The Mars girls soccer team broke through for a state championship last season.

Apparently, one just isn't enough.

“The kids work really hard in the offseason and during the season to try and out-do the team before them,” said Planets coach Blair Gerlach. “It's a pretty lofty goal, but it's something reachable at the same time.”

Mars returns eight starters from the 2011 PIAA Class AA champions, many of whom specialize in smothering opposing offensive weapons.

“We lost four seniors and all of them were attacking midfielders or forwards,” said Gerlach. “We really didn't lose anything from the defense.

“It wasn't much of a rebuilding year, it was more of a reloading year,” he added. “They're a good group.”

Last season, the Planets recorded 19 shutouts on the way to a 25-0-1 record. Mars won the state title game over Villa Joseph Marie by a 1-0 margin.

The Planets allowed just eight goals in all of 2011, but the stifling defense was overshadowed by a potent offense. Mars scored more than eight goals in a game 10 times.

“Our defense didn't really get a whole lot of credit last year just because we were very fortunate to have a lot of very talented attacking players,” Gerlach explained. “Their stats were so staggering, they kind of took all the attention.

“We got to that state title game and it was a 1-0 game that had to be kind of gritted out,” he continued. “The defense finally got credit for what they were doing all year.”

The only team to manage a draw against the Planets last year was Knoch.

Steve Perri coached the Knights in 2011, but took over the Butler program over the offseason and has already led the Golden Tornado (3-2) to more wins than all of last year.

“It's a new challenge,” said Perri. “The girls are working hard, figuring out how to play like a team a little more each day.”

Rich Kenzie stepped in for Perri at Knoch. He has previously served as the Butler boys junior varisty coach for five years and also spent time as the girls varsity coach for Keystone Oaks.

“We're a young team, but there's some experienced players at the junior and even the sophomore level,” said Kenzie. “The key for us is to keep (the players) organized and to get them to play possession soccer and really leverage on the strength of those experienced players.”

Stocked with up-and-coming talent, Kenzie belives the Knights can soon challenge Mars for Section 2-AA supremacy.

“With the junior and sophomore class we have and a couple of really strong freshmen, I think we'll be poised next year to really make a run at the section,” he said.

So far this season, Knoch is 5-0 overall and 3-0 in section play. Mars is 4-1, 4-0 after suffering a non-section loss to Class AAA Pine-Richland Sept. 6.

“Our non-section schedule is very challenging,” said Gerlach. “We're excited to play these teams and find out what we need to work on.”

As defending state champions, Mars is well aware there's a target on their back.

However, the Planets aren't about to lower their standards.

“They're not going to rest (after winning the title),” said Gerlach. “It's not necessarily 'monkey off the back.' It's, 'OK, that was the first one. When can we get the second one?'

“They're hungry and they know it's not going to be given to them,” he added. “We're excited about the journey ahead.”

Butler

Coach: Steve Perri, first season

Last year: 2-14

Top returning players: Seniors Alexa Gray (F), Tori Sawhney (D) and junior Macy Stalnaker (F).

Coach's comment: “We're filled with youth. We want to be above .500 and be competitive in every game. Our biggest goal is to make the playoffs, but we understand that's a tough task.”

Grove City

Coach: Matt Nichols, sixth season

Last year: 9-7

Top returning players: Seniors Moriah Williamson (D) and Mariah Trieber (F).

Coach's comment: “We have a big core of juniors this year that have experience. We'll definitely continue trying to make the playoffs. Our stronger players are our older ones now, so we have a better chance of competing against Hickory and Slippery Rock.”

Karns City

Coach: Lisa Castiglione, seventh season

Last year: 16-1-2, District 9 runner-up

Top returning players: Senior Maggie McKain (MF) and juniors Breann Wood (F), Emily Schumacher (GK-MF-D) and Morgan Deal (GK).

Coach's comment: “We want to get back in the winning category with the D-9 championship. There's a young, fresh look to the program. It's one of the deepest squads I've ever had.”

Knoch

Coach: Rich Kenzie, first season

Last year: 16-2-2, WPIAL quarterfinalist

Top returning players: Senior Melissa Spreng (MF); juniors Abby Gore (D), Gabi Lassinger (MF) and Olivia Sharbaugh (F).

Coach's comment: “The goal is to get to the playoffs. My biggest goal is just for them to progress through the year and get better and better.”

Seneca Valley

Coach: Dave Sylvester, 12th season

Last year: 16-2-2, Section 2-AAA champions, WPIAL quarterfinalist.

Top returning players: Seniors Morgan Williams (F), Mischa Demchuk (MF), Alex Bilka (F), Rachel Leake (D) and sophomore Jess Neill (GK).

Outlook: “We want to make the playoffs. That's our No. 1 goal,” said Sylvester. “We're going to work on getting better every day. If the girls play as a team, they can reach the goals they've set for themselves.”

Mars

Coach: Blair Gerlach, sixth season

Last year: 25-0-1, PIAA Class AA champions, WPIAL champions, Section 2-AA champions.

Top returning players: Seniors Jordyn White (D), Erica Schwab (D), Bethany Perri (MF), Tricia Glavin (MF) and juniors Shaelyn O'Connor (D), Sarah Dailey (GK), Amber Fichter (MF), Karli Paracca (F).

Outlook: “They always find a way to come up with a new challenge. They're very proud of what they do and the product they put on the field,” said Gerlach. “They're hungry, ready to battle day in and day out and see if we can at least get close (to the state title) again.”

Coaches for Slippery Rock and Freeport could not be reached for comment.