The Catasauqua (0-4 overall; 0-3 in Colonial League) girls soccer team was at a disadvantage even prior to last Thursday's contest against Salisbury (3-2 overall; 3-2 in Colonial League) at Alumni Field.

Not only did the Rough Riders have to contend with one of the league's top teams in the Falcons, but they would have to do so with a roster diminished because of injuries at a number of positions.

Despite falling 6-0 to the Falcons in their third league match of the year that kept them winless on the young season, head coach Trajano Bastidas was pleased how his team came out in the first half.

"Especially in the first half, we felt we played really well," said Bastidas. "They probably had the better of the first half, but we had some chances. What we told the girls is, in games where we don't get the chances that we may normally get, we have to really stay focused and be patient and try our best to finish those chances."

While the Falcons pilled up a number of opportunities in the first half, the Rough Riders' back line of defense and goalkeeping kept Salisbury in check early on. It wasn't until the 17:24 mark of the half that one of those opportunities turned into a goal for the Falcons when the team's leading goal-scorer midfielder/ forward Kori Hadinger added her fourth of the season.

And just a little more than seven minutes later, the Falcons punched in their second goal of the first half when midfielder Emily Batman connected on forward Katelyn Bucchin's cross that made it 2-0 at halftime.

"@ 2-0 we were still playing," said Bastidas. "Once that third goal hits normally you see a letdown. And then obviously after the fourth goal there was a big letdown."

The Rough Riders defense remained solid to start the second half as well. But a penalty kick by forward Mackenzie Groff made it 3-0. And 2:32 later, Hadinger scored her second goal of the game and fifth on the season to essentially end any hope the Rough Riders had.

"I think the biggest thing is to me, and we talked about it at halftime, is that we play very well when we get into the correct spaces and so forth," said Bastidas. "And we anticipate passes very well. In the first half for example, we intercepted like 10 passes."

Forwards Sara Galantini and Devon Engle also added goals for the Falcons.

Compared to the Falcons generating opportunities and shots on goal at an alarming rate, the Rough Riders struggled in that department, mustering just three shots on goal.

"They're a pretty good team," said Bastidas. "It's a combination of they have a very attacking style of play. They send a lot of players up and so forth. With our players, if we're not able to recognize that quickly enough than it makes it tough for us to defend."

Monday's results against Saucon Valley [3-1 overall; 1-1 in Colonial League] were not available at time of press. The Rough Riders will next host Southern Lehigh [1-2 overall; 1-1 in Colonial League] on Wednesday. Game time is set for 4 p.m.