BUTLER TWP — As the final second ticked off the clock, members of the Mars girls lacrosse team rushed the field at Butler High School.

The Planets weren't celebrating their 15-2 victory over the Golden Tornado Friday night as much as they were celebrating simply playing again.

“Oh my gosh, long-awaited, seriously,” said junior Kellen Fletcher. “Just to go out there and win was just the best feeling ever.”

It had been 22 months since Mars last played a game and last felt the thrill of victory.

Not long after that last contest, coach Cara DuMont resigned and Monica Ewansik took over.

She was excited just to see her team play again, too, after such an extended wait.

“It was a long time coming for this team,” Ewansik said. “We have a lot of talent and a lot of young talent. We're just excited to get out there and play. I think a lot of our motivation comes from not getting to play last season. These girls are just excited to be together and play together as a team, finally. They put a lot of hard work in.”

Mars wasted little time jumping on Butler, which was without several players in the season-opener because of COVID-19 quarantine rules.

The Planets scored two goals in the first 40 seconds and led 9-0 midway through the first half before the Golden Tornado dented the scoreboard.

Butler lost a slew of seniors who didn't get a chance last season to finish out their careers because of the pandemic and the canceled season.

“We played one scrimmage game (last season) and that was it,” Conklin said. “Unfortunately, all those seniors graduated. But these girls here, they all returned and they enjoy playing.”

This Butler team has no seniors.

The Golden Tornado settled down in the second half after trailing 11-1 at the break.

“It's tough because we had a couple key, good players out today because of quarantine,” Conklin said. “I think every team is going to have to deal with that at some point this season.

“Mars is a very good team,” Conklin added. “It was a challenge for us, but they stayed strong.”

Mars had nine players score at least one goal.

Sophomore Charlotte Stamper had a strong debut with three first-half goals.

Her first game was supposed to come last season. She spent that time perfecting a side-winding shot that is difficult to simply see let alone stop.

“That's my little secret shot,” Stamper said. “I got to finally whip that out.”

Grace Wu also scored three goals and Mya Cote two for Mars.

Evelynn Vissar and Becca Allison scored Butler's goals.

Mars senior Carly Kern, who is one of the best defenders in the WPIAL, said the year off made the team closer.

And hungrier.

It certainly showed in the season debut.

“After a two-year break, we forgot what to do for warmups,” Kern said, laughing. “We forgot everything. After losing the 2020 season, it gave us more fire, more burn. I've never seen a group of girls work harder. I think we have the potential to go far.”