HANOVER — When a program wins a championship, there’s always that looming question about repeating.

Hanover is two wins away achieving that goal.

Senior captain Eva Kelliher sniped a pair of goals, including the game-ending tally in penalty kicks (3-1), as third-seeded Hanover advanced to the Div. 3 Final Four with a 3-2 shootout victory over No. 11 Weston.

“It’s definitely a high-stake game,” Kelliher said afterward. “It’s playoffs, there’s nothing after this. It’s kind of it. But we’ve definitely had big wins throughout the season, and I think those definitely helped us get to this point.”

While both schools had opportunities scattered throughout the opening half, Weston (12-4-5) found itself struggling to get clean shots on net. Meanwhile, Hanover (20-0-1) capitalized in transition to open play, as a shot by the Hawks struck the right post. However, the ball ricocheted right to the foot of Kelliher, who buried the rebound to provide her group a 1-0 lead in the ninth minute.

Then, the scoring opened up in the waning stages of the initial frame. Senior standout Sophia Foley corralled a pass, noticing she had some space to work with in the 32nd minute. She uncorked a shot from about 30 yards out, which skipped off a diving Brady Jacobson in net. The ball clanked off the crossbar, then settled in the twine as Hanover made it a 2-0 ballgame.

However, as quickly as the Hawks had seized momentum, Weston was to counter. As she sprinted up field, junior Emma Darling evaded Hanover goaltender Natalie Mutschler while maintaining possession. She slid a shot into the back of the net, as the Wildcats cut it to a 2-1 game at the break.

Weston opened the second half with a flurry of shots, but the equalizer didn’t arrive until the 75th minute, when a Wildcat was tripped up in the box. Olivia Rome capitalized for the Wildcats, sniping the penalty kick to force overtime.

Thanks to impressive performances from both goaltenders with Mutschler and Jacobson trading fantastic saves, neither school was able to find the winning tally. The shootout then commenced. After Hanover took a 2-1 lead through three rounds, Kelliher stepped up to take her attempt and picked her target. The ball skipped off the keeper’s outstretched hands and into the twine, and the senior turned around to celebrate with her teammates. Still undefeated and very much alive, the season would carry on for the Hawks.

“It was definitely very stressful,” Kelliher said. “I knew going into it, I had to make the kick. You have to do it for your teammates. The goalie definitely tuned in for it, but you just have to put the ball in the net.”

Most expected the Div. 3 girls soccer playoff field to be top-heavy this fall, and the top four teams will vye for the crown. Hanover will face No. 2 Dover-Sherborn in the Final Four.

“All credit to the teams that have advanced,” said Hanover coach Mary Culllity. “It’s nice to be apart of that group. You see the top-four push through. It’s a competitive bracket this year. We’re just happy to be part of it. We’re hoping to get just one more win, then, onto the next one.”