Just a few days after six seniors scored seven goals against Mount Baker, the Falcon boys celebrated the last home game for the team’s oldest members with an 8-1 victory at home Friday.

It was the best game yet in scoring, said Fran Einterz, the team’s coach. “The kids have really improved this year.”

Led by senior foreign exchange student Luis Garcia, who continued his two-week scoring tear with two goals against visiting Nooksack Valley, the Falcons had their best night this season nailing nothing but net in front of a home crowd.

The game was a far cry from the first meeting between the two teams. On April 19, the Pioneers beat the Falcons 1-0 on a penalty shot. On Friday, seven South Whidbey players made goals and, in the process, pushed their team even more solidly into third place in the North Cascades Conference standings.

The Pioneers are now 3-12.

Scorers for the Falcons besides Garcia were backup goalkeeper LJ Godsey, sophomores Kevin Dunigan, Ben Walker, Connor Adams and Ari Strickland, and senior Scott Perkins.

Einterz said Strickland — who made the first goal of his high school career in the game — had the most amazing shot of the night. Against a flat-footed Pioneer goalkeeper, Strickland headed the ball into the net.

The team received essential assists from Dunigan, senior Abe Smith-Groening and sophomore Joshua Helpenstell.

Friday’s game against Meridian will determine how the playoffs shape up for now 10-5 Falcons. With their current record, the team is guaranteed of post-season play.

A victory over the Trojans will give South Whidbey home field advantage in the first round of playoffs Friday. A loss could put the Falcons and Trojans in a tie for third place and force a tiebreaker game.

“They’re right behind us in the standings,” Einterz said.

Friday’s win was the sixth straight for South Whidbey.