For both Josh Zellner and Matt Johnson, the moment was - to borrow a term - simply priceless.

It truly has been the stuff from what dreams are made.

The Northwestern soccer duo both recently climbed over the 50-career goal mark, and have been integral parts in the Tigers’ success at both the league and district levels during their careers.

For Zellner, a senior, scoring has always come naturally. So much so that as a youth soccer player, he set his sights on the school’s all-time goal mark of 80 - set by 1992 grad Tony Everett.

Zellner currently has 57 career goals, including 25 tallies this season. His career total has him currently fourth on the Tigers’ all-time leaderboard.

“Before my high school career started, my dream was to catch all-time leading scorer Tony Everett,” said Zellner. “He has been a family friend, and he always looked out for me and asked how I was doing.

“Although I know I can’t catch him, I am still proud of what I have been able to accomplish.”

Zellner attributes his success to those around him.

“It really means a lot,” added Zellner. “The biggest reason I have been able to put so many into the net has been 100% because of my teammates.

“I have been fortunate to have played with great players throughout my four years - and my coaches always have put me in the best spot to utilize my skill set.”

Johnson was the Colonial League’s leading scorer with 23 goals and 10 assists last season. Like Zellner, he also has 25 goals this season. For his career, he has 53 goals, which places him sixth on the school’s all-time list.

Like his teammate, Johnson appreciates the selflessness of those around him.

“It means a lot to me, too,” said Johnson. “I really would have never thought that I could reach the 50-goal mark.

“I am so thankful to my teammates and my coaches. It has been a great accomplishment, but I’m not done yet.”

Individual and team success is nothing new for a Northwestern program that has won eight Colonial League and eight District 11 titles in the 12 years Nate Hunsicker has been the head coach.

The Tigers currently have an unblemished 16-0 mark so far this season, and Hunsicker said the potent 1-2 scoring punch that Zellner and Johnson provide is a big reason why.

The duo has proved to be a perfect complement to each other and the team. Their current combined total of 50 goals this season is approaching Northwestern’s all-time record of goals scored by teammates in one season. That mark is 62 - set by JD Haaf and Andrew Goodof in 2015.

“They obviously are very skilled players, and key pieces to what we try to do offensively,” said Hunsicker about his-scoring tandem. “Matt generally attacks from the outside with his speed, and has given defenders fits this year trying to keep pace with him. Josh is normally our target guy in the middle of the field. He also takes our free kicks and penalty kicks.

“Together they are a lethal combination, and are on pace to set our school record for goals scored by teammates in a season. They are just two fantastic young men, and really hard workers.”

Over the past few years, Zellner and Johnson definitely have found some karma on the field.

“It’s been amazing,” said Zellner about playing with Johnson. “What a privilege it has been to play with such a great player. He is a great kid, and makes the game much easier for me.”

Johnson had similar thoughts about his teammate.

“It has been amazing playing with Josh,” said Johnson. “We connect so well on and off the field. It’s been awesome having his height and finishing skills to go with my speed and ball movement. It can be a very deadly combination.

“He is a great guy, and I couldn’t have asked for a better teammate on the field. I think we have the perfect skill sets to compliment each other.”

Based on what they have done on the field during their careers, the Northwestern soccer community - and the Tigers’ opponents - would have to agree.

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FOUR-PEAT … On Monday at Olde Homestead Golf Course, the Palmerton golf team won its fourth consecutive District 11 Class 2A championship. On a rainy, dreary day in New Tripoli, the Bomber golfers shined brightly. Senior Tyler Hager paved the way with a score of 74. Hager finished second individually – losing a sudden-death one-hole playoff that the District 11 title. Connor Reinhard (4th, with an 85) and Nathan Steinmetz (6th, with an 88) will join Hager at the PIAA State Championships based on their individual finishes. Jared Reinhard (90) rounded out the team scoring that gave Palmerton the victory Moravian Academy and Mahanoy Area. Justin Sebelin (110) was also part of the Bomber team competing at Olde Homestead.

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HAT TRICK TIMES THREE … Lehighton’s Charli McHugh’s recently had an incredible stretch of performances. The Indian girls soccer star has had hat tricks in each of her team’s last three games. McHugh’s run of three-goal games started last Thursday in a 5-0 victory over Salisbury. She followed that up with a hat trick in a 9-0 win over Catasauqua on Saturday, and then capped her incredible stretch two nights ago with three more goals in a 6-1 win over North Schuylkill. That’s nine goals in three games over a stretch of just five days.

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RECORD BREAKING DAY … On Thursday afternoon, the Jim Thorpe girls’ soccer team broke a pair of schools records in its 1-0 win over Division I Schuylkill League rival Tamaqua. The victory was the ninth shutout of the season, and also produced the team’s 71st goal of the season - both records for the program.

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THEY’RE IN … With the regular season winding down in several sports, 11 Times News area teams - in four different sports - have already punched their tickets for the District 11 playoffs. In field hockey, Northwestern is the lone program to have qualified so far, and will play in the Class 1A bracket. In boys soccer, Northwestern and Lehighton have made the Class 2A field. Girls soccer is where the locals are having the most success as Northern Lehigh (Class 1A), Palmerton (Class 2A), Jim Thorpe (Class 2A), Northwestern (Class 2A) and Lehighton (Class 3A) have already qualified. Meanwhile, Marian (Class 1A), Jim Thorpe (Class 2A) and Panther Valley (Class 2A) have all punched postseason tickets in volleyball.