Spooky season?

Far from it.

This is when Northwestern’s boys soccer team comes alive.

The Tigers showed their postseason prowess on Tuesday, turning aside a talented Allentown Central Catholic team 2-0 to reach the District 11 Class 2A final.

After a scoreless first half, junior Jacob Van Lierop helped top-seeded Northwestern breakthrough with a goal just under 10 minutes into the second half on an assist from sophomore Caelan Stangil.

“It was such an exciting game,” said Tigers coach Nate Hunsicker. “Central Catholic’s a strong side over there, and they played a heck of a game, They put in a solid 80 minutes worth of work. It took a lot for us to finally crack them, and Jake (Van Lierop) made a heck of a run, Caelan (Stangil) made a hell of a pass flicking it over the back line there, and then Jake made a great finish one-one-one with the keeper.

“First half, we had a couple of really good opportunities, hit the post and crossbar a handful of times and missed an open net once. But that’s the game of soccer. That’s going to happen. You’re not going to capitalize on every single situation where you feel that you should. It’s how you respond to those moments, and I thought our kids really responded well to that today.”

Van Lierop wasn’t about to get spooked with the ball on his foot.

“I pride myself on my confidence,” said Van Lierop. “Any time I have the ball at my feet I feel like I can take on any challenge. So I just had to calm myself down, make sure I just kept my wits about me and just put it away.”

Max Petersen had an opportunity for the fifth-seeded Vikings (13-9) after a free kick with under 10 minutes to play but sent it over the net. Central had another free kick from around 25 yards out with under seven minutes to play, but the Tigers’ defense was able to clear the ball out of danger.

The Tigers’ (22-0) defense was able to clear several opportunities by the Vikings in the final five minutes.

Michael Otieno sent in a shot with under 2:00 to play, but junior goalie Brandon Krapf was able to make the save.

Krapf was incredible during a sequence with under two minutes to play to keep Northwestern ahead 1-0.

“It was very quick, and I was drawn to my near post from the cross that came in, and then they headed it back to the middle, so I had to jump back, and then immediately go for the diving save,” Krapf said. “I was just very thankful that I could keep a good grasp on it.”

Matt Johnson put the final nail in the coffin with 42.6 left, as he raced down the field and beat three defenders to put the ball into the net for the defending 2A state champs.

“Matt does so many things well, but in terms of being a great finisher to a game like that when the other team is pushing numbers high and we kind of get them on an island and it’s kind of a one-on-one situation deep there, and we’re just looking to drive that ball over the top, and then Matty just puts his head down and goes, and uses his speed,” said Hunsicker. “He broke through two or three kids there and found himself one-on-one with the keeper, and made a heck of a shot to bury it.”

Johnson had an opportunity with an open net but sent it over the goal with around 34:00 to play in the first half. The Tigers had another opportunity a few minutes later, but William Conway knocked it away and the ball hit off the post.

The Vikings pressured and got a ball in toward Krapf past the midway point of the first half, but the junior was able to cover it. Krapf tracked down another ball with under 15:00 minutes to play.

Northwestern had its third corner of the first half, and ultimately fired a shot on goal that hit the far post with around 9:00 to play.

The Vikings were able to generate an opportunity with around 7:00 to play in the first half, but the shot hit the crossbar and went over the goal.

MOVING ON

... Northwestern, champions of the Colonial League, will face No. 2 seed Blue Mountain, the Schuylkill League champions, Thursday in the Class 2A final at a time and location to be determined. The Eagles topped Notre Dame Green Pond 4-2 in penalty kicks in the other semifinal Tuesday.

POSTSEASON POWERS

... The Tigers have captured four consecutive District 11 titles. They topped the Vikings 2-1 to earn gold a year ago.

TEAMWORK ... Krapf praised the Tigers’ defense helping him preserve the clean sheet. “Nate (Kinzel), my center back, he’s very strong, very technical,” said Krapf. “And my two outside backs, Timmy (Zellner) and Nick Krum, they’re very strong, too. They have high soccer IQ, and I’m just very thankful to have them.”