After seeing just one shot in the first ten minutes, which sailed high above the net, a foul in the Green Dragons’ box set the Panthers up with a penalty kick and the chance to take an early lead.

“We’ve been practicing penalties at practice a lot lately, and I think that’s really helped me learn new strategies and techniques,” Hockenbrock said. “I think that’s one of the big reasons why coming into that penalty today, all the nerves were completely gone.”

It showed, and the shot to the bottom left corner was covered by the diving goalie as the match stayed scoreless. The defense continued to limit shot opportunities the rest of the way, and the Green Dragons collected a 4-1 win to keep their season alive.

“That penalty made my tummy hurt so bad, but Nora made an insane save that really set the tone for the rest of the game,” Lewisburg head coach Emaleigh Greb said. “I think this win is credited to her, honestly. If that had gone in, this would have been a much, much tougher game.”

CJ DOEBLER/Special to the Sun-Gazette Lewisburg's Kaelyn Bozella races Bloomsburg's Violet Owens down the sideline during the District 4 Class 2A playoff matchup held at Bloomsburg on Tuesday.

Lewisburg capitalized on the momentum from the save and started to generate quality chances despite Bloomsburg’s early flashes.

The Green Dragons opened the scoring near the midway point of the first half when Claire Driver sent a ball into the box from the left corner and Kinlee Lytle cashed in on the chance.

While Lewisburg held the lead at the half, it came with only three shots on goal in a period where the defenses took over. In the second half, though, Driver made another mark on the scoresheet early as a shot from well outside the box found paydirt and doubled the Green Dragons’ lead.

“Honestly, there were no physical adjustments at halftime, it was all mental,” Greb said. “It was stuff like ‘Let’s step to the ball and let’s be the first ones there.’

“We needed to want it and not come out flat.”

The defense relented just once in the win, with Bloomsburg’s Alexa Bang scoring on a corner kick just a minute after Driver’s goal.

“I love my defense, and I’m very glad to have them,” Hockenbrock said. “They’re great at finding space and getting back in position. I know I can always rely on them in times of need.”

Lewisburg took the momentum right back, though, and a flurry in front of the net with the goalie out of position led to another score to push Lewisburg back out to a two-goal lead.

The Green Dragons would crash the net one more time, and shots from Lytle and Adele McNamara ricocheted to the foot of Kate Batkowski for an open look at goal to complete the 4-1 victory.

“It feels really awesome,” Greb said. “The last time we played Bloomsburg, it was not in the most desirable conditions, so to come out and take the win puts us in a pretty good position as we move into our game on Thursday.”

While Greb said that the win is a big confidence builder, the Green Dragons are aware of what comes next: a matchup with top-seeded Central Columbia at 5 p.m. on Thursday.

While the squad is embracing the underdog mentality heading into the district quarterfinals, they’re also relishing the opportunity to stay together as a team for at least one more game.

“This is a team that genuinely likes each other, which can be really tough to find,” Greb said. “To be together for another day, another bus ride and another game, it means so much to us as coaches because they’re so fun, and also to the girls themselves.”

Lewisburg 4, Bloomsburg 1

L-Kinlee Lytle (Claire Driver), 22:38. L-Driver, 31:37. B-Alexa Bang (Rori Serrano), 30:47. L-Payton Spigelmyer, 25:56. L–Kate Batkowski (Adele McNamara).

Shots: L 14, B 9. Corners: L 1, B 6. Saves: L 5 (Nora Hockenbrock), B 6 (Reese Klinger).