Last season the Parkland boys soccer team beat every Lehigh Valley Conference opponent that was put in front of it, finishing the regular season undefeated in the LVC. Last Saturday, the Trojans were put in unfamiliar territory, losing to Northampton 4-3 for their first league loss since 2011.

It didn't take long, however, for Parkland to bounce back, as junior forward Diego Martinez tallied two goals and an assist, leading the Trojans to a 5-0 win over Whitehall last Monday night at Parkland High School.

"I think this win proves we have a lot of potential," said senior captain Nick Eckhart. "I don't think we really skipped a beat from last season. Parkland never lets down, we always try to have great seasons."

Parkland lost 17 seniors to graduation and boasts a young team, but depth may be a strength this season.

If there is one area that the team needs to improve on it is its lack of varsity in-game experience and familiarity with each other. But that is something that will come with each game played.

"We just haven't played together much yet," noted Eckhart. "We're not meshing yet as a team. We're trying to learn each other's positions. Once we get that going I think we'll be as high as last year."

Eckhart contributed an assist to the second-half goal from Martinez that seemingly put the game out of reach.

The Trojans held a 2-0 lead heading into halftime, even though they controlled much of possession and outshot the Zephyrs 11-1 in the first half. Martinez and Oliver Guerra found the back of the net in the first 43-minute half.

Whitehall showed some life at the start of the second half, firing two consecutive shots on frame for Evan Bleiler to handle.

When Martinez and Byron Derti slotted home close-range efforts, the score was 4-0 and all that was left was for Parkland to hold onto the ball and control the tempo, something they did for a majority of the contest.

Bronson Strampel headed home from in front of the net off a Martinez lob with just over three minutes remaining.

Senior captain Belal Mohamed contributed an assist for Parkland.