The regular season is winding down in girls soccer and the only real question for Parkland is whether it will finish the year undefeated in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference. The Trojans have made it through 13 league games undefeated and are 14-1 overall on the season.

The latest win was a hard fought nonconference victory over Northwestern on Saturday. Ava Hanna scored the only goal of the game with 19:49 left to play in the first period. As has been the case all season, the defense continued to stymie opponents, with the Tigers getting off just one shot on goal in the game.

The Lady Trojans scored eight goals (including a five-goal outburst against Whitehall) in their last three games, all of which were played without leading scorer Brooke Schutter, who has been nursing an ankle injury. While the loss of the sophomore forward hurts, coach Al Haddad thinks the team is doing a good job of carrying on without her.

“Against Northampton [a 2-0 win], their goalkeeper just played outstanding,” said Haddad. “She saved five pure goals, so we would have scored more in that game, but we didn’t.

“We didn’t create enough scoring opportunities against Northwestern, and in all honesty, they could have won that game, so we miss her. She’s an excellent player who creates opportunities and we miss that on offense.”

Many fans around the area might not know just how good goalkeeper Regan Allsop has been for Parkland this season. The senior had to bide her time behind Becky Webster, who was a four-year all-conference player for the Lady Trojans. Finally, Allsop is getting her turn in goal full-time and makes the most of every opportunity.

“Regan is an excellent goalkeeper that on any other team would have been a three or four-year starter,” said Haddad. “Regan got some playing time in her sophomore and junior year and now she’s taking a leadership role. She’s a great captain. She leads the team. She’s very vocal in the back.”

Because of a strong, young defensive unit, Allsop has had to face just 24 shots all season. Haddad makes sure that she gets plenty of work in practice so she’s ready when shots fly her way.

“We bomb her in practice,” said Haddad with a smile. “Every day we have our forwards finishing with the goalkeeper, and sometimes, when those forwards are practicing the shots that are most important to put away, they’re inside the penalty spot, so she’s facing repetition from short distance and she just steps up and says ‘give me another one.’”

Allsop will be continuing her education and soccer career at West Chester, majoring in athletic training. She’s has a good view of just how well her team plays and she’s been impressed with how they’ve continued to develop throughout the season. As for being tested, Haddad is right: she is ready for more.

“As much as I would like to [be tested more], if I’m not, that means my team is doing its job and if I don’t get to touch the ball, that’s a good thing,” said Allsop. “I’m sure I’ll start to see some shots soon, especially when we get into leagues and districts.”

For now, Allsop just continues to play hard and prepare for the tough run that always comes with playing in districts. Parkland fell one win short of states last season and they’re focused on not letting that happen again this season. Of course, as time winds down on the season, it’s also winding down on Allsop’s time with her teammates.

“I’m sad that I won’t be able to come back to play with these girls next year,” said Allsop. “But I’m excited for college and ready to get out there playing college soccer.”