Knoch goalie McKenna Jones stonewalls Mars girls soccer in lightning-shortened tie
JEFFERSON TWP — Mars couldn’t solve Knoch goalkeeper McKenna Jones.
Neither team could solve the weather.
Jones made two stellar saves in the first half — and got some help from the crossbar — as the host Knights battled the Planets to a weather-shortened 0-0 deadlock in a mutual Section 1-3A girls soccer opener Wednesday night at Knoch Stadium.
Play was stopped due to a lightning sighting with 35 minutes and 16 seconds left in the second half. Repeated lightning forced the remainder of the game to be called off after a 75-minute delay.
By PIAA rules, a high school soccer game is considered official if at least the first half is completed. Both teams expressed interest in returning Thursday to finish the contest, but resuming an official game another day is prohibited by the PIAA.
“I thought we controlled play, for the most part,” Mars coach Blair Gerlach said. “We had some good opportunities to score ... but you gotta get one.”
The Planets’ Mackenzie Powell knifed her way between two defenders for a clean shot at point-blank range but drilled the ball into Jones less than two minutes into the contest.
Mars’ Jade Breese took a free kick from 25 yards out but grazed it just over the crossbar at the 23:30 mark. Jones may have gotten her fingertips on the shot. Six minutes later, Breese took a corner kick that was headed off the crossbar by Katie Blake.
Mars (3-0-1) has allowed only one goal in its four games. Knoch (1-0-2) did not get a shot on net. The Planets took four corner kicks on the night; Knoch took none.
“McKenna made a couple of outstanding saves,” first-year Knoch coach Jaci Bowser said. “I thought we did a good job defending their attack, not giving them many open scoring chances.
“Playing a team like Mars, you can’t allow them to get open space in your end. We’re getting better and better at tightening things up and defending as a unit.”
Gerlach said his players “have to get a little more selfish near the net. We’re trying to make the perfect pass, score the perfect goal.”
Knoch did have a couple of scoring chances in the game’s first six minutes, but Allie Cristallino and Avery Ortmann had shots from 20-plus yards out sail wide left.
Mars returns to action Monday, hosting Blackhawk. Knoch hosts Springdale on Saturday.
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Knoch goalie McKenna Jones (10) holds onto the ball as Mars' Mackenzie Powell (31) falls over her in a girls soccer game Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, at Knoch High School. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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Knoch's Gia Vresko (1) passes the ball while Mars' Katie Blake (20) defends in a girls soccer game Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, at Knoch High School. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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Mars' Katie Blake (20) passes the ball by Knoch's Emma Bayer (22) in a girls soccer game Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, at Knoch High School. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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Mars' Mackenzie Powell (31) and Knoch's Bella Pelloni (14) battle for the ball in a girls soccer game Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, at Knoch High School. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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Mars' Miley Gratton (29) chases the ball in a girls soccer game Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, at Knoch High School. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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Knoch's Camryn McSwaney (21) brings the ball across midfield in a girls soccer game Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, at Knoch High School. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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Knoch goalie McKenna Jones (10) and teammate Claire Tully (15) trap the ball against the post to prevent Mars from scoring in a girls soccer game Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, at Knoch High School. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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Knock's Brooklyn Wise (19) heads the ball in a girls soccer game against Mars on Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, at Knoch High School. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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Knoch's Mia LeDonne (9) battles Mars' Jade Breese (13) for the ball, in a girls soccer game Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, at Knoch High School. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
