Mars boys soccer dominates Knoch after Sebastian Fratangelo makes first start count with hat trick
ADAMS TWP — Sebastian Fratangelo’s night started by learning he was making his first career varsity boys soccer start.
The Mars sophomore ended Tuesday night with a hat trick and a 4-0 win over Knoch. He “felt out of this world,” he said.
First-year Planets (1-0-3) coach Joe Haefner scribbles the starting lineup on the whiteboard in the locker room before the game, so Fratangelo had no idea of what was ahead when he arrived.
“Whenever I saw it, I was like, ‘This is my time to prove that I belong on this team, to show that I can play with these top-tier kids,’” Fratangelo said.
Fratangelo made the visiting Knights (1-3-0) pay for the first time after Knoch couldn’t corral a Matthew Myers corner kick. Nearly five minutes later, after another Mars corner — this time off Liam Duerrung’s foot from the other side — and a Knoch handball, senior midfielder Luca Martorelli booted in a penalty kick and doubled his side’s advantage.
Knoch, which was coming off a 12-2 win Sunday against Valley, managed only a single shot on goal in the first 40 minutes, coming on a deep free kick by sophomore defender Chase Sasse. The Knights couldn’t generate much offense at all on the night, largely because of the Planets’ communication on the back end.
Knoch’s climb got steeper when Fratangelo scored in both the 45th and 55th minutes, with help from Mason Rocke’s crosser on the former and a free kick by Jackson Zirnsak on the latter. Haefner was impressed with how Fratangelo finished in the box.
“Quality’s the hardest thing in a high school game in front of the net,” Haefner said. “You get chance after chance, but quality, that’s what he showed.”
Zirnsak joked Fratangelo was a “tap-in merchant.” Fratangelo described the focus it takes to make plays down low, saying, “Right when the ball's coming to you, you've gotta be like, 'OK, cancel all the noise out. Get everything out. It's just you, the ball, the goalie and the net.'”
Most importantly, four games in — and after three consecutive draws to begin the new season — Haefner’s Planets finally earned a result.
“I’m just happy that they got over the line, because the effort and kind of the quality they had in the first three games was very high,” Haefner said. “So these guys deserve it. Not so much about me, but it’s awesome getting the first win for myself.”
Mars travels to Penn Hills to open WPIAL Section 3-3A play Thursday. Knoch hosts Springdale on Saturday in non-section action.
"You just gotta play with that physical mentality, (using that) mindset throughout the game, and whenever you do find that first win, it feels great," Fratangelo said. "We're gonna carry on that feeling."
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Mars' Matthew Myers (40) scraps with Knoch's Luke Myers (22) in a boys soccer game Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026, at Mars Athletic Complex. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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Mar' captain Luca Martorelli (17) fights to keep the ball from a Knoch defender in a boys soccer game Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026, at Mars Athletic Complex. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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Mars' Sebastian Fratangelo (35) pushes the ball upfield to score against Knoch in a boys soccer game Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026, at Mars Athletic Complex. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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Mars' Sebastian Fratangelo (35) looks to score against Knoch in a boys soccer game Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026, at Mars Athletic Complex. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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Mars captain Mason Rocke (10) shows off some footwork before passing the ball in a boys soccer game against Knoch on Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026, at Mars Athletic Complex. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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Mars' Turner Cox (18) races with the ball in a boys soccer game against Knoch on Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026, at Mars Athletic Complex. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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Mars' Sebastian Fratangelo (35) is congratulated by a teammate after scoring against Knoch in a boys soccer game Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026, at Mars Athletic Complex. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
