commitments. I would say that everything worked out well for him. He now has the opportunity to go a great academic school to play soccer at a high level.

“He has a bright future ahead of him.”

Vajda was confident that he made the right choice.

“I really liked playing basketball,” he reflected. “But I knew that I had to put all of my eggs into one basket. I turned all of my priorities to soccer.

“It was a matter of playing soccer throughout the year. Playing club soccer allowed me to play against kids from all over the state and ones on a high level. I figured that I was doing the right thing.”

Playing at the varsity and club levels, Vajda has dealt with all the pressures pf performing at a high level.

“There always is pressure to perform at a high level,” he noted. “I just remain confident and seek to perform my best out there.”

His coach has watched him overcome any obstacle. In addition, Vajda began to establish his presence among his teammates.

“He scored more goals this past season than a lot of teams,” stressed Bastidas. “He took over the center midfielder position and also worked to be a great leader. He got others to go out there and play soccer to their abilities and more.

“He knew when to be serious and was well-respected. He was able to lead by example.”

Overall, Vajda has enjoyed the ride, and he anticipates more roads to take ahead.

“I look forward to playing at Lafayette,” he said. “From there, we’ll see what happens. I know that I just have to keep working and stay confident.”