Palmerton has dealt with its share of adversity this season.

On Tuesday night, the Bombers found a way through it.

Playing with a small roster and celebrating senior night, Palmerton overcame an early deficit, survived a series of Lehighton penalty corners and struck late to earn a 2-1 Colonial League victory and snap a six-game losing streak.

The Bombers have faced several challenges throughout the season, including a roster of only 12 players, just two of whom are seniors. With little opportunity to substitute, the demands of playing extended stretches on defense have sometimes made things difficult.

But the Bombers have embraced the challenge.

“I feel like us being down (in numbers), it gave us a mission to beat these teams,” said Madeline Thomas. “It was going to be hard from the start. We knew this from the start of the season, and we just go out and do all that we can, and we work as a team. We boost each other up to make sure that everyone can make those runs back.”

Lehighton generated most of the scoring chances early and was rewarded late in the first quarter. Lilyana Shapiro redirected a long-range shot from Sophia Wise into the cage to give the Indians a 1-0 lead.

There wasn’t much offense for the remainder of the half, but Lehighton continued to create opportunities. Despite reaching the circle on multiple occasions, the Indians were unable to add to their lead as Palmerton cleared the ball and stayed within striking distance.

“Give credit to Palmerton,” Lehighton coach Jen Lobasso said. “They use their speed, they self-started fast. When we scored, it didn’t damper their will to win. We made critical mistakes in critical times, and you can’t do that when you’re only up by a goal. You’ve got to put another one or two in, and we didn’t.”

Palmerton made Lehighton pay early in the second half.

Just over two and a half minutes into the third quarter, Chloe Brown battled to win the ball from two Lehighton defenders and found Thomas, who fired home the tying goal.

“Our halftime talk was excellent,” Palmerton coach Jillian Frank said. “They like to do little team talks, and I think it’s important that they really focus on things. Our defense really picked it up in the end. Just letting them know simple things they need to correct helped them a lot. That’s one of the most important things I think for our team.”

Lehighton responded with a quick counterattack led by freshman Quinn Lichtenwaler and continued to apply pressure, earning six penalty corners in the second half.

But each time the Indians threatened, Palmerton’s defense held its ground and kept the game tied.

Then, fittingly, one of the Bombers’ two seniors delivered on senior night.

With players from both teams scrambling for possession in front of the cage, the ball came free to Ally Herrmann, who knocked in the go-ahead goal with 1:46 remaining

“The goal is to always pick up each other, and we can’t get down on ourselves because when we get down on ourselves, that’s when we play down,” Herrmann said. “So we’re always trying to stay with a positive attitude and keep each other going the whole game.”

Palmerton protected the lead over the final 1:46, ending its six-game skid and earning a victory that Thomas felt reflected the Bombers’ perseverance throughout the season.

“It doesn’t matter about the number of girls,” Thomas said. “It doesn’t matter about the age. It’s ‘if you want it,’ and we go out and we want it every single game and we try our hardest. I think that it just says something when we get these big wins.”

SENIOR SHOW ... Prior to the contest, Palmerton honored its two seniors, Herrmann and Maya Ortiz.

“I want the season to go as far as it can, and I’m not ready for the last whistle on the last game,” Herrmann said. “I just want to make as many memories as I can with the team we have. This season flew by.”

PLAYOFF IMPLICATIONS ... With the win, Palmerton moved ahead of Lehighton into sixth place in the District 11 Class 1A standings, where the top six teams qualify for the postseason. The Bombers are also battling Palisades for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Colonial League standings.

MORE TO GO ... Both teams return to action Thursday. Palmerton travels to Northwestern, while Lehighton hosts Catasauqua.

Palmerton 2, Lehighton 1

Lehighton 1 0 0 0 — 1

Palmerton 0 0 1 1 — 2

Goals: Lehighton — Lilyana Shapiro 1; Palmerton — Madeline Thomas 1, Ally Herrmann 1. Assists: Lehighton — Sophia Wise 1; Palmerton — Chloe Brown 1. Saves: Lehighton — Lillian Klotz 1; Palmerton — Julia Maupin 1. Shots: Lehighton — 2; Palmerton — 3. Corners: Lehighton — 7; Palmerton — 5.

Records: Lehighton (3-9, 3-8); Palmerton (4-9, 4-6).