NEEDHAM ­– A breakout offensive performance helped No. 5 Needham claim a 4-0 girls soccer victory over No. 28 Lexington in the first round of the MIAA Division 1 State Tournament on Tuesday.

The Rockets had only earned two wins by more than a goal all season prior to the offensive explosion. While this was a big accomplishment, the best part for Needham is its season continues on.

“These girls can play with these sister’s one more day,” head coach Todd White said. “Another day on the pitch. It’s all their team.”

The Rockets (14-4-1) controlled the majority of the possession in the first half and were able to capitalize twice. The first came at the 17-minute mark when Sydney Kalaw found a loose ball and sent a blistering shot into the back of the net.

“We were working really well together,” Kalaw said. “We were talking and keeping possession like we have done all season and I got a great opportunity.”

Nine minutes later, a pass from midfield found the foot of Isabelle Marino, who feathered a shot into the left corner of the net to double the lead.

Lexington (8-9-2) had a corner kick opportunity and fired a few shots on net, but defenders Sam Horvat and Ava Chiappinelli consistently neutralized any offensive momentum from the Minutewomen.

“We have very good defenders, and we don’t tend to score a lot,” White said. “It’s really important to our strategy to play good defense.”

The second half was all about the Rockets’ offense. Minutewomen goalkeeper Maddie Majchrzak was able to turn away about four opportunities, but Hannah Levine would get a close proximity opportunity and fired it off of a defender to extend the lead to three.

“I just wanted to get my body on the ball as much as I could,” Levine said. “I know it hit off the other girl but I think being there in the box was my intention and the ball was placed perfectly. I think everything just worked out really well.”

The Rockets closed out the scoring when Horvat fired a shot from deep into the top corner. Beyond that, the Rockets were able to keep the ball in the offensive zone and avoid any further chances from Lexington.

“Switching the field and keeping possession is something we have been working on all season,” Kalaw said. “That’s really important for the next game.”

The second-round matchup will come against a Winchester team that finished the season with one loss. Levine said the Rockets need to seize the momentum boost from this victory in order to have success in the next round.

“We need to carry the momentum from this game into the next one,” Levine said. “Getting four is a great result but we can’t be complacent. We need to bring that fire into the next one.”