Through the opening weeks of the season, Catasauqua’s field hockey has been making some giant strides.

The Rough Riders began the week with an overall 5-3 record, which is the best start since the 2010 season.

Second-year head coach Amanda Freiler envisioned the team’s early success due to their dedication and motivation during the summer.

Freiler also has watched everyone buy into the program. The Roughies also again shed a slow start.

“This has been a true team effort,” she beamed. “We just had two starters for the past two games and had other players step up.

“It wasn’t the start of the season that we wanted,” she recalled. “But we started slow last year, too, and we made a district run.

“So, we are not worried.”

Freiler praised the play of first-year starting goalie Lizzie Bass, who has helped make the difference.

“Lizzie is doing fantastic,” boasted Freiler. “She has taken the time during the summer to prepare. She has gone to camps and clinics and even one-on-one training with college goalies.”

The Roughies have won four of their last five contests.

Against Pen Argyl on Sept, 7, Nicole Ramos gave the Roughies a 1-0 lead until the Green Knights tied the score. In overtime, Shelby Haldeman tallied the game winner in a 2-1 victory.

Three days later, the Roughies were rattled by Salisbury, 8-2, as Haldeman and Kamryn Pushkar scored.

A day later, Catty bounced back with a 1-0 win over Northern Lehigh with Haldeman getting another game winner.

Two days later, they rallied with a 3-1 victory over Palisades as Shelby netted a pair and Skylah Sanders scored their final goal.

Catty traveled to Saucon Valley Tuesday and then ended this week with a home game against Southern Lehigh.

Freiler is optimistic her club can make another district run.

“We work hard every day and practice, and we are eager to learn,” she said. “We have created some great team chemistry. I really having a great feeling about this season.”