Liberty’s 5-0 victory over Stroudsburg in the quarterfinal round of District XI Class AAA boys’ soccer playoffs on Friday afternoon was as much about advancing as it was about revenge after the Mounties had knocked the Hurricanes out of East Penn Conference playoffs two weeks ago.

“We were excited [to play them again],” said Liberty coach Jason Horvath.

This time, the Hurricanes played to their advantage, earning a semifinal match against Emmaus, which was played on Tuesday night, past Press deadlines.

Valentine Perevalov was the first to put the Hurricanes on the scoreboard against Stroudsburg with 10:29 left in the first half at BASD Stadium.

“We were more prepared. We knew what they were going to do, and our tactics really worked out today,” Perevalov said.

Perevalov went on to score three more goals, and Lloyd Netherlin added one goal in the shutout.

On Saturday, Freedom lost to Pocono Mountain East in a penalty kick shootout, 5-4, during their quarterfinal match.

Steven Riad put the Patriots ahead 2-0 in the first half, scoring again in the second half. Michael Silva also had a goal for the Patriots, but the Cardinals won on penalty kicks.

In the quarters, Freedom defeated Bangor 4-1 in a first-round match. The game also marked the return of Freedom forward, Mezen Abdalla, who suffered a torn meniscus in a game two weeks earlier.

Abdalla scored the Patriots’ second goal of the game against the Slaters.

“I just wanted to get out there and play,” Abdalla said. “Therapy every day, two hours a day.”

Riad scored early in the second half, and RJ Judge put the game away for Freedom with 7:12 remaining in the game.