FRANKLIN — Too much speed, too much skill — too much to overcome.

Karns City's boys soccer season ended late Saturday afternoon with a 6-0 loss to Mercyhurst Prep in a PIAA Class A quarterfinal game at Franklin High School.

“It didn't matter who they sent out there. ... Every one of those guys was fast and got after it,” Gremlins senior midfielder Justin Ryan marveled.

The Lakers (20-1) had a 2-0 lead before the game was 15 minutes old. The margin was 4-0 by halftime.

Sophomore forward Jose Abdala, an exchange student from Mexico, scored both of Mercyhurst's goals in the second half. He had three goals in the game and has 45 on the season.

Abdala also slammed shots off the goalpost twice and was stoned three times from point-blank range by KC freshman goalkeeper David Olszak.

Olszak had 20 saves in the contest as Mercyhurst held a 26-1 edge in shots on goal.

“David was unbelievable with some of those stops, but he's been doing that stuff all year,” Karns City coach Roy Parker said.

The Lakers took eight corner kicks to none for the Gremlins as Mercyhurst dominated territorial play.

“We're built on speed and quickness,” Mercyhurst coach Doug Bakka said. “Our big scorers were really attacking in this game.

“Their goalkeeper was special. I don't know how he made some of those stops. We kept coming at them.”

Sophomore midfielder Eric Campbell — with more than 20 goals on the campaign — scored twice for Mercyhurst. Senior forward Max Weber, the team's assist leader, scored the other goal.

Karns City ended its season at 17-3 with the loss. Despite having only two seniors — Ryan and second-year player Kaden Young — the Gremlins finished runner-up in District 9 and picked up the first state tournament win in school history.

“I had a blast this year,” Parker said. “I never expected anything like this. This was supposed to be a down year, we're so young.

“Instead, we're primed to make another run at it next year.”

Evan McGarvey had KC's lone shot on goal, drilling a hard kick into goalkeeper Mario Perez from 38 yards out late in the first half.

Ryan had the Gremlins' best scoring opportunity when he headed a shot over the net with 25:02 remaining.

McGarvey finished the season with 28 goals. Ryan had 33 and finished his KC career with 73 goals. Ryan hopes to continue his soccer career at Gannon University next year.

“It was amazing how our team came together this year, especially with so many freshmen (six) on the roster,” Ryan said. “This program is being left in good hands.”

Ryan could only smile when asked about the Gremlins' state tournament win.

“I can't put into words how it felt being a part of that,” he said.

Mercyhurst Prep lost in the state finals last year and will face Sewickley Academy in the Western Final Tuesday.

“Despite the score, Karns City never quit playing. They never gave up,” Bakka said. “We have a lot of respect for teams like that.”