They say to be the best, you have to beat the best.

The Northampton boys soccer team has been trucking along and motoring past opponents almost at will this season. The boys brought a seven game winning streak into Emmaus Memorial Stadium last Tuesday night and left it disappointed losing the match 3-1. Despite the score, the Kids gave Emmaus a good match and held the halftime lead 1-0 thanks to John Yeaw's goal. Julian Santos sent another one of his great direct kicks from near midline into the box, where amongst the scrum, Yeaw won the ball and with the help of the near post put the Kids up with only 0:02 remaning in the first half.

Emmaus came out firing on all cylinders, netting three goals, though.

Kevin Kender scored the first goal off nearly the exact same setup that Northampton used to score its goal. This time, Charlie Jerry fired a ball into the box and it was Kender who won the ball inside the box and shot it past keeper Austin Cooper. Jerry, who is on his way to All-LVC selection, got his league leading 15th and 16th assists during the game. He also did a masterful job controlling and leading the midfield attack. Northampton would struggle the rest of the second half to generate more shots on goal. Credit the Emmaus defense and its midfield defense for thwarting any efforts the boys through at them.

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On Thursday, Northampton got back on the winning track with a win over visiting Whitehall 2-1 in overtime. Sam Gaye took a long pass from Zach Penrose inside the 18 box dribbled and fired nearpost past keeper Chase Missmer at the six-minute mark of the first overtime.

The match was sent into overtime thanks to Whitehall's goal with 1:02 remaning. Dan El-Hajj finished a ball after Brian Heckman sent a ball into the box off a direct kick.

Northampton's first goal was scored by AJ Schroettner. The play was made possible by Cameron Peploe lofting a high ball from the side mid to Tim Kelly first. Kelly managed to deflect the ball to Schroettner off of his back, where then Schroettner dribbled in and beat Aaron Sierra with 9:25 remaining in the first half.

"It was a nice win," said Coach Carvin after, "but we need to sharpen ourselves and prepare for the end of the season and ultimately the LVC playoffs. We're going to get Parkland's best and they haven't forgotten the result of our first match."

Northampton will finish the regualar season this week with three matches. They are at Parkland Tuesday Oct. 8, for the Trojans' senior night.

Wednesday will be Senior "Day" for the boys at 4:30 p.m. in the afternoon against Nazareth. Finally the team will finish its regular season Friday afternoon at home versus Pocono Mountain West.