ADAMS TWP — Sammy Papik peppers Mars girls soccer coach Blair Gerlach with questions before each game.

The Mars girls soccer sophomore goalkeeper wants to find ways to improve every outing. Asking questions helps the process and helps Papik stay calm.

“I just tried to get focused and get into the mentality,” Papik said.

Finding that ideal mental state has helped Papik develop into a solid first-year starter for the Planets (19-4).

She's recorded 12 shutouts and has started all 23 games.

Three of Papik's shutouts came in the postseason, including Mars' 5-0 win Tuesday over Clearfield in the first round of the PIAA Class AA Tournament.

That set Mars up to play District 10 champion Villa Maria Academy at 3 p.m. Saturday at Slippery Rock High School in the quarterfinals.

“The main reason Sammy got the job is the fact that she is strong-willed,” Planets' coach Blair Gerlach said. “She listens and works hard. ... Sometimes you'll look at the keeper and say there's no chance anyone can get to the ball and her hand will shoot up out of nowhere.”

Beating Clearfield came after Mars' toughest loss of the season.

Wind conditions at Highmark Stadium led to some strange bounces that resulted in goals during the Planets' 3-1 loss to Montour in the WPIAL title game.

“I learned that I needed to calm down and rebound quickly,” Papik said. “It definitely helped me learn from my mistakes.”

The Clearfield game was an opportunity for the entire team to rebound.

“The WPIAL performance wasn't indicative of our team as a whole,” Gerlach said. “The way everyone rebounded was important. A lot of it is mindset and confidence and Sammy has both of those.”

Papik developed mental toughness in the preseason, when she competed with fellow sophomore Sydney Edwards for the starting job.

Both are close friends. During their freshmen year, they carpooled to practice together.

“We've been friends for a while,” Papik said. “It was a friendly competition. We both worked hard and know we'll always be friends.”

Gerlach is impressed with how they handled the competition.

“The funny thing is they are best friends,” Gerlach said. “I've never seen two people compete so hard against each other. It takes special kinds of kids to be in the battle they were in and get along so well.”

Papik wasn't the only new member of the Mars defense this season.

Annabelle Hnath, Judy Kahn and Amber Lisman joined returning starter Shannon Doyle on defense.

They learned together.

“We're all on the same foundation,” Papik said. “I think we're a pretty solid team now.”

A few games into the season, Gerlach thought the same thing.

“As soon as she found out her teammates believed in her, she started to perk up and walk taller,” Gerlach said. “You could see the confidence come out. It was her proud peacock moment.”