For the Catasauqua boys’ soccer team, it is their pivotal point of the season. With nine games to go, the goals are coming into focus. A district playoff berth is in their sights.

“Yes, it is crunch time,” said head coach Josh Inman recently. “We definitely want to be above. 500 down the stretch. We have seniors who have been working toward districts the past few years.

“We definitely have had our ups and downs this season.”

The Rough Riders began play Monday with an overall 3-4-1 record, recently picking up an important 1-0, double-overtime victory over Salisbury with Mason Forstoffer scoring the winning goal. However captain Jaxon Berrier suffered a broken wrist in the process.

Forstoffer (3 goals, 1 assist) is tied with Brendan Nye (3 goals, 3 assists) for most goals scored. Berrier has a pair of goals and two assists, and Doryn Cene has two goals.

Inman sees Berrier and Nye as pacesetters as well as some others. Vinne Takahashi, seen as an integral part of the club, continues to be sidelined with a leg injury.

“Berrier leads the team by examples everyone can follow,” said Inman. “He has done a good job rallying everyone. He has been an inspiration to the younger players.

“Brendan has been an impact player for us, and there have been other young players like Jon Cordon Pinto, who has stepped it up.”

Inman noted the team’s goaltending situation has been a fluid one. Cody Kurczeski and Xavier Razon have both seen time in the nets.

“We have done a decent job there, but it has been a little bit of a carousel,” noted Inman. “Cody started at the beginning of the year, and Xavier has seen some time. We also have had some other guys back there “

Down the stretch, Inman is confident his squad can close the gap.

“We have had some guys where we show discipline,” said Inman. “There have been other games where we needed to finish. We also have had games when we have been on the lopsided end of scores.

“We’re looking forward to an important part of our season coming up.”