Kelly Backenstoe's Konkrete Kids are off to a "great start" in field hockey.

Northampton won its first three games - two in the new Eastern Pennsylvania Conference -- and Backenstoe says it is due to "great balance on offense and defense."

The K-Kids opened with a 6-1 nonleague win over neighboring Catasauqua, then shut out Liberty 1-0 and Allen 3-0 in EPC contests.

"That was two good league wins over quality teams," said Backenstoe Tuesday after Northampton's win over visiting Allen.

"We've had outstanding corners and open play in our first three games," added the coach, whose team had 45 shots on goal in the three wins.

Meanwhile, the K-Kid goalies - Shannon Dalton and Ashley Kunsman - have allowed only one goal on 10 shots.

"Our defense has been doing more than I was hoping for, especially against Liberty," said Backenstoe. She cited the aggressiveness of defenders Makenna Marhefka, Kasey Frey, Emily Schwartz, Kiersten Schmall and Clair Gogel, along with her goalies.

On offense the coach raved about Drexel-bound Megan Wiest, who has five of the Kids' 10 goals. Marhefka, Katie Wasilko, Meghan Hemingway, Sarah Spengler and Danielle Straub have also scored with Gogel adding three assists and Marhefka two.

"It's really been a team effort. We're working hard and supporting one another," says Backenstoe, whose Kids visit Bethlehem Catholic today before taking on division rivals Parkland (Monday), Emmaus (Wednesday) and Whitehall (Friday).