When Mars takes on Villa Joseph Marie for the PIAA Class 3A title, it will be the first time the Planets get a look at the Jems. However, their reputation precedes them.
“I haven’t seen them,” said Mars coach Blair Gerlach. “I do know the reputation of that team.”
He is referring to a seemingly endless run of state finals appearances. The Jems (21-2-1) have made the finals 16 times and hoisted the trophy on 11 occasions. This will be the sixth consecutive season they have played for a state championship. Gerlach likened it to a David versus Goliath situation when they clash at 4 p.m. Saturday at Hersheypark Stadium.
As Mars knows, David always has a shot. In fact, when the Planets won their only state title in 2011, they did so by defeating the Jems.
Unbeaten Mars (21-0-1) has been on a tear all season long. Led by Taylor Hamlett, the Planets have found another gear in the playoffs. Hamlett sparked a couple of fast starts and has supplied several multi-goal games during the postseason. Her hat trick propelled the Planets to a 5-1 victory against Archbishop Wood in the state semifinals. She netted a pair of goals in the WPIAL championship and also struck twice in the PIAA quarterfinals against West Allegheny.
As a team, Mars has made a priority of getting off to a fast start to take control of each match.
“I think we’re trying to sort of impose ourselves on people at the beginning of the game,” Gerlach said. “We know how important it is to get ahead.”
Mars is much deeper than Hamlett, who is one of the best players in the area. They also have talents in Gracie Dunaway and Ellie Caufield. The Planets can defend, too. They have racked up 14 shutouts this season.
Villa Joseph Marie is aiming for a second consecutive state championship. Jillian Hunter and Katie Sullivan are scoring threats, and the defense has held together in tight games. The Jems are coached by Rich Finneyfrock, a former Clemson player who has more than 200 career wins and was named the National Soccer Coaches Association of America coach of the year in 2014.
Class 1A
This match might feel like deja vu for Shady Side Academy. The Indians will face Camp Hill (23-0) at 11 a.m. Saturday at Hersheypark Stadium.
The Indians claimed their first and only state championship two years ago by defeating Camp Hill, 4-0, in the final. They also made the final in 2016 but lost to Fairfield.
Melissa Riggins, Gabby Hill-Junke and Callie Davis give Shady Side Academy (20-1) plenty of firepower. The Indians have won 18 in a row. During the postseason, the WPIAL champions have outscored opponents, 31-4, without allowing any opponent more than one goal.
To get to the final, Shady Side Academy had to face Greensburg Central Catholic for the fourth time this season. After dropping the first matchup in Section 1 play, the Indians downed the Centurions three times in a row.
The Lions are the champions from District 3. They boast a strong defense that allowed them to outscore opponents, 23-1, in the District 3 tournament and 6-1 in state playoff matches.
The Lions are led by Julia Raich, who is only a junior yet already holds the school record for career points. She showed her scoring versatility in the semifinals with a goal and an assist.
First Published: November 15, 2019, 11:15 a.m.
