With some of his players returning to the lineup from injuries and a maturing team, Whitehall head boys' soccer coach Gus Garcia believes his team may be peaking toward a successful finish.

Beginning the week with an overall 6-3-1 mark, Garcia likes his chances. The Zephyrs began play with a two-game winning streak and a tight 2-0 defeat to Northampton.

"We are playing pretty well right now, and we're starting to get totally healthy," he said. "We have picked up some nice wins and we have been right there in some of our losses. We spoke about being a cohesive unit all season and we're heading in that direction right now."

Garcia credited the play and guidance of team co-captains seniors Jake Pearce and Kareem Green for their influence on and off the field. "Both of them have done an outstanding job," said Garcia of his captains. "They have really helped the younger kids develop and have guided the upperclassmen. We are at a good spot with our schedule right now, and both of them are a big reason why we are there."

Garcia was also happy to see junior Brian Pluchinksy and senior Khaled Belaroussi return to the lineup from injuries.

"We're not yet at 100 percent back, but we are close," said Garcia of his club's injury rate. "If we can get everyone back healthy, we can make a run at the league. We have seen a lot of growth with the team and they should be ready to reach the next level."

Garcia appreciates the contributions from some of his veteran players, but he also realizes it has been a solid team effort that has helped the Zephyrs.

"We have had several guys really step up their game for us," he said. "We don't have a single superstar out there who is carrying us. We have a strong team effort and different guys contributing every night.

"The guys have really been performing well and we're looking forward to it carrying out throughout the remainder of the season." With that in mind, Garcia knows his club can have a realistic shot at the Lehigh Valley Conference (LVC) playoffs and the district postseason. A late-season collapse last year derailed the Zephyrs' tracks.

"Our main goal now is to get to the district playoffs," Garcia said. "In order to achieve that, we need to continue to work as a unit. We would also like to have a shot at the LVC playoffs, and we know what we have to do.

"We have the ability and the cohesiveness to get it done. Now, we have to go out and do it."