KARNS CITY — Punxsutawney goalkeeper Chandler Emhoff did his best to keep Karns City off the scoreboard.

Spenser Myers had other ideas.

The Gremlins' junior forward scored twice — once in each half — to lift Karns City to a 2-0 boys soccer victory over the Chucks Thursday evening at Diehl Stadium.

The win kept the Gremlins perfect at 9-0.

Emhoff tallied 12 saves in the game, including several outstanding stops.

“He was great tonight,” said KC coach Jim Grenninger of Emhoff. “I counted at least three more goals that we could have scored. Punxsutawney always plays a physical game and that was good for us. Inside District 9, this is one of the best challenges we can face.”

After making five saves in the first 32 minutes, Emhoff met his match after Myers took possession deep in the Chucks' end of the field in the 34th minute. He created enough space against a trio of Punxsutawney defenders left of the net and sent a shot past Emhoff from 12 yards out.

Myers, one of four team captains, had several chances earlier in the game, but one attempt was saved and two others sailed wide of the net.

“It's all about persistence,” said Myers. “You keep trying until one falls and it motivates you to get another one.”

That next one came for Myers early in the second half. Conrad Snyder fed him a pass and Myers placed the ball in between a diving Emhoff and the right post for his 30th goal of the season.

Myers' second tally capped the scoring as Emhoff stonewalled KC's remaining chances. His kick save on a shot from Noah Pollock prompted the junior forward to shake Emhoff's hand before the Gremlins took the ensuing corner kick in the 76th minute.

Punxsutawney coach Phil Shenkle is getting used to this type of effort out of his netminder, a junior and first-year starter.

“This is what he does,” he said. “We have a young team and he manages to keep things close for us. Considering the shooters Karns City has, I'm pleased with how he played today.”

Despite his effort, Emhoff's chances of earning a win dropped dramatically the second Myers scored his initial goal. That's because the Chucks' offensive flow was little more than a trickle against a staunch Gremlins defense.

Austin Rumbaugh, Noah Claypoole, Nolan Riley and Ian McElroy teamed up to frustrate Punxsutawney's forwards and offensive-minded midfielders, surrendering just one corner kick the entire game. Gremlins' goalie Nick Dodds needed to make just a pair of saves to blank the Chucks (4-3-2).

“Their one-touch passing is without a doubt fantastic,” Shenkle said of the Gremlins. “They are so efficient with the ball and as soon as you think you know which way they are going, they're going the other way.”

The Gremlins are attempting to win back-to-back District 9 championships for the first time in program history. When asked if he believes this group can achieve that goal, Myers replied without hesitation, “Certainly. We have all the key components to do it.”

Karns City will host Forest Area on Saturday.