Bend High's Meredith King (left) and Keira Swanson (right) go up for a header during the Lava Bears' 3-2 win over No. 10 La Salle in the first round of the Class 5A playoffs Wednesday afternoon at Bend's 15th Street Field.

It had been three years since the Bend High girls soccer program had reached the postseason. And junior forward Charlotte Martin was ready to take advantage of her team’s first playoff game since 2021 Wednesday afternoon at Bend’s 15th Street Field.

“I’ve been dreaming about this,” Martin said. “We’ve been working at this since July. We deserved it as a family and a team who have been working their butts off. I really think that we deserved that today.”

Two overtime periods and 100 minutes of playing time was needed in the first round of the Class 5A girls soccer playoffs between No. 7 Bend High and No. 10 La Salle.

Behind two goals, including the overtime-winner, from Martin and a match-sealing diving save from freshman goalkeeper Brooklyn Mettler, the Lava Bears outlasted the Falcons 3-2 to advance to the 5A quarterfinals at No. 2 North Eugene on Saturday.

“La Salle is a quality side and they came out fast, aggressive and determined,” said Bend coach Scott Sagar. “And we had to weather that storm, then put our own game together. At the end of the day, it was patience that won the game for us.”

La Salle (6-7-2 overall) and Bend (10-4-1) had starkly different seasons a year ago. The Falcons advanced all the way to the semifinals, while the Lava Bears won just five matches and missed the playoffs. But this postseason moment was not too large for the Lava Bears, who started four freshmen in the match.

“I felt confident from the first whistle,” Martin said. “I felt confident in every aspect of the field. The youngness of our team has never bothered me or made me nervous.”

Added freshman goalkeeper Brooklyn Mettler: “I’ve played with these freshmen for years and I know we are not intimidated.”

All four of the goals scored in regular time came in the second half. After 42 minutes of scoreless play, sophomore forward Shea Manfredi maneuvered into the box and sent in a cross to Martin, who broke the seal with the match’s first goal.

Not long after, Martin booted a free kick into the box and after the ball bounced around the crowded box, freshman defender Cassidy Connor poked the ball into the goal to give the Lava Bears a 2-0 lead.

“The hard work we all put together got us those chances,” Martin said.

But as quickly as the Lava Bears built a two-goal lead, La Salle came right back and equaled the score. Junior Lilly Erving scored both goals for the Falcons with goals in the 60th and 63rd minute to make it 2-2.

The Lava Bears caught a break in the 70th minute when La Salle junior Julia Hoesly was issued a red card, meaning Bend would play the remainder of the match with a one-player advantage.

“It just gave us a little more of a luxury in the offensive half of the field,” Sagar said. “It gave us an opportunity to be patient and knock the ball around and create several scoring opportunities. And ultimately we did.”

For the next 10 minutes of regular time, the Lava Bears, despite having an extra player, were unable to score to send the match into overtime. In the first 10-minute overtime period, neither team was able to take a lead. Two minutes into the second overtime period, in the 92nd minute, the scoreless tie was broken when Martin scored her second goal of the match, which proved to be the game-winner.

“I think I blacked out during that,” Martin said. “It felt great to knock that in and send our team to the next round.”

As the minutes ticked away, Mettler couldn’t help but look over her shoulder to check the clock. The final 10 seconds became stressful, with La Salle holding possession in the 18-yard box. La Salle sophomore Hope Tanzambi managed to send a dangerous shot toward the goal in the final seconds, which required Mettler to make a diving save to send the Lava Bears to the quarterfinals.

“I was not expecting them to get that shot off,” Mettler said. “I just happened to be in the right spot at the right time. That was like something out of a movie. To get down, make the save and then get swarmed by my teammates. It was such a great feeling.”

The Lava Bears, with their first playoff win since 2021, will travel to take on North Eugene, who played in the 5A state title match last fall.

“But I’m ready to battle,” Martin said. “Throw some fists up and try and knock them down.”