Behind an inspired performance by the Jesuit Dallas defense, first half goals by senior Will Kennard and junior Christian Lerma stood firm in a 2-0 win over Mesquite in a University Interscholastic League (UIL) Region 2-6A Quarterfinal round matchup on Tuesday night at Homer B. Johnson Stadium.

Jesuit (18-3-1) scored its first goal in the 7th minute off of a corner kick by senior Chase Burciaga which found Kennard on the far post for a critical, game-opening tally. Lerma's goal was scored in the 20th minute, the second goal assisted by Burciaga, taking advantage of open space on the far side to slot a shot past the Skeeters' goalkeeper.
 
Junior Joseph Banul made two saves, earning the start and pacing the Rangers defensively in the first half. Senior Luke Ostrander entered the goal in the second half, stopping four shots to keep the Rangers in position for their 13th shutout of the season and second of the playoffs.
 
In total, Mesquite attempted 25 shots, including six on goal, and had four corner kick opportunities, but Jesuit's defense kept the Skeeters away from the goal to pick up the win. Tuesday's victory puts the Rangers into the regional semifinal round for the seventh time in program history, and the first time since 2012.
 
Jesuit will face Stony Point on Friday, April 7 at 6 p.m. in the UIL Region 2-6A Semifinal at the Kelly Reeves Athletic Complex in Round Rock, Texas. The Tigers defeated Del Valle in penalty kicks to secure a win in the UIL Bi-District Round, defeating MacArthur 2-1 to advance to the regional quarterfinal. On Tuesday, Stony Point upended Hendrickson, 3-1, to earn a berth in Friday's semifinal.
 
The winner of Friday's first semifinal will meet the winner of Sachse and Nimitz, which will take place at 4 p.m. on Friday.