Gilbert High spent a lot of energy trying to score in the opening half of its first-round Division I boys soccer playoff match with Desert Vista.

Despite plenty of chances nothing found its way to the back of the net and the match remained scoreless at intermission. As  frustrating as that was it didn't deter Gilbert from keeping the pressure on and finally putting the Thunder away with about 15 minutes left.

Goals by David Varkevisser, Emmanuel Castillo and Cody Schultz 16 minutes apart in the second half earned No. 3 seed Gilbert a trip to the quarterfinals as the Tigers took care of No. 14 seed Desert Vista, 3-1, at Gilbert High.

Gilbert (20-2), which reached the semifinals last year at state, advances to the quarterfinals Saturday where it will host defending state champ Brophy at 2 p.m. Brophy advanced by blanking San Luis, 5-0. Desert Vista fnished its season 11-4.

"We were doing what we needed to, we just couldn't stick one in the back of the net,," Gilbert coach Jeff Perry said. "They're very organized. We did what we needed according to our game plan. They defended well, their keeper made a couple nice saves and we missed some chances. We finally got some to go in the second half."

Varkevisser put Gilbert on top 1-0 in the 52nd minute. He was free on the left side about 15 yards out and powered a shot in the right corner past Desert  Vista keeper Tim O'Brien.

The lead and euphoria from that goal was short lived. Desert Vista, which had only about a half-dozen shots on goal for the match, got a chance inside the Tigers box and got a foul call to boot. Cesar Sandoval converted the penalty kick just a minute after Gilbert's goal to even the score.

Gilbert maintained its aggressive play on the offensive end and got the lead for good as Castillo tallied off an assist from Varkevisser from close range in the 65th minute. Three minutes later Schultz added the clincher from deep inside the box for the final tally.

"Our guys up front did a great job getting us chances," Perry said. "I thought if it ended up going to overtime it might favor them. I was glad to see us get the second goal and even better getting the third one."