Despite a tough first half of the season, the Hazen girls soccer team on Tuesday secured a spot in this year’s postseason with a 2-1 win over Kentlake.

But it wasn’t easy.

Despite several scoring chance, Hazen had trouble finding the net in the first half and then Kentlake scored with less than 30 seconds to go before the break to go up 1-0.

But in the second, the Highlanders got it together as Meagan Kelly scored  off an assist from Amy Warmenhoven to tie the game. Then, with about four minutes left in the game, the pair hooked up again to give the Highlanders a 2-1 lead and the victory.

“I don’t remember breathing during that time,” Coach Ken Matthews said in a press release. “I’m sure Kentlake thought the ref called it early, but those four minutes were agony.”

The win completes a turn-around for the Highlanders, who went 2-5 their first time through the league and were in danger of missing the playoffs. But once the calendar flipped to October, the Highlanders found their groove and beginning with a 2-1 win over Tahoma, Hazen has gone 4-1-1 and will play in the postseason.

The loss came Oct. 20 against the Kentlake Chargers, who are ranked in the top 10 state-wide, and blasted the Highlanders 5-0.

Hazen is now 7-7-1 overall and 6-6-1 in the North Puget Sound League. They finish the regular season at Kennedy Catholic on Thursday.