WILKES-BARRE - The Northwestern girls soccer team played a strong second half in a 5-1 victory over Holy Redeemer in a PIAA Class 2A first round contest Tuesday.

The teams were tied 1-1 at halftime, but the Tigers put up three goals in just under eight minutes to take a 4-1 lead in the second half.

Northwestern (22-1) added another goal from junior Brook Balliet for the fifth score for the District 11 champions.

“Conditions were tough to play in tonight, definitely going into the first half,” Northwestern head coach Jordan Smith said. “We had some opportunities and didn’t capitalize on it. Gave up a corner and they capitalized on it, so just need better composure in front of the net. We possessed the ball well and played an overall good 80 minutes.”

Freshman Sopia Schaffer put Northwestern on the board first with a goal just over the 37-minute mark in the first half.

Holy Redeemer (19-3) answered back five minutes later with a score, but Northwestern was too tough for the Royals, champions of District 2.

“I knew from the beginning of the year we had a really good and dynamic team,” Smith added. “We’ve got playmakers all over the field and they’re doing a good job.

“The seniors are doing a good job of leadership for the underclassmen. They’re doing a good job stepping up in big moments, and just doing a great job working together.”

Balliet scored Northwestern’s third and fifth goals, and also assisted Schaffer’s score in the first half. The Tigers now advance to the state quarters where they will play Trinity in a quarterfinal contest.

“This is an exciting win,” Balliet said. “Our team played really good. We came out really strong in the second half. This is good for us moving forward in the state tournament and a good motivator.”,

Kherington Yezik got the Northwestern scoring going in the second half by putting the Tigers ahead with a goal just seconds after the 16-minute mark.

Her goal sparked three more second-half goals for Northwestern, and let the team ease into the 5-1 victory.

“Our season has been great so far,” Balliet added. “I think this year we’ve been playing really well together.

“Our defense has been playing really well together, communicating. We have Olivia (Reinhart) back in goal, she does a really great job and then our midfield and offense is so strong this year.”

Reinhart held Holy Redeemer to one goal.

Camryn Fitch also added a goal and an assist against the Tigers. Fitch also assisted Balliet’s second goal of the game.

Both teams played a strong first half as the game was tied at one at Wilkes-Barre Area High School. The strength of Northwestern showed with the four second-half goals to pull away for the win.

The Tigers have utilized their depth throughout the season en route to District 11 and Colonial League titles, something that was a strength again Tuesday.

SEE HOW FAR WE’VE COME

... Balliet was the leading Northwestern scorer with two goals, and the junior hopes the momentum will carry over into its quarterfinal game against District 3 champion Trinity Saturday at a time and location to be determined. “I think knowing who we were going to get this year with the freshmen coming up, we knew that we were all going to be able to work very well together,” Balliet said. “We kind of expected that we were going to be able to be very successful this year, but we’re definitely going as far as we want to.”

NORTHWESTERN POWER

... Northwestern went 17-1 in the regular season, which resulted in a district playoff berth. Northwestern athletics have had a good fall season, with the unbeaten boys soccer and field hockey teams also qualifying for states, and the undefeated football team preparing for a District 11 Class 3A semifinal against Notre Dame Green Pond.