Second-half surge
ADAMS TWP — The first half featured multiple scoring opportunities for Mars — and a lot of frustration for the Planets.
Despite four corner kicks and much more offensive push in the first 40 minutes of its WPIAL Class AAA first-round playoff against Ringgold, the Mars boys soccer team was thwarted each time by the crossbar, a post, a Rams defender in the right place at the right time or a shot just wide of the net.
But in the second half, Mars' near-misses gave way to goals — a bunch of them.
Cory Ferguson's tally in the 43rd minute was followed by four other scores for the Planets in a 5-1 victory Saturday at the Mars Athletic Complex.
“It was definitely frustrating in the first half because we came so close to scoring,” said Mars senior Spencer Hnath, who scored the team's second and third goals in the 47th and 49th minute. “Usually, once we get that first one, it gets us going.”
The Planets will face Moon, a 2-1 winner over South Fayette, in Wednesday's quarterfinal round at a site and time to be determined.
Rams' goalkeeper Travis Yahnite stopped three Mars shots in the opening half, but was overcome by the Planets' attack in the second 40 minutes.
“We had chances in the first half, the ball just wasn't going in,” said Mars coach Chris Knauff. “We didn't make any changes at halftime. We stuck with the same lineup, the same strategy.”
Hnath's second score made it 3-0. Mars later received scores from Anthony Machi and Caden Ferguson.
At the other end of the field, Planet keeper Emin Diren had a much less eventful afternoon, making a pair of saves in each half. Ringgold's only goal of the game came from Kobe Norfleet. It cut Mars' lead to 4-1 with just 2:38 to play.
“I saw that Ringgold had some decent players, but our defense played great,” Knauff said. “That was Lucas Mowery, Colton Cyphert, Caleb Brake and Hnath. Dan Feathers and Seth Grady played some time in the back, too. They did what they needed to do.”
“They were strong up the middle,” Hnath said of the Rams (8-11), “but that was it.”
Yahnite ended his day with six saves.
Mars (14-3-1 overall), the Section 1 champion with a record of 11-0-1, is hoping Saturday's win is just the beginning of a lengthy postseason.
“Our (team) goals, we don't talk about them, but they are understood by everybody on the team,” said Hnath. “It's all about taking it one game at a time.”
Ringgold coach Steve Persaud was unavailable for comment.
