BETHEL — The Telstar field hockey team settled down and into its groove, turning in another stellar performance in a Class C quarterfinal playoff game Wednesday afternoon.

Kayla Merrill scored two goals and Jamie Steven added a pair of assists as the  Rebels maintained control in a 3-1 win against No. 8 Freeport.

No.1 Telstar (14-1), which won the Mountain Valley Conference Championship, last week, went on the offensive early with strong drives which produced several shots on goal. Still, it required a couple strategic timeouts to get the Rebels on the same page.

“They needed to open up (spread) the field,” Telstar coach Gail Wight said. “They were moving the ball well, but I needed them to touch the ball and pass it. Freeport tended to bunch up in the middle of the field, so I told the girls not to take the first option. They needed to anticipate the passes.”

The Rebels will host Lisbon or Sacopee Valley in a regional semifinal game Saturday afternoon.

The eventual game-winner actually came when Katie Sumner rushed in from the right side and rammed the ball home Steven had passed the ball forward, and Telstar took 2-0 lead 1:07 into the second half.

Freeport refused to let down and in a reversal seemingly caught the Rebels with their heads down. Three minutes later, Mia Thomas rushed past a Rebel halfback and beat Rebel goalie Hali Barton (two saves) on the short side.

“We knew we couldn’t take things for granted. A No. 8 team has beaten number 1,” said Merrill, alluding to Lisbon upsetting top-ranked Telstar two years ago. “Coach had called those timeouts in order for us to calm (nerves) down and reset.”

Telstar had called a time out and was aided by a strong passing game which had the Falcons trio of defenders scrambling. The Rebels earned three of their 24 penalty corners and Steven crossed the ball to Merrill who scored on Freeport goalie Emily Daniel (14 saves) with 11:04 left in the first half.

“We were unfamiliar with Freeport,” Merrill said. “The timeout in the first allowed us to recognize who their offensive guns were, and we could set our defense.”

Freeport was unable to generate any offense after encountering resistance in front by Telstar fullback Hunter Verrill, who charged on the strong side. This allowed halfbacks Sarah Averill, Gail Lavorgna and Emma Davis to rotate back and clear the zone — if a ball did slip through.

“The Telstar forwards just kept moving,” Freeport coach Sara Demick said. ‘’I did put in some freshmen, but I didn’t want to change the dynamics of our offense.”

Merrill scored on a one-timer from a Davis feed off a penalty kick with 13:48 left in the game.

“We had a lot of infractions,” Wight said. “Mostly on reverse sticks and the girls need to recognize the way calls are being made and adjust, accordingly. We did hit the post three times and we hadn’t done that all season.”