The Schuylkill Haven girls' soccer team poses after beating Holy Redeemer in a PIAA Class A playoff opener 7-0 on Tuesday at Wilkes University (Photo by Lady Hurricane Soccer).

WILKES-BARRE — Scott Burcik and his Schuylkill Haven girls’ soccer coaching staff could sense the nervousness and butterflies in their players during warm-ups.

A couple of quick goals not only chased those butterflies away, but it also led to the Hurricanes’ first-ever PIAA playoff victory.

Taylor Haag scored four goals and assisted on another as District 11 champion Schuylkill Haven stormed past District 2 champ Holy Redeemer 7-0 in a PIAA Class A girls’ soccer first-round playoff game Tuesday evening at Wilkes University.

Aubrey Wade’s goal 3:26 minutes into the contest sparked a four-goal first half during which Schuylkill Haven dominated on both ends of the field.

The victory advances the Hurricanes (17-5-1) to Saturday’s state quarterfinals where they will play District 4 champion Muncy (19-2-1), a 3-0 winner over District 3 runner-up York Catholic, at a site and time to be determined.

“It was quick and we had a close chance before that, too,” Burcik said of Wade’s goal.

“We definitely had nerves going in. Us as coaches could sense it. We just tried to get the girls before the game to relax and enjoy the moment, but then also I think that (early) goal just got that weight off their shoulders.

“That showed them that we could do this.”

Wade, a freshman striker, finished a beautiful ball across the net from Haag to open the scoring. Haven upped the advantage to 2-0 when Haag scored on a penalty kick at 8:31 after Kylie Siket was pulled down inside the box.

Haag, one of the Schuylkill League’s two All-State nominees, added unassisted goals at 18:49 and 26:56 to give Schuylkill Haven a 4-0 halftime advantage. In the first half, Haven outshot Holy Redeemer 9-2.

“They just came out on fire,” Burcik said. “(We played) balls on the ground, were able to attack them. They didn’t really pressure us, so it really gave us time to get the ball settled, knock the ball around and really attack them.

“Up top, Taylor and Kylie were able to get space and go at them and take free shots on them.”

Siket made it 5-0 off a direct kick 16:30 into the second half, then fed Kelly Ulsh for a goal with 8 minutes remaining. Haag put the final touches on the win with her fourth goal with 1:08 remaining.

When you get to the state playoffs, your stars have to lead.

Haag and Siket certainly did that Tuesday.

Schuylkill Haven finished with a 12-8 advantage in shots on goal, with Haven keeper Ally Becker making eight saves for the shutout.

“They do work well off each other,” Burcik said of Haag and Siket, both juniors. “We can get a freshman like Wade to come in … (Haag and Siket) do all the work and it makes it simple for some other players.”

The Hurricanes were making their third appearance in the state tournament. Haven lost 5-3 in the first round to Southern Columbia in 2013 and 5-0 to Mount Carmel in 2011.

PIAA Girls’ Soccer

Class A First Round

At Wilkes University

Schuylkill Haven (17-5-1)          4               3               —            7

Holy Redeemer (11-10)                0               0               —            0

SH — Wade (Haag), 3:26

SH — Haag (PK), 8:31

SH — Haag, 18:49

SH — Haag, 26:56

SH — Siket, 56:30

SH — Ulsh (Siket), 72:00

SH — Haag, 78:52

Shots on goal: Schuylkill Haven 12, Holy Redeemer 8. Corner kicks: Schuylkill Haven 3, Holy Redeemer 3. Saves: Schuylkill Haven (Becker) 8, Holy Redeemer (Wenner, Carter) 5.

PIAA Boys’ Soccer

Class A  First Round

Wyoming Seminary 6, Minersville 0

KINGSTON — The Miners’ first foray into the PIAA boys’ soccer playoffs was a rough one as the District 2 champion Knights cruised to a six-goal victory.

Wyoming Seminary (16-5), which faces Southern Columbia in Saturday’s state quarterfinals, led 3-0 at intermission and was never threatened.

Minersville, which captured its first-ever District 11 Class A championship under second-year coach Ed Burke last week, finishes the season 17-5.