Lehighton’s girls soccer team accomplished its goal of making it to the Colonial League playoffs.

What was the Tribe’s reward?

A matchup against reigning state champion Northwestern, as Jim Thorpe’s Olympian Stadium was the host for Monday evening’s quarterfinal between eighth-seeded Lehighton and the top-seeded Tigers.

While the Indians proved that they belonged, the Tigers showed why they’re one of the top programs in the state, using five second-half goals to run away with a 7-0 win.

After falling to Northwestern 4-0 earlier in the season, Lehighton came out with intensity trying to avoid an early deficit. Freshman Claire Bridy almost got her squad on the board with two early scoring chances off the rush, but the Tigers survived and responded shortly after.

Just less than 15 minutes into the contest, junior Kherington Yezik dribbled in toward the goal and got off a shot that Indian goalkeeper Cassidy Litts could only get a piece of before rolling into the net for a 1-0 Northwestern lead.

Lehighton showed no discouragement, as it weathered the storm and put up a strong defensive performance during the half. However, the Tigers’ conditioning and experience began to take hold.

With 2:15 remaining, the results showed with junior Sophia Schaffer setting up sophomore Juliet Snyder for a header off a corner kick to make it 2-0 at halftime.

“Lehighton’s a really good team; we knew they weren’t going to make it easy on us and they certainly didn’t,” said NW head coach Jordan Smith. “We didn’t match their intensity and physicality in the first half. We changed a few things at halftime and had to do a few things better. Nothing is given to us; everything has to be earned.”

Saying that things went better in the second half for the Tigers would be a significant understatement. Within a timespan of 25:22, five more goals found the back of the Indian net in the second half. First, it was junior Amelia Glassberg finishing off a give-and-go with Yezik. Then, Yezik set up Snyder for her second goal of the game. Next, Glassberg put one home off a scramble for her second tally of the half. Ten minutes later, Schaffer joined the goal scoring party to add to her earlier assist.

Finally, Glassberg centered it to freshman Ava Snyder, who capped off both the scoring outburst and the 7-0 final.

“I feel like we just played our game, like how we usually played and stayed calm on the ball and everything fell into place,” said Glassberg. “Attitude has a big part of it too. We all know how each other plays and get along really well.”

Step one of defending its first of three championships is complete for Northwestern in dominating fashion. Despite the success, both the players and coaches know that there’s always room for improvement.

“We have to keep up our work rate consistently, our touches and just like finding feet and then we just play our game,” said Juliet Snyder. “Every game matters. You can go into one, play (poorly) and lose it. You have to stay consistent and win every one.”

On the other side, Lehighton got its opportunity to participate in the Colonial League playoffs, which the players had been striving for all season long. Head coach Carl Wolter also believes that his team deserves better than what the results on paper show.

“Our record doesn’t show that we were right there with (other teams in the league),” he said. “When you’re talking about Northwestern, they’re an unbelievable team; defending state champions. The girls understand how much of a powerhouse they are and we just tried to do the best we could against them.”

NOT OVER YET … Lehighton’s season will continue in the district playoffs as it will face Pottsville in a 4A quarterfinal matchup next Wednesday.

MOVING ON … Northwestern advances to the league semifinals where it will play against Saucon Valley (who defeated Bangor 5-4) at Catasauqua on Wednesday.

Northwestern 7, Lehighton 0

Lehighton 0 0 - 0

Northwestern 2 5 - 7

Goals: Lehighton - None; Northwestern - Juliet Snyder 2, Amelia Glassberg 2, Kherington Yezik 1, Sophia Schaffer 1, Ava Snyder 1; Assists: Lehighton - None; Northwestern - Kherington Yezik 2, Sophia Schaffer 1, Amelia Glassberg 1;

Shots: Lehighton 2; Northwestern 25; Saves: Lehighton - Cassidy Litts 8; Northwestern - Olivia Reinhart 0; Corners: Lehighton 0; Northwestern 11.

Records: Lehighton (11-8); Northwestern (19-0).