First-year head girls’ soccer coach David Harth knew he may have a rough road ahead this season. The Rough Riders had a 3-14-1 record last season, and they had a handful of seniors returning to the lineup.

The Roughies began the season with two wins in their first three games, blanking Jim Thorpe, 1-0, and defeating Pen Argyl, 2-1.

However, inexperience was one of the factors that began to creep upon them, as Catty then went on a nine-game losing streak.

Harth saw a series of events surface at the wrong time.

“Some of it was player availability,” said Harth in reference to his team’s slide. “There also was the loss of three seniors to injury, and then a freshman to an ankle injury.

“We also played tough competition at the wrong time.”

Since then, the Roughies have turned the tide being undefeated in three consecutive games. They won two straight games, a 2-1 triumph over Pen Argyl and another 1-0 victory over Jim Thorpe before they had a 1-1 tie with Salisbury before they suffered an 8-0 loss to Saucon Valley. It left them with an overall 4-11-1 record.

Harth credited the play of senior Faith Daku and Mia Gomes, who both continue to pace the club. He also cited the play of seniors Lilly Gaciuta and Morgan Kessler for the midfield play.

Daku leads the team with six goals and Gomes has three. Kessler, junior Julia Harth, and sophomore Ana Rodriguez-Ramos each have a goal apiece.

Sophomore goalie Brooke Barna has registered 83 saves.

The Roughies had the Senior Night Tuesday, and then closed out their regular season Wednesday against Dieruff.

Overall, Harth likes the direction of the program.

“Yes, we are making good progress,” said Harth. “We are stronger today than when we started the year. Our biggest setback was in low numbers and midseason injuries.

“We found multiple positions different players could play and used that to our advantage.”