Jordan came into this years playoffs excited.

The Warriors had been fighting to get to this point and had a chance for everything they wanted on Tuesday. A chance to get their first playoff win in Class 6A, a chance for revenge over the team that ended their season last year and a chance to keep playing together and go further in the playoffs.

The Warriors were up against a tough Elkins squad on Tuesday to open the postseason, but Jordan was undeterred and came away 3-1 winners, clinching their second ever playoff victory and advancing to the area round for the first time since they joined Class 6A one school year ago. It was made all the sweeter with the win being over Elkins, the team that ended Jordan’s season in the bi-district round last year.

“After the season we’ve had, we needed this,” said Jordan senior Madison Lambert. “We could have dropped off, we could have stopped or given up but we didn’t. This group had a rough patch, but we didn’t let what happened last year affect anything, we went and proved who we are to everyone and it’s a great feeling.”

It was a game where Jordan had to fight tooth and nail to earn the win. The Warriors found their first goal in the 20^th minute when Alex Ledbetter beat her defender inside and curled a shot into the upper corner of the goal from 20-yards out.

“Even when Alex doesn’t score, the chaos she causes to every teams back line creates so much for us, she scares people,” said Jordan head coach Kevin Lafollett. “The last two games she’s really stepped up and brought it to teams. When she plays like that it’s unbelievable.”

Jordan continued to create chances in the first half, but it was Elkins that got the next goal, tying things in the 35^th minute when a corner whipped into the area bounced around and was turned in to the net after a failed clearance.

Jordan came out of the break determined to find a breakthrough and got it in the 47^th minute. Elkins was called for a hand ball in the box and Madison Lambert went up to the penalty spot and calmly put it in the back of the net, giving the Warriors the lead for good.

“I kind of pride myself on being able to step up in those moments,” Lambert said. “It’s easy to get nervous or kind of give up in those moments but I’m able to stay ready and I think the pressure helps me. I know my worth and I know what I can do, even in those big moments.”

Jordan got a third in the 65^th minute on an own goal and held on for the win, advancing to the second round and continuing what has been a historic season for the Warriors. Jordan will face Lamar in the second round of the playoffs, date and time to be determined, Lamar comes off a 1-0 win over Northbrook in the bi-district round.

“Our focus is on playing together and coming out and giving our best, we’re not focused on the result, and I think that’s really helped us,” Lafollett said. “We’re playing together, communicating, finishing strong and the results have followed. That’s what we have to do and then you let the chips fall where they may and we’ll go after them.”