Here’s something that doesn’t happen often.

In District 11 Class 2A boys soccer, Pine Grove (9-2-0 overall) has clinched a spot in districts, while Northwestern (8-1-0) needs one more win to be guaranteed a spot.

The irony is that while Pine Grove is number two in the power rankings and Northwestern is number one, the Cardinals have clinched a district playoff spot and the Tigers still need that one win to get there.

Getting that one win is not a concern as the Tigers have rattled off eight straight wins since losing in the nonleague season opener to Pennsbury, 4-3.

The past week was a busy one as the Tigers picked up shutout wins over Bangor and Pen Argyl before defeating Southern Lehigh and Palisades.

Seniors Logan Mesics and Caelen Stangil scored three goals and two goals, respectively in a 5-0 win over Bangor before getting two goals each in a 7-0 shutout win over Pen Argyl. Cole Mertz and Zach Frey both added goals for Northwestern Lehigh to beat the Green Knights.

This past Saturday, Northwestern played the toughest team it has faced this season when it faced Southern Lehigh. The Spartans took the game to overtime before Mesics took matters into his own hands and scored the winning goal 15 second into the first overtime period for a 3-2 win.

“We were kind of in a shambles after that second period (when Southern Lehigh tied the game 2-2 and held Northwestern scoreless),” said Mesics. “Luckily, we won the ball off the coin toss and we were able to just get in their end right away and the ball just found its way to where it was supposed to be; it just happened.”

Lyle Good had opened the scoring with 32:52 left in the first half when the Tigers were in close and looking for a goal and Mesics headed a shot towards the goal and Good quickly jumped and headed the ball again to deflect it to the goalie’s right just as he leapt to make a play.

The lead lasted just a little over three minutes before Southern Lehigh tied the game. In the final 16 minutes Northwestern Lehigh went up by a goal when Cole Mertz appeared to want to shoot the ball to his left and instead, shot right at the last moment to get the goal for a 2-1 advantage.

The Spartans changed things up in the second half and were shutting down the Tigers’ offense much better in the second half than they did in the opening 40 minutes.

Still, the Northwestern defense was up to the task until Tyler Cochinski tied the game with 15:28 left in regulation off a penalty kick, tying the game and setting up Mesics for his overtime heroics.

Dean Carl, a junior who is in his first season as a varsity starter for Northwestern, was strong in goal, turning in five saves against the Spartans.

“We have been playing really well, and we got a challenge today,” said Carl of the Southern Lehigh game. “They really tested our defense and we held up really well considering how tough they were.”

Both teams had opportunities that went awry.

Just about seven minutes into the game, the Tigers were awarded a penalty kick and Mesics sent a shot toward the right, front corner but instead of trickling inside the post, it hit the post and ricocheted away from the net. Carl made a leaping save on a shot that was headed just under the crossbar and tipped it up and over the net with 17:52 left in the first half. Southern Lehigh also had a goal waved off for offsides in the second half.

“I loved how we looked today,” said Tiger head coach Nate Hunsicker. “I thought the first 40 minutes we were really aggressive and took it to them, and I think that we outplayed them. The second half tilted a little in their favor, but I think it was just the situation of the game. We had the lead and were just seeing it out, but once they tied the score, I thought we got a little more aggressive again.”