The Mars boys lacrosse team's 22nd win of the season brought with it a heavy dose of history.

Sparked by Austin Cote's five goals and a superb effort from goalie Jake Gareis, the Planets defeated Bishop Shanahan, 10-3, in the Class 2A state semifinals at Cumberland Valley High School Tuesday afternoon.

Mars (22-0) will become the first-ever WPIAL boys team to play for a state lacrosse title when it meets District 11 champion Allentown Central Catholic at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at West Chester East High School's Harold Zimmerman Stadium.

“We're pretty excited,” said Mars coach Bob Marcoux. “We played in the state semis here at the same site in 2018, lost to Strath Haven in overtime. Coming here again brought back some tough memories for us, but we obviously were in a better mood on that walk to the bus this time.”

Bishop Shanahan was the two-time defending state champion entering Tuesday's contest and broke the ice with a goal in the first quarter.

The Planets' potent attack, which averaged over 18 goals per game this season, was held scoreless in the first 12 minutes. Marcoux wasn't concerned.

“We had quite a number of shots in the first quarter, hit a couple pipes, but Bishop Shanahan has a really good defense, too,” he said. “We told the kids as long as we're moving our feet, moving the ball, we'd be fine.”

Nick Crowley, Wesley Scurci and Cote each found the net in the second quarter while Mars' defense put the clamps on the Eagles and the Planets led 3-1 at the break.

The Eagles scored back-to-back goals in the third period, cutting Mars' lead to 4-3 with 9:16 left in the third quarter.

Mars' grip on Shanahan tightened, however, and the Planets out-scored the Eagles 6-0 over the final 21 minutes of the game.

“Lacrosse is all about possession,” said Marcoux. “We were able to cause some turnovers, got possession and moved the ball. It was just a matter of playing our game at that point.”

Cote added his final two goals in the fourth while Jack Dunham and Jacob Caringola each scored once as Mars won the game going away.

“Austin is really good when teams go man-to-man against us,” said Marcoux. “They threw a little zone at us today and he was very patient, waited for great shots. When he takes an open shot, he usually scores.”

“It felt great to put up that many goals for the team and help us play for a state title,” Cote said. “I couldn't have done it without my teammates. It was a dogfight, but we found a way.”

Kyle McEwen also scored in the game for Mars.

Gareis stopped 11 of 14 shots.

“It all started with him,” Marcoux said of Gareis. “He made some big saves early to keep us in it ... and Shanahan has a lot of talent on offense.”

“Most of the shots I faced were long-range ones and wide,” Gareis said. “I like those, they're easier to make saves on.

“It's crazy ... It still hasn't sunk in yet that we're making history.”