When it comes to postseason soccer play, teams that feature more physicality and energy than their opponents often give themselves better chances to win.

Those two qualities factored into Moravian Academy’s 4-1 win over Palmerton Monday in a Colonial League girls soccer quarterfinal playoff game Monday at Jim Thorpe.

The game began with both teams competing for possession at midfield, but then led to Moravian’s passing game finding its mark. The first shot of the game, taken by the Lions’ Elena Reid, sailed over the outstretched hands of Palmerton goalie Taylor Wasilewski and into the top shelf of the net for an early 1-0 Moravian lead.

Just seconds later, Aubrey Frable kicked a shot on goal that was deflected away by Moravian goalie Laurestine Moore.

That was the extent of Palmerton’s offense for the next several minutes until Frable’s shot flew over the crossbar at the 28-minute mark. Moravian then took control of the ball and field position.

Four minutes later, Sarah Pulcini scored for the Lions with a shot from 15 yards out that found the top right corner of the goal for a 2-0 lead.

Palmerton could not find any rhythm to its passing game as Moravian was quicker to the loose balls and won most of the one-on-one battles for possession, but that took a quick turn in favor of the Lady Bombers. Sophomore Harper Lake found the back of the net at 10:33 of the first half to cut the Lion’s lead in half.

“We seemed to get more energy after that goal, “said Palmerton coach Jon Perloni, “but we couldn’t sustain the momentum.”

Wasilewski made a great save on Moravian’s Reid a minute later and at the other end of the field, Avery Barry’s shot just missed the inside corner of the goal. Palmerton continued to dominate play, but with 4:30 left before intermission, Pulcini scored her second goal of the game on a shot that rolled past Wasilewski after she made the initial save.

Palmerton (10-5-2) got the ball into the red zone, but it was Moravian that nearly scored its fourth goal of the half if not for an outstanding save by Wasilewski with 15 seconds left in the half.

‘We had some fight in us,” said Perloni, “but Moravian is a very talented team, so you have to contest every pass they make, and we just played a little flat and gave them too much space.”

The Lions (8-6-4) continued to prowl on the attack mode early in the second half. They nearly scored again, but a shot with 33 minutes left to play rang off the post. Eight minutes later, Wasilewski tipped a shot off her fingertips and over the crossbar.

Then with just under 22 minutes left, Jenna Moser made the score 4-1 when she got ahead of the Bombers’ defense and kicked the ball just under the crossbar.

Palmerton did not get the ball inside its opponents’ 30-yard line until the 24-minute mark, and couldn’t get any clear shots on Moore.

“We’ll just move forward from this game and get ready for Districts,” said Perloni. “We have a few things to work on this week at practice.”

Moravian outshot Palmerton 11-7. The Bombers had the advantage in penalty kicks, 8-6.

THE ROSTER EFFECT ... Moravian has 16 varsity players to 13 for Palmerton. “I think we wore down late in the game with just two substitutions,” said Perloni.

UP NEXT … The Bombers look like they’ll be the No. 5 seed in the District 11 Class 2A bracket and could face Palisades, seeded fourth, in the upcoming playoffs.

Moravian Ac. 4, Palmerton 1

Palmerton 1 0 - 1

Moravian Academy 3 1 - 4

Goals: Palmerton - Lake 1; Moravian Academy - Reid 2, Pulcini 1, Moser 1.

Records: Palmerton (11-5-2); Moravian Academy (8-5-4).