Mars boys fall to South Park
WEXFORD — South Park's Christian Payne was in a perfect spot to make sure the Mars boys soccer team was in no position to make a comeback.
When a shot rang off the crossbar and landed at his feet, Payne slotted it in from 4 yards out to give the Eagles insurance during a 2-0 PIAA quarterfinal win Saturday at North Allegheny's Newman Stadium. Payne had an empty frame after Planets senior goalie Dale Glavin made a leaping effort at the first shot.
The loss ended a wild postseason run for the Mars (19-4-1). Three of the Planets' six playoff games went to overtime.
“There's been some great moments in the season and we're lucky to get to his point,” Glavin said. “Unfortunately, we can't go all the way. I'm proud of the team and how far we've come.”
South Park (19-3-1) had a solid plan for guarding Mars' attack. With forward Cole Ferguson out in the first half, Eagles coach Jon Cantwell focused his team's defensive effort on Andrew Diefenbacher.
“When the ball went up to Diefenbacher, we wanted to limit his playmaking,” Cantwell said. “I thought our backline did a good job of not giving him space, which never let their attack get started.”
The Planets only recorded one shot on goal, by defender Justin Simakas, with 12 minutes, 33 seconds remaining.
“We came out flat and couldn't get into our game,” Mars coach Chris Knauff said. “For whatever reason, we weren't able to control the ball like we normally do. It took us a long time to find our rhythm.”
Attacking is something the Eagles had no problem with. Nine minutes in, Dan Irwin took a shot that Mars defender Caleb Brake had to clear off the goal line. South Park's Howie Ball got inside the box later in the first half, only to have Glavin tackle the ball away.
“I kept in my mind that I can't let them score,” said Glavin, who made seven saves. “Especially at this level, I had it in my mind that I had to do my best to keep it a shutout.”
Irwin broke the deadlock in the 53rd minute. He floated a shot from about 20 yards out that went past Glavin on the far post.
A minute later, Payne finished a shot to double South Park's lead.
“I always believe if you create enough chances, one should eventually go in if you have skilled athletes,” Cantwell said. “The irony is we've been so poor on set pieces all year for us to score in that way is kind of a bittersweet moment for us.”
Mars pressed forward and had a scoring opportunity off a corner kick in the 65th minute. Brake headed a ball wide of the post.
The Eagles didn't let the Planets get another dangerous opportunity after that.
South Park made sure Mars didn't have any comebacks left.
“I don't think the energy was a problem because they believed they could do it,” Knauff said. “I believe South Park stayed organized in the back and made it difficult to get forward. We weren't able to find any space.”
