Quick Response
ADAMS TWP — Trailing a regular season game on its home turf was an unfamiliar spot for the Mars girls soccer team.
It didn't last long.
Less than two minutes after Gateway had taken a 1-0 lead, Mars' Ellie Coffield headed in the equalizer in the first half of Wednesday night's Section 1-3A opener.
The Planets then dominated play, using a powerful rush that yielded 15 corner kicks by the end of the game. Sophomore forward Jenna Jedry scored the deciding goal in the 21st minute in a 2-1 victory at the Mars Athletic Complex.
“Generating that many scoring chances makes our defense feel a lot more confident,” said Mars coach Blair Gerlach. “We were unlucky to score just two goals tonight.”
The Gators' short-lived lead came off the foot of Becca Kubler in the third minute. To the left of Mars' goal, she let a shot go that was tipped, but got by Mars goalkeeper Courtney Lisman.
“I think our girls got caught a little off-guard,” said Gerlach. “What they thought was a centering pass ended up being a shot. But credit (Kubler), she put a good foot into it.
“Long-term, we felt we'd be able to create a lot of scoring chances tonight.”
Coffield's goal came as the result of Mars' second corner kick of the night, from senior midfielder Anna Kurpakus to the right of Gateway's net.
Gateway goalie Maddy Neundorfer and the Gators' defense kept the game close by successfully defending the Planets' other 13 corner kicks.
“We fixed our mistake,” Gateway coach Kelly Bender said of Coffield's earlier goal. “We have girls that are good at attacking the ball in the air and Maddy does a good job of going after it.”
Neundorfer came out to challenge Taylor Hamlett 16 minutes later. The latter's shot was deflected to the right, where Jedry was waiting. Her shot was uncontested and gave Mars the lead for good.
“We didn't have a letdown,” said Bender. “Mars got an opportunity and took advantage of it.”
Neundorfer left the game for five minutes early in the second half with an injury. The Duquesne University recruit finished with 11 saves, several of them on uncontested shots within 15 yards.
“Maddy always steps up her game in section games,” said Bender. “She plays aggressive and wants to do well for her team.”
Mars, which had a game against North Allegheny last week postponed and was facing its first test of the season, had a first-year starter in net in Lisman. The junior made two saves and teamed up with her defense to deny the Gators (0-2, 0-1) on their two corner kicks.
“She's been a goalie for Northern Steel and has experience. She just had to work out some first-game jitters tonight,” said Gerlach. “We played back and let her play at her feet. She distributed the ball well.”
Mars plays at Knoch Saturday morning.
