CLARION — It ended with a first-round loss, but you won't hear Karns City boys soccer coach Roy Parker complaining about his team's performance in the first state playoff game in the program's history.

The Gremlins dropped a 2-1 decision to Seton-LaSalle in a PIAA Class A contest Tuesday night at Clarion University's Memorial Stadium.

"This is the finest team we have ever fielded, and we proved it," Parker said. "Up until the final seconds, we were attacking the net. We deserved to win tonight."

Following Mark Del Greco's goal that put Seton-LaSalle up 2-1 with 16:28 left to play, the Gremlins appeared to have the tying goal within their reach several times.

The final chance came with just 24 seconds left in the game, when Mark Ferguson slid in an attempt to redirect a centering pass toward the net.

Had Ferguson gotten a piece of the ball, it probably would have tied the game. Instead, the ball skipped just beyond the senior's right foot.

It was Ferguson who gave the Gremlins the lead early in the first half.

After receiving a perfect centering pass from the right side, Ferguson beat Rebel goalkeeper Evan Russell with just 2:42 gone from the clock.

"I don't think Seton-LaSalle expected us to come out attacking like that," said Parker. "We scored that quick goal and their players' eyes got really big."

Just 36 seconds after it appeared on the scoreboard, KC's advantage evaporated. After a Seton-LaSalle throw-in, the ball was soon lost in a crowd of players before being knocked past KC goalkeeper Zach Fleeger.

Seton-LaSalle's David Del Greco was the closest Rebel to the ball and got credit for the goal, but it appeared to Parker that the ball ricocheted off one of his own players.

"Karns City's goal was the quickest score we've given up this season," said Rebels coach Aaron Panczyk. "But fortunately, we were able to come right back and tie it up."

The game remained a stalemate for more than 60 minutes of play, but it was Karns City (17-4-1) that appeared to be the quicker team and the Gremlins were the first to get to loose balls more often than not.

"Normally, you use the first four or five minutes of the game to feel your opponent out," said Panczyk. "But we came out and weren't prepared for (Karns City's) speed."

Mark Del Greco's goal came when the senior received a ball that was kicked toward Karns City's goal from near midfield.

Del Greco headed the ball, which appeared to surprise Fleeger, and the goalie was beaten to his left.

It was the 27th goal of the season for Del Greco, who leads the Rebels in that category.

Fleeger retaliated by making several difficult saves down the stretch that kept the Gremlins' deficit at just one goal. Six of the seniors' 15 stops came in the final 16 minutes.

"I can't say enough about his play tonight," Parker said. "He made some incredible saves. The game could've been 4-1 and, at that point. It wouldn't have been a game anymore."

The Gremlins' late advances into the Rebels' end were all met with frustration. Russell's eight saves in the game belie KC's scoring chances. Many balls ended up just wide of the net or just over the crossbar.

"We had countless chances," said Parker. "But we just couldn't get it done. When you have that many opportunities and aren't able to score, it begins to wear on you."

Seton-LaSalle (19-3) will meet the Camp Hill-Cambria-Richland winner in the second round.