Planets blank Knoch
SHALER TWP — And the beat goes on.
The Mars girls soccer team advanced to the WPIAL Class AA semifinals with a 3-0 win over Knoch Wednesday night at Shaler High.
The Planets increased their overall record to 20-0 and face Hopewell, a 2-0 victor over Central Valley, Monday at a site and time to be determined.
"We're pleased to be moving on, but there are some things we still need to work on," said Planets coach Blair Gerlach.
Both members of Section 2, Mars and Knoch faced each other twice during the regular season, with the Planets winning 6-1 and 8-0.
"It's difficult when you're playing a team that knows you so well," said Gerlach. "It's hard to throw something at them that they aren't expecting."
Fortunately for the Planets, it was the Knights who had to change their game plan.
"It was clear in the two previous meetings that their speed was a huge factor," said Knights coach Steve Perri. "We wanted to play deeper tonight, meaning we wanted to keep everything in front of us and take their speed advantage out of the equation if we could.
"Looking at the scoreboard, it was more equal tonight," added Perri. "All three of their goals came off corner kicks."
Mars got on the board in the sixth minute of play after Mani Brueckner's shot on goal was saved by Knoch goalie Maranda Tano and the Planets were awarded a corner kick.
Dana Wonderly scored the crucial first goal soon after Brueckner put the ball in play.
Fourteen minutes later, Knoch (11-7-1) was unable to clear another ball from the corner and Alanna Haefner took advantage to make it 2-0.
Brueckner's corner kick ricocheted off teammate Nicole Soose, hit the post and landed behind the goal line for Mars' third tally in the 29th minute
"We knew Knoch would play a passionate game," said Gerlach. "As long as we matched their physical play, we felt we'd be OK."
Planets goalkeeper Meghan Kelly had three saves.
Tano (10) and Storm Hajek (five) combined for 15 for the Knights.
The 2010 season proved to be a successful one for Knoch, which made the WPIAL playoffs after going winless in section play last season.
"I had high goals for the team and the girls bought into it," said Perri, a first-year coach.
With the win, Mars clinches a berth in the state playoffs, which begin Nov. 9.
