ADAMS TWP — Eight days without playing a game could cause some teams to lose their edge.

Freeport's girls soccer team put that concern to rest just minutes into its playoff game against Quaker Valley at the Mars Athletic Complex Thursday night.

Sophomore forward Sidney Shemanski maneuvered through several Quaker defenders and booted a shot past goalie Mackenzie Harrison in the sixth minute of play. The score ignited the Yellowjackets' 3-1 victory.

Freeport (16-2-1) received a first-round bye in the WPIAL Class AA playoffs. Its last regular-season game was a win over Derry Oct. 17.

“There are benefits to getting a bye,” said Freeport coach Brittni Grenninger. “You get to check out teams in the first round and there's rest for your players, but it's always in the back of your mind, you don't want to be off for too long.

“We preach all the time about getting the first goal,” she said. “When you do that, the other team has to work twice as hard to get back.”

The 'Jackets will play Waynesburg, a 5-0 winner over Avonworth, in a semifinal Monday at a site and time to be determined.

Freeport didn't sit on its early lead. Action was heavy in front of Harrison for most of the first half, though shots on goal were hard to come by.

That changed in the 32nd minute when Shemanski's shot was saved, but Kaylee Comperatore scored on the rebound.

Then, just over a minute before halftime, Piper Claypool let a shot go from 35 yards. It bounced in front of Harrison, then sailed past the keeper for a 3-0 lead.

Quaker Valley (10-8-1) managed no corner kicks and just five shots against Freeport goalkeeper Jenna Manke. The Quakers' only score came from Lauren Delie in the 79th minute. With 36 seconds left, Manke made a diving stop on a shot from Abby Carver.

“I thought we adjusted after the first goal, but there were a few bad bounces,” said Quaker coach Jamie Birmingham. “You can't fall behind early to a good team. Freeport is a quality team. They have a lot of people moving the ball forward.”

Harrison made six saves in the game.

Most of Quaker Valley's chances fizzled out thanks to Freeport's defenders, which included starters Autumn Kriebel, Emily Wolfe, Claypool and Hannah Stokes.

“We have speed all over the field and took advantage of it tonight,” Grenninger said.