SALISBURY TOWNSHIP—Tamaqua was well aware that Salisbury’s offense runs through Rylee Donaldson and Erica Holben. And especially Donaldson, who recently became the program’s all-time leading scorer.

It’s often times, however, tough to stop that combination.

The duo hooked up for a goal midway through the first half, and that would be enough on Tuesday night. No. 3 Salisbury (13-4-2) downed No. 6 Tamaqua, 1-0, at Salisbury High School in the District 11 Class 2A girls soccer semifinals.

“We tried to play our game and try to limit Donaldson,” head coach Clem McCarroll said. “We didn’t want to get too much out of our game because we’ve been playing so well, and the chemistry was so good. We figured we had nothing to lose.

“We tried to pack it in on them and let somebody else beat us. When you play your heart out, that’s how soccer is sometimes.”

In the 16th minute of play, Donaldson took a free kick from the left side of Tamaqua’s net about 30 feet from goal. Her pass found Holben, who headed in the ball by Blue Raider goalie Baylee Reinhardt for a quick 1-0.

Donaldson estimated the two have connected on similar plays about 20 or 25 times in their careers at Salisbury. The latest, unfortunately, ended the Blue Raiders season (12-7) in the first round of the district tournament.

“Every time it is a free kick or a corner in that area, I’m targeting Erica’s head,” Donaldson said. “It’s very reliable and I know it’s going to hit the back of the net.”

After a near-even first half between the two teams, Salisbury seemingly gained all of the momentum early after intermission. None of its seven shots, however, found the back of the net. Reinhardt added four more saves in the final 40 minutes and finished with nine for the game.

The Blue Raiders even had a few chances late.

First, Katelyn Rudy directed a free kick into Sophia Boyle, whose header was just off target. Then, not even a minute later, Makenna Kane sailed a shot on Salisbury’s goal but right at Falcon goalie Lily Schimeneck.

“We played with an urgency, and we were very proud with how we played until the last second,” McCarroll said. “There was no give up. They could have easily dropped their heads after that first goal.”

But for a team that lost the Salisbury two years ago in districts, 8-0, the Blue Raiders are moving in the right direction.

“We’re in good shape, and we’re moving in the right direction,” McCarroll said. “We played this team two years ago…and they beat us 8-0. But all of our kids were freshmen. They are juniors now and have been starting since then. We’ve gained some ground.”

ROAD TO DISTRICT TITLE

... Salisbury will face No. 2 Palisades in one semifinal match on Tuesday, while Notre Dame-Green Pond and Central Catholic face off in the other.

STRONG RETURNING CLASS

... Tamaqua will graduate four seniors from this team, including just two starters: senior midfielder Lizzy Wagner and Kane, a defender.