Whitehall's Gus Garcia didn't envision having his team with a 4-6 record entering this week's play. Instead, Garcia thought his team's win total would be nearly or double the mark.

"It's been tough," he stated. "I really thought we would have seven or eight wins at this point. Having four wins is very surprising to me. Our talent level is good and so is the level of play. We just can't seem to put the ball in the net enough.

"It has been frustrating."

That frustration has been evident in the Zephyrs' recent scores. In three of their last five games before this week, Whitehall lost close games to Easton (2-1), Emmaus (1-0), and Freedom (2-0). Before those games, they suffered shutouts to the hands of Nazareth (3-0) and Parkland (5-0).

In between their recent defeats, the Zephyrs routed Dieruff (8-1) and edged Bethlehem Catholic (2-1). It has been a seesaw ride in which the lower end has been able to rise high enough.

"We have had the opportunities but we haven't been able to cash in on them," noted Garcia. "We have a veteran team here with a number of outstanding younger players. They know what they have as a collective group and there is a good chemistry among them."

Through 11 games, Brian Heckman led the team with 11 goals and Michael Eible, Josue Ortega, and Mike Saccani has two goals apiece. Goalie Chad Missmer had recorded 55 saves and had three shutouts.

Garcia also cited the play of captain Brian Plucinsky, who has been a mainstay on both sides of the both all season.

"Our kids have played hard and haven't quit," stated Garcia. "We have been playing and defending. But there is just something that is not there and missing."

Regardless, Garcia remains steadfast on seeing his team in the postseason again. The Zephyrs returned to district play last season after a long drought finishing with an overall 8-9-2 mark. They likely will need to play .500 or better soccer over their final eight games to earn a ticket back to the playoffs.

"We still have a good attitude and optimism to get back to districts at this point," stressed Garcia. "We know that we still have some steep hills to climb. But we have the ability to get there and scale those hills until the last game of the regular season.

"I am still very confident that we can find a way to make districts, one way or another."