The Poplarville High School boys’ soccer team traveled to North Pike on Tuesday night and won 2-0 for the first postseason victory in the program’s history.

“I could not be any more proud of how these boys just keep competing throughout the course of the game,” said Hornets Head Coach Adam Smith, “It’s a special group of boys that when they need to come together as one they find ways to put everything behind them and focus on becoming a team.”

The first half ended 0-0, but both teams had their chances to score. North Pike earned a penalty kick, but the shot deflected off the crossbar.

Smith said the Hornets missed a few scoring opportunities in the first half as well, adding that his team may have had the playoff jitters. In the second half, Smith said the Hornets played with more intensity.

The tie was broken three minutes into the second half when Hornets senior Noah Pearson was fouled in the box and earned a penalty kick. Pearson took advantage of the opportunity and scored to give Poplarville a 1-0 lead.

Only five minutes later, Pearson scored his second goal of the night to give the Hornets a 2-0 advantage.

The Poplarville defense held strong throughout the evening, allowing only a handful of scoring chances, which were all kept out of the net by Hornets goalkeeper Austin Carter.

Coach Smith was complimentary of Carter, as well as sophomores Nick Kirschbaum and Turan Smith. He also touted the great leadership from his team’s upperclassmen.

Poplarville will host top-seeded Bay High in the second round of the playoffs on Saturday, Jan. 31 at 2 p.m.