JACKSON TWP — Winning the state title was obviously the biggest takeaway from the Seneca Valley boys soccer season in 2022.

The Raiders’ run to PIAA gold was spurred by disappointment in the WPIAL final, where SV suffered its lone loss of the season to Pine-Richland.

“That was a big motivator for us. It was the spark that led us into the state playoffs,” said SV coach George Williams.

The Raiders (13-0-3), who had won back-to-back district crowns 2020-21, recently wrapped up their sixth straight section championship. As the No. 1 seed, their path to bringing WPIAL bragging rights back to Seneca Valley begins with a Class 4A quarterfinal playoff against Norwin (12-5-1) Oct. 28 at NexTier Stadium at a time to be determined.

SV’s success has come despite the loss of nine starters from last year, including All-State midfielder Beaux Lizewski.

“We knew we had talent coming back, but much of it was untested at the varsity level,” said SV coach George Williams.

One of the two returning starters was senior captain and defender Danny Leech, a four-year letter winner. He’s joined on the back line by Ethan Taylor, Leyton Takac and Evan DeMarco. They’ve done well in front of senior goalkeeper Gus Wytcherley.

“We were making some mistakes early in the season and giving up some goals we shouldn’t have, but we’ve gotten better and better with each game, ” said Williams.

The kinks have been worked out and SV enters the postseason after posting six straight shutouts.

Offensively, forward Cole Kamarec, the other starter from 2022, and midfielder Tyler Prex lead the way with 12 goals apiece. Tyler Holloway has scored 10 times and Evan Howard seven. Prex paces the team in assists with 15.

Williams points to three consecutive ties — against North Allegheny, Fox Chapel and Butler in late September — that added confidence to an already very capable lineup.

“Those were three very tough games and the fact that we got through them without losing, that’s when we really started coming together,” he said.

SV’s captains include Leech, Kamarec and midfielder Ben Keefer. Midfielder Zach Garma joins them in the starting lineup.

Playing key reserve roles are defenders Jacob Conrad and Ethan Spirk; midfielders Tyler Kuhar, Sami Malkamaki, Mark McConahy and Brady Eubanks; and forwards Tyler Mazanek and Adam Conrad.

The Raiders played Norwin in an early-season tournament and defeated the Knights 5-1.

“Teams from that section play a different style,” said Williams. “It’s more direct and more physical.”

Mars girls, who earned the top seed in the Class 3A tournament, will be featured in Friday’s Butler Eagle.

Following are the WPIAL soccer playoff games involving Butler County teams.

Boys

Class 4A — No. 8 Norwin (12-5-1) at No. 1 Seneca Valley (13-0-3), Oct. 28, time TBA

No. 6 Peters Township (12-3-1) at No. 3 Butler (13-2-3), Oct. 28, time TBA

Class 3A — No. 11 Franklin Regional (10-7) at No. 6 Mars (11-3-1), 1 p.m., Saturday

No. 10 North Catholic (9-7) at No. 7 Thomas Jefferson (14-2-1), 1 p.m., Saturday

Class 2A — No. 10 Elizabeth Forward (10-5-1) at No. 7 Knoch (11-7), 7 p.m., Monday

Girls

Class 4A — No. 5 Canon-McMillan (8-6-2) at No. 4 Seneca Valley (13-2-1), Oct. 26, time TBA

No. 7 Butler (10-6-1) at No. 2 Upper St. Clair (15-1), Oct. 26, time TBA

Class 3A — No. 16 Laurel Highlands (8-8) at No. 1 Mars (14-0), 7 p.m., Monday

Class 2A — No. 13 Beaver (8-6-1) at No. 4 Freeport (13-1-1), 8 p.m., Tuesday

No. 12 Knoch (8-6-2) at No. 5 South Park (13-5), 7 p.m., Tuesday

No. 15 Woodland Hills (7-6) vs. No. 2 North Catholic (13-2) at Freedom H.S., 8 p.m., Tuesday