Matt Johnson picked a good time to score goal No. 100 in his career, and an even better time to get No. 101.

Johnson’s 100th-career goal came on a penalty kick that gave Northwestern a 1-0 lead, and his 101st was a game-winner in overtime as the Tigers beat Conwell Egan 2-1 to advance to the PIAA Class 2A quarterfinals on Tuesday.

The win also leaves the Colonial League and District 11 champions just three victories shy of repeating as state champions.

Johnson’s penalty kick came when Jake Van Lierop was fouled in the box exactly midway through the second half. Van Lierop was shaken up on the play, and left the game temporarily, leaving Johnson to take the PK. The shot went over goalie Anthony Konrey’s head to break up the scoreless tie that the two teams had played to for the first 60 minutes.

The inability to score against a tough Tigers (24-0) defense led to some frustration for the Eagles, which in turn led to penalties and yellow cards.

Conwell Egan, champions of District 12, was given seven yellow cards and two red cards. The first yellow led to Johnson’s first goal, and another yellow card with 9:45 left in overtime led to his second goal.

Van Lierop took the penalty kick in overtime, and his shot went off the crossbar and back onto the field. Johnson used his speed to get to the ball and headed it into the goal for the win.

“I thought Jake was going to put that one away and I saw it come off the bar, and I was able to get in there and just got my head on it and put it past the goalie,” said Johnson of the goal.

As for reaching the 100-goal plateau, Johnson was especially proud.

“It’s an amazing feeling. There aren’t a lot of players to get there, and it feels great that I am one of them, and I’m proud of being able to do that,” he said.

Konrey was given a yellow card for yelling at an official, and then given a red for continuing the argument as he left the field. A Conwell Egan coach continued the argument and was given a red card.

“District 12 teams are a little bit notorious for it [physical play], and we experienced that last year against Masterman [High School], so we kind of talked about it with the boys and reminded them that if it gets chippy, if it gets controversial and they lose their heads, we can’t lose ours,” said head coach Nate Hunsicker.

Conwell Egan tied the game with just 1:57 left in regulation when Tyler Schmitt put a pass toward the middle of the field from the left side, finding Liam Mullen bursting toward the goal and getting a shot past goalie Brandon Krapf to make it a 1-1 game.

“I thought we showed a bit of resolve after that goal, and didn’t hang our heads or get down,” said Hunsicker. “We just kept going and came back to get the win in overtime.”

As for Johnson, Hunsicker has had a front row seat for all four of his seasons and continues to be impressed with his effort.

“The overtime winner just sort of personifies the type of player that Matt is. He’s hard working, gritty, and has great athleticism and intuitiveness and that was an awesome play,” said Hunsicker.

“It’s a great win for the team, and a huge moment for Matt and the rest of the team to enjoy.”

GOING CAMPING

... Northwestern will now face Camp Hill (18-2-2) in a quarterfinal game Saturday. The location and time of the game is still to be determined. Hunsicker knows little about Camp Hill, which was the runner-up in District 3. The squad defeated Scranton Prep in the opening round of states Tuesday at Scranton High School, winning 4-1.