Mars’ lacrosse programs ‘take very seriously’ their WPIAL dynasties, hope to continue championship streaks
ADAMS TWP — The Mars Athletic Complex might as well be Western Pennsylvania’s version of Lacrossetown.
Already boasting reputations as two of the most consistent outfits in high school sports in the region, the Planets’ boys lacrosse team (13-4) is gunning for its 10th consecutive WPIAL crown, while its girls counterpart is out for its fourth in a row.
The third-seeded boys team’s coach, Bob Marcoux, is well aware of what it takes to bear the sport’s standard.
“Obviously, it’s a great honor, and also a great responsibility,” Marcoux said. “We know that we’re gonna get absolutely everybody’s best shot. We’re gonna get everybody’s best game, and we’ve gotta be prepared to rise to that challenge.
“We take that very seriously.”
Marcoux stressed the foundation for Mars’ success is laid at the youth level, which he said “is really the model for how to run a youth sports league. And it’s been that way for a long time.”
“There’s been girls that are a part of this team today that have been waiting in those bleachers for years to be a part of this,” girls coach Abby Latona said after Wednesday’s 23-1 WPIAL Class 2A quarterfinal home win over No. 8 Oakland Catholic. “And now that they’re part of it, they mesh right in.”
Maybe most telling about Mars girls team (17-1), which is the top seed in its bracket, was the Eagles’ erupted when it scored its first goal late in that game, although the result wasn’t at all in question by that juncture. It was as if just scoring on the Planets was an accomplishment in itself.
“Our standards have been very solid the last few years, (with) the same culture,” Latona said. “Every single day — whether it’s practice or a game — we’re pushing as hard as we can and that type of relying on that hard work, that grit carries in big moments.”
The two programs have been intertwined since the girls’ operation in the community formed, with Marcoux’s help. They share the same booster organization.
“We revel in their success, just like we revel in our own,” Marcoux said. “Couldn’t be prouder of what they’ve accomplished. They’re having a fantastic year. ... It’s really something special for all of us.”
Marcoux’s side continues its march toward the WPIAL Class 2A title game with a semifinal matchup Monday against No. 2 Hampton, at Avonworth High School.
“Our goal has always been to be playing our very best lacrosse at the end of the year,” Marcoux said. “We feel like we’ve accomplished that. The last few games, we have really kind of hit our stride. More than most years, I think we’ve been really taking it — to use the old cliché — one game at a time. We’re trying to go 1-for-1.”
Mars’ girls take on No. 4 South Fayette on Monday night at North Allegheny High School, with the winner headed to the championship.
“It’s always the end goal,” Latona said. “We take it game by game, but to go 4-for-4 would be the ultimate dream for us this year, and to make a really far run in states is also part of it.”
