South Fayette falls to Mars again in WPIAL LAX final

1 / 4

Drew Wehlhorsky gets knocked off his feet while attempting to score against Mars goalie David Renner (1) in the WPIAL Class 2A championship boys lacrosse match. The Fightin’ Planets defeated South Fayette, 9-6, and captured its 10th title in a row, the past four against the Lions.

2 / 4

Drew Welhorsky (2) and Jack Makar (3) become emotional during the medal ceremony after South Fayette lost to Mars, 9-6, in the WPIAL Class 2A championship game. It was the fourth year in a row, the Lions succumbed to the Fightin’ Planets. Mars has won the past 10 titles.

3 / 4

Nathaniel Keller (23) jumps for joy after scoring a goal while his teammates join in the celebration and Mike Duffy (2) looks on in exasperation. South Fayette’s elation and Duffy’s dejection were short-lived as Mars recovered for a 9-6 victory in the WPIAL Class 2A title game in boys lacrosse.

4 / 4

Bryce Watkins attempts to protect the ball and fend off Mike Duffy during WPIAL Class 2A championship boys lacrosse match. South Fayette dropped a 9-6 decision to Mars in the final.

[expand]

close

For the 10th straight season, Mars captured a WPIAL Class 2A championship in boys lacrosse and four the fourth year in a row, South Fayette was the victim as the Fightin’ Planets defeated the Lions, 9-6, in the District 7 final match played May 21 at Upper St. Clair stadium.

Despite the defeat, all was not lost for the Lions as they begin pursuit of a state title when PIAA tournament commences on June 2. The championships are scheduled for 12:30 p.m. June 13 at Panzer Stadium on the Penn State University campus.

The road to a state title goes through Mars as the Lions could face the Fightin’ Planets again in the semifinals on June 9

Yet neither squad was expected to be in the WPIAL final. Both finished as runners-up in their sections to undefeated Hampton and Peters Township respectively and entered the postseason seeded No. 3 and No. 4.

While Mars upended the Talbots, 15-9, in the semifinals, the Lions avenged their loss to the Indians, 8-7. The Lions also beat neighboring Chartiers Valley, 16-2, in the playoff opener.

A novice goaltender and a seasoned veteran led to South Fayette’s demise in the championship match.

In his first year as a starter, David Renner made the key stops in the nets during a back-and-forth contest and Grant Weaver again scored a hat trick to pace the Fightin’ Planets offense. Weaver notched three tallies in last year’s 9-7 WPIAL win against the Lions.

“Grant’s really the straw that stirs our drink,” said Mars head coach Bob Marcoux. “He’s a two-way midfielder who helps us on defense and he’s our playmaker on offense.”

Macroux added of Renner, “Dave’s our senior and he’s paid his dues. He’s really waited for his chance, and he upheld the Mars tradition of a goalie coming up big in the finals.”

Reed Fuller scored first for the Fightin’ Planets but Bryce Watkins tied the match, 1-1, at 3:13 off an assist from Drew Welhorsky, who is the WPIAL’s all-time points scorer.

South Fayette forged ahead, 2-1, at the 4:40 mark when Nathaniel Keller scored. Jack Makar assisted.

Thirteen seconds later, Mars tied the match on Weaver’s goal, but Welhorsky, who is a Robert Morris University recruit, responded with a Lion tally at 9:35.

The first quarter ended tied, 3-3, after Connor Long’s tally.

Long registered the only goal in the second stanza but Mars opened up a 6-3 advantage in the third quarter on goals by Weaver and Isaac McMichael.

Max Joseph snapped the scoring spree, finding the back of the net at 9:29 to pull the Lions within 6-4.

South Fayette closed the gap to one goal, 7-6, at 4:04 into the final frame. Daniel Speca and Makar tallied the goals.

Weaver recorded his hat trick midway through the quarter to dash South Fayette’s hopes for a comeback. An All-America midfielder, Weaver has scored seven goals in the last two finals for Mars.

With the win, Mars improved to 15-5 overall. With the loss, South Fayette fell to 16-5 overall.