The district title game was on the line.

The game was as close as any the Northwestern girls soccer team has played all season.

The windy conditions made every shot, every pass somewhat unpredictable.

But the one thing the Tigers knew they could count on was the steady, reliable and calming presence of senior Olivia Reinhart in their goal.

Reinhart made five of her six saves in the second half to secure her team’s 1-0 win over Central Catholic in Friday’s District 11 Class 2A Championship.

“We have a saying, ‘We want to live like Liv,’” said Northwestern head coach Jordan Smith. “Because she’s so calm, cool and collected. Nothing really rattles her. When she’s in goal she’s just in control at all times. The defense knows that. She’s behind them and I think that helps relax them.”

The Tigers took a 1-0 lead in the game’s third minute.

The team that hadn’t scored less than three goals in a game all season was looking to get a crooked number on the scoreboard, but Central Catholic keeper Maeve McGee stopped all six of the Tigers’ shots after their first one found the back of the net.

The game’s only goal came from Sophia Schaffer just two minutes and 26 seconds into the game.

“I was just trying to get a shot on goal,” said Schaffer, a junior. “I took a shot on my left and it curved and went upper 90.

“It was definitely important [to get an early goal]. It came earlier than we expected and we were expecting a little bit more. I think we did our best to get our fair share of opportunities.”

With the wind behind them in the first half the Tigers generated five of their nine shots in the game, and had a pair of corners that both came up empty.

When the second half started the Vikings, which have lost to Northwestern in the past four district title games, looked to take advantage with the wind now at their backs.

“It was a big advantage going down toward the southern end of the stadium,” said Smith. “We were able to capitalize early on. They certainly had their chances in the second half. It was tough getting the ball out of our defensive zone. What a job by our defense and Liv in goal.”

Central peppered Reinhart with five shots in the second half, with another likely shot on goal getting smothered by a defender in front of the goal.

“I feel like we’re always in a good game with them,” said Reinhart. “We always have a battle. We’re prepared for it. That game against Abington Heights prepared us too, just stay strong on defense and take control of the game.”

A 3-2 win over Abington Heights was the only time this season that the Tigers won by less than three goals until Thursday at Palmerton High School.

Central Catholic approached the district title game as if it was taking on one of the top teams in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference.

“We had given up a few goals against Parkland and Nazareth,” said Viking head coach Scott Baker, “bigger numbers than we ever wanted to. We knew they are on the same level as those two teams.

“The choice was to try to attack them and play at their level, to play them even up. That’s what we did. We gave one up early, but the way the girls played in the second half was amazing.”

Both teams advance to next week’s PIAA playoffs and could meet again in a couple weeks.

“Just like we said last year,” said Baker. “If your goal is to win a state title you’re going to have to play them twice. The most important one is beating them next time you play them.”

The Tigers have a five-player senior class that has won four straight league and district titles. They’re hoping to win four more games and cap their season with a second state crown.

Four years ago that class came into a program that had won three straight district titles. That streak is now at seven straight.

“It started before they got here and they’ve been fortunate enough to continue it through their four years,” said Smith. “It’s something we pride ourselves on. They’re a great group. My five seniors are amazing kids and amazing players. Just happy for them and we’ve got one more we want to get.”

50 STRAIGHT...The defending state champ Tigers have now won 50 consecutive games with their last loss coming in the 2023 state semifinals where they fell to eventual state champ Central Columbia.

DEJA VU... The Tigers have now beaten Central by the same score in the past three district title games. In 2022 they met and the Tigers came out on top 3-2.

IT’S ALWAYS CLOSE...The Tigers won the 2021 Class 3A district title by a one-goal margin, 2-1 over Pottsville. That came one year after a 4-2 win over the Crimson Tide in the 3A title game. 2019 was a 2-0 win over Central Catholic in Class 2A.

ALL OR NONE...Central Catholic’s past 16 games have been shutouts, with the Vikes coming out on the winning end of 12 of them. They finished the regular season by playing in 11 straight shut outs, including getting blanked by Nazareth (5-0) and Parkland (4-0) in September. They dropped a 1-0 rematch with the Blue Eagles in their league playoff semifinal.

STATES DATES...The Tigers will host the District 4 runner-up in Tuesday’s first round of the state tournament. The Vikes will travel to face the District 3 champ. A rematch between ACC and Northwestern would take place in the semifinals on Nov. 11. The state final is slated for Friday, Nov. 14 at 7 p.m. at Cumberland Valley High School.

Northwestern 1, ACC 0

Central Cath. 0 0 - 0

Northwestern 1 0 - 1

Goals: Northwestern - Schaffer 1; Saves: Central Catholic - McGee 8; Northwestern - Reinhart 6.