CLARION — The Karns City boys soccer team has had a simple game plan all season.

Unfortunately for Elk County Catholic, the Gremlins had little trouble executing it Thursday night.

KC (20-1) received first half goals from Chris Harmon and Nick Lopresti en route to a 2-0 win over the Crusaders in the District 9 Class A title game at Clarion University's Memorial Stadium.

"Our whole approach this season has been score early and it's over," said Gremlins coach Roy Parker. "I'm serious. Our defense is that good."

It's the second district title for Karns City in three years. KC also defeated Elk County Catholic for the crown in 2005.

Last season saw the Gremlins enter the playoffs with an 18-2 record before being upset by Northern Potter.

"With what happened last year, we've been on a mission this season," said Parker.

After 17 minutes of scoreless play Thursday, the Gremlins got the first-half goal they were looking for when Aaron McGarvey's shot was deflected past ECC goalkeeper Tyler Healy by Chris Harmon.

Lopresti's score came just 2:13 later on a shot from the left of the Crusaders' goal.

Healy appeared to give up on the ball, thinking the shot was going to be wide of the net.

But the ball hit the right post, just below the crossbar, and landed behind the goal line for a 2-0 edge.

"I was just hoping for a rebound," said Lopresti. "I got it and put it in the back of the net. It felt great."

The goal was Lopresti's 11th of the year and second in two games.

"We made two mistakes in the first half," said ECC coach Adam Bailey. "We were trying to adapt to the field because this was our first game on turf this season. It's a different game on turf, regardless of what you say.

"They scored twice, but, for the most part, I think we kept them from doing what they wanted to do," Bailey added.

But since the Gremlins' philosophy is score early and turn the game over to their staunch defense, it seems their performance was just what Parker was looking for.

KC goalkeeper Josh Grenninger needed to make just three saves, one just minutes into the game and the other two coming with less than 12 minutes left in the contest.

Though his team has played strong defense all season (13 goals against in 21 games), it's been superb lately.

"We peaked at the right time," said Parker. "Our last (six) games have been shutouts."

The defensive effort was turned in by Charlie Beck, Jonathon Burns, Zach Sadowski and Cody Zabicki, among others.

Healy made nine saves for the Crusaders (18-3).

The Gremlins will face the loser of the WPIAL title game between Seton-LaSalle (18-0-3) and Sewickley Academy (20-1-2), Tuesday in the first round of the PIAA playoffs at a time and site to be determined.