A tie isn't such a bad thing.

Thursday's Schuylkill League Division 1 contest between Tamaqua and Lehighton ended in a 2-2 tie after double-overtime, a result that left both sides feeling far from defeated."This was our second one this season," Lehighton head coach Rich Emmert said, referencing an overtime tie against Jim Thorpe earlier this year. "You don't ever want to go away with a loss, so the tie is better than a loss."Tamaqua head coach Clem McCarroll was pleased to get his team experience that could pay dividends later in the season."This is the first time we've had to play overtime. When we played Hazleton, they didn't do overtime," McCarroll said of the 1-1 game against the Cougars. "So this is the first test these freshmen and sophomores and first-time starters have had. You're a little nervous. You're afraid to make that first mistake because it's whoever scores first and it's over."I just told them to play calm, take a deep breath, and go out and play like you have. They were thrilled but yet nervous. I'm glad the team got to experience that and see that even though they didn't win the game, they can still play and it's not a negative thing."The Blue Raiders (6-4-2, 3-4-1) controlled the first half.Freshman Emma Kuczynski scored twice in the first half off assists from Kayla Sherry to give Tamaqua a 2-0 lead after 40 minutes of play."We lost our two leading scorers from last year, and Emma's so steady, she acts like she's a senior," McCarroll said of Kuczynski. "She's calm, she gets the ball down to her feet and gets it off quick. She's really helped us because we didn't know coming into the season who was going to be scoring for us."The Indians (3-7-2, 2-4-2) rallied in the second half to tie it before the end of regulation.Junior Thera Hibbler's header found the back of the net a little over two minutes into the second half. Senior Morgan Yurasits, who assisted on Hibbler's goal, netted the equalizer at the 12:52 mark."We're a second-half team. It takes us a half to wake up," Emmert said. "The philosophy is to get them to play stronger. We learned from them (Tamaqua) in the first half - what they're doing and who they're feeding the ball to. So our second half is better for us."Each team had chances in the two 10-minute overtime periods. But Tamaqua keeper Flo Rios and Lehighton goalie Julia Frey, both juniors, were able to come up with the big saves their teams needed to keep it a 2-2 game.Rios and Frey finished with 13 saves apiece.For two young teams looking to find their way, Thursday proved to be a step in the right direction."We have some winnable games left, but we still have to play every game like it's our last game," McCarroll said. "But we're pushing for that (District 11 playoff spot)."Nobody expected us to do anything this year, losing our top two scorers and our top defender, who was a four-year starter. So we were thinking this could be a rough year. But these kids have come in and stepped up and really energized the team."Though a few games back in the standings, Emmert's squad still has postseason aspirations of its own."Their mind is still on a district playoff opportunity," he said. "We go from game-to-game, and focus on who we're playing, and try to build on that."FAMILIAR FOE … Lehighton's next game will be Monday, Oct. 3 at Jim Thorpe. The Indians and Olympians played to a 1-1 tie in double overtime on Sept. 13.THE LAST TIME … Lehighton earned a 3-2 win over Tamaqua in the teams' first meeting this season. Morgan Yuasaits scored the game-winner in the second half. Rajah Quinones and Jada Whiteman also scored for the Indians. Kayla Sherry had both goals for the Raiders.YOUTH IS SERVED … Tamaqua and Lehighton started a combined five seniors in Thursday's game: Cailyn Joseph and Page Elthrington for the Raiders; Jada Whiteman, Rajah Quinones and Morgan Yurasits for the Indians.