Pine Tree Academy’s Chris Amisi, left, jumps to head the ball over Stefan Kulhanek during the first half of a Class D South boys high school soccer quarterfinal match in. (Eric Maxim / The Times Record)

Yarmouth — Pine Tree Academy boys soccer faced a tall task in Tuesday’s Class D South quarterfinal matchup against the North Yarmouth Academy Panthers.

The Breakers slowed the NYA attack for about 30 minutes before the Panthers struck for three goals just before the half en route to a 7-2 victory.

The Panthers only needed four minutes to net their first goal of the afternoon, but were frustrated by the Breaker defense and goalkeeping of Liam Knowles.

“All respect to them, they always come ready to play,” said NYA coach Martyn Keen. “Once they put the second one it kinda just fell into place. We certainly need to be much more efficient with putting our chances away as we move on.”

Chas Rhode opened the scoring for the Panthers. Rhode got separation from his defender inside the 18-yard box and beat Knowles with powerful close-range shot.

Knowles played a big role in keeping the Panthers off the board for the next 30 minutes. The Breaker keeper received some help from his defenders. NYA threatened again on their fifth corner of the half. After Knowles initially put his hand on the cross, defender Nathan Sweet cleared the ball off the goal line. The Panthers had an apparent second goal called off as a forward was ruled offside.

Despite sustained pressure, the Pine Tree Academy defense kept the game within a goal.

“The first 30 minutes I think we played well. They were pressing us,” said Pine Tree Academy coach Leszek Krzywon. “I think we held our own, but there was a little lack of concentration the last five minutes. Overall I was really proud of them. It was great.”

NYA benefited from some quick strikes before the halfway mark. Ryan Baker took it upon himself to lead the charge for the Panthers. Baker picked up his first goal from the top of the 18-yard box, finding an opening in the defense and burying a shot.

On the ensuing kickoff, the Panthers quickly regained possession and sent the ball to Baker, who picked up his second goal in under 20 seconds.

NYA finished off a frantic last five minutes of the half, with Baker picking up his third goal for the hat trick.

The Breakers had limited chances in the half, their best opportunity coming at the 12-minute mark when Chris Amisi nearly sent Evan Owen in alone on goal. But NYA keeper Julian Etauri beat the attacker to the ball.

“NYA, I think they are the best team in our division,” said Krzywon. “I think they played excellent. They came out fast, but we did our best.”

The Breakers kept battling in the second half. After Stefan Kulhanek narrowly missed a header to add to the Panther lead, Amisi responded with a shot that caught the outside of the post just four minutes into the half.

Knowles picked up where he left off in net. He denied Baker’s bid for a fourth goal and made a nice diving stop on a follow-up chance.

Baker later added his fourth after sustained pressure from the Panthers. Damon Dulac and Xander Kostelnik also tallied goals for the Panthers in the second half.

The Breakers were undeterred by the deficit. Pine Tree Academy broke through when Amisi made a nice run by a defender and ripped a shot passed the NYA goalkeeper with 14 minutes remaining. Just three minutes later, Amisi connected on a pass with Owen, who buried the Breakers’ second goal.

Pine Tree Academy’s Nshimiye Gasuminari (5) volleys the ball while Chris Amisi watches from behind. (Eric Maxim / The Times Record)

Krzywon was proud of his team’s efforts this season, playing with only two substitutes in Tuesday’s playoff game. The Breakers picked up a preliminary playoff win over Rangeley after a 8-6 regular season.

“They’re a fantastic group,” said Krzywon. “They really play for each other. A lot of the games we play with 10 players, we’re a small school.”

The 13-2 Panthers move on to play No. 4 Buckfield in a Class D South semifinal Friday.