Teams are often told to play with an identity.

For the Palmerton boys soccer team, its identity was found in scoring in transition.

The Blue Bombers welcomed Tamaqua on Tuesday, with both clubs in search of their first win of the season. After an early strike from the Raiders, Palmerton responded in dominant fashion to control ball possession and capitalize off the rush en route to a 5-2 victory.

Tamaqua couldn’t have asked for a better start, as Aiden Elston launched a shot from distance that sailed high into the Bomber goal for an early 1-0 lead less than four minutes into the contest.

Unlike Palmerton’s previous two matchups, first-year head coach Caleb Loew was happy to see his team brush off the early goal.

“First two games, we conceded the first goal,” he said. “We didn’t respond well last game on Friday (5-0 loss against ES South), but we responded well today. The ability to bounce back and still play the way we want to play no matter what the score is is a good thing, and I want that standard to continue throughout the season.”

The Bombers controlled the majority of the scoring chances for the remainder of the first half, including two goal posts and several quality saves from Raider goalkeeper Brayden Honey.

The defensive dam finally broke for Tamaqua with 6:15 remaining when Palmerton’s Justin Sturdik stole the ball from Honey and knotted the score at one. The Bombers took the lead just over three minutes later, as Wyatt Spalding finished off a set play off a corner kick with a backdoor tap-in for a 2-1 score at halftime.

“We’ve been working on set plays this year in high school ball,” Spalding said. “It’s very important to have a good set play set up. So yeah, we definitely practice that one.”

During the second half, Palmerton’s transition game began to take over.

Slightly over 12 minutes into the half, the Bombers won a midfield battle and sprung Tomas Perez-Garcia in alone for a breakaway tally.

After coming off a 0-0 tie against North Schuylkill on Monday, Tamaqua was beginning to feel the effects of back-to-back games during this half. With tired legs and multiple players trying to communicate over each other, head coach Patrick Blaser appreciates the desire to help one another but now needs to organize how to manage that communication.

“I feel like that’s a hallmark for me,” he said. “If you want to play varsity for me, you need to be talking. So now we’ve just got to channel into making sure everyone understands the assignment so we don’t have multiple people shout in different directions.”

With the Raiders unable to keep up with Palmerton’s transition game, the Bombers continued to take advantage.

Brett Smith took a stretch pass down the side of the field and booted home his team’s fourth goal, and Perez-Garcia picked up his second of the game coming down the same side and wiring one five-hole.

“I think one of the things we work good at (is) pressing teams,” said Coach Loew. “When we have the ball, we like to go forward quickly, and having guys who are able to have the drive and the willingness to want the ball and not be afraid helped us really execute well in transition, especially on the attacking side.”

Elston found the twine a second time later in the half for Tamaqua, but the remaining six-plus minutes of the game were called off due to lightning in the area.

Now with a win under their belts, including Loew’s first career coaching victory, Palmerton players are feeling a sigh of relief knowing that they are capable of winning and can prepare for each game without that extra pressure.

A TALE OF TWO SCHEDULES … After two games in two days to begin the season, Tamaqua gets an extended break, as it will have a week off before resuming action at Marian next Tuesday. Palmerton will experience the Raiders’ recent situation, as the Bombers return back to their home field today to host Northwestern.

Palmerton 5, Tamaqua 2

Tamaqua 1 1 - 2

Palmerton 2 3 - 5

Goals: Tamaqua - Aiden Elston 2; Palmerton - Tomas Perez-Garcia 2, Justin Sturdik 1, Wyatt Spalding 1, Brett Smith 1; Saves: Tamaqua - Brayden Honey 6; Palmerton - Matt Breiner 2; Shots: Tamaqua 4; Palmerton 11; Corners: Tamaqua 1; Palmerton 10.

Records: Tamaqua (0-1-1); Palmerton (1-1-1).