COLLIER TWP — No margin for error?

No problem.

The Mars boys soccer team has been taking do-or-die situations in stride.

The 14th-seeded Planets had to win their last four section contests to edge Shady Side Academy for the final Section 2 playoff spot.

Mars then upset Beaver, 2-1, in the first round of the WPIAL playoffs Monday and dominated Elizabeth Forward, 5-0, in a quarterfinal clash Thursday night at Chartiers Valley High.

"We feel like we've been playing playoff games for the last three weeks and it's pushing us to do better," said senior midfielder Luke Sowers, who scored twice in Thursday's victory.

The Planets (13-5-2) will face South Park, a 3-0 winner over Burrell, in the semifinals Tuesday at a site and time to be determined.

Mars was turned away on multiple scoring chances early in the game, but senior forward Yulian Lutsiv sent a blistering shot past Elizabeth Forward goalkeeper Aaron Matta in the 30th minute.

Sowers' first tally came less than two minutes later on a pass from Alex Perri.

"We passed the ball really well tonight and we finished our crosses," said Sowers. "It ended up being a pretty good night for us."

For Warriors coach Dave King, the turning point in the game came early in the second half, when Mars' Josh Brake and Sowers scored goals less than 30 seconds apart.

"We figured if we scored a goal, it would get us back in the game," King said. "And Mars ends up scoring two quick ones like that. It really killed us."

"We knew (the Warriors) would want to come out strong in the second half," said Mars coach Chris Knauff. "We didn't want to sit on a 2-0 lead. Those two goals were big."

Perri took a pass from Lutsiv and scored Mars' fifth goal in the 61st minute.

"I was surprised we were able to score that many tonight," admitted Knauff. "I was expecting a tight game. We moved the ball really well tonight."

Matta ended up with 10 saves while Mars' Garrett Gabriel finished with five.

Preston Brown, Chad Knox and Ryan Gralish starred on defense for Mars.

Gabriel, a junior, is in his first year of starting in net.

"He's grown up a lot," said Knauff. "He's quick and athletic."