Unstoppable Planets?
COLLIER TWP — The Mars girls soccer team has been making life miserable for its opponents.
The Planets now will focus on making history.
The team steamrolled into the WPIAL Class AA title game with a dominating 8-0 victory over Hopewell in a semifinal matchup Monday night at Chartiers Valley High.
The Planets will be in search of the program's second WPIAL title, their first came in 2000, when they face Beaver Saturday at a time and site to be determined.
Beaver defeated top-seeded South Park 2-1 in overtime in Monday's other semifinal.
Mars (21-0) scored three goals in the first 4 minutes, 44 seconds of Monday's game.
In the second minute of play, Karli Paracca was denied on a charge toward Hopewell's net, but the Planets were awarded a corner kick.
Mani Brueckner's ball found Alanna Haefner, who headed in her team's first goal.
Paracca scored twice in the next two minutes to make it 3-0.
"We've found ways to jump out on teams early this season," said Mars coach Blair Gerlach. "We didn't make many changes tonight, just kept doing what we've been doing. Fortunately, the matchups worked in our favor."
Paracca scored her third goal of the game later in the first half and teammates Amber Fichter, Crysta Ganter and Brueckner also scored as the Planets led 7-0 at halftime.
Mars has outscored its opponents 153-7 this season and 22-0 in three playoff games.
"It would be easy for us to be overconfident," said senior midfielder Dana Wonderly. "But in practice, it's our offense going up against our defense, so that's very competitive for us.
"It's very exciting," Wonderly added of going to the WPIAL finals. "I couldn't ask for a better group of girls to be doing this with."
Trisha Glavin added the Planets' final goal in the 50th minute.
Hopewell goalkeeper Kyra Honeywill made eight saves and backup Emily Faller had two stops.
Mars' Meghan Kelly made three stops in the game, just one in the first half.
As has been the case all season, she was supported by a staunch defensive effort from center backs Jordyn White and Beth Perri, right back Alanna Haefner and left back Erica Schwab.
"The biggest thing with our defense is they remain very focused even when the ball is on the opposite side of the field," said Gerlach.
Mars defeated South Park 1-0 in overtime to win the WPIAL Class AA title in 2000.
