Monday marked the first time in Northwestern school history that two golfers played in the District 11 championship tournament.

It also marked the first time a Tiger twosome advanced into the PIAA East Regional round.

Colonial League champ Cole Miller and teammate Nick Vecellio both placed in the top six at districts Monday at Shawnee Golf Course and both played well enough to advance to next week's regional at Golden Oaks Golf Course in Fleetwood.

Miller makes his second straight appearance at regionals. Vecellio got a monkey of his back Monday. The junior has played in districts each of his three years of high school and now advances to his first regional tournament.

"This is the first time out of three tries," Vecellio said. "It means a lot. The goal for the season is to make states and I had to get through (Monday). It's a big step in the right direction."

Miller, the 2011 district champ, made regionals and states last year. He placed second Monday after tying for the lead and falling in playoff to Wilson's Collin Hagenbuch.

"(Monday) is about moving on to regionals," Miller said. "And then next week is about moving on to states. And states is where you've got to have your game."

He added that his goal is to "Keep getting through, keep playing well and from there whatever happens, happens."

Miller, a junior making his second trip to regionals, shot even par for the 27-hole tournament. He was a shot behind Hagenbuch with four holes to play. He pulled even with a birdie on the par 5 fifth hole of the final nine, then fell a shot back with a bogey on the par 3 sixth.

When Hagenbuch bogeyed the par 3 ninth, a playoff was needed to decide the winner.

Both players parred the first two playoff holes then matched sevens on the par 5 third hole.

On the fourth hole of the playoff, Miller's drive faded right into the trees. He punched out and got to the green in three, but Hagenbuch put his approach shot on the green then two-putted for par. Miller's par putt came up just short.

"I played pretty well for not having my A game," Miller said. "I think I managed my game fairly well around the course for not being too familiar with it."

He recovered from wayward drives with savvy shot-making around the greens.

"The short game sort of saved me because my tee ball was off today," Miller said. "I hit it in the trees a few times. I was able to save some strokes with the short game. The putter wasn't especially hot, but it kept me in play. My irons were solid."

Vecellio shot 117 for the day, 79 on the first 18 holes and 38 on the final nine. He offset 11 bogeys with 14 pars and a pair of birdies, avoiding any big numbers.

"I got off to a solid start," he said. "I had trouble on the second nine a little bit with a couple putts I missed. I finished pretty strong. On the last seven or eight holes I was even par."

After last week's district qualifier, Vecellio said he was fighting his swing. After a session with his swing coach and some practice, he felt good heading into Monday. His driver wasn't completely dialed in at districts, but he played well in every other area.

"My chipping was outstanding today," he said. "I couldn't have chipped better. The irons were solid, but the driver was bad."

He's ready for the next round. A regional field of 30 Class AA boys will play for 16 spots in the state championship tournament. The regional is an 18-hole tournament. States is 36 holes over two days at Heritage Hills Golf Resort in York.

Vecellio is familiar with Golden Oaks.

"I've played there many times," he said. "I look forward to it. It's a great course."

His goals mirror those of his teammate.

"Just to keep playing well and see how far I can take it," Vecellio said.