For Northwestern, it was just a matter of time.

After receiving 10 corners throughout the first three quarters, the Tigers had come up empty.

But on their first attempt in the final period, they finally converted.

That tally snapped a scoreless tie and helped propel the defending district champions to a 2-0 victory over Palmerton in Wednesday’s Class 1A semifinal matchup at Lehighton.

The win lifts Northwestern into Saturday’s title game, where it will face rival Moravian Academy.

“It was frustrating, but we were finally able to get one in,” said Lauren Schellhamer, who had the initial shot on the game’s first goal. “I feel like the more we kept playing, the more we were able to ... find our groove and find our way.”

Reagan Hernandez triggered the corner with a feed to Schellhamer. The senior fired a shot toward the goal, but it was stopped and eventually landed on the stick of Brynn Balliet near the side of the cage. Balliet lifted the ball past Blue Bomber goalie Shannon Dougherty for the go-ahead score with 9:53 left in regulation.

“I had the shot on the first one ... and (Brynn) was able to fly the ball up into the corner. It was perfect,” said Schellhamer. “We’re super excited to be back in the championship. We’re really looking forward to being back there, and we really want to win again, and it’s great to have that chance.”

That chance didn’t come easy.

Despite controlling a majority of play, the Tigers couldn’t beat Dougherty, who had a number of quality saves. The Bombers, despite being outshot 8-0 in the first half, had a golden scoring opportunity to start the third quarter as Molly Mihalko had a couple whacks at a loose ball in front of Northwestern’s net.

“(The girls) played a really good game,” said Palmerton head coach Lauren Michalik. “We just could never get the ball in the goal ... We could just never finish.

“My defense gets a gold star. They’re always stellar, they’re always working their best, and anytime anything gets in the circle or we’re facing a corner, I have full faith with my defense ... Look at all the corners they had, and it took them that long to get one.”

A little over eight minutes after making it 1-0, the Tigers scored again. And once again, it came on a corner play.

Greenleigh McGehee fed a pass over to Schellhamer, who rifled it into the cage to make it 2-0.

“It’s a tribute to Palmerton’s defense, and their ability to defend it, for how long it took us to execute (on the corners),” said Northwestern mentor Lissa Opolsky. “We just weren’t necessarily on our A-game today, even though we had a lot of offense going for us.

“Playing any team three times is definitely very difficult, and winning three of those games is even more difficult. We were focused, but I think a little bit on our heels because of that situation. Their ability to come in and be ready and prepared, Palmerton’s ability to do that, is definitely a tribute to their team and how far that they’ve come.”

SAYING GOODBYE ... The Blue Bombers had five seniors - Emily Baumgardt, Megan Serfass, Molly Mihalko, Abby Reis and Jillian Frank - play their final game. “They’re going to be greatly missed,” said Michalik. “Every single one of them. They’re all key starters. There will be big shoes to fill.”

THE NUMBERS ... Northwestern ended the contest with 17 corners and 13 shots, while Palmerton had three corners and four shots.

KEY SAVES ... Tiger goalie Max Hoffman didn’t have to make many saves (four), but she had quality ones. “She does a good job of staying engaged in the game and communicating with her teammates,” said Opolsky. “That keeps her in the moment, so when it is her time, I feel like she’s ready.

HAVING THEIR NUMBER ... The two teams played three times this season. During the regular season, the Tigers won both contests by 1-0 scores.

WHAT’S AHEAD ... Northwestern, the top seed in Class 1A, meets Moravian Academy on Saturday at Whitehall for the district championship. The game is scheduled to start at 10 a.m.