CLARION — The memory of what happened on this very field 12 months ago was fresh in the minds of the Karns City girls soccer team.

One year to the day, the Gremlins were upset at Clarion University’s Memorial Stadium by Curwensville 2-1 in the District 9 Class A championship match.

Karns City wasn’t about to let that happen again.

Instead, the Gremlins seized control in the second half of a dominating 4-0 win over the Golden Tide for the D-9 title.

It is the fourth district crown in five years for Karns City. But this one was perhaps the sweetest of them all.

“It’s a lot better feeling than last year, that’s for sure,” said Karns City junior forward Breann Wood, who scored two goals and assisted on another in the victory. “It’s better than anything I’ve ever felt before.”

Karns City (21-0) overcame several missed opportunities early in the first half to take a 1-0 lead on a goal off the foot of sophomore Emily LoPresti, who missed a wide-open shot in the early minutes of the match.

The Gremlins held that slim one-goal lead at halftime.

Just five minutes into the second half, Wood scored and Karns City let out a sigh of relief.

Last year, Curwensville rallied from a 1-0 deficit to win.

“I was just so nervous they were going to get a goal on us and it was going to be like last year,” LoPresti said. “But when we got that second one and third one and fourth one — it was really nice.”

LoPresti scored the third goal on a beautiful play set up by Wood.

The duo, who have combined for nearly 80 goals and 50 assists this season, had a 2-on-1 against Curwensville when Wood gave up the ball to LoPresti at the last second, leaving a wide-open net.

The two have showed off the chemistry numerous times this season.

“She’s my sister,” Wood said. “I love her to death and I love playing with her. I’m so excited to do this with my team. They are family to me, they truly are. So, being able to share something this big with them means the world.”

Wood tacked on the final goal in the 60th minute as the Gremlins controlled the action throughout.

“This was one of those things where you wondered if it was good to have the rematch,” said Karns City coach Lisa Castiglione. “In this case, I think for our team, that’s what we wanted. We wanted to play Curwensville again. We had a lot to prove and it was a redemption game.

“I didn’t have to motivate my girls at all for this game,” Castiglione added.

With only three seniors on the roster, Maggie McKain, Mary Sigworth and Megan Hededus, the Gremlins may not have peaked yet.

“This is the deepest squad and the most talented squad I have ever coached,” Castiglione said. “We played some really pretty soccer tonight.”

Karns City will have to again when it plays WPIAL Class A champion Greensburg Central Catholic in the first round of the PIAA playoffs at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Hampton.

“We’ll compete,” Castiglione said. “My team tends to play to the level of the team we are competing with. Playoffs are fun and I think we have a great chance to put it in the back of the net against them. We’ll see what happens.”