NEW WILMINGTON — A 1-0 lead at the half has been a bugaboo for the Slippery Rock High boys soccer team this season — but not on Monday night.

Overcoming a penchant for coughing up a halftime lead, the Rockets dominated the tempo and the match against General McLane in both halves in a 3-1 District 10 Class AA playoff win at Wilmington High.

"That was our main focus at halftime: to keep the intensity up," said Rockets coach Anthony Buzard. "We were able to get it done."

Dan Jeon gave the Rockets a 1-0 lead when he beat Lancers goalkeeper Dan Sementilli to the ball in the box, dribbled to his left and sent a shot skimming across the turf into the net with 4:26 remaining in the half.

Slippery Rock (16-2-1) outshot General McLane 10-2 in the first half and dominated the tempo. Seven different Rockets took a shot in the first 40 minutes.

Balance has been an important element for Slippery Rock.

"About midway through the season, we switched to a 4-5-1 and the way we transition and move (in that alignment) has opened everything up."

The second half was more tightly contested, but Slippery Rock was able to move ahead 2-0 on a goal by Braden Sloan with 15:21 remaining in the match.

A two-goal lead in the playoffs is huge, particularly when the opponent is struggling to get shots, Buzard said.

"It was great team defense," Buzard said. "Every time they got on a break, we had eight, nine guys back. Any coach loves to see that in the playoffs."

General McLane (11-6-2) made things interesting, though, when Jon Piccinnini sent a soaring shot from 30 yards out that found the top right corner of the net for a goal with 4:30 left.

With the Lancers not only battling the Rockets, but the ticking clock, Ethan Bryan scored three minutes later on his own long, bending shot to give Slippery Rock a 3-1 advantage.

"Nobody is going to give up in the playoffs," Buzard said. "But we were able to answer back. That was big."

Slippery Rock, which outshot General McLane 18-8 in the match, faces a familiar foe Wednesday in the semifinals at a time and site to be determined.

Hickory (15-3-1) upset unbeaten Warren (16-1-1) Monday night to earn another shot at region foe Slippery Rock.

The two teams split their regular-season games, with Hickory winning 2-1 in the first match and the Rockets dumping the Hornets 4-0 in the second contest.

"It's the rubber match," Buzard said. "They beat us once and we beat them once. It's going to be a great match. It's going to be tough and they are going to be fired up. Anything can happen."

Hickory proved that with a shootout win over the Dragons.

Buzard is just happy to see Mercer County teams survive against Erie County foes — something that just a few years ago was almost unheard of.

"It does feel good," Buzard said. "Hopefully, one of us will get through and win a championship for the southern regions. It used to be dominated by the northern regions, now it seems we are breaking through."