Perfect Finish?
Last year, members of the Mars girls soccer team traveled to Hershey and returned as state champions.
The school is hoping to have twice the reason for celebration come Friday.
Both the girls and boys varsity teams will be playing for PIAA Class 3A titles at Hersheypark Stadium.
For the second straight year, the Planet girls will face Villa Joseph Marie at 4 p.m., followed by the boys game between Mars and Northern York at 6:30 p.m.
Mars' boys lost in their only other trip to the state final in 2007. That was Chris Knauff's first year as head coach of the team. He's asked his players to remain focused from game to game this season and he has remained true to that mentality.
“I guess I would have said all along that this team was capable of anything,” he said, “but I really didn't think about us playing in the state championship game until Tuesday's game (a 2-1 semifinal win over Cathedral Prep) was over. I wouldn't allow myself to look ahead.”
The Planets (20-0) and Northern York (19-0-1) both enter the finale undefeated. For the Polar Bears, a change in mind-set has been invaluable.
“Last year, we made the District 3 title game for the first time in school history,” said Northern coach Gaz Davies. “We were just happy to be there and ended up losing.
“This year, we won the district and the boys' goal has been to win every game, even after the state playoffs started. The difference has been like night and day.”
The Polar Bears are fueled by balanced scoring. Senior striker Shepard Soisson leads the way with 21 goals, followed by midfielder Connor Swope, who was named all-state last year. He's scored 20 goals this fall. Center-midfielder Ashton Davies has added 15 tallies and midfielder Spencer Siverling 14.
Junior Josh Hoffman is a first-year starter in net.
“He's allowed 14 goals, but also has 10 shutouts,” Coach Davies said. “Our back four have played well in front of him, but when we've needed him to, he's played very well.”
Hoffman's counterpart, Mars senior Jake Gareis, has been clutch for the Planets, allowing just eight goals all season.
“In every playoff game, he's come up with a save that's been very crucial,” Knauff said. “Without that save in each game, it goes the other way.”
Mars' attack includes senior Dane Beller, who has scored a program-record 36 goals this season. Tyler Nymberg (16 goals) and Nabil Lahlou (14) add balance.
There are players for both Mars and Villa Joseph Marie who played key roles in last year's game, won by the Planets 1-0.“I don't see that playing into the mind-set of either team,” said Mars coach Blair Gerlach. “It's a different year and a different game.”VJM has won five state championships under head coach Rich Finneyfrock, the most recent in 2018. His Jems were denied PIAA crowns by Mars in 2011 and last year, from which the team returned six starters, including junior goalkeeper Morgan Murphy.“She is our starter right now,” Finneyfrock said. “We've played two other girls in net this season, senior Molly McHugh and sophomore Makenzie Van Arsdale. Sometimes, it just depends on the mood. I know that sounds weird, but we often go with the girl who looks best in warmups.”Kennedy Kilchrist, Katherine Sullivan and Lindsey Bennett are the team's top scorers, but Finneyfrock knows how his team (15-0) plays on the other end will go a long way in deciding Friday's game.Mars features Ellie Coffield, Gracie Dunaway and Caroline Wroblewski, who each have 20-plus goals.“Mars is an outstanding team,” Finneyfrock said. “I've watched a couple of their games and they are strong at every position. We have to make them hold the ball more than they're used to and we'll have to defend more than we're used to. It's going to be a difficult game.”Mars' seniors, which include goalkeeper Courtney Lisman, have been part of so much success over the last few years.“This is their last chance to play in high school,” said Gerlach. “Their motivation to win is intensified. They have the chance to go out in a great way.”
