There are many cases in sports when all a team needs is to get hot at the right time in order to have success when it matters most.

The Jim Thorpe boys soccer team continued to prove that as it won its program’s first-ever state playoff game by defeating Franklin Towne Charter 6-2 in the PIAA Class 3A First Round matchup on Tuesday.

The Olympians appeared ready to play as they set the tone early with their speed, physical style of play and a defensive structure that has been much improved over the course of the season.

“We started off real defensive-minded just to make sure that we didn’t catch ourselves down early,” said Olympian head coach Mike Dudak. “The kids, they played from the first whistle, which has also been a problem for us in the past. We kind of corrected that now; we’re playing right from the beginning.”

With Jim Thorpe establishing themselves early, the Warriors began to lose control of their discipline just over six minutes into the game. Olympian senior Noah Geiser opened the scoring on a free kick after Warriors’ goalkeeper Mark Phillips was called for a handball outside of the yellow box. Franklin’s lack of discipline would continue to get it in trouble as it would have a goal waived off a couple minutes later due to illegal contact in front of Olympian goalkeeper Liam Off.

With Jim Thorpe controlling the pace of play and Franklin unable to control its discipline, the Olympians made the Warriors pay nearly halfway through the first half when senior Henry Snyder scored on a header off a rebound to put his team up 2-0.

The Warriors eventually got on the scoreboard about nine minutes later when freshman Benjamin Zacarias set up a header for junior Dean Accquaviva to make it 2-1 heading into halftime.

Starting the second half more conservatively, the Olympians held off an early series of scoring chances from Franklin. With the Warriors still unable to keep their discipline in check, junior Pagel McNally was assessed a red card after committing his third penalty, followed by Geiser scoring on the ensuing penalty kick to put Jim Thorpe ahead 3-1 just over five minutes into the half.

Franklin quickly responded just over a minute later courtesy of junior Ardit Lamaj on a penalty kick to make it 3-2, but Jim Thorpe kept control of its discipline, which would go on to be a major difference between the two teams.

“It’s something that we’ve worked real hard on,” coach Dudak said about his team’s discipline. He emphasized how one emotional mistake “costs you either a goal or could be a card. You can’t have that in playoffs. There were a few chippy times where it could’ve gotten out of hand, and they did a good job of just backing off from it.”

Just over 11 minutes later, Geiser registered the hat trick goal on a breakaway to restore the Olympian two-goal lead. He then tallied his fourth goal on the night about eight-and-a-half minutes later.

That was followed by freshman Blaze Flyzik setting up Snyder for his second goal to make it 6-2 as the Olympians held on to for the victory.

“I think we played an amazing game,” said Geiser. “We all have faith in each other. We all trust each other back there no matter who’s on the field, wherever they’re at.”

“We played super disciplined on defense,” said Snyder. “We just all were playing together, and just did really good moving the ball around, and then the goals just came naturally.”

The Olympians continue to ride their wave of success through the state playoffs and into more uncharted territory for their program.

“Obviously it’s a surreal feeling,” said Geiser. “It’s just an amazing team and amazing support we have in the town here. Everything’s just amazing to be a part of.”

Even with all the success Jim Thorpe has seen, it continues to keep itself prepared and looking ahead to its quarterfinal matchup on Saturday.

“You could have a team that’s worse or better than you, but if you don’t match up correctly, that’s a problem,” said Dudak. “We’re going to look at it to see how we can match up to them; maybe change our style if we have to if the matchup isn’t good.”

MATCHUP IS SET ... Jim Thorpe will face Dallas in the 3A state quarterfinals on Saturday. Dallas defeated Selinsgrove 3-1 in their first round matchup later in the evening.