ASTON, PA- After a thrilling buzzer beater victory against Clarks Summit earlier this week, the Highlanders had a clear road to the playoffs over their last two games. Win one and you're in. Wasting no time, Cairn took care of business in their first chance at clinching against the Neumann University Knights Saturday afternoon.
 
Facing off against the 5^th place Neumann Knights on their senior day did not pose the easiest of tasks for our Highlanders. Whether it was nerves, or extra energy from the Knights due to their senior day, Cairn started off slowly, as the Knights peppered young keeper Colin Baker with 8 shots over the first 16 minutes. Neumann's offensive barrage led to their first goal in the 16^th minute as senior forward Jake McDevitt skirted past the Highlander defense and blasted past Baker into the goal. After slumbering through the initial stages of the match, Cairn snapped awake and buckled down over the rest of the half. Trailing by one goal the Highlanders were in search of instant offense, and Coach Luke Gibson found the mark with his first sub of the game, senior forward Brady Dorman. Dorman came on in the 28^th minute and slotted a rebounded Kenny Mercadante shot home a mere 24 seconds later. Dorman's goal was his 2^nd of the season and the Highlanders first on frame for the afternoon.
 
The first half ended without much fanfare as both teams played conservatively, content to head into the half and readjust strategies for the last 45 minutes. The Highlanders tallied 3 shots in the first half, while Neumann managed 12.
 
The second half followed a nearly identical pattern to the first as Neumann pressed the action early, but the Highlanders excellent defense held strong and kept the Knights off the board. Bursting with confidence due to his first half goal, Brady Dorman entered the second half looking to make a major impact once again. Not as instant but no less effective, Dorman punched his second of the afternoon past Knights' keeper Perry Corsetti for the game winner three minutes after his arrival on the pitch.
 
Dorman's brace gave the Highlanders the final push they needed as Cairn held strong over the remaining 25 minutes to clinch their first CSAC playoff appearance of Luke Gibson's tenure as head coach. The Highlanders appear to be firmly on the upswing as they approach the CSAC playoffs, an appointment with the Cabrini Cavaliers on Tuesday at 3:00 PM is an excellent opportunity to head into the playoffs with confidence. Come out and support on Tuesday and stay tuned for updates on the Highlanders playoff game.