A combined analysis of the reactions π − p → K 0 Λ and ηn is carried out with a chiral quark model. The data in the center-of-mass (c.m.) energy range from threshold up to W ≃ 1.8 GeV are reasonably described. For π − p → K 0 Λ, it is found that N(1535)S 11 and N(1650)S 11 paly crucial roles near threshold. The N(1650)S 11 resonance contributes to the reaction through configuration mixing with N(1535)S 11 . The constructive interference between N(1535)S 11 and N(1650)S 11 is responsible for the peak structure around threshold in the total cross section. The n-pole, u-and t-channel backgrounds provide significant contributions to the reaction as well. While, for the π − p → ηn process, the "first peak" in the total cross section is dominant by N(1535)S 11 , which has a sizeable destructive interference with N(1650)S 11 . Around P π ≃ 1.0 GeV/c (W ≃ 1.7 GeV), there seems to be a small bump structure in the total cross section, which might be explained by the interference between the u-channel and N(1650)S 11 . The N(1520)D 13 resonance notably affects the angle distributions of the cross sections, although less effects are seen in the total cross section. The role of P-wave state N(1720)P 13 should be further confirmed by future experiments. If N(1720)P 13 has a narrow width of Γ ≃ 120 MeV as found in our previous work by a study of the π 0 photoproduction processes, obvious evidence should be seen in the π − p → K 0 Λ and ηn processes as well.