BROCKWAY — The game was played on grass, which is supposed to slow the action down.

But someone forgot to tell that to the Karns City girls soccer team.

The Gremlins managed three goals in the first 20 minutes of play and coasted to a 7-0 shutout win over Curwensville Tuesday night to claim the District 9 Class AA championship for the eighth consecutive year.

"I wasn't at all concerned with the game being played on grass," said Gremlins coach Joe Meshanko, whose team plays its home games on turf. "The game went pretty much the way I expected."

Seniors Kristen Barnhart and Brittni Grenninger each scored three goals and Nikki McElroy added another as the No. 1 seeded Gremlins dominated the action from start to finish.

Curwensville (15-5-1) got to its first-ever title game by shutting out two playoff opponents — Ridgway and Elk County Catholic — by scores of 2-0.

But the Golden Tide simply wasn't prepared for a team the caliber of Karns City.

"I've seen Karns City play before, and I knew we had our work cut out for us," said Curwensville coach Gary Thorp. "I think their speed really surprised our girls."

Grenninger scored just over 2:30 into the game.

It was the beginning of a long night for Golden Tide goalkeeper Ronna Knepp.

The junior, who would make nine stops in the game, surrendered five goals in the first 25 minutes before being pulled in favor of Rachel Olszewski.

Knepp returned for the start of the second half. By that time, the score was 6-0.

Barnhart's first two scores came just 4½ apart in the first half, scoring with 25:55 left and again with 21:25 remaining. Grenninger assisted on both tallies.

"We had our chances to get back in it early," said Thorp. "But (KC) just kept adding on. We were willing to sacrifice a few goals on offense to try and stop them from scoring. But, boy, Karns City is a powerful team."

Though they came into the game as heavy favorites, it was obvious the Gremlins (19-2) were not taking Curwensville lightly.

"As a coach, you have to give the girls a bit of direction," said Meshanko. "But for the most part, the senior leadership took care of things."

Michelle Sweeney made nine saves for the Gremlins before backup keeper Kiersten Foreback entered the game with just over 20 minutes left to play.

Barnhart's third goal capped the scoring with 10:57 left in the second half.

The Golden Tide's best chance at avoiding the shutout came with under 30 seconds to play.

Junior Danielle Struble was awarded a penalty kick, but her attempt was too high and the 7-0 score stood as time ran out.

Karns City will face the WPIAL runner-up, either Greensburg Central Catholic or Shady Side Academy, at a site and time to be determined.