ADAMS TWP — The Mars girls soccer team celebrated Senior Night not only with a win, but by extending an impressive streak.

With a 4-0 victory over Knoch at the Mars Athletic Complex Monday night, the Planets (9-1, 6-0) have yet to give up a goal in Section 1-AAA play, outscoring their opponents 29-0 in the process.

“We want to keep shutting teams out,” said senior defender Elise Tacik, “but the main goal is to work together well enough to keep winning games.”

The only time this season that Mars has failed to do that was last Wednesday in a 4-1 loss in a non-section contest against Upper St. Clair, a Class 4A program.

“It gave our girls a chance to play in big situations and we got to see how they dealt with being down (on the scoreboard),” said Mars coach Blair Gerlach of his team's lone defeat. “We have some young kids, we start four freshmen puppies. They got some valuable experience.”

The Planets wasted little time taking control of Monday's game as Taylor Hamlett scored less than five minutes into the action.

Mars' other three goals — two in the first half and one in the second — were tallied by senior Maggie Williams. It was her second hat trick of the season.

Williams began the year starting on defense, but switched to forward when Tacik, a center back, returned from injury.

“I've played her everywhere over the last few years,” Gerlach said of Williams. “She can play possession, play direct, and is a tough matchup for other teams.”

“I'm pretty versatile,” Williams said, “and I enjoy playing up front. But my favorite position is holding midfielder, getting the ball to other people. It's important to help your teammates become better players.”

Mars' offensive pressure kept the ball out of the Planets' end for much of the game. Planet goalkeeper, Claire Valentine, needed to make just two saves in the game.

Knoch's netminder, Bailey Gizienski, made nine saves in defeat. The silver lining in the loss was obvious to coach Kevin Wood.

The average margin of victory in Mars' section games this year against teams other than Knoch is nearly six goals.

“We've now lost to Mars 2-0 and 4-0,” said Wood. “I'm very proud of the effort.”

The Knights (9-4, 2-4) will try to shake off the loss and secure a WPIAL playoff berth.

“We host Gateway Wednesday and play at Indiana (Oct. 11),” said Wood. “If we win either of those two games, we'll be in.”

As for the Planets, high aspirations are currently giving way to staying grounded.

“We know what is possible for us,” said senior Alison Scaletta, “but right now, we're just staying humble and taking it game by game.”

The Planets travel to Indiana on Wednesday.