Washington overcame a sluggish start on Tuesday evening to advance to the third round of the playoffs. The Pam Pack rallied from an early deficit to earn a 3-1 win at home against Red Springs.

The visiting Red Devils pounced on the Pam Pack quickly. They took advantage of Washington, which didn’t start either Eric Ruiz or Victor Hernandez for disciplinary reasons, with a goal in the seventh minute. They continued to stymie the home side’s offense, which didn’t get a quality scoring chance until the 19th minute.

“We started playing from behind, which, obviously, is not what you want to do in the playoffs,” coach Jim Kozuch said. “… We’re not going to get that chance to make a mistake in the second round, so hopefully we clean it up.

“Their defense was good, but we didn’t move the ball very well. If you don’t move the ball well against a good team, you’re not going to have any success.”

Rob Zerniak and Greyson Schmitt found themselves on a 2-on-1 break against Red Springs. Zerniak dished a pass to Schmitt, who fired it on goal. Red Springs’ goalkeeper made the save, and Washington couldn’t manufacture anything on the ensuing corner kick. However, it seemed to have flipped a switch for the Pam Pack attack. Eric Ruiz took a drop pass from Zerniak down the left wing and lobbed in a cross to Oscar Espinoza, who headed it just over the goal.

Even if the chances were missing a finishing touch, Washington’s offense was threatening after a quiet 20 minutes to start the contest. It got a pair of goals off of throw ins by Ben McKeithan to take the lead.

In the 22nd minute, McKeithan launched a throw to Ruiz, who had gotten himself wide open on the back post. Ruiz easily headed it in for the equalizer. Espinoza scored the game-winning goal on a header of his own six minutes later.

“They were huge,” Kozuch said. “We don’t get that momentum, we may not win the game, so (McKeithan’s throws are) a good tool we’ve got right there. We’ve got to continue to ride it out as long as we can.”

Hernandez extended the Pam Pack’s advantage in the 36th minute. He evaded a pair of tackles as he made his way into position to rip a shot past the opposing keeper.

“He’s tough to beat to the ball. He’s strong on the ball and he’s super fast,” Kozuch said.

The second half came and went quietly. Washington had its chances, but couldn’t find the back of the net again. McKeithan moved from defense to forward, and performed admirably. He had some good looks thanks to his strength and positioning.

Washington advances to play at Bunn on Thursday. The Wildcats topped Washington’s 2-A Eastern Plains Conference rival North Pitt, 6-2, to punch their ticket to the next round.

The Pam Pack defense will be tasked with slowing down Brian Husinko, who leads Bunn with 49 goals this season. The Pam Pack and Wildcats last met in the second round of last year’s playoffs. Washington was able to neutralize Husinko, who was then a junior, en route to a 7-1 win.

“I’m just excited to be in the next round,” Kozuch said. “It didn’t really matter who we were going to play. I’m happy to be there. It’s nice to be playing from behind for once.”