Jannelli powers Springfield (Delco) into quarters

Andrew Astrino's thought when his soccer teammate Nick Jannelli has the ball is often less of a suggestion and more of an order.

Just go.

You can't blame the Springfield (Delco) midfielder for thinking that way, as his fellow senior has made a habit of putting the ball in the back of the net for the Cougars.

Jannelli had the ball at his feet often Tuesday night at the South Philadelphia Super Site. When he did, good things happened as Springfield defeated Northeast, 2-0, in the first round of the PIAA Class AAA playoffs.

When a player scores 20 regular-season goals and is a constant threat in the attack, thinking just go when he has the ball at his feet seems pretty smart.

"I know once he has the ball something good is going to happen," Astrino said.

Creative on the ball and technically sound, the midfielder scored twice. He has scored three goals and added three assists in the playoffs.

He is one piece of the triumvirate, along with Astrino and Michael Wallace, that provides the offensive spark for the Cougars (16-5-3),

Together, they helped their team get forward and moved the ball well to get in behind the defense of Northeast (13-2-1).

"They are looking for us to put the ball in the net," Astrino said. "When we get clicking, we know we are going to have a good game."

They were clicking. And the Cougars had a good game.

Jannelli scored his first in the 23d minute and put the insurance goal away with four minutes left in the contest.

Springfield will face off against Fox Chapel in the quarterfinals Saturday - the first time the program has reached that far since 1981.

"I don't know what I expected at the beginning of the season," Jannelli said. "I knew we would be good, but I didn't think we'd get this far. To make it this far is amazing - it's a dream."

Springfield (D) 1 1 - 2

Northeast 0 0 - 0

Goals: S- Nick Jannelli 2

Saves: S- Michael Gerzabek 2; N- Max Dossou 4.

rallysports@phillynews.com