Trust the process.

That has been the message for the Lehighton boys soccer team’s offense this season.

The Indians have struggled at times to get their offense going, but on Tuesday in their match against Tamaqua, they were able to put together strong runs throughout the contest to come away with a 2-1 Schuylkill League victory over the Blue Raiders.

“We have been moving guys around all season long to try and find the right mix in order to help us score more goals,” said Lehighton head coach Dave Yob. “We did lose a lot of scoring from last season’s team, but our hope was that we would figure it out. But our last two games is certainly something we can build off.

“The first half of this game was a good example of how we have been struggling. We were banging, banging away at them, getting opportunities, but we just didn’t put the ball in the back of the net. But we have created some offensive momentum over the last two games, and our hope is that continues.”

Tamaqua was able to take a 1-0 lead into the half after an own goal from Lehighton.

Unlike the Indians, Tamaqua had a tough time finding its offensive groove in the game.

“I just felt like we were trying to go for that home run goal every time, instead of possessing the ball, making runs and trying to get corners,” said Tamaqua head coach Jim McCabe. “We were just forcing it too much and I think we panicked a little bit, and we were just trying to kick the ball as far as we could up the field.

“We just weren’t able to possess the ball well enough today to put enough pressure on them.”

The Indians were able to knot the match at 1-1 after a penalty kick was converted by Gabriel Reed around the 24-minute mark. That’s when the Lehighton offense started to heat up, and a few minutes later provided the prettiest play of the day.

A smooth pass from Jesse Waksmunski found the Indians’ big and physical target - Jaxson Strauss - close to the middle of the scoring area, and Strauss was able to find the left side of the net with a strong strike to make it a 2-1 lead with 16:22 remaining.

The Tribe defense - which has been solid and consistent all season long - was then able to hold the Raiders scoreless the rest of the way.

“Defensively, it starts in between the pipes and everybody knows the quality we have in between the pipes with our goalkeeper in Bryce Miller,” said Yob. “And we also have solid guys in front of him as well, which have done a good job this season.

“Kids worked hard today. They always do. We just have to keep working to get better and most importantly, we just need to get better at finishing on offense.”

WHERE THEY STAND … Lehighton improves to 5-5, and is currently sitting at the No. 11 spot in the jam-packed District 11 2A ratings. Tamaqua falls to 4-4 and was ranked No. 9 in 2A.

BETWEEN THE PIPES … Miller finished with five saves and one goal allowed, and Tamaqua’s Kevin Bazan finished with nine saves and two goals allowed.