Catasauqua head girls' soccer coach Trajano Bastidas knows any high expectations have yet to surface for his team.

The Roughies began the week winless with a 0-8 record and a handful of overall goals scored this season. From here, Bastidas plans to slow the pace.

"Obviously we're not where we want to be at this point in the season," said Bastidas. "We're just taking it one period at a time and seeing where we can see improvement in our game. We have had stretches where we have played well, but we need to have better overall intensity throughout the game.

"That's just one of the things that we have to work on."

Bekkah Harakal, Jade Biviano, and Alyssa Rushatz have been among the most consistent performers for the Roughies, and Madison Machose has been in the nets. Aleena White and Amber Weaver also have seen time in goal for Catty.

It is a small squad that is laced with a handful of seniors and a rash of underclassmen. The program is also saddled due to the absence of a junior varsity team. Through their first eight games, the Roughies scored just a pair of goals while they issued 68 tallies.

"We have some girls who have been very steady in the field for us," said Bastidas. "Our goalkeeper has been progressing and she will continue to get better out there for us. We have been on the short end of things, but our girls keep fighting through this.

"We have been in games at the start and then they have slipped away from us."

Despite their slow start, Bastidas stated that his team hasn't lost its determination.

"We have had some good positives in games," he noted. "There are times where we have been very competitive and have stayed with teams. We have had trouble putting the ball in the net. Overall, we have a good overall spirit and the girls look out for and care about each other. They all push each other to continue to compete."

Down the stretch, Bastidas expects to see further improvement.

"We have a lot of soccer left to play," he said. "We just have to keep working and look to work on the little things along the way."