Saucon celebrates success against Southern Lehigh.
With just over a week remaining in the Colonial League’s regular season, today’s showdown between the Saucon Valley Panthers and Salisbury Falcons has major significance. The Falcons are currently sitting at the top of the Colonial League standings with a 6-0-1 league record. The Panthers are prowling in their shadow at 6-1.
With a victory today, Saucon Valley will claim the top spot and have the inside track to a Colonial League championship.
After today, each team will still have three games remaining. Salisbury will host Bangor (6-2), Moravian Academy (4-4) and Southern Lehigh (7-2). Saucon Valley will travel to Pen Argyl (1-7), Notre Dame (4-4) and then host Palisades (5-2) for the regular season finale. The Panthers seem to have a more favorable schedule down the final stretch.
Ranked seventh in the state, Salisbury is led by senior Caylin Meikrantz with her 12 goals. As a team the Falcons have found the back of the net a total of 45 times. Saucon Valley on the other hand comes from more of a score-by-committee flavor. The Panthers have 43 goals spread among 12 different players. All scorers have multiple goals.
Saucon Valley goalkeeper Zoe Zaharakis
Defensively, Salisbury senior goalkeeper Kyra Bruns is credited with 85 saves, 7 shutouts and 9 goals against. Comparatively, Saucon sophomore Zoe Zaharakis has shined with 40 saves on top of 9 shutouts and 5 goals against.
A good measuring stick for both teams comes in Colonial League opponent Northwestern Lehigh (7-1-1). In Week 3 of the season, the Falcons and the Northwestern Lehigh Tigers met and played to a draw. In Week 2 the Tigers clipped the Panthers 1-0 in a very tight game. Another common quality opponent is Fleetwood. On Sept. 2, Saucon lost to the Berks County powerhouse 1-0. On Sept. 10, the Falcons lost to Fleetwood 2-1.
When asked about the game plan for the Falcons, Saucon Valley coach Stevie Ochse offered, “Salisbury has some very talented players. We will try to neutralize their scoring threats by keeping possession of the ball. We will try to be aggressive and use our speed to create scoring opportunities.”
Analyze and slice the stats anyway you want; one thing is certain. This cross-town showdown is going to be highly competitive and intense.
Good luck, Panthers. The Source is with you!
