The Austin U18 boys soccer team clinched a trip to the C2 state tournament when it struck early and controlled the tempo in a 4-0 win over Rochester in Art Hass Stadium Monday.

Kevin Ortiz scored a pair of goals in the first 20 minutes of the game to get things started for Austin, which stayed in control for most of the win.

“I feel like the key to this game was passing,” Ortiz said. “We had to show passion and we had to show them who’s house this is. We did that a lot and we had a lot more possession than them.”

OJ Cham scored a goal to make it 3-0 right before the end of the first half and Caleb Simerson put the game away when he scored a goal half-way through the second half to make it 4-0. Victor Velazquez picked up the shutout in net for Austin.

Cham said Austin was especially pumped up to be playing at Art Hass Stadium.

“One of the keys to this game was the motive behind us playing on this field. It’s a really special place for us and it was my last official game on the field I once called my home and my house. It was something special,” Cham said. “We’ve got to represent Austin soccer well on every stage, especially at state. We want to represent every chance we get.”

Austin will compete in the state tournament next week.