WEXFORD — Every good star needs a good sidekick.

The only problem when it comes to Amanda Sharbaugh and P.J. Abels is figuring out who is the star and who is the sidekick.

Both have brought their unique and special skills to the Knoch girls soccer team.

"P.J. has a way of finding Amanda wherever she is," said Knoch coach Amy Travis. "They are both very skilled players and play off each other very well. And they trust each other, which is very important, too."

Sharbaugh scored 33 goals this season and Abels scored another 13. But Abels was the linchpin in the Knights' attack, finding Sharbaugh on many of her goals.

Sometimes, Abels would send a pass Sharbaugh's way and then sit back and watch in awe as her teammate turned it into a spectacular goal.

"Yeah, all the time, actually." said Abels, a senior. "I think if it was anyone else, I wouldn't look as good. I can tell when she's going to make that run."

Both started playing soccer when they were 6. Sharbaugh, only a junior, already has scored 78 goals in her career.

She has done that despite getting marked in nearly every game she has played.

"I think when people are marking me, I see that as an opportunity for P.J.," Sharbaugh said.

"For the most part, she's always marked," said Abels. "She scores all the big goals, but she always manages to get the ball."

Sharbaugh's biggest asset is her speed, as not many opponents can keep up with her for an entire match.

Sharbaugh also is adept at dribbling and finding the right angles to attack the net and to set up the goalkeeper.

Having Abels around certainly helped, Sharbaugh said.

"Every time I looked back and saw P.J. with the ball, I knew I had to run because she's going to play me through."

Abels made her mark with her assists. She had 26 last season to go with nine goals. She had nearly that many assists this year.

However, she won't be playing soccer at Knoch any more — a distressing thought for everyone involved with the Knights.

Travis in particular.

She has coached Abels since middle school and is now charged with the task of replacing one of her most dynamic players next season.

"It's going to be a tough spot to fill," Travis said. "It really is. That will be a challenge for us next year."