Palmerton head field hockey coach Lauren Michalik was grateful that the outcome of her team’s game at Palisades Saturday afternoon didn’t affect her as she may have expected.

“It was a huge win for us,” said Michalik about her team’s 2-1 double overtime victory in a District 11 Class 1A quarterfinal. “I was shocked I wasn’t stroked out on the field.

“We knew both of us would play our hearts out, and I told them at this stage it’s about being here to win. I really think we wanted it more.”

Michalik stated that she believed it was the program’s first trip back to the semifinals since they won the district title in the 1980s.

Fifth-seeded Palmerton will now meet top-seeded Northwestern at Lehighton High School Wednesday at 3 p.m.

She stated that her club passed and moved the ball well up the field against fourth-seeded Palisades. Palmerton beat Palisades, 1-0, in their only other meeting this year on Sept. 24. The Blue Bombers had an overall 7-6 mark during the regular season.

“We couldn’t capitalize on a couple of opportunities we had,” said Michalik. “It was pretty intense the whole time and neither club could gain control, although I thought we played well.”

Senior Emily Baumgardt broke the scoreless tie when she tipped in Sydney Frantz’s shot on a corner early in the fourth quarter.

“I was very excited about the win and how the team played,” said Baumgardt. “We played as a unit, got the job done together, and never gave up even in double overtime. This win is extremely important to the team because it’s the first year we’ve made it past the first round in a very long time.”

Palisades tied the game with less than two minutes remaining, and both teams headed toward overtime.

Junior Emma Christman tallied the game-winner in the second overtime.

“When I received the pass from Analise Recker, I immediately tried to tip it into the goal. Luckily I was able to tip the ball in and score,” said Christman.

“We went into the game ready to show up and work our hardest, and that’s what we did. I am just very proud of our team for working hard every day. The win was huge for our team because it was the first district game Palmerton has won in a long while. We are excited to go head-to-head with Northwestern again, and hope to come out with a victory this time around.”

Northwestern defeated Palmerton, 1-0, both times the teams met this season.

“We hope to play strong against Northwestern and get the job done to move onto the championship,” said Michalik.

LOOKING AHEAD ... The winner of Wednesday’s semifinal matchup will play in the championship game Saturday at Whitehall. The other semifinal on Wednesday features Moravian Academy and Saucon Valley.

ONE-GOAL GAME ... Saturday’s contest was the eighth time a Palmerton contest was decided by one goal. The Bombers are 4-4 in games decided by one goal.