Crowning glory
ADAMS TWP — Knoch boys soccer coach Doug Wood presented a challenge to his team in its Section 2-AA matchup against Mars Thursday.
At stake was the section championship and a higher seed in the upcoming WPIALplayoffs.
"It wasn't about talent or fitness or skill because both teams are right there, both are at the top of the WPIAL, I believe," said Wood.
"It's about passion. Do you have the passion to win your first uncontested section championship?" he added.
A tie or win would be enough to clinch the section title over the Planets, who had to pull out a victory to take the crown.
With 4:05 remaining in overtime, freshman Kory Wood's goal with a scrum of players in front of the net handed Knoch the 2-1 victory. Mitch Andrews was credited with the assist.
The Knights' two goals came from Wood's sons Kory and Kevin, who scored the equalizer late in the first half.
"Every ball was a challenge," the elder Woods said. "I give a lot of credit to Mars. They came out ready to give us a good game."
It wasn't until 17 minutes remained in the first half that the Planets (12-2-2, 8-2-2) broke through for the game's first goal.
Mars' Dylan McNany slipped a shot past a Knights defender and goalie Cullen Hinderliter for the 1-0 lead.
"We knew it would be a physical game and knew it would be a one-goal game," said Mars coach Chris Knauff. "I thought it was pretty evenly played. Neither team had that many opportunities."
Knoch (12-1-1, 10-1-1) finally cashed in with 7:38 before intermission after Kevin Wood took a free kick, which Mars goalie Joe Haefner stopped but was unable to secure.
The ball rolled back in front of the goal and Adam Sharbaugh was able to touch it before KevinWood buried the shot for the score.
In the second half, during which neither team scored, Knoch played knowing it needed only the tie to win the section, but the Knights wanted more.
"I didn't even consider playing it that way until overtime," said Wood.
"They did drop (players) in defense and they kept the same numbers back," said Knauff. "They had to send some in, but knew we'd have a hard time scoring."
Knoch had a good chance to pull out the win in regulation when Sharbaugh had a free kick with 1:55 remaining, but Haefner made a diving stop to his left to keep the game tied.
Both teams have plenty of players who helped their respective teams make strong postseason runs last year, when Mars reached the state title game.
"I think our guys are still confident," said Knauff. "We'll see what their attitude is after this game. It will give us something to work harder for."
"Our initial goal was to make the playoffs," said Wood. "Deep inside, we knew we had the potential to achieve a section championship.
"We knew it could be a special year, and you know what? It's not over."
