Parkland certainly had their chances in the first half of last week's nonleague game against Conestoga Valley. But for much of that first 40 minutes, the Trojans didn't have a goal to show for it.

That all changed just before halftime.

Moments after a Trojan free kick, Ben Jago's header broke a scoreless game with 1:41 to play in the first half. That's all of a cushion Parkland would need, as the Trojans (10-4 overall; 8-4 in EPC) added two more scores in the final 40 minutes to down Conestoga Valley, 3-0, on Saturday at Parkland High School.

"Coach is always telling us to play simple, and just to keep on passing and stay open," Jago said. "I think we did that today."

Jago's opening tally came on a Trojan free kick from Tyler Madeira with under two minutes remaining in the half. Instead of taking an opportunity on goal, Madeira set up Jacob Lizak, whose cross was placed perfectly in front of Conestoga's goal. Jago directed a header into the back of the net.

"He [Madeira] was looking for the big ball, but he decided to play it simple out wide," Jago said. "Our outside back was moved up, and he played a ball to the far post. I won the header, and it went in the corner.

"It was real big. I think it raised our confidence to keep up, and get the victory."

The Trojans built on that late first-half goal on a number of times in the second half.

First it was Ahmed Awadalla, who took advantage of a misplayed ball by Conestoga's goalkeeper. Instead of picking the ball up inside the 18, Conestoga let a loose ball on the ground in dangerous territory. Awadalla collected it in front of Conestoga's goal and punched it in for a 2-0 lead with 21:22 to play.

A little more than three minutes later, Jago set up Jon Kleinhenz to make it 3-0.

It has been an up-and-down season for the Trojans, who lost back-to-back EPC games against Central Catholic and Emmaus in mid-September. Prior to that, the Trojans won five straight games to start the season.

With a convincing win over a nonleague opponent, the Trojans are hoping that gives them a boost to close out the regular season.

"I think our team has built up more chemistry, and I think we're playing much better as a team," Jago said. "This week we play both of them again, and I think we have what it takes to win this time."

The rematch against Central Catholic was on Wednesday. Results were not available from that game at time of press. The Trojans host Emmaus on Friday.

Evan Bleiler anchored the Trojan defense with eight saves in goal. It was the Trojans' eighth shutout on the season.

"Our keeper came up with some big saves," Jago said. "The defense is really strong this year, and I think that's going to help us throughout the season.

Since that win over Conestoga Valley, the Trojans dropped a tough conference game against Northampton on Monday, 1-0.