ADAMS TWP - Alex Bugel was in the right place at the right time.

The Mars senior forward kicked a rebound in mid-air off a defender and into the net, breaking a scoreless tie with 17:55 remaining to lead the Planets to a 2-0 WPIAL Class AA boys soccer victory over McGuffey Tuesday.

The win sends the Planets (15-4-1) into a second-round game vs. South Park - a 7-1 winner Monday over Laurel Highlands - Thursday at a site and time to be determined.

"We played them (South Park) early in the season and lost 2-0," Mars coach Blair Gerlach said. "But our team hasn't lost in a while and we have what it takes to play with them."

Bugel had what it took to become the third Mars player to score 10 goals this season. Greg Tabisz took a free kick from 21 yards out and a teammate headed the ball toward the net.

McGuffey goalkeeper Mason Myers made a lunging save, but the ball deflected back in front of the net.

"There was a crowd of people going for it," Bugel said. "I just got the bounce. I kicked it toward the goal and it bounced off one of their defenders and in."

The ball crossed the goal line with backspin, barely eluding Myers' grasp.

Bugel added his second goal of the game and his 11th of the year with 15:10 remaining on a penalty kick from 17 yards out.

"That should have been (senior teammate) Kyle Chappel's shot," Bugel said. "He made a great move to get between two defenders and had a clear break before he got knocked down.

"The coaches wanted me to take the penalty kick, so I did, but I wish Kyle had a chance to finish that play," he added.

McGuffey (10-7-1) entered the contest on a four-game unbeaten streak, outscoring its opponents 16-2 during that stretch. The Highlanders reached the playoffs for a fifth straight year but were bounced in the opening round for the fifth straight time.

McGuffey coach Brian Hartzell said it could have been different Tuesday night.

"They got a penalty kick, which they should have gotten," Hartzell said. "We deserved a penalty kick in the first half and didn't get it.

"Our guy (David Jochynek) got knocked down in front of their net and one official called it. Then the officials conferred and called it off. That was wrong," he added.

Jochynek is one of the WPIAL's leading scorers this year with 26 goals.

"If we get that call and score, this is a different game - a totally different game," Hartzell said. "They (officials) took it away from the kids."

Mars won its ninth consecutive game and 14th out of 15 despite returning only two starters - Cameron Frank and goalkeeper Drew Siegel - from a year ago.

The Planets had a 13-6 edge in shots on goal. They had nine shots in the second half.

"We play a good possession game, but we hurt ourselves in the first half by playing too much long ball," Gerlach said. "That's what we talked about at halftime.

"We controlled the ball more in the second half and got more scoring opportunities. We have an inexperienced team and were a little nervous early in the game, too."

The Planets start only four seniors: Bugel, Frank, Nick Schultz and Josh Collier. Tabisz and Adam Dillner, both juniors, have 10 goals each this year. Frank and Schultz have eight each.

"Our scoring is really spread out, which makes us hard to defend," Gerlach said.

Mars had nine corner kicks to McGuffey's one. The Highlanders' lone corner kick did not occur until 6:46 remained in the game.

"Home field advantage isn't always an advantage in terms of your field," Gerlach said. "It's rained here the last couple of days and nine different teams use this field.

"We were able to find a couple of dry spots to possess the ball and make some plays. Everything worked out."