The Marian girls’ soccer team had its hands full with a talented and veteran Palmerton team on Wednesday.

The Fillies’ program is in its maiden season, and will undoubtedly have plenty of twists and turns.

The new kids on the block certainly don’t lack for intensity or guile, and they flashed that in a season-opening win against Lincoln Leadership on Saturday.

Game 2 wasn’t so forgiving, however.

The Palmerton program is eons in front of the Fillies right now, and the Bombers displayed that in a 14-0 non-league rout.

“They’re a new team, and really we didn’t know what to expect from them,” said Palmerton coach Dave O’Brien. “We came in here expecting to do well. But we weren’t taking it for granted.

“Marian is going to learn with each game it plays.”

The Blue Bombers had way too much horsepower starting with Brianna Moore, who pounded in four goals in the opening half. Natalie Walters added a hat trick in the opening 40 minutes, while Emma Baumgardt scored a pair of goals for the Bombers.

Before the Fillies could find their footing, Palmerton had sauntered to a 10-0 lead at the half.

“We’re new, we have heart, we have drive,” said Marian assistant coach Marissa Nesgoda, who was filling in for head coach Dino Tsitsios. “We went to the ball, we tried to win the 50-50s. We never gave up.”

Juliette Finley had a ball in the second half for Palmerton. Coming off the bench, Finley fired in two goals.

“We spread the ball around, which was nice,” O’Brien explained as he watched his team improve to 4-0 in the nonleague meeting with Marian.

Marian found running into a buzz-saw as a learning experience, pointed out Nesgoda. “We got intimidated, and it got the best of them in the first half. We eventually pulled it in the second half.”

BOOTERS

… While Moore, Baumgardt, Walters and Finley led the scoring, Emma Martinez, Sam Perloni and Emily Houser all had a goal and an assist. Riley Gerhard picked up an assist, while winning goalkeeper Emma Snyder had two saves.

GOOD TO SEE

… O’Brien was happy to have Marian start up the soccer program. “I commend them for starting up a team. Everyone has got to start somewhere,” he said.

UP NEXT

… Palmerton returns to Colonial League action against Northwestern on Saturday, while Marian hosts Lourdes on Saturday.

ON YOUR MARK

… Mark Gallagher, the Marian trainer, is in his 23rd season with the school. He performed double-duty on Wednesday, as not only did he overlook the soccer game, he was also on call for the Colts’ football team.