AUBURN — The last two games, the pressure intensified and so did the tension and frustration.

With each near-miss, the Edward Little girls’ soccer team pressed harder. With it grew aggravation and anxiety. It can be a worrisome way to operate for a soccer team in the postseason.

So when the Red Eddies got the first goal Saturday midway through the first half, EL not only felt relief but also momentum. It gave the Red Eddies something to build from.

“It was really positive to get that,” junior midfielder Emily Jacques said. “It really brought us up. It sparked our fire and we just kept on going.”

EL settled in from there and played its game. Jacques finished with two goals and Olivia Paione added another as EL beat Brunswick 3-1 in a regional semifinal Saturday.

“They worked hard,” EL coach Craig Latuscha said. “They wanted the 50-50 balls. They pressured their fullbacks. They never gave up until the final whistle. I’m proud of their effort.”

The Red Eddies (12-1-3) advance to the Eastern A championship game for the first time since 2001. EL will host Mt. Ararat Wednesday at 1:30 p.m.  The Eagles stunned top-seeded Bangor 5-0 Saturday.

“Scoring the first goal is always big in the playoffs,” Latuscha said. “If you score first in the playoffs, it gives you confidence and it gives you a little momentum. You can feel like you can play in the game.”

Though EL had a slow start, the early lead allowed it to play relaxed. EL didn’t score in the quarterfinals until an overtime tally beat Lewiston. EL also struggled to put away the Blue Devils in a 1-1 to end the regular season.

“We were really nervous in the beginning,” Jacques said. “We were cold. We got here an hour-and-a-half early. We were focused and we kind of warmed up to the game.”

The wet and sloppy conditions played to EL’s advantage as well. The Red Eddies worked through the slippery field and created the kinds of chances Brunswick (10-4-2) couldn’t. The Dragons had some quality opportunities in the second half but were already down 2-0.

“If you look at the teams, they’re athletically fit and strong,” Brunswick coach Martyn Davison said. “We’re a better passing team. On a field like this, there wasn’t much passing at all. You just couldn’t. It was so slippery. Their game is based on running and athleticism, which is great. That’s their forte. We’re young as well. Physically, we’re a young team. We’re sophomores and freshmen. I think it took our legs away. We were lacking energy, but that’s understandable because  we’re younger kids.”

Brunswick had a strong start and created some chances. The Dragons  pressured the EL defense and got some players behind the backline. Brunswick couldn’t get any threatening shots off the pressure, and as the game evolved, EL tightened up the defense and settled in.

“They came out on fire and really strong,” Latuscha said of Brunswick. “I didn’t know how we would react to that. We regrouped and figured it out and played our game. Ultimately, in the end, it helped us out.”

EL started creating things at the other end. Then with 21:08 left in the first half, Jacques got by a defender and had an open look on the left side.

“I had a shot before and I missed,” Jacques said. “I just went for this one. I had a really good feeling about it, and it went it, which was really exciting.”

Brunswick had its best chance of the first half when Molly Gramins tried to settle a loose ball in front. She got a shot off but put it over the net.

EL made it 2-0 with 11:00 left in the half. A loose ball bounced around in front. Brunswick couldn’t clear it and Paione pounced on it.

“That was a killer,” Davison said. “We had some great opportunities. “They just didn’t fall in the net for us. It went in a couple times for them.”

Brunswick’s best scoring bids came in the second half, but EL got some nice saves in goal from Molly Murray, who finished with six saves.  She stopped a shot by Julia Champagne and then saved the rebound. Kira Wolpow had a try on the left side that Murray stopped. Alicia Davis had a chance off a corner that was saved.

EL had a chance to add to the lead on a penalty kick with 28:45 left. Hannah Smith’s shot went wide. A few minutes later, Jacques netted her second. She came out of the right corner, beat a defender and chipped it in off the cross bar with 25:04 left.

“We had some really good chances and we scored on three of them, which we haven’t been the last couple of games,” Latuscha said.

Brunswick got on the board with 6:06 remaining. Wolpow scored from the left side to break up the shutout.

“Above all, they deserve it,” Davison said of EL. “They’ve had a great season. They’re girls wanted it. We wanted it too, but we just couldn’t match them.”

Because Mt. Ararat (10-4-2) beat Bangor, EL gets to host the regional final Wednesday. The Red Eddies have not lost at home this season (6-0-3).

“It’s really exciting,” Jacques said. “I like how we get the home field advantage. Our home field has been really working for us.”

EL tied the Eagles 2-2 in the regular season at home back in September. EL’s last trip to a regional final was a win in penalty kicks in Western A in 2001. EL went to the state game and lost to the Eagles, 1-0.

 “We’re very glad that Mt. Ararat took care of Bangor,” Latuscha said.  (Bangor) is the one team we didn’t beat this year. Mt. Ararat is another team that you can’t look past. They’ve got a lot of  quality players and they’re a quality program.  They’re coached by a great coach. For them to come here is awesome. I’m glad they have to travel. My girls will be ready I hope.”

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