Mars, Oakland Catholic to play for WPIAL Class 3A girls soccer crown

By: HSSN Staff
Thursday, November 1, 2018 | 8:39 PM

Girls soccer

WPIAL championship game

Class AAA

No. 1 Mars (18-0) vs. No. 2 Oakland Catholic (17-1)

6 p.m. Friday, Highmark Stadium

Coaches: Blair Gerlach, Mars; Jim Earle, Oakland Catholic

Players to watch: Ellie Coffield, So., M, Mars; Hannah Henn, So., F/M, Oakland Catholic

Corner kicks: Mars is making its eighth appearance in the WPIAL championship game, claiming titles in 2000, ‘10, ‘11, ‘12 and ‘15. The Fightin’ Planets lost to Moon, 3-2, last season. Gerlach earned the 200th win over his career earlier this season. Coffield and Grace Dunaway each had 15 goals to lead Mars in the regular season. Mars has won all 18 games this season, including shutouts over Greensburg Salem (9-0), Montour (3-0) and Hampton (1-0) in the playoffs. Coffield scored the lone game against Mars in Saturday’s semifinal win. Claire Valentine earned the shutout. … Oakland Catholic started the season with a 4-0 loss to Seneca Valley but has been perfect since, rolling to 17 straight wins. The Eagles posted shutouts in three playoff games and have six straight clean sheets. Oakland Catholic is playing for its first championship. Henn scored 22 goals in the regular season and had a hat trick against Kiski Area in the quarterfinals. Anna Sproule scored in Saturday’s 1-0 win over South Fayette in the semifinals.

Coming up: The winner will play the District 6, 8 or 9 champion in the PIAA first round Tuesday. The loser plays the District 3 champion.

Bill Hartlep is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Bill at bhartlep@tribweb.com or via Twitter @TribHSInsider.

Tags: Mars, Oakland Catholic