With spring break in the rear-view mirror, it’s time for Washington’s girls’ soccer team to get back to business on its quest for another 2-A Eastern Plains Conference championship on its final year in the league.

The Lady Pack’s home-and-home series with North Pitt, which begins in Bethel on Thursday, will likely determine the regular-season champion. Washington is 6-0-0 against league foes. The Lady Panthers are 6-0-1.

As it has in so many past seasons, Washington has been cruising through its EPC competition. Through those six games, the Lady Pack is outscoring opponents 45-4. The girls are controlling possession and have a matured defense that is anchored by goalkeeper Julissa Perez.

They have generally been potent up front, too. This year is no different, other than the fact that the team’s finishers have another year of experience.

That experience has been on display. Senior Sydney Edwards (28 goals) and junior Jordan Prescott (26) have already surpassed their respective goal totals from last season.

“I think that this year, we just all play so much better together,” Edwards said. “It’s more of a team effort. A lot of the girls are returners, so it’s like we’ve been bonding. We know what they (other) person is going to do before they do it. A lot of people are assisting more this year. I think we just want to win more this year.”

The Lady Pack totaled 67 assists in 17 games last season. This year, the girls are up to 73 assists through the same number of games and still have four more to play. The performance of the midfield and the way play is built up has an impact on that.

“I think the people in the middle and I work better together,” Prescott said of the difference a year has made. She leads the conference with 18 assists, which is an improvement from the 10 helpers she had in 2016. “We’re getting more give-and-go balls, so the opportunities are presenting themselves.”

Opposing defenders are frequently heard telling one another to dial in on Prescott. As a center forward, she’s used to the pressure of getting double-teamed. Even when she doesn’t physically touch the ball, her presence lends a helping hand to others. It has created space for not only Edwards, but also for Sydney Walker and Anna Frisbie — both of whom have scored over 10 goals in this campaign.

“The chemistry is good. We pass a good amount and we’re aware of where everyone is on the field,” Prescott said. “We’re looking where we’re passing and making sure to get open.”

In addition to their creativity and goal scoring, Edwards and Prescott also bring leadership to the team. Edwards prides herself on her pre-game pep talks. During the contest, Prescott is among the most vocal Lady Pack players on the field.

Junior Maddie Brodie is also a vital member of the team, especially from a leadership standpoint.

Washington, which has won its last 10 in a row, will host Beddingfield on Wednesday before its championship-determining series with North Pitt. The Lady Panthers’ return trip to Washington on Tuesday will mark the Lady Pack’s senior night. The team will head to Farmville the following day for the season finale.