Breese Scores Twice as Mars Girls Soccer Blanks Blackhawk, 3-0

ADAMS TWP. — Junior Jade Breese scored twice, freshman HB Wolski added a goal and junior goalkeeper Ciara Spaun recorded a shutout as the Mars Area girls soccer team defeated Blackhawk, 3-0, at the Mars Athletic Complex Monday evening.

The Fightin’ Planets improved to 4-0-1 and continued their impressive defensive start. Mars has surrendered only one goal through its first five games despite fielding a young starting lineup that includes five sophomores and one freshman.

Breese opened the scoring with approximately 16:43 remaining in the first half. Wolski extended the lead about five minutes later, finding the net with approximately 11:09 left before halftime.

Mars carried its 2-0 advantage into the second half before Breese completed the scoring with approximately 15:23 remaining. Sophomore Carly McKenna provided the assist on the play.

Breese, who led Mars in goals as a sophomore last season, is again leading the team during her junior campaign.

“Jade led us in goals last year as a sophomore and is leading us right now as a junior as well,” Mars coach Blair Gerlach said. “She’s pretty instrumental for us, whether it’s assisting or scoring.”

Gerlach said the Planets have several offensive options surrounding Breese.

“We have a lot of complementary pieces around her where we’ve got players that can score a hat trick on any given night,” Gerlach said. “Our big thing right now is figuring out how we can keep feeding them all.”

Mars played with a more aggressive offensive approach after Gerlach believed the team had been too passive in its previous game.

“I think there was a good offensive attitude tonight,” Gerlach said. “We were a little bit too passive in our last game, and we passed up some opportunities to take shots. I thought we were at least taking chances today.”

Gerlach said Mars was most effective when advancing multiple players into the offensive attack.

“Our big thing right now is that we’re attacking with numbers,” he said. “It’s not just one player up front trying to do a bunch of things by themselves. We’re attacking by committee.”

Spaun anchored another strong defensive performance and helped organize the players in front of her.

“She speaks a lot,” Gerlach said. “She’s got a confident tone to her voice, and she’s held up really well for us so far this year.”

Although pleased with the victory, Gerlach said the young Planets still have room to improve. He wants his players to move the ball more quickly, anticipate developing plays and make decisions sooner.

“We have a lot to learn and we have a lot of room to grow, but I’m pleased with the result,” Gerlach said. “My hope is that it battle-tests us so that when we get to the postseason — if we get to the postseason — we can maybe surprise a few people.”

Gerlach said the Planets’ objective is to continue improving in training and ensure their performances carry over to game day.