Offering yet another example of why they could have — and likely should have — been part of the South Region Soccer League’s First Division this summer, the Magic knocked off Welland 3-0 Saturday afternoon in the League Cup semifinals in Hamilton.

Unable to find the back of the net on a number of quality scoring chances early on, the Second Division winners stayed focused and took the lead shortly before half time.

From there they weathered some pressure by opposing forwards — as well as the onset of rain — before reclaiming the upper hand and punching their ticket to the finals with two late goals.

“The girls came out really strong and they controlled pretty much the whole game,” said head coach Teri Gordon, whose team wrapped up an unbeaten regular seaso with Monday’s 2-0 victory over Oakville C— finishing at 15-0-1 and with just four goals against.

Delivering her latest multi-goal effort, reliable striker Ayla Blackburn notched Milton’s first and final tallies in the semis — opening things up with a rebound deposit and cementing the win with a bottom-shelf blast off a nice feed from Megan Gordon.

Cassady Chatten rounded out the scoring, with a thunderous shot in low after a great solo rush down the left side.

The Magic were every bit as impressive in their own end, especially considering captain and defensive anchor Sara Blay was out sick.

Unfazed by some shuffling in the back-end, Milton held its opponents at bay for most of the afternoon — with cager Samantha Wisson needing to come up big for just one stretch early in the second half.

Olivia Renn was moved over to the left side on defence and showed strongly in the role, while standing out at midfield were Emma Westwater and Maddie Jolivet.

The Under-12 girls will now do battle with Oakville B (third in First Division) for the League Cup title Saturday morning at Hamilton’s Mohawk Sports Park. Game time is 9 a. m.

Milton has two shots at the League Cup this year, with the Under-14 girls set to play the winner of the Niagara Falls B-St. Catharines semifinal, which was pushed back due to last weekend’s rain. The championship is now slated for Saturday, Sept. 27 at Mohawk, starting at 3 p. m.

Like their younger counterparts, the Under-14 Magic won the Second Division, clinching it with Thursday’s 2-1 win over Oakville B. They now sit at 15-0-1 (just seven goals against), with two home games left.