HAZLETON - Throughout the regular season, Northwestern Lehigh faced plenty of tough competition to prepare it for the postseason.

The Tigers meeting Tuesday night against the defending 2A state champion Central Columbia was the second game between the teams this season - but it didn’t look anything like the first one.

The regular season contest saw Northwestern beat Central Columbia. This time around in the PIAA Class 2A semifinals, the Fighting Blue Jays got their revenge.

The Jays had two players back who were injured and missed the first game - and they made a difference as Central ended the Tigers’ state championship hopes with a decisive 4-0 win.

The first half was a split decision, with both teams having opportunities they were unable to capitalize on. The Jays (23-1-0) were holding the edge on shots with 14 shots compared to just four for Northwestern (23-2). Quantity was not necessarily quality for Central though, as it put a majority of its shots over the crossbar or wide.

The final minute of the half was key for Central Columbia’s two top goal scorers, as Kayla Keefer and Haley Bull teamed up for a goal with just :56 left in the first half. Bull sent a pass to Keefer - who came into the game with 51 goals on the season and 135 for her career - and Keefer put a shot on goal that Northwestern goalie Olivia Reinhart made a good play on but wasn’t able to stop as the ball ricocheted off her hand and into the goal for the first score of the game.

Before the Tigers could get settled in the second half, Keefer added to her assist totals when she sent a perfect cross that Kendra Stout wa s able to easily control and fire into the goal for a 2-0 lead just 2:09 into the second half.

“You give up a goal a minute before the end of the half, and it’s a tough pill to swallow,” said Northwestern coach Jordan Smith. “I tried to keep the girls’ heads up as much as I could at halftime, and I think they were ready to go.”

Having a two-goal deficit against the defending state champs failed to be a knockout punch for the Blue Jays, as the Tigers continued to look for a goal of their own. Unfortunately, the Central Columbia defense got tougher and limited time in the attack zone for Northwestern.

Central Columbia also was limited in its opportunities, but was able to add a goal with 10:09 to play, and again, it was Keefer and Bull who did the damage. Keefer fed Bull with a nice pass, and the junior forward notched her 38th goal of the year. Seven minutes later, Keefer was able to get one-on-one with Reinhart, and put a rocket into the top right part of the net from 10 yards out to make it 4-0 with just three minutes remaining.

“Number 13 [Keefer] is a phenomenal player, and she made an amazing play to get down the sideline, and then just played it across for a great finish,” said Smith.

The Tigers had trouble getting an attack going, and Central Columbia goalie Karsyn Cox found herself standing alone in front of the goal. On the night, Northwestern was able to generate just one corner, while the Blue Jays - who did not have a corner in the first 40 minutes - had three in the final half.

Central Columbia will defend its state championship Friday at Eagle View Middle School in Mechanicsburg, when the Blue Jays go up against District 7 champion Avonworth for the 2A title.

STILL LOADED

… Northwestern Lehigh had just four seniors – Katie Brensinger, Cammy Fitch, Jayden Gillette, and Abby Pomajevich – on the roster, and several younger players beneath them who contributed throughout the year.

“This was an amazing season, just phenomenal season, and phenomenal career for our seniors. We had 23 wins, a league championship, a district championship, and a trip to the semifinals. That’s a lot for these girls to be proud of, and they earned everything they got,” said Smith.

BAD NIGHT FOR THE VALLEY

… In addition to Northwestern Lehigh being eliminated in 2A, Colonial League rival Moravian Academy was eliminated by Dock Mennonite in Class A, and Parkland was eliminated in 4A soccer. The only remaining volleyball team coming into the night was Parkland, and the Trojans also lost in the semifinals. The only remaining Lehigh Valley team is Emmaus field hockey, which will play for a state title Saturday against Manheim Township at Cumberland Valley High School.