By RANDY GONZALES

rgonzales@dailynews.net

First-year head coach Shawn Lawson didn't realize his Thomas More Prep-Marian boys' soccer team was one win away from reaching the semifinals of the Class 4-3-2-1A State Championships.

"In my head, I never paid too much attention to it, never thought we were that close," Lawson said. "To think one more win and make the final four, that seems kind of surreal."

After shutting out Wichita-Trinity 3-0 on Trinity's home field in Friday's regional championship game, TMP-Marian (12-6) moved into a state quarterfinal matchup today at 7 p.m. at Rose Hill (15-1), last year's state runner-up which was ranked second in the last state rankings.

Most of the quarterfinal soccer games are on Tuesday, but the Rose Hill football team plays host to a first-round game that night.

Moving up the game a day matters not to the Monarch players.

"All of them are" ready, Lawson said. "They're like, 'Who's next?'

"They don't have a fear of anybody, really," he added.

TMP-Marian recorded its school-record ninth shutout against Wichita-Trinity. Rose Hill also has nine clean sheets.

The Monarchs will rely on their flat-back four -- anchored by senior central defenders Nathan Lawson and Braden Dreiling -- and sophomore goalkeeper Drew O'Brien, who has an 0.76 goals-against average and an .871 saves percentage.

Defense will be a key to victory tonight, Lawson said.

"Not getting past the back line, back line holding its own," Lawson said, "giving midfielders and strikers time to work their stuff."

Junior striker Teddy Kang scored two goals against Wichita-Trinity and now has 16 on the season, tying junior midfielder Rogelio Gonzalez for the team lead.

Junior Jordan Maska, normally a midfielder, had the other goal on Friday after being moved up to forward. Lawson said assistant coach Darryl Wellbrock, who is in charge of the team's offense, wanted to start Maska at forward to give TMP-Marian an early push.

Lawson said the Monarchs will likely use that lineup again tonight.

"I'm thinking that formula worked against Trinity -- starting strong," he said.

Lawson also wants Kang and sophomore forward Eric Choi to put the pressure on Rose Hill.

"Teddy's workmanlike play is essential," Lawson said. "Teddy pressuring midfielders and defenders when they have the ball.

"Teddy and Eric Choi wearing them down -- make a mistake, they're there," Lawson added.

Lawson admitted to looking ahead to Wichita-Trinity before the playoff opener against Elyria Christian, a side TMP-Marian beat twice during the season by a combined score of 13-0. The Monarchs had to work for the result in the third matchup with the Eagles, winning 2-0.

"I made a little bit of a mistake against Elryia," Lawson said. "I won't do it again."

That means Lawson won't even think about a possible berth in the state semifinals this weekend at Towanda-Circle,

"I try not to put too much thought into it, try not to look ahead," Lawson said.

But Lawson does allow himself to look ahead to a possible reception tonight at Victory Gates on the school's campus. The team received a warm welcome after last Friday's road win, and the Victory Bell rang loud and long.

"You enjoy it each time," Lawson said. "You don't know when it's the last time you go through Victory Gates."

Lawson wants that bell to ring again.

"At least one more time," he said.