Four area teams saw their seasons come to a close Wednesday with losses in the District 11 playoffs.

The Northern Lehigh and Pleasant Valley girls soccer teams, as well as Palmerton boys soccer and Northwestern volleyball, all fell in the quarterfinals.

GIRLS SOCCER

CLASS 2A

QUARTERFINALS

Northern Lehigh-Saucon Vy.

Saucon Valley topped Northern Lehigh to secure a 5-1 win to advance in the postseason.

The third-seeded Panthers, runners up in the Colonial League, turned back a strong effort from the No. 6 seed Bulldogs.

“The first 20 minutes, we had them pushed back,” Northern Lehigh coach Jason Reinhard said. “We just couldn’t get one to go. There was an injury that happened, and they got the restart. We misplayed a ball into our end, and they scored.”

Ava Riehl and Tesia Mikuta led the way for the Panthers, who await No. 2 Central Catholic, which posted a 4-1 victor over No. 7 Palisades.

Seniors Katelynn Barthold and Mikayla Gordon connected for a goal in the second half for Northern Lehigh.

“The nice thing was our goal – even though it didn’t mean anything in the end. But we got the ball with about 20-seconds left, and Mikayla put one through to Katelynn, and Katelynn scored it … for their last goal playing soccer together forever,” said Reinhard. “That was rough for me to see because it was like an end to an era.”

With the goal, Barthold put the finishing touches on two school records – 121 career goals and 41 goals in a season.

Northern Lehigh 0 1 – 1

Saucon Valley 2 3 – 5

Goals: Northern Lehigh – Katelynn Barthold 1; Saucon Valley – Ava Riehl 2, Tesia Mikuta 2, Elliot Policare 1.

Assists: Northern Lehigh – Mikayla Gordon 1.

Shots on goal: Northern Lehigh – 11; Saucon Valley – 13.

Goalies (Saves): Northern Lehigh – Dekotah Barthold 10.

Records: Northern Lehigh (13-7-1); Saucon Valley (18-4).

CLASS 4A

QUARTERFINALS

Pleasant Valley-Nazareth

Pleasant Valley was able to put an end to a two-year drought of making a postseason appearance. But, the Bears had a tough draw playing top-seed Nazareth, and the Blue Eagles sent the visitors home early with a 7-1 victory.

PV’s Morgan Ryals spoiled a shutout for the No. 1 seed, as the All-EPC Second Team All-Star midfielder scored a second half goal for the eighth-seeded Bears.

“We got a goal, which was awesome,” PV coach Tara Hyland said. “Morgan Ryals, one of our three seniors. Our girls never gave up tonight.

“And in goal, Sadie Rizzo (another senior and All-EPC Second Team All-Star), just played amazingly. She took a lot of shots and made a lot of great saves.”

Hyland was happy to see her team end the season and attain a few of the goals the squad set earlier this year.

“We missed districts the last two years,” Hyland stressed. “A lot of these girls have never played in districts, So, they were all proud to get to this point in the season.

“We also only missed EPCs by a game or two with a very young team. I’m just so proud of the girls. Just a great group.”

Pleasant Valley 0 1 – 1

Nazareth 3 4 – 7

Goals: Pleasant Valley – Morgan Ryals 1.

Assists: Pleasant Valley – None.

Shots on goal: Pleasant Valley – 3; Nazareth – 33.

Penalty corners: Pleasant Valley – 0; Nazareth – 6.

Goalies (Saves): Pleasant Valley – Sadie Rizzo 20; Nazareth – 2.

Records: Pleasant Valley (9-10); Nazareth (18-2-1).

BOYS SOCCER

2A QUARTERFINALS

Palmerton-Notre Dame GP

Notre Dame Green Pond pulled away from Palmerton with three, second half goals en route to a 4-0 victory.

Quinn Bohn scored twice for the third-seeded Crusaders, while Paul Hartman added a goal and three assists. Isaiah Miles also scored in the win.

Junior Mark Perone made five saves for the winners.

Notre Dame will face No. 2 seed Shenandoah Valley Tuesday, Oct. 29, in the semifinals.

The sixth-seeded Bombers end the season with a 9-8-2 record after also qualifying for the Colonial League playoffs.

Palmerton 0 0 - 0

Notre Dame GP 1 3 - 4

Goals: Notre Dame GP – Quinn Bohn 2, Paul Hartman 1, Isaiah Miles 1.

Assists: Notre Dame GP – Paul Hartman 3.

Penalty corners: Palmerton – 0; Notre Dame GP – 4.

Goalies (Saves): Notre Dame GP – Mark Perone 5.

Records: Palmerton (9-8-2); Notre Dame GP (14-5-1).

VOLLEYBALL

3A QUARTERFINALS

Northwestern-ACC

Northwestern battled top-seed Allentown Central Catholic before falling: 25-15, 25-21, 25-23.

“They haven’t lost a match yet,” Northwestern coach Mike Maston said. “But my girls played phenomenal tonight. I’m so proud of how the girls did tonight. That ACC team is loaded with some players. They’re going to be a tough team to beat.”

The ninth-seeded Tigers pushed the Vikettes to the limit, with Maston praising the play of his upperclassmen.

“Norah Silfies had a big night against them,” Maston added. “She had 14 kills and seven blocks against them, which is really good against the No. 1 team in our district. So, she really shined.”

The Tigers also qualified for the Colonial League tournament this season. While they fell a game shy of the final, the squad secured a first round win in districts Monday against Blue Mountain.

Maston believes the team is moving in the right direction.

“Moving forward with the program, I think the future is really good for us,” Maston said. “Every year I have been there now, we’ve constantly got one step further. One of these times, maybe it will be either league champion or even district champion.”

Northwestern 15 21 23

Allentown Central Catholic 25 25 25

Stat Leaders: Northwestern – Norah Silfies 14 kills, 7 blocks; Shannon Green 31 assists,10 digs, 4 service aces; Daisy Stringer 10 kills, 4 service aces, 2 blocks; Bailey Murray 8 kills.

Records: Northwestern (13-9); Allentown Central Catholic (20-0).

Compiled by TJ Engle