Mars Back on Top of the WPIAL Girls AA Soccer World

By: HSSN Staff
Saturday, November 7, 2015 | 11:57 PM

The number one seeded Mars Planets used a pair of goals and a stout defense to defeat the number two seeded South Park Eagles 2-1 at Highmark Stadium for the 2015 WPIAL Girls Soccer Class AA Championship. 

Since 2006, only one finals matchup has been held without one of these two teams as participants with the 2015 finals match being the second time they had met in the championship round. 

Mars, last year’s runner up, was shooting for their 4th WPIAL AA Girls Soccer Championship and entered the championship game not having given up a goal in the playoffs.  South Park, owners of three WPIAL AA Championships themselves headed to the finals for the first time in four years.

The early action centered on the mid-field area as both teams went with a defense first philosophy and neither offense could get untracked, although the Eagles had the better of the play through the opening twenty minutes of the half. 

Then the Planets struck quickly in the 24th minute of the half when Judy Kahn sent a pass to Erin Posey just outside the goalies box, Posey sent a quick pass to Tori Kopchak at the left of the box who then pulled a 180 degree spin and kick into the far righthand corner of the net surprising South Park keeper Molly Savoy who could not react in time and the Planets had a 1-0 lead. 

The Planets continued to dominate the play for the remainder of the first half forcing South Park to turn back their attacks keeping the deficit to 1 goal at the half.

It didn’t take long for fireworks to erupt early in the 2nd half as two minutes in Shannon Doyle was awarded a penalty kick which she converted to give the Planets a 2-0 lead. 

However South Park refused to give up and just two minutes later Abby Petroskey beat keeper Sammy Papik with a one touch shot on a perfect set up cross from Jordyn Minda.  That cut the Planets lead to 2-1 with 36 minutes still remaining in the game. 

Both teams had more opportunities in the half but stellar save by both Papik and Saylor kept the score at 2-1. 

The Eagles had two excellent chances, but both times Papik made circus saves to keep South Park from knotting the game at two. The second chance by South Park resulted in a scary moment as Papik made a leaping move to punch away a cross and collided with Minda leaving both players down on the pitch. Papik was able to get up and recover, but Minda, the Eagles leading scorer, had to be helped to the bench and did not return to the game. 

Despite a furious comeback attempt by South Park, Mars was able to run out the clock and the celebration was on.  Both teams had 3 corner kicks each in the game and 3 shots apiece on goal as the defenses did their jobs.

With the win Mars ups its record to 17-2-0 and advances to the PIAA AA Soccer Tournament as the District 7-1 team where they will take on the District 10-2 team Mercyhurst Prep Tuesday, November 10 at a site and time to be determined. 

South Park falls to 18-3-1 and will be the District 7-2 team and will play District 9 Champion Clearfield on Tuesday, November 10. 

Central Valley which won the AA consolation match will enter as the Distric 7-3 team and will take on District 10 Champion Villa Maria on Tuesday, November 10th as well.