ALLENTOWN - Over the years, Northern Lehigh has been used to hosting a Colonial League or District 11 soccer semifinal or final at its stadium.

But, that was then, and this year the Northern Lehigh girls soccer team will be playing in a Colonial League semifinal for the first time in school history.

Two freshmen played a pivotal role in the Bulldogs’ historic moment, as Victoria Hanna and Jayden Fischer tallied goals for sixth-seeded Northern Lehigh, who shocked third-seeded Moravian Academy, 2-1, in a Colonial League quarterfinal game Monday night at Salisbury Township High School.

With districts around the corner, it has the makings of a magical finish to Northern Lehigh’s 2020 campaign.

The victory propelled the Bulldogs (6-6-1) into the semifinals at second-seeded Southern Lehigh on Wednesday at 3:30 p.m.

“This is an amazing feeling,” said Northern Lehigh head coach Jason Reinhard about the Bulldogs’ inaugural postseason triumph. “To get here, and then to get a win, is just unbelievable.

“I told the girls coming in that we both play exceptional defense, and it might be a race to one. The two freshmen that scored are both exceptionally knowledgeable.”

Hanna broke open a tightly-contested, scoreless contest when she lifted a shot over the head of Moravian goalie Anna Mayer from 10 feet out with 6:08 left to play in the first half.

“I felt really excited to score a goal to help my team,” said Hanna, who netted her first goal of the season. “I would rank this goal as a 10 because I was just shocked I made it in.

“I really think something good can happen with this team.”

Moravian Academy, (6-2) winners of six straight games heading into the playoffs, tied Northern Lehigh when Luisa Capobianco beat Bulldogs’ goalie Erica Detweiler just 14 seconds into the second half.

“We lost our focus a little bit at the start of the second half,” said Reinhard. “Our goalie has been very solid all season and she had a hiccup. But we rebounded and went right back at them.”

Less than three minutes later, the game was back In Northern Lehigh’s hands.

Fischer - who recently scored a game-winner against Palmerton that sent the Bulldogs to districts - picked up a loose ball over midfield and then fired a deflected shot past Mayer with 37:15 left in the contest.

“It was good and exciting,” said Fischer. “This has been a pretty big month for me and the team. Something like this reality boosts my confidence a lot.”

FREEBIE

... There wasn’t an admission charge for the combined roughly 75 spectators in the stands who supported both teams. It was a true gift for a great game on a perfect fall night.

FUN WHILE IT LASTED

... After a season-opening 1-0 loss to Palisades on Sept. 21, all of Moravian’s six wins were shutouts. Moravian outscored its opponents, 9-0.

ENDING A DROUGHT

... According to Reinhard, the Bulldogs’ victory snapped a 20-year drought against the Lions. Reinhard noted the boys’ team has the lone playoff victory in the school’s soccer history.

RIVALRY AHEAD?

... If Northern Lehigh wins Wednesday, it will meet the winner of the game between top-seeded Northwestern and fifth-seeded Palisades matchup Saturday at a site yet to be determined.