By Derek Pyda

Butler Eagle Staff Writer

ADAMS TWP — The “game-by-game” mentality is nothing new in sports.

But Mars’ boys lacrosse team has condensed it even further and it has led to striking results.

The Planets enter tonight’s home game against Pine-Richland with a perfect 14-0 record, having outscored their opponents 247-66.

“We tell the kids if we can win every quarter, the wins will take care of themselves,” said second-year Mars coach Ed Monahan. “We don’t look too far ahead and pride ourselves in getting better and winning every quarter.”

Mars’ players have taken their coach’s words to heart. Through 14 games, the Planets have failed to win just one quarter (the fourth period in a 15-8 victory over Peters Township April 22). Three other quarters have ended in a tie while Mars has outscored its foes in the other 52 periods.

“We work together to win each quarter instead of looking at an entire game,” said senior midfielder Nick Cimini. “That mind-set has really helped us.”

Mars seems to have found a perfect blend of talent and experience this season. Several players are four-year starters, goalie Pat Morrow, attack Blake Thompson and Cimini among them.

“We’ve had four years to grow together and that has boosted our confidence,” said Cimini.

Thompson leads the Planets in points (77) and goals (50), while Anthony Grieco has scored 38 times. Joe Horvat leads in assists with 29.

Brothers Gino and Joe Crognale are top defenders for Mars, but Monahan referred to Morrow as “the general” of the defense.

“Having a four-year starter in goal, it’s fantastic,” he said. “He controls the defense and makes changes as needed on the fly. He has great leadership qualities.”

The Planets have not found themselves trailing much on the scoreboard this season, but when they have, Monahan likes how his players have responded.

“We were down 2-0 in the first minute and a half against Hampton (May 2),” he related. “I remember looking at the bench and seeing a look of shock. The coaching staff told the players that ‘Everything is fine. Once we get our offense going, we’ll find the back of the net’. We responded instantly.

Mars went on to thump the Talbots 21-9.

A pair of freshmen — Garrett Reinke and Mike Doyle — have added depth to an already potent lineup.

“We have two guys who are great at taking faceoffs, Reinke and Andrew Moyer,” said Thompson. “They allow us to have so many more offensive possessions and that allows our defense to rest.”

Mars’ lopsided leads this season have allowed Monahan to get a good deal of playing time for the non-starters.

“We get our second attack unit out there and other guys play close defense for us,” he said. “Because of that, we are a very deep team.”

That depth just may be the factor that pushes Mars to the top this season. The Planets have qualified for the WPIAL playoffs each year since boys lacrosse became a varsity sport at the school in 2013. But the program’s playoff record is just 1-3.

“We have a great number of skilled players this year,” said Thompson. “We have a lot of guys getting on the field. Everyone’s putting the time in.”

The Planets compete in the WPIAL’s Division II, Section 4. Division II is supposed to be a level below Division I, but that hasn’t stopped the Planets from steamrolling their five Division I opponents so far this season — Sewickley Academy, Butler, Peters Township, Fox Chapel and Central Catholic — by a combined score of 84-26. They will get another chance to flex their muscles tonight against Pine-Richland, another D-I opponent.

“We are very fortunate at Mars,” said Monahan. “Between junior varsity and varsity, we have 42 guys who play hard and practice hard.

“The kids have impressed me. They are very coachable and have a good work ethic.”