SMYRNA — If the game’s first 30 seconds were any indication, Smyrna High was going to create opportunities in front of the net.

From the opening kick, the Eagles sprinted down the field and bounced a shot off the left post. The rebound shot just missed too, clearing the cross bar by a foot.

Eventually, the third-seeded Eagles cashed in on a few of those opportunities and soared to a 4-0 victory over Caesar Rodney High in the quarterfinal round of the DIAA Division I girls’ soccer state tournament Friday night.

“We wanted to try to jump out as early as we could,” Smyrna coach Mike Osborne said. “Obviously, huge credit to CR, they beat us 10 days ago so we knew they were a tough opponent, but we certainly had a game plan to try to jump out early.”

The win sets up the Eagles (13-3) for a semifinal showdown at No. 2 Appoquinimink High Tuesday night and avenged a 2-1 loss in overtime to Caesar Rodney less than two weeks prior.

That May 10 loss clinched the Henlopen North title for the sixth-seeded Riders (9-8).

Osborne wasn’t afraid to admit that the recent OT loss to their division rival was heavy on the minds of the Smyrna girls when they lined up for the rematch.

The extra motivation led to a shutout win and the first state tournament victory in program history. It was also the team’s first tourney appearance since 2016.

Smyrna had earned six tourney berths since 2009, including three straight from 2014-16, but went one-and-done each time.

“We played amazing and I’m so proud of everyone,” said freshman Desiree Zapata. “Especially the defense, locking them down and just working really well as a team.”

Smyrna outshot the Riders 14-8 while senior goalkeeper Sofia Lerro made five saves to record the shutout.

Zapata had a big night in just her first career high school playoff game, netting a team-high two goals with one assist.

“She’s had a tremendous freshman season,” Osborne said. “She scored in the first 15 seconds of her first game and then got a brace in her first playoff game.”

“I feel really good, but I couldn’t have done it without my teammates,” said Zapata. “It was all a team effort.”

Zapata’s first quarter goal in the 17th minute got the scoring started for the Eagles. Freshman Marlayna Pennington assisted on the play.

Senior Hannah Osborne extended the lead to 2-0 with a goal during stoppage time just before the halftime break, drilling a free kick into the back of the net from more than 25 yards out.

Ahead by two goals at the break, the Eagles made sure not to let up in the second half and continued to put pressure on CR’s back line.

After a scoreless third quarter, freshman Jade Balon got in on the scoring with a goal in the 63rd minute with Zapata providing the assist.

Zapata capped her day with another goal in the 69th minute, assisted by Balon.

“I knew that if I took a second touch it would probably be slower and the goalie could’ve gotten it, and then I saw her coming out near post, so I knew I had to go far end and it just went in,” Zapata said of her game-sealing score.

Smyrna pulled away with a 3-2 overtime win when they last faced Appo on April 15, so Osborne expects another tough matchup when they meet again Tuesday.

A semifinal win over Appo would set the Eagles up with a championship match next Thursday night at Dover High.

“It’s Appo, it’s a team we’ve seen before so we know they’re very talented,” he said. “But we’re looking forward to playing another game together.”