Planets take new direction into new section

By MIKE KILROY Eagle Staff Writer

September 03, 2008 Last Updated: September 03, 2008 02:55 PM High School

Coach Blair Gerlach wants his girls to do more than just win soccer games at Mars High.

Winning will be even tougher this season as the Planets move into WPIAL Class AAA Section 2 with the likes of Seneca Valley, Pine-Richland and Shaler, team that are perennial contenders not only for section titles, but WPIAL championships as well.

"We were put in the section of death," Gerlach said.

Winning is always a goal, but Gerlach has ulterior motives: He wants to turn Mars into a college soccer factory.

"My mission is to give these girls four more years of soccer after me," Gerlach said. "We're going to try to play a brand of soccer that doesn't involve 'kick it and run.'

"A lot of teams use that. They're winning games with that, but in reinforces bad habits. College coaches want players who are skilled in the way soccer is supposed to be played. I want Mars to be a place where college coaches go to shop for players."

How that will translate into wins and losses is uncertain, although the Planets figure to be competitive in every game.

"We're not going to get blown out, but we're not going to blow anyone out, either," Gerlach said. "We're going to be competitive in most games."

Following is a breakdown of Butler County girls soccer teams this season:

• Coach: Sara Lettrich, first year• Last year: 6-10-2• On the attack: Ashley Oluschak (senior), Chelsea Rock (junior)• On the defensive: Nikki Hladik (junior), Katie Wahl (senior)• In the net: Taylor Troyan (freshman)• Outlook: The Golden Tornado have their third coach in three years, but Lettrich is determined to mold this young team into contenders right away."There is a lot of talent and a lot of potential on this team," Lettrich said. "I think this team has a great opportunity to do well and make the playoffs and make a name for themselves."

• Coach: Dave Sylvester, eighth year• Last year: 17-4-1• On the attack: Kate Kelly (junior), Karissa Fernandez (senior)• On the defensive: Jenny Jergel (senior), Aleisha Rees (senior),• In the net: Keara Lydon (sophomore)• Outlook: The Raiders won the WPIAL Class AAA title last season, but bowed out of the PIAA postseason in the first round."First off, we're just trying to make the playoffs," Sylvester said. "Once you make the playoffs, anything can happen. Once there, we want to at least get to the second round (of the state playoffs).

• Coach: Blair Gerlach, second year• Last year: 10-6-4• On the attack: Lexie Mastro (junior), Sarah Heckman (senior)• On the defensive: Dana Wonderly (sophomore), Erica Sullivan (junior)• In the net: Meghan Kelly (sophomore)• Outlook: One thing is for certain: Life will be tough for Mars in a section with soccer powerhouses Seneca Valley, Pine-Richland and Shaler."Our mission is to win the games where we are the better team and try to catch one or two teams by surprise and find a way to get into the playoffs," Gerlach said.

• Coach: Frank Accetta, first year• Last year: 10-8-3• On the attack: Danielle Sharbaugh (freshman), Jillian Vogus (junior), Amanda Bartell (senior)• On the defensive: CaseyPaul (senior), Audrey Scott (senior)• In the net: Liz Hallihan (freshman), Storm Hajek (sophomore)• Outlook: With a young cast of scoring threats backed by an experienced set of seniors on defense, Accetta is hoping to shake things up in a difficult section.Knoch is in the same section this year with Butler, Seneca Valley, Pine-Richland, North Hills, North Allegheny, Mars and Shaler."This is a work in progress," Accetta said. "We're going to start five freshmen. It's definitely a youth movement. I can tell you for a fact this team will be a force to be reckoned with in two years."

• Coach: Summer Anderson, first year• Last year: 16-4-1• On the attack: Kayla Eckman (senior), Courtney Boroski (senior)• On the defensive: Alissa Blake (senior)• In the net: Emily Thompson (senior)• Outlook: Anything is possible with Kayla Eckman filling the net. The senior is one of the top returning players in the WPIAL and has a strong supporting cast around her."I think we'll definitely compete," Anderson said. "I think we can make a run at the section title."

• Coach: Lisa Castiglione, third year• Last year: 16-5-1• On the attack: Cristen Futcher (senior), Emily Potchak (junior), Kayce Grimm (junior)• On the defensive: Hannah Beck (senior)• In the net: Alaina Burns (senior)• Outlook: The Gremlins lost 60 goals when Allyson Kepple and Julieanne Scott graduated. But the entire defense is back and the offense should be more balanced."We're not going to rely on three scorers this season," Castiglione said. "It's going to be hard for opposing teams to mark us."

• Coach: Les Smith, second year• Last year: 16-2-1• On the attack: Elissa McCune (senior), SarahCessar (junior), Alex Vukelich (senior)• On the defensive: Paige Walter (junior), Katie Cassidy (junior), MollyWeitzel (sophomore), Adele Campbell (junior)• In the net: Ali Doyle (junior)• Outlook: The Rockets have dominated their region inDistrict 10 for years. Slippery Rock won the region again in 2007 with a 15-0-1 record. But that is no longer good enough.To take the next step, the Rockets must prove they can compete with the district teams to the north and that means competing for a title."Unlike last year, when we were hoping we were good enough, we know we are good enough," Smith said. "We want to at least get past the second round (of the district playoffs)."