LISBON FALLS – Defense turned to offense in an instant.

Pinching in to defend a Lisbon goal kick, Wells intercepted the clearing attempt and quickly turned it into a goal.

Emily Wood’s shot early in the second half was all the Warriors needed in a 1-0 Western Class B quarterfinal win over Lisbon on Thursday.

“I just knew we needed to score because it was getting late in the game,” said Wood, a junior forward. “The first team to score is really important because it gives the rest of my team momentum to keep going the rest of the half. We wanted this so bad. We’ve worked so hard for this. I love my teammates, and I love my coach. I just knew I had to put it in the net or else we weren’t going anywhere.”

At 9:56 of the second half, Brooke Stevens intercepted the goal kick. She steered the ball toward the middle of the field. Wood gained possession and fired a high shot that eluded Lisbon keeper Sam Purcell.

“I usually try to shoot from the top of the 18 because I have a better kick from there,” said Wood.

Eight of the Warriors were on the basketball team that beat Lisbon in the prelims last February. Sixth-ranked Wells (9-5-1) plays in the soccer-rich Western Maine Conference. Though it was the Warriors’ first trip to the tourney in six years, their skills were sharper than those of the MVC champs. Wells beat Lisbon to the ball much of the game, and relayed it up field effectively, limiting Lisbon’s offense.

“They play in a tougher conference than we do,” said Lisbon coach Jake Gentle. “They usually have a tough battle every night. I’m not saying that we don’t have tough battles every night, but overall, top to bottom, they have a stronger conference, so they’re a little more seasoned in tougher games.”

Lisbon was the aggressor in the first 10 minutes and had Wells on its heels, but the Warriors righted themselves and finished the half strong.

“It takes us a while to get comfortable,” said Wood. “It’s the first time in the playoffs in six years. It’s the first time for any of these girls in the playoffs. Of course, we’re going to be a little nervous. It takes a little while to get going, but we wanted it so bad.”

After Wood’s goal, Lisbon played some of its best soccer. The Greyhounds played with urgency and pressured the Wells defense on a regular basis.

Freshman Brooke Lawrence had a superb second half and led the charge for Lisbon (11-2-2). She chased down a through ball, but was stopped by Wells keeper Dee Vigliotta. She had a shot go wide and a tip in front that was saved. Following one corner kick, the ball returned to Lawrence in the right corner. Vigliotta came out of the net but retreated as Lawrence beat her to the ball. Lawrence shot the ball wide.

Lisbon also had a chance when Sierra Guay put a ball ahead for Ashley Beaulieu, but Vigliotta broke up that attempt.

Lisbon’s biggest threat came with 2:30 left. A Lawrence corner sailed over Vigliotta and bounced in the goal mouth. No Greyhound could steer the ball into an open net.

“That’s only the second time all year that we’ve been trailing in a game,” said Gentle. “It was a little unfamiliar territory for us. The girls picked it up and played as hard as they could. We had some opportunities on corner kicks and breakaways, but their keeper made some nice saves.”