34-second swing works for Planets
WEXFORD — Soccer teams often labor long periods of time without being rewarded with a goal.
So when Mars' boys team scored twice in the span of just 34 seconds, it was a huge momentum swing in Wednesday's WPIAL Class AAA quarterfinal playoff game against Moon.
Behind 1-0, the Planets received a goal from Cory Ferguson to tie the game in the 33rd minute. Before the Tigers could collect themselves, Shane Lisman scored what proved to be the deciding goal in a 3-1 victory at North Allegheny High School's Newman Stadium.
“Moon definitely had the momentum and our chances were not as frequent as we were hoping them to be,” said Planet coach Chris Knauff. “It was big for us to make the most of the opportunities we got late in the first half.”
Moon junior midfielder Jake Plumb broke the ice when he headed the ball past Planet goalkeeper Emin Diren in the 12th minute of play. The score came following Mars' inability to clear the ball after Moon was awarded a corner kick.
Ferguson's equalizer was set up by a free kick by Corey Heim just to the right of Moon's net. The ball was headed once before Ferguson's goal.
Lisman tallied his score off a rebound right in front of Moon keeper Conor Suchar.
“I spun around the defender and knew I had to finish,” Lisman said. “Scoring two goals as quickly as we did, it was a huge deal. It boosted our confidence.”
The Tigers were dejected entering halftime.
“It was disappointing,” said Moon coach Graeme Eastgate of the deficit. “We were also down at the half against South Fayette (in a 2-1 win in the first round) and we tried to lift the players' spirits up at halftime tonight.”
The Tigers (13-6) did control the ball more than Mars in the second half and their attack was rewarded with six corner kicks in the final 40 minutes. But the Planets successfully defended each one, with Diren making half of his 10 saves in the second half.
“He's been playing really well for us,” said Knauff of his keeper. “He is aggressive and plays with confidence.”
Ferguson made the comeback task even tougher on the Tigers. He scored his second goal in the 55th minute after Lisman redirected a Tiger pass near midfield.
“We tried everything we could, even going to a 2-4-4 (formation) late in the game,” said Eastgate. “But we have not scored many goals this season off set pieces. Whether it be on corner kicks, free kicks ... it's not one of our strengths.”
“They did get chances,” Knauff said of the Tigers. “We were just doing our best to man-up and shut them down.”
Suchar made seven saves for Moon.
The Planets (15-3-1) will face Thomas Jefferson, a 2-0 winner over Laurel Highlands, in the semifinals for the second straight year. Last year, Mars shut out the Jaguars 3-0.
“We've made a lot of progress since August,” said Lisman. “We're happy to be in the semifinals.”
