The two biggest weapons that the Northwestern Lehigh boys soccer team had on offense last season are both back for the 2022 season.

Matt Johnson and Josh Zellner combined to give the Tigers 40 goals, and both return to the fold this season, Zellner as a senior and Johnson as a junior. Johnson led Northwestern Lehigh with 56 points last season as he notched 23 goals and 10 assists. Zellner came in at 41 points with 17 goals and seven assists.

“I think Matt Johnson could score a ton of goals this season and even set some school records,” said coach Nate Hunsicker, who comes into the season within reach of his own milestone as he pursues his 200th win.

He enters the season at 197 wins. “Between he and Josh, teams must decide how they want to approach our offense and who they want to try to stop. Johnson’s speed is a lot to try to defend but if you do, then you still have Zellner to account for.”

Johnson and Zellner were the only players with double-digit goals scored last season, but that could change. A potent and experienced offense along with a midfield that is also well versed in the game and able to control play should give the Tigers plenty of opportunities to put goals on the board.

“We are going to score a lot of goals this year and be really dangerous on the attack,” said Hunsicker. “We have a handful of kids who I think will get double-digit goals for us this season. Our midfield is going to be really strong and dominant in possession.”

A turning point last season was a 1-0 loss to Palisades when the Pirates got a goal late in the game to avoid overtime and steal a win at Tiger Stadium.

That loss sent a few shock waves through the team and refocused the players on winning games.

“I felt we dominated that game possession-wise,” said Zellner. “I just couldn’t finish with the ball and ultimately, they did at least on one play. Momentum is huge in this sport, and we had a lot of bad momentum going but we were able to swing things around after that loss and get ourselves going again.”

Sophomores Jake Mauro and Jake van Lierop will see considerable time at midfield for the Tigers. Both saw time in 2021 but figure to pick up a sizable number of extra minutes this season.

Defensively, there are a few questions, but the Tigers have the weapons to answer those questions with for the 2022 season. Goalkeeper Mason Crocco along with backs Mason Brensinger, Lucas van Lierop, Dylan Moss and Jared Wallander all graduated. Northwestern mixed in some younger defensive players last season and will be able to hold its own defensively.

With Crocco gone, Damien Krampf is set to spend his senior season in goal for Northwestern Lehigh and will be looking at a lot of players in new spots in front of him.

“He has been waiting his opportunity and has worked hard the last few years and we expect him to make the most out of his opportunity,” said Hunsicker.

As for young players, Hunsicker is excited about freshman Caelan Stangil, who looked good for the team in summer camp and comes in as somewhat of a Swiss Army Knife, capable of filling several distinct roles with the team. He will team with senior Cayden Fitch to form a strong midfield contingent.

“We played all spring and summer together in summer league and I think the chemistry is building up for us,” said Fitch about how the younger players are fitting into the scheme for the Tigers. “I think it’s all coming together at the right time and all building up together for us.”

Northwestern went 17-5-1 overall last season and picked up championships in both the Colonial League and District 11. Repeating at both levels is not out of the question and a district championship would be the fourth straight for Hunsicker and the Tigers.