The Island Soccer League (ISL) play-offs kicked off on Saturday with two fascinating matches that saw Union defeat Titans 9-5 and Arsenal beat Knights 7-6 at the National Sports Centre (NSC).

In the first of the double header, it seemed as though Union would make quick work of Titans, scoring three quick goals through Kamen Tucker, Ryan Nesbitt and Dennis Russell to end the first quarter 3-0 up.

Titans, who were without the services of Takeyhi Walker because of Bermuda under-23 duty, were down 6-0 after Shaki Pearman grabbed a brace and Russell got his second.

Mikre Pace put the Titans on the scoresheet midway through the second quarter making it 6-1, before Mark Steede made it 6-2. Pearman then completed his trick to make it 7-2 at half-time. Russell then scored his third goal of the game to make it 8-2.

Jesse Seymour scored for the Titans to make the score 8-3 before Pearman scored his fourth of the game.

Darren Williams for the Titans scored to make it 9-4 and K'wonde Lathan hit a late goal to make the final score 9-5.

In the second match of the doubleheader, it was Arsenal who held their nerve to oust Knights in a thrilling encounter in which Reggie Lowe hit a hat-trick.

Dwyia Blyden opened the scoring for Arsenal and was quickly followed by Ijahmon Mallory's first of the evening giving the side a two-goal cushion.

This was the biggest lead they would get for the game as Quincy Aberdeen pulled a goal back for the Knights from a shootout.

Aberdeen then scored again within a minute and team-mate Vincent Minors Jr. was on target to give the Knights their first lead for the night.

Lowe levelled matter at 3-3, while Mallory's second goal of the game put Arsenal back in front at 4-3.

Coolidge Durham equalised for the Knights just before the third quarter ended.

Fourth quarter goals from Durham and Minors for Knights and Lowe and Shawande Butterfield for Arsenal saw the scores level at 6-6 at the end of regulation.

In the overtime period, it was Lowe who stood up and made sure his side was going into the semi-finals.

In the semi-finals Union will take on Red Division rivals Royal tomorrow at 7.15 p.m., while Arsenal will have the enviable task of taking out defending champions Storm at 8.45 p.m.

Both matches will be played at the National Sports Centre.