Aberdeen Central put together a first-half scoring barrage to open the postseason on Tuesday.

The Golden Eagles cruised past the Yankton Gazelles 5-0 for a Class AA girls’ soccer first round playoff win at Brownell Activities Complex.

“I think we did a pretty good job of controlling the pace of the game and getting the goals early and often in the first half,” said Central coach Merle Aske. “And then just getting the pace right in the second half and just keeping the pressure on them, and not giving them looks.”

Central scored four goals off the foot of senior Deshani Peters, all in the first half.

Peters said she was determined to score throughout the game.

“I just wanted it,” Peters said. “I really wanted to score, so I did.”

Peters scored her first goal in just the fourth minute of the contest, setting the tone for the rest of the game.

“I just saw that I had my opportunity and I saw that I was open, so I just took my chance and I scored it,” Peters said.

From there, the goals kept pouring in for the Golden Eagles. Peters added goals in the 11th, 15th, and 40th minutes, giving Central a comfortable 4-0 lead heading into the halftime break.

Aske said Peters is precise with her ball placement.

“She knows when she gets a little bit of a gap, she can hit the ball,” Aske said. “With a lot of her balls she’s really good at putting the ball on frame.”

After scoring her fourth goal, Peters was surprised at her performance.

“I was like this doesn’t even feel real right now,” Peters said. “It was the first half, too. Usually that doesn’t happen, but it was fun.”

Peters said the team had a certain focus offensively.

“Moving the ball around and getting those shots off,” Peters said. “Usually, we kind of struggle with getting the shots off and today we did really well with that.”

While Central’s offense was consistently taking its shots, the defense made it difficult for Yankton to get shots off.

“They were strong,” Peters said. “We definitely did have a couple of mistakes there, but we’re always looking to improve. We’re always working on it.”

Lauren Joosten scored the fifth and final goal in the 56th minute, capping off a stellar team performance.

Central will now advance to the quarterfinals where the Eagles will host Spearfish on Saturday. The Spartans opened the season with a 1-0 win over the Eagles at Brownell Activities Complex.

Aske said the team will need to continue to play hard.

“We want to put the pressure on them and make them defend us,” Aske said. “We’re ready for anyone who comes onto our turf right now. We’ve just got to keep winning and keep advancing.”

Peters emphasized working as a team in preparation for Saturday’s game.

“Everybody putting in effort so we can all get there,” Peters said.

Yankton (4-9-2) 0 0 – 0

Aberdeen Central (11-2) 4 1 – 5

First Half: 1, AC, Deshani Peters (assist Abby Witte), 4th minute; 2, AC, Peters (corner kick), 11^th minute; 3, AC, Peters (assist Taylor Lyke), 15th minute; 4, AC, Peters (assists Kailyn Poppen corner kick), 40th minute.

Second Half: 5, AC, Lauren Joosten (assist Witte, Peters), 56th minute.

Shots: Yankton 17 (7 on goal); Aberdeen Central 38 (23 on goal).

Goalies: Yankton, Hannah Kruger (4 saves), Elaina Mohnen (14 saves); Aberdeen Central, Ciara Frank (7 saves), Taylor Thorstenson (0 saves).