The players who helped Woburn earn its first playoff appearance in program history were on the sidelines, not on the field, as the Tanners faced a 2-1 third quarter deficit against Wilmington on Wednesday. 

Woburn's starters didn't just return to the field after about a minute and half out of the game - they returned to form as well.

Head coach Ken Blaszka, unhappy with his team's performance, started his JV players in the third quarter and told his starters they needed to see him before they could return to the game.

The strategy worked. The JV players performed well during their short stint, and when the starters returned they went on to an 8-6 win at Wilmington's Woburn Street School.

Brendan Gilgun led the way with three goals and an assist. John Tobin pushed home a pair of goals and three other players managed a single tally for the Tanners, who improved to 11-7 on the season.

"I know probably more than these kids that wins in this program take hard work, effort and passion. You can't just not show up to play and expect that the other team is going to give it to you. That's basically our biggest thing that we need to know. We need to know how to always come with our A game for four quarters."

The mentor said his squad is riding high and ready for its initial tournament trip.

"They're fired up," said Blaszka, before he added with a smile, "I look forward to the first team we're going to annihilate. It's going to be fun."