Mars Seniors Leave Lasting Mark as Season Ends in WPIAL Quarterfinals

Mars’ boys soccer season ended Wednesday night, but coach Joe Haefner believes the example set by his 14 seniors will carry into seasons to come.

The seventh-seeded Planets fell 3–0 at No. 2 Franklin Regional in the WPIAL Class 3A quarterfinals, finishing with an 8–6–4 record.

The Panthers (16–1–2) scored midway through the first half, added another early in the second and finished with a third goal. Afterward, Haefner reflected on what his team accomplished beyond the scoreboard.

“We have a really large senior class,” Haefner said. “One thing that we challenged (them) with at the beginning of the year was not just to judge (themselves) by the results on the field, but setting a good example for some of the younger players, helping improve our program moving forward, creating a good culture. So we kinda just talked about how much they grew as young men this season.”

In future seasons, Haefner will point to the way this group carried itself. He appreciated the players’ love of the game and their willingness to embrace his approach during his first year leading the program.

The season also offered a lesson for Haefner. With practices and games always ahead, he learned the importance of appreciating each moment and making sure players enjoyed being part of the team.

“So just keeping things in perspective the whole year, I think, is really important,” he said.

Mars’ senior class included defenders Jackson Zirnsak, Turner Cox, Landon Eagan, AJ Montes, Noah Read and Mason Rocke; forwards Liam Duerring and Nathan Murphy; midfielders Nathan Helwig, Nolan Horvath, Luca Martorelli, Freddy Matheis and Matthew Myers; and goalkeeper Collin McAfee.