FORWARD TWP — Mars successfully defended its WPIAL Class AA boys soccer championship Saturday — by playing defense.

The Planets did not allow a shot on net while shutting out Hampton, 1-0, at Elizabeth-Forward High School.

"Defense is our strongest asset as a team," Planets coach Chris Knauff said. "These kids take pride in it. All 11 guys on the field contribute to it."

The Planets (21-1-0) have allowed just 14 goals all season and outscored their opposition 12-0 in the WPIAL tournament.

The lone goal of the contest was scored by senior forward and captain Ryan McKenzie, who converted a corner kick from Tim Vandall with 1:52 remaining in the first half.

The tally was McKenzie's 33rd of the season.

"It was a perfect loft by Tim. The ball came down right in front of the net," McKenzie said. "There were a lot of players around it for both teams.

"All I wanted to do was put a good foot to it. The goalkeeper was going to have trouble finding it."

Goalkeeper John Lichina never responded as the ball rolled into the net, just to his left.

The Planets had other scoring chances earlier. Alex Perri's shot sailed just high and wide of the net less than three minutes into the game. McKenzie had a chance to score as the ball bounced behind Lichina with 24 minutes left in the half, but couldn't gain possession before a defender knocked the ball out of danger.

In the second half, McKenzie deflected a 61-yard free kick by Tanner Panza just wide of the right post.

"He's such a dynamic player," Knauff said of McKenzie. "The rest of the team feeds off his energy."

The Planets received a scare with 5:59 left in the game when McKenzie was tripped up from behind while making a pass. He fell to the turf writhing in pain and had to be helped off the field.

"A kid clipped my ankle," McKenzie said. "It was pretty scary at first. I thought I was hurt worse than I was."

McKenzie returned to action moments later.

Hampton (16-4) missed a pair of golden scoring opportunities in the first half. Sophomore forward Bryan Margaria slipped behind the defense and had a breakaway down the left side of the field.

He rolled a shot across the goal mouth, wide of the right post.

Senior midfielder Chris Hunkele took a penalty kick from only 19 yards out, directly in front of the net with 18:10 left in the first half. He rifled the ball over the cage.

Hunkele headed a teammate's 37-yard free kick just wide of the net with 17:32 left in the game.

"They're a good team and you don't get many opportunities against them," Hampton coach Chuck Kelley said of Mars. "Their kids are athletic and it's hard to comtrol the ball on them."

Mars had 10 shots on net and six corner kicks on the day. Hampton managed only one corner kick. Eight of the Planets' shots on net occurred during the first half.

Three of the Talbots' four losses have come at the hands of the Planets. Mars scored wins of 5-3 and 2-1 over Hampton during the regular season.

Eight of Hampton's 16 goals allowed this year have been scored by Mars.

"We knew them and they knew us," Kelley said. "We weren't going to change how we play against them. Our games have been competitive."

The Planets' lone loss all season is a 2-0 decision to Upper St. Clair on Sept. 11. The Panthers lost the WPIAL Class AAA title game to Mount Lebanon, 1-0, in double overtime Saturday.

Mars takes on Harbor Creek — which lost the District 10 title game to Slippery Rock Saturday — in the first round of the PIAA playoffs at 6 p.m. Tuesday at West Allegheny. Hampton advances to PIAA play as well.

"I wouldn't be surprised if we play them again somewhere along the way," Knauff said. "I hope so. I always root for teams in our section to do well."