KARNS CITY — The goals keep coming for McKenna Martin.

In bunches.

The Karns City junior forward scored three against Hickory last Saturday. She added four more Monday night against Kennedy Catholic.

That gives her 49 for the season ... and counting.

“My goal this year was to score 50,” Martin said. “That's not by myself. I knew we had the team to help get me there.”

Before she's done, Martin will rank among the most prolific goal scorers in Karns City girls soccer history. And that's saying something.

Leslie Barnhart holds the program record with 213 goals. Brittni Grenninger — currently North Catholic's coach — netted 194 in her career. Emily LoPresti, Breanne Wood and Megan McCartney have all eclipsed 100 goals as well.

“There''s been great players here,” KC girls soccer coach Tracy Dailey, herself a Gremlin soccer alum, said. “To get to 100 as a junior, especially after our limited schedule (due to COVID-19) last year is something special.”

Martin scored 38 goals her freshman year. She netted 24 in what amounted to an 11-game season as a sophomore before exploding this year.

As Martin alluded to, she's had help along the way.

Enter junior midfielder-forward Emma Dailey, who has been Martin's best friend since they were in elementary school, playing youth soccer together.

“Emma's probably assisted on 70 or 80 percent of my goals in high school, maybe more,” Martin said.

Coach Dailey — Emma's mother — isn't surprised.

“McKenna is a different type of goal scorer,” the coach said. “Emily and Megan, they liked to have the ball, move in toward the goal with the ball.

“McKenna likes to maneuver herself, get herself in scoring position, then receive the ball.”

Karns City graduate Alexis Moore had 28 assists her senior season — Martin's freshman year.

“Alex assisted on most of McKenna's goals that year,” Coach Dailey said.

Now the coach's daughter has picked up that slack.

“We've been playing soccer together forever,” Emma said. “We know what each other's thinking out there. I know where McKenna's gonna be, she knows where I'm gonna be.

“Her finishing moves are unreal. Her dribbling skills while setting up her shot are unbelievable. She's a natural goal scorer.”

Well, not always.

Martn recalls her debut season in the sport, playing youth soccer in East Brady.

“I think I scored two goals that year,” she said, laughing. “My offensive skills improved as the years went along.

“I scored my share in junior high, but once I got to high school, where we played for district championships, soccer just became more meaningful to me.

“My freshman year is when I really started to take the game seriously. I worked harder at it because I knew the tradition of the program and wanted to earn playing time my freshman year,” Martin added.

Martin's mother has been battling breast cancer and “is doing very well right now,” Martin said. But last season, her parents watched the games from the parking lot, away from other people, during the heart of the COVID-19 pandemic.

But her parents were there.

“They are always at the games, through the cancer, COVID, everything,” Martin said. “That has meant the world to me.

“I wouldn't be where I am today (with soccer) if not for my mother and father.”

Dailey respects the way Martin has remained focused in school and on the soccer pitch during her mother's treatments.

“It had to be hard on her, but she's rarely shown it,” Dailey said. “I think soccer has been a bit of a release for her that way.”

Emma Dailey has produced more than 25 assists this season and finds the net herself quite a bit. She has nearly 60 goals in her high school career.

“I get the ball and I know what McKenna's gonna do,” Emma said.”We have a big advantage in that sense.”

Martin and Dailey both want to play collegiate soccer. Dailey said she's looking at Grove City and Clarion right now.

Martin said the level of soccer she winds up playing in college — Division I, II or III — makes no difference to her.

“If I can get out there and play somewhere as a freshman, I'll be happy,” she said.

Could they wind up playing together four more years?

“That would be fantastic ... I suppose there's a chance that could work out, but we're not planning that way,” Emma said.

Of course, they still have another high school season to play together.

“Their love for the game, their character as kids, the accountability they accept ... I enjoy coaching those two. It's been a privilege,” Coach Dailey said.