There have been plenty of standout performances in the girls soccer playoffs so far, but Reservoir senior forward Stephanie Zaycer stood out in the crowd this weekend as she helped the Gators advance to their first Class 3A state championship game.

In the team's 2-0 semifinal win over Hereford, Zaycer battled hard to win a ball in the right corner before sending a perfect pass in front that led to the game-winning goal early in the second half. Later in the half, she headed home a header in front for insurance.

What's special about Zaycer's performance was the work she put in long before the second half of Saturday's win. The senior barely saw playing time in the beginning of the season at midfield, but when coach Josh Sullivan was looking for some help at striker midway through, Zaycer jumped at the chance.

"In the middle of the season, I was working my butt off at practice and I started getting more playing time as the season went on. And then finally near the end of the season, I really picked it up and for the playoffs I've started," she said.

After creating some fine scoring chances in the first half only to see shots go off the post or stopped by Hereford goalie Kelsey Wirtz, Zaycer stayed with it in the second half to find a big reward at the end of the day.

"Steph is a great story because she didn't play a whole lot at the beginning of the year and about halfway through I was searching for another striker," Sullivan said. "The last six or seven games, she's been unbelievable. She's the workhorse."

The Gators will play Tuscarora in Thursday's state final set for 5 p.m. at UMBC. The teams met in a season-opening tournament and the Gators came away with a 2-1 win. Zaycer didn't see any time in that game, but she will certainly be a factor this time around.