Bounce-back plan
ADAMS TWP — The second season has arrived for high school soccer.
For Mars' boys, that means refocusing.
The Planets entered their regular-season finale against Pine-Richland on Monday with a record of 17-0. The Rams came away with a 1-0 victory, thanks to a penalty kick in the second half.
“We really wanted to have an undefeated regular season,” said senior midfielder Noah Hudac, “but unfortunately, things didn't go our way.”
Planets' coach Chris Knauff is now prepping his squad for a WPIAL Class AA first-round playoff game against either Beaver or Quaker Valley Monday at the Mars Athletic Complex.
“We had never gone undefeated in the regular season and the players were excited at the chance of being the first,” Knauff said. “I understand their disappointment, but an undefeated season isn't the goal. What you do in the regular season doesn't matter if you don't reach your goals in the playoffs. The guys have already put that loss behind them.”
The Planets went seven straight seasons (2006-12) in which they won at least one WPIAL playoff game. That string included district titles in 2008 and 2009 and title-game appearances in 2010 and 2012.
The streak came to an end last season when South Fayette ended the Planets' season in a first-round meeting.
Mars is determined to go much deeper in the playoffs in 2014.
“We'd like to go for a state title, but that would have to include a lot of luck,” Hudac said. “The goal we are focused on right now is winning the WPIAL.”
It seems the Planets have all the pieces in place to do so. For Knauff, it begins with midfielders Ian McNany, Kyle Nymberg and Hudac.
“When they are clicking, it pulls the rest of the team along with it,” Knauff said. “If we can control the middle of the field, we can control other areas.”
Hudac leads the team with 21 goals, but many other players are capable of finding the net in key situations, including forwards Andrew Diefenbacher and Cole Ferguson.
“Our ability to score goals goes across the field, even our defenders,” said Hudac. “Our midfielders and forwards are all strong. We can all score if needed. Our ball movement is great and the familiarity everybody has with each other has a lot to do with it.”
Dale Glavin and Palmer Holcomb have combined to post 11 shutouts this season. Glavin, a junior, has received the majority of the starts after breaking into the lineup last season.
“His technique is very sound,” Knauff said of Glavin. “But behind it is the confidence of a really good goalkeeper.”
That mindset comes from improved play.
“I've gotten a lot better with my goal kicks,” said Glavin, “and with leading the team and getting them organized. But most of my success is due to the team in front of me. I'm completely confident in the defense.”
Junior Nick Cimini leads the back for the Planets, who have outscored their opponents 85-10.
