PORTLAND – Elliot Maker scored twice to lead sixth-seeded Cheverus to a 2-0 victory against 11th-ranked Deering in a Western Class A boys’ soccer prelim played Saturday.

The Stags (11-3-1) will face third-seeded Portland in the quarterfinals Wednesday. The game will mark the fourth straight season the teams have met in the quarterfinals. Portland won the last two.

The prelim game was a good bounce-back effort and confidence builder for the Stags, who ended the regular season Tuesday with a 6-3 loss to Gorham.

“That loss was really a shocker,” said Alexander Hoglund, who controlled the midfield against Deering. “We were up 2-0 and we just lost it and gave up. We have to know it’s playoff time and it doesn’t matter what seed you are, it’s how you play.”

Deering’s early offense led to its only quality chance. But Ben Peterson’s free kick from about 30 yards after 61/2 minutes was easily handled by keeper Charlie Mull.

Shortly after, Maker was sent on a long run down the far sidelines. He gained control of the ball and cut toward the net, where he was fouled and awarded a penalty kick. Maker made no mistake, burying a shot low to the right of goalkeeper Jamie Gullbrand to make it 1-0.

“The beginning of the game, it seemed like we were connecting well and pressuring really, really well,” said Deering Coach Joel Costigan. “But it always comes down to the mental mistakes that we make. Leading up to that goal, I thought this was going to be our day, and then a mental mistake, a penalty kick, and it changes the momentum.”

It was all Cheverus after that. The Stags constantly tested Gullbrand and the defense, leading to Maker’s second goal with just over a minute left before the break.

The play started off a Deering goal kick that was headed back into Rams territory at midfield by Sterling Weatherbie. The header was handled by Alexander Mann, whose shot was stopped by Gullbrand. Maker was there to cash in a rebound.

“(Maker) does a great job at what he does,” said Hoglund. “He scores goals and that’s what we need him to do.

“I think whether or not he has the ball, he brings intensity. He drives defenders away, opens up space, and when he gets the ball he’s dangerous.”

The second half featured more ball control and numerous chances by Cheverus, all thwarted by Gullbrand.

“When you get a two-goal lead you have that extra satisfaction in your head that you know you have that extra goal lead,” said Maker. “You know if they beat us once they won’t beat you again.”