Mars cruises past section rival Montour, 6-0, to reach WPIAL final once again

Photo Courtesy Mars Girls Soccer Twitter

Like a team on a mission for a repeat trip to the WPIAL Girls Class 3A finals, Mars scored early and often on its way to a decisive 6-0 win against section foes Montour on Wednesday night.

With the win, the Planets will be seeking its seventh district title in the Final to be played on Saturday at Gateway High School (Noon kickoff). Mars will meet Plum, who defeated West Allegheny, 1-0.

HOW IT HAPPENED

In a 1-seed versus a 13-seed match-up, it felt like a David vs Goliath showdown. Mars had already beaten Montour in two lopsided wins this year. Yet, even with those two sizable results, beating a playoff caliber opponent three times in one season can prove to be a challenging task.

Not for this Mars team.

Not on this night.

Mars would get an early corner and play it short to Leana Cuzzocrea who would fire a cross towards the back post where Ava Lewis would put the ball in the back of the net for the 1-0 lead just under six minutes in the first half.

Controlling tempo and possession, Mars would find their second goal of the game as Caroline Wroblewski fired a shot along the end line and the shot would sneak past the Montour goalkeeper as she looked to be screened by a defender.

Mas would control the first half, with Montour earning a couple corners but could not surmount anything substantial.

The second half was no different, with Mars in full control.

Despite a few strong saves from Montour goalkeeper Ashley Vith Mars would find the back of the goal twice heading int the midway point of the half.

First, Ellie Coffield (Pitt) collected a loose ball in the box, volleying a ball out of the air and into the goal to make it 3-0

Shortly after Ava Lewis would get her second goal of the game to make it 4-0.

Mars would draw a penalty kick when a Montour defender got her feet tangles with the Mars attacker. Reese Dunaway would be called on to take the shot from the spot and place it in the left side of the goal. The goal would make it 5-0 Mars.

Reese Dunaway would get her brace as she blasted a shot from 25 yards out and into the far left side of the goal. Giving Mars a 6-0 lead.

Mars would take the win and move onto face Plum in a rematch of last years 3A final.

⚽️🎉🎉 CONGRATULATIONS to the Mars girls varsity soccer team as they were victorious over Montour 6-0 tonight! Now on to the 2020 WPIAL Class 3A Girls Soccer CHAMPIONSHIP! #letsgoplanets #marsarea pic.twitter.com/VjMa06IBee

— Mars Area SD (@MarsAreaSD) November 5, 2020