BUTLER TWP — Joe Horvat made crisp passes. He launched sizzling shots.

The sophomore played the way Mars boys lacrosse coach Ed Monahan envisioned.

“Joe Horvat — he's kind of been in the background,” Monahan said, smirking. “Whenever he wants to turn it on, he's an amazing player.”

Horvat turned it on and helped turn a slow start for the Mars boys lacrosse team into a 13-9 win over Butler at Art Bernardi Stadium Friday night.

Horvat had a goal and five assists for the Planets (6-1), a Division II team that felt it had a lot to prove against a Division I opponent.

Mars' players stormed the field after the win and showed intensity throughout the game.

“We're a Division II team, so whenever you play a Division I team, you're going to be pumped up,” Monahan said. “We sort of had the everything-to-prove, nothing-to-lose aspect. I always encourage my guys, especially the ones on the bench, to cheer for each other. We're all in this together. We're all one unit and all one brotherhood.”

Blake Thompson scored four goals to lead Mars. But the Planets fell behind 2-0 in the first two minutes and trailed Butler 3-2 after one quarter.

“It's the first time we've actually won a first quarter all year,” said Butler coach Justin Karam. “I thought that was a good sign of things.”

Gavin Terwilliger scored the first two goals for Butler (0-6) in the first two minutes of the game.

Jamison Smith also scored in the first quarter and led the Golden Tornado with three goals and two assists.

“Jamison is a great player and he's capable of making a lot of plays,” Karam said. “He's done that for us this year. But if you get into a situation where you have one good player and they decide to lock him, you need someone else. We have guys who are capable. It's just a matter of getting their confidence up.

“Gavin is an example of that,” Karam added. “The last few games he's been putting the ball in the net.”

After the slow first quarter, it was Mars that began to put the ball in the net.

The Planets scored five straight goals to take a 7-3 lead with five minutes remaining in the second quarter.

Butler cut the lead down to 7-5 before Cade Hetzler scored with just 14 seconds remaining in the half.

Mars extended that lead to 10-6 early in the fourth quarter before Butler was able to close to 10-8.

The Planets, though, were adept at killing penalties and tacked on three consecutive goals to put the game out of reach.

It was a familiar — and frustrating — refrain for Karam and Butler.

“We're getting better and we've played a lot of tough competition,” Karam said. “It's just a matter of playing a full game. We haven't done it yet. You see glimpses. You just can't bring it all together.”

Butler goalie Brandon Martin was a bright spot with 13 saves for the Golden Tornado.

Nico Cicco scored two goals for Butler.

Owen Vasbinder also had two goals for Mars.

“This group is very talented and I expected good play out of all of them,” Monahan said. “We just keep chugging along. I'm excited for the future.”