ELIZABETH TWP, Allegheny County — For most high school soccer teams, a WPIAL title is a destination.

For Mars' girls, it is simply another stop along the way to what the Planets hope is the program's first state championship.

Amber Fichter's goal in the 65th minute of play broke a 1-1 tie with South Park and lifted Mars to its second straight Class AA title with a 2-1 victory Saturday afternoon at Elizabeth Forward High School.

“It definitely beats any goal I've ever scored in the regular season,” said Fichter, whose score came after a free kick from teammate Bethany Perri 21 yards from the Eagles' goal. “To win two WPIAL titles in the span of a year, it's amazing.”

The loss was the first of the season for South Park (19-1-2).

“Last year, I think we were able to surprise some people,” said Planets coach Blair Gerlach. “Our tie with Knoch this season (2-2 on Sept. 26), it set us back to reality and showed the girls how hard they have to work.

“We've been going six days every week,” he added. “The girls don't know what to do with a day off. I'm very proud of them.”

Following Fichter's goal, the Planets (21-0-1) were able to keep most of the action in South Park's end of the field, despite the Eagles' need for a tying score.

With under 10 minutes to play, Mars was awarded three throws deep in South Park's zone and a pair of corner kicks.

Finally, with less than 5 minutes on the clock, the Eagles managed several advances into Mars territory.

Mars was able to clear one of those after being awarded a free kick deep in its own zone in the 79th minute and the Planets' lead remained intact.

“We played good soccer, the way it's supposed to be played,” said South Park coach Shelly Thropp. “We just weren't able to score enough.”

Mars dominated much of the first half, even before Mani Brueckner's goal on a free kick from 30 yards out in the 24th minute.

In the first 40 minutes of play, the Planets earned three corner kicks, four free kicks and eight throws near South Park's goal.

In contrast, the Eagles had no corner or free kicks in the first half.

“We just tried to control the midfield,” said Mars junior defender Erica Schwab. “We didn't want them to be able to play the ball to the outside.”

South Park appeared rejuvenated early in the second half and it yielded a tying goal from senior midfielder Christie Chiesa in the 42nd minute.

The sequence began with a corner kick off the foot of Niki Mazur, who tapped the ball to teammate Sarah Casne.

The latter fed the ball to a streaking Chiesa, whose shot sailed past Mars goalkeeper Sarah Dailey.

“You do get worried,” said Gerlach of South Park's goal, “because you don't know how the team is going to respond. But this team has shown a lot of character.”

Following the goal — only the seventh given up by Mars all season — the Planets held South Park in check until Perri and Fichter combined on the deciding score.

Dailey made a pair of saves in the win. South Park's Sierra Davis stopped eight shots.

Mars will open the PIAA playoffs against District 10 runner-up Mercyhurst Prep Tuesday at a site and time to be determined.

Mercyhurst was the only team to defeat Mars last year, beating the Planets 3-0 in the state semifinals.

“We want it all this year,” said Schwab. “Anything less than a state title would be a disappointment.”

Note: The Planets now have a total of three WPIAL titles. ... Their first came in 2000 under former coach Dale Giovengo.