Lehighton might have started slowly, but the Indians found the spark they needed just before halftime.

Claire Bridy scored the tying goal with 1:55 remaining in the first half, and Lehighton carried that momentum into the second half to rally for a 3-2 victory over host Tamaqua.

Bridy’s goal, which came off an assist from Hailey Wehr, erased a 2-1 deficit and proved to be the turning point for the Indians.

“We’re an aggressive team. That’s the way we want to play,” Lehighton head coach Carl Wolter said. “We want to be (physical). We want to put as much pressure on the other team.”

That pressure was something Tamaqua head coach Clem McCarroll noticed as well.

“They really pushed us around,” McCarroll said. “They were much more physical than us.”

Lehighton struck first when Wehr put the Indians ahead with an unassisted goal at the 38:36 mark of the opening half.

Tamaqua had opportunities to answer, including a pair of chances in front of the net, before Bailey Pliska delivered the equalizer off an assist from sophomore Shaylee Gormley with 28:43 remaining in the half.

The Blue Raiders grabbed their first lead when Avery Muffley scored off an assist from Evelyn Leinbach with 11:25 left before halftime.

But Lehighton refused to let Tamaqua take that advantage into the break.

Bridy’s goal in the closing minutes pulled the Indians even at 2-2 and provided a jolt that carried into the second half.

“We’ve got sparks all over the place,” Wolter said. “From our defensive line, Lilly (Suarez) going at it. If you look at our centers, Taylor Moyer going hardcore, Hailey Christman going hardcore.

“They were all really going hard, and if you can’t do that, then Claire Bridy can’t highlight our offense if the other girls aren’t doing their job.”

Moyer eventually delivered the deciding goal with 27:59 remaining, putting Lehighton ahead 3-2 with an unassisted tally.

From there, the Indians leaned on their defense to protect the advantage.

Lehighton consistently disrupted Tamaqua’s attack, cutting off passing lanes and limiting the Blue Raiders’ opportunities as the Indians improved to 2-0.

“I’m so happy with the way we played. This is so much fun. I’m excited,” said Bridy, a forward. “I love soccer. It’s a passion (for me).”

For Wolter, Lehighton’s ability to generate pressure was the product of a complete team effort.

“Things don’t happen if all 11 are not moving the ball,” Wolter said. “Being aggressive is our game, not sitting back, moving the ball, dribbling the ball and seeing the field. That allows us to make plays.”

Part of Lehighton’s game plan was finding a way to challenge Tamaqua goalkeeper Sophia Sitlinger.

“Their goalkeeper is excellent,” Wolter said. “What we wanted to do was drive it down, get it to the end line and play our crosses across. We were doing that really well. We got opportunities, but their keeper was very good.”

Sitlinger finished with 13 saves, including a strong stop on a chance by Lehighton’s Hailey Hughart that drew praise from Wolter on the sideline.

McCarroll hopes the loss can provide a learning experience for a young Tamaqua squad that starts just four seniors.

“Hopefully we learned a lesson,” he said.

BY THE NUMBERS ... Lehighton held a 16-8 advantage in shots. Sitlinger made 13 saves for Tamaqua, while Cassidy Litts stopped five shots for Lehighton. Both teams had four corner kicks.

YOUNG CONTRIBUTOR ... Tamaqua freshman defender Isabella Mincvage turned in a solid first half in her second varsity start.