Mars No. 1 in latest national poll
The Mars girls soccer team's defeat of Plum in last weekend's WPIAL Class 3A title game gained attention on the national stage.
The United Soccer Coaches latest poll was released Tuesday and the Planets are now ranked the No. 1 girls soccer team in the country.
Mars is 16-0 and has outscored its opponents 99-5.
“I would think that there's something to be said if a team has a long winning streak, a year-to-year reputation,” said Mars coach Blair Gerlach. “Goals scored versus goals against, but I'm just guessing.”
Ranked just behind the Planets is Davis High School from Kaysville, Utah, which has a record of 19-1.Mars was ranked second the last two weeks behind Mount Notre Dame, located near Cincinnati. The Cougars were left out of this week's poll after losing in the Ohio state playoffs.“It's very cool for our kids to see us at the top of the list. This is a feather in their cap,” said Gerlach, “but there's no way anyone can accurately rank teams that are from different states, different classes and who have no common opponents.”Mars is the defending state champion, finishing last season with a record of 22-0-1.“People who follow soccer in Pennsylvania know that Mars is a strong and consistent program,” added Gerlach. “That's all that matters to us because we're never going to play any of the other teams on that poll.“I told our girls to enjoy this (recognition), but remember what got you here ... being humble and remaining laser-focused on what our goals are.”That would be a second straight PIAA title, which would be the third in the program's history.The Planets open the state playoffs at 2 p.m. Saturday at home against District 10 champion Warren.
