The freshmen are growing up fast for the Whitehall boys soccer team.

Since a 5-0 defeat to Parkland on Sept. 11, the young Zephyr defense has guided Chris Bastidas’ squad to a 6-2 run.

Whitehall has out-scored opponents 28-10 during this eight-game streak.

After winning just two games in 2016, the Zephyrs are one win away from clinching a district playoff berth.

Whitehall defeated Northampton for the second time this season, 3-1 on Oct. 2. Aziz Atiyeh, Zahir Linton, and Kresstoph Whittick each recorded a goal. Alexander Khouri made eight saves.

Linton has already scored 11 goals with six games remaining after recording nine a year ago.

“Last year I was kind of isolated because we didn’t have as many players up top. But with Aziz and Kresstoph coming in, it opens the space a lot more and we can attack more fluently,” Linton said.

The Zephyrs lost over a dozen seniors from the 2015 team that reached the district playoffs. According to Atiyeh, last year’s two-win season was a valuable learning experience for how to play at the varsity level for a number of players.

“It was all rebuilding and figuring out who was playing where,” Atiyeh said. “This year, we have people coming up, freshman Nate Walker and Jake Gier, who have been a huge help to the team.

“Our chemistry with each other and the way we’re able to link up passes is more fluent throughout the field and we just know each other and where the ball is going to go.”

Whitehall hosts Emmaus on Oct. 6 and Nazareth on Oct. 7 before ending the regular season next week.

Whitehall beat Becahi 4-2.

Aziz Atiyeh, Kresstoph Whittick and Tony Rodriguez scored goals with Whittick notching two.

Alex Khouri made three saves for the win.

The Zephs led 1-0 after the first half and then scored three goals in the second half.

Liberty topped Whitehall 2-1.

Atiyeh scored on an assist from Tony Rodriguez for the Zephs lone goal.

The Zephs beat Allen 2-1 in overtime.

The Zephs took advantage of an own goal to tie the game at 1-1 and then won in overtime when Rodriguez passed to Atiyeh.

Khouri got the win with three saves.