Knoch's Dulcie Ondrizek celebrates a goal by Olivia Sharbaugh on Monday during a 2-2 draw between the Knights and Mars Planets. Both teams remain undefeated on the season.

JEFFERSON TWP — The Knoch girls soccer team may not have earned a win Monday afternoon against Mars, but the Knights did earn respect.

Losers of seven straight against their section rival, the Knights battled the Planets to a 2-2 tie.

It's the first regular season game the Planets failed to win since a loss to Seneca Valley Oct. 3, 2009.

“Mars won the WPIAL (Class AA) title last year and made it all the way to the state semifinals,” said Knoch coach Steve Perri. “We're looked at as a tier below them, but today's game says we're on the same level.”

Mars held a 2-1 lead late in regulation before Knoch senior midfielder Danielle Sharbaugh's free kick found the back of the net with just 29.6 seconds left in the second half.

Mars dominated the play in the first overtime, with Knoch goalkeeper Maranda Tano making three clutch saves to preserve the stalemate.

The Planets (10-0-1, 6-0-1) also had two potential game-winning shots bounce off the post in the final 20 seconds.

The Knights had an opportunity late in the second overtime with a corner kick, but failed to score.

“We created countless chances today, but were unable to score on most of them,” said Mars coach Blair Gerlach. “I still think our performance was deserving of a win, but sometimes the ball just doesn't bounce your way.”

Tano turned in a superb performance, stopping 18 of the 20 shots she faced.

“When it comes to doing everything you can do to keep the ball out of the net, she does it,” Perri said of Tano, a senior who was a midfielder last season.

“I've played goalie on Cup teams since I was 11 years old,” she said. “It was a bit nerve-racking in goal today. I really wish we could've beaten them.”

Knoch (8-0-1, 6-0-1) took a 1-0 lead into halftime after Olivia Sharbaugh's goal on a free kick in the 37th minute of play.

Defensively, the Knights held the Planets to just four corner kicks in the first half.

“We played a perfect first half,” Perri said, “but Mars made adjustments in the second half.”

Those adjustments led to 10 corner kicks for the Planets in the next 40 minutes. Two of them led to Mars' goals. In both instances, defender Patricia Glavin headed in a corner kick from senior standout Mani Brueckner, the first in the 43rd minute followed by a score in the 76th minute for a 2-1 advantage.

“It feels amazing to be there for the team like that,” said Glavin, who gets few scoring chances playing in the back. “The tie is going to serve as motivation for us to get better. We can still be No. 1 in the section.”

Mars goalkeeper Sarah Dailey made six saves in the game.

The rematch is scheduled for Oct. 17 at the Mars Athletic Complex.

Last year, the Knights made the WPIAL playoffs, but lost to Mars three times by a combined score of 17-1.

“Knoch is an improved team,” said Gerlach. “Steve has done a great job. Both teams are going to be well-prepared for the rematch.”