Bruising effort
ADAMS TWP – Playing whatever style necessary to help anchor the Mars girls soccer team's defense is a source of pride for junior Shannon Doyle.
Doyle has the bruises to show for it.
When Doyle played during the Planets' 4-1 WPIAL Class AA first-round playoff win over Greensburg Salem Saturday at the Mars Athletic Complex, she sported a bruise under her right eye and a few popped blood vessels.
It was a result of a collision during Mars' 3-0 win over Knoch Oct. 8.
“I'm not going to lie, I like it,” Doyle said. “It makes me look tough, I feel like I earned this. … (Playing physical) kind of happens over time. It's what's necessary to win.”
Mars (17-3) will play Central Valley, which beat Knoch 2-1 in overtime to advance, in the quarterfinals at a site to be determined Wednesday.
The Warriors are the defending WPIAL and PIAA champions. Central Valley is led by Mark Perry, who coached Mars coach Blair Gerlach on Hampton's 1990 state title team.
“They know now that they can play on the big stage and win a game,” Gerlach said of the Planets. “Everyone talks about playoff atmosphere and these kids are looking around wondering what that looks like. Now they know.”
Doyle, who is the only returning starter on defense from last year's team, teamed with Annabelle Hnath, Judy Kahn and Amber Lisman on defense to shut down the Golden Lions (10-7-1).
Greensburg Salem only had one shot on goal at halftime.
Gerlach is pleased with the progress his back four have made. Kahn and Hnath both converted from forward this season.
“They have embraced that role a little bit,” Gerlach said. “It was an opportunity for them to be on the field for a ton of minutes this year. They knew they were going to have to learn a new craft and they've done it.”
The Planets have allowed 16 goals this season. Against Greensburg Salem, Mars limited the Golden Lions to four shots. Emily Indof scored Greensburg Salem's only goal off a free kick with 10 minutes remaining to cut the lead to 3-1.
Kahn took some time to adjust, but feels the group has jelled together.
“At first, I wasn't comfortable in the back because I was close to letting people score on me,” Kahn said. “I feel like we've worked hard together. We know each other's strengths and weaknesses, so we've gotten to know how to play with each other.”
Mars didn't have problems generating chances. The Planets took some time to finish them.
Dillon Wright scored Mars' only goal in the first half, burying a shot from 10 yards out in the 17th minute.
Sabrina Edwards scored twice after halftime, extending the lead to 3-0.
“We knew they like to play it over the top,” Greensburg Salem coach Jackie Fawcett said. “We worked on defending the balls over and through, but they had some fast girls and were able to capitalize on those opportunities.”
Erin Posey scored Mars' final goal with 54.8 seconds remaining. Doyle believes if the defense continues to improve, the Planets can make a run. She knows the offense will consistently generate goals.
Mars just needs to get stops, no matter what it takes.
