For the Northampton boys’ soccer program, the beat goes on.

After they won the East Penn Conference (EPC) title last season, the Konkrete Kids knew they had a challenge ahead to get back on the road to for a EPC repeat. They lost a number of key players, mainly Jackson Vajda, who became the area’s all-time leading scorer.

Fortunately for the Kids, it hasn’t affected them.

After Monday’s 4-0 shutout of Stroudsburg, Northampton raised its record to 9-2 overall. Their lone blemished came in consecutive losses to Emmaus (2-1, Sept. 13), and Freedom (Sept. 19), both of whom have one loss on the season.

Head coach Christopher Bastidas already is excited about the possibilities. It has been about being flexible.

“We are off to a great start and have been exceeding expectations,” beamed Bastidas. “We lost a lot of players last season and these guys have stepped up so well and continued the tradition and standard we set.

“Some people have moved positions and have been excelling in new roles.”

Bastidas cited Sebastian Mello, who is playing an attacking midfielder and has 11 goals and 11 assists; Brody Eisenhart has transformed into a forward and has nine goals and six assists; and Chase Nederostek, who has stepped up his game with 15 goals and six assists.

He also highlighted the play of central defender Aaron Gutkowski, who is having a banner for controlling the defense and stopping potential attacks; New starting goalie Ryan Nahf for his overall play in allowing just six goals this season; and Dante Keen and Luca Manino, who both have stabilized the midfield.

Eisenhart hasn’t noticed a major drop off from last year.

“I see something special with this team,” he boasted. “We have the type of bond that unbreakable, and we have this team chemistry that I see no other team having. This year’s team has put in a lot of work trying to defend our title from last year, and I don’t see us losing our rankings from last year.”

Bastidas is aware that there is plenty of soccer left to play, especially with Pleasant Valley, Liberty, and Parkland on the horizon. The Kids also are with a grasp of a district p[layoff berth.

“We have some big games this week and are hoping to lock up a playoff berth,” he said. “We will hopefully get a home playoff game.”