Mars' Dane Beller (27) fights for a head ball with Chartiers Valley's John Butina (11) in a WPIAL Class 3A boys soccer playoff game at the Mars Athletic Complex. Matt Olsen (9) of Mars triesjoining the play as well. The Planets won the game, 4-1.

ADAMS TWP — Win No. 200 came with little doubt for Mars boys soccer coach Chris Knauff.

His Planets scored four times in the first half of Monday's WPIAL Class 3A first-round playoff and went on to defeat Chartiers Valley, 4-1, at the Mars Athletic Complex.

“You can't plan when it (200th win) is going to come,” said Knauff, “but a playoff game at home is a great time to get it.”

Mars will face South Fayette, a 2-0 winner over Moon, in Thursday's quarterfinals at a site and time to be determined.

At times this year, Chartiers Valley played stingy defense, allowing one or fewer goals in eight games during the regular season. Knauff knew that the Colts (7-9-3) were very strong through the middle, but they left themselves vulnerable elsewhere.

Mars sophomore midfielder Tyler Nymberg beat CV goalkeeper Will Kinchington twice — in the fifth minute of play and again in the 14th minute — for a 2-0 lead.

“We realized that their attacking forwards weren't coming back on defense,” Nymberg said. “We were able to exploit that by getting the ball to the outside.”

Nymberg now has eight goals on the season.

“Tyler is one of the midfielders stepping up for us,” said Knauff. “He's been a great addition to varsity.”

By the time the first half was finished, Steven Papik and Dane Beller had both scored for a commanding 4-0 lead.

“We were able to break through in the first half,” said Knauff. “We have a potent offense and can give teams some problems at times.”

Nathan Paras stopped three shots for Mars. His attempt at a shutout was thwarted in the 44th minute when Anthony Molinaro scored for the Colts, who managed little offensive threat afterward.

Mars has now surrendered six goals in 19 games.

“We gave up the one goal and I know the guys weren't happy about that,” said Knauff, “but overall, I was happy with how we played defensively. We were able to keep our position and drop back when we needed to.”

Kinchington tallied seven saves for the Colts.

Mars' last regular season game was a 3-0 win over Ambridge last Tuesday. The Planets (17-1-1) remained fresh with some help from another Butler County team.

“We scrimmaged Seneca Valley and that really helped us,” said Nymberg. “They are probably the best Quad A team in the WPIAL.”