Overtime Doesn't Pay
PITTSBURGH — Opportunities were there, but scarce for the Mars girls soccer team Friday night at Highmark Stadium.
Sophomore midfielder Ellie Coffield had the ball deep in Oakland Catholic territory in overtime, but she wasn't able to get the ball past the Eagles' keeper.
When Anna Sproule had her opportunity in the 89th minute, she didn't miss. The Eagles' senior defender knocked in a corner kick nine minutes into overtime to propel Oakland Catholic to its first WPIAL Class AAA title, scoring a 1-0 victory over Mars.
The Planets, who fell to 5-3 all-time in WPIAL title games, had their 18-game winning streak snapped.
Mars coach Blair Gerlach didn't change strategies when the goals didn't show up early.
“Keep getting chances and put one away,” Gerlach said. “We just didn't put a ball away. I thought we were the more dangerous team, but you don't capitalize early and let it go to a one chance type of thing.
“I thought we could have ended it 30 seconds before they did. ...You hope for the bounce and we didn't get it.”
The Planets (18-1) will play District 3 champion Manheim Central Tuesday at a site and time to be determined. The Eagles, who have won 18 straight, will play District 6 champion Hollidaysburg.
In the first half, where only two shots reached the net, Mars held a 4-2 edge in corner kicks. Oakland Catholic coach Jim Earle was comfortable with the game's tempo.
“Relax and go out and be who we are,” Earle said. “If we go out and play who we are capable of, it doesn't matter who we play. It's the first time we've been in a WPIAL final.”
Gracie Dunaway put a scare into Oakland Catholic in the 58th minute. The Mars sophomore midfielder hit a rocket from 20 yards out that sailed just over the crossbar on the far side.
Earle said Oakland Catholic was focused on limiting opportunities for Taylor Hamlett.
“I thought our girls did a great job of knowing where she was,” Earle said. “We had to communicate and pass her along, knowing where she was. We did a good job of stepping up and making sure she didn't get the ball.”
Oakland Catholic had a chance to score with about nine minutes remaining, but had the opportunity waved off following a handball.
Gerlach said he thought the Eagles' strategy was to try and keep Mars from getting the ball deep.
“I would say they kept five or six players back for a good amount of the time,” Gerlach said. “I felt like we had the better of the chances and more chances. It felt like it was going to be our game, but we had to put one away. We didn't do that today. I hope we see them again.”
