The Knights were able to overcome a slow start and hold off a late Mustangs rally to come away with a 2-1 win. When the two teams again reconvened for a quarterfinal match on the pitch at Greenville Tuesday, the Mustangs made sure deja vu didn’t strike twice.

Mercer took advantage of a pair of turnovers early in each half and prevented Eisenhower from establishing any sustained pressure en route to a 3-0 win.

“They’re a fast team and well organized,” Eisenhower coach Diana Elmquist said. “They know what they’re going to do and when they’re going to do it. They outplayed us, but it was a tough game. We didn’t give them any easy goals.”

The Mustangs took advantage of a Knights turnover less than two minutes into the match. A goal kick bounced away from the Eisenhower defense and the ball found its way to Nikayla Jacoway’s foot just outside the left post. Eisenhower keeper Faith Johson dove toward the ball, but Jacoway was able to elevate it just past Johnson’s fingertips and in for a 1-0 lead.

Eisenhower’s Patricia Bortz (14) battles Mercer’s Julia Balaski (6) for possession during the first half of their District 10 1A quarterfinal playoff match at Greenville High School, Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018.

Just before the midpoint of the half, it looked like Mercer was going to get a quality chance on a 2-on-1 breakaway. Julia Balaski brought the ball up the right side and centered to Arielle Reiser. Reiser whiffed on the shot and the Knights were able to clear possession.

Less than a minute later, the Mustangs nearly took advantage of another Knights turnover. The ball came to center and Mercer was able to get a shot away, but Johnson made a diving save to keep it a one goal game.

The Mustangs controlled possession for most of the half, but the Knights defense was able to apply pressure and get timely clears to limit any quality opportunities. Johnson was able to clean up any shots that did get through and the half ended with Mercer up 1-0.

Just over six minutes into the second half, the Knights got a stop on a Mustangs corner kick, but were unable to clear. Mercer regained possession and Balaski got control of the ball at center and fired a shot on net. The ball looked like it might go wide of the left post, but Balaski put enough on it to tuck it inside and give Mercer a 2-0 lead.

“We were leaving the middle open,” Elmquist said. “We were trying to be aggressive to the ball and we got a bit over aggressive and left the middle open.”

Eisenhower defenseman Ellie Strausser (10) guards Mercer forward Peyton Miller (2) during their District 10 1A quarterfinal playoff match at Greenville High School, Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018. The Mustangs advanced to the semifinals with a 3-0 win over the Knights.

The teams battled for possession for the remainder of the half, with neither team gaining a clear advantage. With time winding down, Balaski again got the ball at center and buried a shot top shelf with 1:20 to play, effectively putting the game out of reach.

Mercer advances to the semifinals and a date with Region 3 winner, Seneca.

The Knights now look ahead to the offseason. The young team will lose only three seniors-Aniela Gesing, Aleea Giese and Lydia Giannini-to graduation, but all three played major roles for the team.

“All three are contributors,” Elmquist said. “We’re losing three great players in key spots. But I’m looking forward to see who is going to step up and fill those spots.”

Eisenhower keeper Faith Johnson (4) makes a lunging save on a Mercer shot during the second half of their District 10 1A quarterfinal playoff match at Greenville High School, Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018.