ADAMS TWP — Trailing Hampton 3-0 midway through the first quarter in a game that would decide the Section 2-AA championship, Mars boys lacrosse coach Bob Marcoux called a timeout.

“It was kind of like, 'Guys. Look around. This is the section championship,'” said junior captain Brendan Moyer. “We came out a little flat, but our coaches, they got us going and we told ourselves we can do this.”

Mars did.

Quickly the Planets rallied with a pair of goals from Cade Hetzler and one from Ben Lewis to tie the game.

Then Moyer scored two goals in the final 2:18 of the first quarter to give Mars the lead for good in a 9-7 win over Hampton Tuesday night at the Mars Athletic Complex.

“We definitely came out a little bit flat. I'm not sure why — maybe because we were a little too excited because we were playing for a section title,” Marcoux said. “Once we got settled down, we got into our offense and played well.

“Cade Hetzler came up with two big goals,” Marcoux added. “He just beat his man and that really helped us.”

So did the Mars defense.

The Planets (15-2, 8-0) have been stellar all season, limited their opponents to six goals per game.

They have held teams to two goals or fewer five times.

In his first season as the head coach, Marcoux brought in defensive coordinator Josh Lambert to install a new scheme.

Lambert was an assistant coach at Otterbein University in Ohio before accepting a new job in the area.

Marcoux was more than happy to bring Lambert aboard.

“He's done a great job,” Marcoux said. “He was a huge get for us. Defense was an area we knew we really needed to work on and it's just been great.

“It took us a little while to catch on to it, but I think we're starting to get it and embrace it. It's very different than the kind of defense we ran last year.”

It makes the job of the offense that much easier.

Moyer, who scored three goals to lead the Mars offensive attack, said the Planets feel less pressure to score than most teams.

“Our defense is so good,” Moyer said. “They come together in tough times.”

Both Mars and Hampton (11-4, 7-1) played tough, physical defense Tuesday.

Mars' biggest lead was three goals twice, at 6-3 late in the second quarter and 9-6 midway through the fourth.

The Planets did a good job for the most part on Hampton leading scorer Richy Myros, who led the Talbots with four goals.

Mars could have scored more if not for Hampton goalie Robbie Voinchet, who made 17 saves.

Most of them were difficult.

“He's a special kid, a special goalie,” said Hampton coach Jim Vollberg. “He's a junior — thank god. He'll be back next year. He's just a good kid and a heck of a ballplayer. He's a lacrosse player through and through. He watches the game and studies the game.”

Mars goalie Jack Austin also had a solid game, stopping seven shots.

The senior made two key saves down the stretch to preserve the Mars lead.

Mars will likely receive a first-round bye in the playoffs.

That's a good thing as the Planets are battling a slew of injuries.

“We're hoping to get some guys healthy,” Marcoux said. “We're really, really thin right now.”