JEFFERSON TWP — Some teams play their best when their backs are against the wall.

The Knoch girls soccer team is the latest example.

The Knights entered Monday's home contest with Section 7-AAA rival Mars needing a win to stay in the thick of the playoff hunt.

The team responded with a 2-1 win when senior P.J. Abels scored the deciding goal with just 1:20 left in the game

The victory came just two days after Knoch lost to section foe Hampton, 2-1, on Saturday.

"This was a very big win for us," said Knights coach Amy Travis. "We were concerned that if we lost, it could knock us out of the playoffs because (Mars) has already defeated Hampton."

The score was deadlocked at one the entire second half until Abels lined up for a free kick from just beyond 50 yards from the net.

The midfielder booted the ball into a crowd in front of the goal. The Planets' attempt to clear the ball gave possession right back to Abels, who skirted the left sideline before letting a shot go near the left corner.

Mars goalkeeper Rachel Turkovich had no chance, as the ball was lofted perfectly over her head and just below the crossbar.

"This one hurts," said Mars coach Susie Giovengo, whose team dropped an identical 2-1 decision to Knoch on Sept. 5.

Mars held a 1-0 lead late in the first half, but the Knights (4-2, 6-4) pulled even just before the intermission when Knoch sophomore Casey Paul got a good leg into the ball 35 yards from the net.

Turkovich came out in an attempt to thwart any scoring chance, but the ball hit the ground and Amanda Sharbaugh beat the Mars netminder for possession. The goal, Sharbaugh's 17th of the season, came nine seconds before halftime.

"That was a huge goal," said Giovengo. "Nobody expects a goal to be scored that close to halftime. Usually, when it gets down to 10 seconds, players start to slack off mentally."

The Planets took a 1-0 lead with 7:47 remaining in the first half when junior forward Glennis Robash beat Knoch goalkeeper Erin Lewis.

Lewis was forced to make eight saves in the first half and finished with a total of 14.

"I thought our defense played very well tonight," said Travis. "We made some adjustments at halftime, adjusting to Mars' style of play and that helped."

The Planets (4-3, 6-4) had several good scoring chances late, but were unable to capitalize.

With 16:18 left in the game, Angela Higgins' shot just skimmed the top of the crossbar.

Then, with 9:45 left, Stephanie Yeo's corner kick was covered up quickly by Lewis with several Mars players within striking distance.

"I was pleased with our scoring chances tonight," said Giovengo. "We couldn't have asked for more."

A controversial call kept Knoch from gaining a 1-0 edge near the mid-point of the first half.

Sharbaugh booted an indirect kick toward the Mars net and it appeared to sail inside the right post for a goal.

But officials ruled the ball went through a hole in the side of the net.

Just 21 seconds into the game, Sharbaugh was awarded a penalty kick, which she tried to stick inside the left post. But Turkovich, who made six saves in the game, dove to her right and came up with her best stop of the night.

Note: Three teams from Section 7-AAA make the WPIAL playoffs. ... After Monday's games, Ambridge leads the section with a perfect 7-0 record, Hampton and Knoch are tied for second at 4-2 and Mars is in fourth place at 4-3.