Mars ends BVA’s WPIAL title hopes
By JOSE NEGRON
jnegron@yourmvi.com
Top-seeded Mars entered Monday’s WPIAL Class 3A semifinal matchup with No. 5 Belle Vernon Area having scored 14 total goals in playoff wins over Trinity and Thomas Jefferson.
The Leopards brought the Fighting Planets back to earth by limiting their goal total, but it wasn’t enough to pull off the upset as BVA finished without a shot and suffered a 2-0 loss at Canon-McMillan.
“That is a great program. I think we played with probably one of the best teams in the state,” BVA head coach Tracy Lovett said. “They’re very skilled, very fast and they counter attack really well. I’m not disappointed in my team, I’m proud of them.”
Mars (17-0-1) advances to its third consecutive WPIAL Class 3A championship game. The Fighting Planets will take on No. 2 Plum later this week at Highmark Stadium.
“I think this is a testament to the kids. They’ve got a pride factor they carry around with them when they put that jersey on,” Mars head coach Blair Gerlach said. “They want to make sure they’re going to outdo every group before them and that’s the goal for everybody. They’re a great team but they’re even better kids.”
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