KARNS CITY — Emma Dailey called it “best friend telepathy.”

Whatever it was, it was well-timed for the Karns City girls soccer team.

Dailey was alone in front of the net when she took a crossing pass from McKenna Martin, scoring a goal just 14 seconds after DuBois had tied their game at 2 Saturday morning at Diehl Stadium.

The Gremlins (3-0) went on to score the game's next five goals en route to a 7-3 victory over the previously unbeaten Beavers.

“We had a defensive lapse right after that (tying) goal and they got behind us,” DuBois coach Steve Graeca said. “Their girl made a nice play to get that pass across.”

And Dailey knew what to do with it. She scored three goals and added an assist on the day. Martin and Dailey are both sophomores.

“We've been playing together for so long,” Dailey said, as they are club soccer teammates as well. “McKenna knew where to find me.”

Martin, who had two goals and two assists, concurred.

“I knew where Emma was gonna be,” she said. “We've been playing soccer together for eight years. I didn't even have to look (before making the pass). She was gonna be there.”

“Emma is strong and McKenna is fast,” KC coach Tracy Dailey said. “Add to that their experience together and it's a good combination.”

The teams traded goals early. Dailey got Karns City on the board less than four minutes into the game, off an assist from Martin. DuBois (2-1) answered 38 seconds later when Stefanie Hoyt scored on her team's first shot on net.

Martin scored with 17:11 left in the half. Emily Graeca answered at the 15:04 mark for the Beavers.

“It was back and forth there for a while,” Coach Dailey said. “We made some adjustments and had to settle things down in the back.

“Once we did, we played much better.”

Abby Callihan, a junior defender, gave Karns City a 4-2 lead when her shot from 30 yards out sailed over the outstretched hands of DuBois goalkeeper Kara Tilson with 11:29 left in the half.

The Beavers would have had a quick answer to that tally, had it not been for a gutty play by sophomore midfielder Paige Dodd.

KC goalkeeper Rossi McMillen charged out of the box in an attempt to beat a DuBois player to the ball as it rolled toward her. McMillen and the player got tangled up as the ball bounced past them.

Leah McFadden stood alone — just to the left of the empty net — ready to score when Dodd jumped in front of the shot, deflecting it out of bounds.

“Huge play by Paige,” Coach Dailey said. “Rossi wanted her back there and that turned out to be a good move.”

DuBois never regained momentum after that.

“Soccer games are often decided by one or two plays,” Graeca said. “Karns City made those plays and we didn't.

“They are an aggressive, physical team. We didn't match their physicality or intensity today. That's on us.”

DuBois defeated Punxsutawney (8-0) and Clearfield (3-2) prior to Saturday. Karns City has outscored its three opponents 17-3 so far this year.

Alyson Fennell also scored a goal for KC. McMillen had six saves. Karns City had 12 shots on net and five corner kicks, DuBois 10 shots and three corner kicks.

The Gremlins play at Blackhawk Monday.

“It's a tough early season schedule, but it's exactly what our team needs,” Coach Dailey said.

The Gremlins are on a streak of eight consecutive District 9 championships. Defender Jillian Morrow is their lone senior.