Staying Alive
ADAMS TWP — Mars had defeated Hampton in two highly competitive boys soccer games during the regular season.
Having to face the Talbots a third time in Wednesday's WPIAL Class 3A quarterfinal playoff, the Planets weren't expecting anything to come easily.
“It's tough playing a team three times in one season,” said Mars senior forward Dane Beller. “Winning this game meant going to the semis. Everybody was out there giving 100 percent.”
It was Beller's left-footed shot from 35 yards with 3:41 left in the second overtime that finally rid Mars of its section foe in a 1-0 decision at the Mars Athletic Complex.
The game's lone goal came after a Mars throw-in to the left of Hampton's goal. The Talbots (11-5-1) could not clear the ball, which was controlled by Beller. His shot came just before a Hampton defender arrived and led to his team-leading 31st goal of the season.
“I had a shot in the first half, but it wasn't a good one,” he said. “We were about three minutes from having to go to (penalty kicks). We needed something.”
Beller's shot sailed toward the goal and tucked itself in the top right corner, just out of the reach of Hampton goalkeeper Thomas Bradfield.
The Planets (16-0) will host South Fayette, a 4-1 winner over Montour, in a semifinal at 6:30 p.m. Monday.
Bradfield had stopped six shots earlier in the game. Most of Mars' scoring opportunities fizzled before the keeper was challenged.
“We didn't have as many scoring chances as I would have liked,” said Planets' coach Chris Knauff. “I would have liked a lot more, but Hampton's defense is really good and we told our kids to expect a tough game.”
Knauff noticed more focus from the Talbots in a certain area from the first two games.
“They were strongly defending the midfield with numbers and they countered really well,” he said. “We struggled with that a bit and they had their chances. Our defense did bend, but it didn't break.”
Mars has surrendered just four goals all season. Senior goalkeeper Jake Gareis came off his line several times to take away scoring chances for Hampton.
One near-miss for the Talbots came nine minutes before Beller's deciding goal. Hampton was awarded a free kick 20 yards to the left of Mars' net. Gabe Viszlay put his foot into the set piece and it seemed perfectly placed, but Zach Panza's header sailed over the crossbar.
Gareis made one of his eight saves moments later after another free kick taken by Viszlay.
The Planets are the tournament's top seed. South Fayette (11-4-1) is No. 13, but Knauff knows seedings mean nothing once the game begins.
“We've played South Fayette a few times over the years and they always seem to have really good players,” he said.
