Marietta's Blake Limegrover, who recorded his first hat trick of the season during Thursday night's 8-0 mercy rule victory versus Miami Trace at Jerry Brock Field in a Division III Southeast District sectional championship match, fires a shot on goal as Panther Liam Havens defends. (Photo by Jay W. Bennett)

DEVOLA — Cole Bergin’s assist to Hunter Klein in the 77th minute here Thursday night at Jerry Brock Field invoked the mercy rule as top-seeded Marietta took care of No. 8 Miami Trace, 8-0, to claim a Division III Southeast District sectional championship.

The Tigers of head coach Todd Morris, who improved to 13-3-2 overall and 10-0-1 at home this season, return to action at 6 p.m. next Thursday versus No. 5 Jackson at Logan Chieftain Stadium in a district semifinal.

Panther senior keeper Avery Bennett, who was celebrating his 18th birthday, was tested early and often and made five saves in the first nine minutes before leaving with an injury when he dove for a ball and a Tiger defender’s foot hit him in the face.

Although Levi Morrison entered and finished with half a dozen saves, once the Tigers got their first goal from Jonny Crosby via a Blake Limegrover assist they proceeded to score three more goals in a total span of 4:39.

“We’ve never lost at home,” admitted the senior Limegrover, who scored twice in the first half and collected his first hat trick of the season. “Just got to hold it down. We don’t lose here. We just got to get results, win. It’s sad (last home match), but just got to keep focusing on winning. I’ve barely played this year because of my back. I had one (hat trick) last year.

Marietta's Reid Sloter settles the ball as Miami Trace's Ian Rayburn moves in to defend during Thursday’s sectional final in Devola. (Photo by Jay W. Bennett)

“This organization is great and we’ve been winning for years and hopefully we can continue to do that. We just got to play our best, get our result, keep moving on and win the district. Hopefully go on past regionals. (Our keys) just move the ball, get good passes, good shots, nothing stupid and no turnovers.”

Following Crosby’s tally in the 26th minute, Will Haller made it 2-0 in the 28th minute when he unleashed a shot toward the goal and before Morrison could make a save attempt a Panther defender deflected the ball with his foot and it went in.

Limegrover made it 3-0 just 82 seconds later when he scored via a Josh Fournier assist.

The senior found the back of the net again a mere 56 ticks later for what turned out to be a 4-0 intermission advantage when he headed in a corner kick from Landon Koscho.

Marietta struck again with nine seconds left in the 60th minute when Limegrover had a free kick and scorched a one-hopper past Morrison for a 5-0 bulge.

Marietta's Brady Lent and Miami Trace's Ian Mavis battle for possession during Thursday’s sectional final in Devola. (Photo by Jay W. Bennett)

Koscho assisted on Klein’s first goal two seconds into the 70th minute and the elder Koscho proceeded to assist little brother Cameron Koscho to make it 7-0 when he put one home following a deep throw-in during the 72nd minute.

Tiger keeper Finn Tindall made a first-half save on a shot by Ian Mavis following a through by Ian Rayburn. The Panthers, which finished at 8-10-1, had their only other shot on goal in the second half by Landon Burns.

“These seniors, their four years on this pitch makes them I think 34-0-4,” admitted coach Morris. “They haven’t lost here at home in their four years. Really, really good senior class.”

The Tiger boss obviously was concerned for the keeper Bennett and at the same time he was proud of another strong defensive effort from the orange and black.

“That was really unfortunate. I hope he’s OK,” added the coach. “It’s one of those things. It’s a sports play. Our guy felt really bad about it. Once the first one went in it kind of opened the floodgates up. It just happens sometimes. You just get on a roll and get confidence. We were moving the ball well and breaking their line and we were getting opportunities.

Marietta's Collin Davis heads the ball during Thursday’s sectional final in Devola. (Photo by Jay W. Bennett)

“Overall, a pretty good performance from us. They’ve (defense) been solid all year. Led by the two seniors back there — Josh Fournier and Collin Davis and Reid (Sloter) stepped in as a junior and our freshman goalkeeper (Finn Tindall) has been really great. We defend as a team. It’s just a good performance for us.”

Contact Jay Bennett at jbennett@newsandsentinel.com

Marietta's Kellen Miller and Miami Trace's Merrick Montgomery battle for possession of the ball during Thursday’s sectional final in Devola. (Photo by Jay W. Bennett)