Seneca Valley girls soccer’s defense shines in WPIAL sectional shutout of Butler
JACKSON TWP — Seneca Valley girls soccer could not have more confidence in its goalkeeper.
Sydney Postler is a three-year starter and All-WPIAL netminder. But the Raiders also have an incredibly strong back line in front of her.
Wednesday against Butler, Postler came off her line several times to make a play on the ball, but was not forced to make any saves in a 2-0 victory over the Golden Tornado at NexTier Stadium.
“We play three center backs and two wingbacks,” SV coach Mark Perry said. “It’s a formation most teams don’t use. A lot of teams will try to play the ball over the top and use their speed to chase it down, but having that third center back really helps us.”
Joslyn Grillo, Izzy Yuhouse, Dani DeFanti and Addison Cravotta are set starters on the defense. The third center back position has been fluid and was filled Wednesday by Cece Wildrick.
SV (6-1-2, 3-1) has allowed just five goals in nine games.
“The defense is staying tight on their marks,” Postler said. “They stay composed and track runs very well.”
The Raiders’ goals against Butler came from Leah Damico on an assist from DeFanti in the 34th minute and Bailey Knapik in the 65th.
The Tornado (4-4-1, 1-2) saw their scoring chances dwindle as the game wore on.
In the first half, four shots were blocked by Seneca Valley defenders.
“Our strategy was to play strong defense, force (SV) to the outside and hit quick counters,” Butler coach Dan Buzzard said. “We did a good job of giving ourselves chances in the first half, then got away from the gameplan in the second.”
Butler senior forward Lucia Leyland entered the game with nine goals in nine games.
“She’s one of the better forwards in our league and was definitely a concern for us,” Perry said.
The few scoring opportunities managed by the Tornado were fueled by the efforts of Leyland and forward Avery Singer, one of four freshmen in Butler’s starting lineup.
“There’s certain spots on the field that we’re trying to find the right mix with,” Buzzard said. “In the past, Lucia has been a facilitator. But we’ve asked her to be a bit more selfish this year, take more shots, and she has.”
Butler senior goalie Ashton Huff stopped eight shots in defeat. She and Butler’s defense thwarted SV’s seven corner kicks in the game. Butler was not awarded any corner kicks.
Butler hosts Knoch on Saturday while SV welcomes Fox Chapel on Monday.
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Seneca Valley's Josyln Grillo (4) passes the ball in a girls soccer game against Butler Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, at Seneca Valley's NexTier Stadium. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Butler's Avery Singer (25) kicks the ball clear of the goal in a girls soccer game Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, at Seneca Valley's NexTier Stadium. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Seneca Valley's Lexi Smith (17) lines up a kick in a girls soccer game against Butler Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, at Seneca Valley's NexTier Stadium. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Butler's Mya Siefker (29) follows the ball in a girls soccer game against Seneca Valley on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, at Seneca Valley's NexTier Stadium. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Seneca Valley's Sophia Lawryk (31) headbutts a corner kick in a girls soccer game against Butler Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, at Seneca Valley's NexTier Stadium. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Seneca Valley's Lexi Smith (17) passes the ball upfield in a girls soccer game Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, at Seneca Valley's NexTier Stadium. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Butler's Dakota Viehmann (11) headbutts the ball in a girls soccer game Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, at Seneca Valley's NexTier Stadium. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Seneca Valley's Cece Wildrick (18) pursues the ball in a girls soccer game Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, at Seneca Valley's NexTier Stadium. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Seneca Valley's Leah D’Amico (26) dribbles the ball in a girls soccer game Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, at Seneca Valley's NexTier Stadium. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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The Seneca Valley team celebrate after Leah D’Amico's (26) goal in a girls soccer game Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, at Seneca Valley's NexTier Stadium. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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The Seneca Valley team celebrate after Bailey Knapik (14) scored in a girls soccer game Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, at Seneca Valley's NexTier Stadium. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Butler's Lucia Leyland (40) lines up a pass in a girls soccer game Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, at Seneca Valley's NexTier Stadium. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Seneca Valley's Izzy Yuhouse (10) looks for an open teammate to pass to in a girls soccer game against Butler Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, at Seneca Valley's NexTier Stadium. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Seneca Valley's Dani DeFanti (12) winds up for a shot at the goal in a girls soccer game against Butler Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, at Seneca Valley's NexTier Stadium. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Butler's Julia Ameduri (15) intercepts Seneca Valley's Bailey Knapik (14) on her approach to the goal in a girls soccer game Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, at Seneca Valley's NexTier Stadium. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Butler's Malina McElroy (1) spins around as Seneca Valley's Sophia Lawryk (31) receives a corner kick in a girls soccer game Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, at Seneca Valley's NexTier Stadium. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Butler's Dakota Schnur (27) kicks the ball as Seneca Valley's Sophia Lawryk (31) attempts to block her in a girls soccer game Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, at Seneca Valley's NexTier Stadium. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Butler's Dakota Viehmann (11), Teagan Early (43) and Seneca Valley's Leah D’Amico (26) compete for control of the ball in a girls soccer game Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, at Seneca Valley's NexTier Stadium. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Seneca Valley's Lexi Smith (17) follows the ball with Butler's Lucia Leyland (40) following close behind in a girls soccer game Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, at Seneca Valley's NexTier Stadium. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Seneca Valley's Leah D’Amico (26) kicks the ball away as Butler's Mya Siefker (29) guards her during a girls soccer game Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, at Seneca Valley's NexTier Stadium. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Seneca Valley's Lexi Smith (17) attempts to steal the ball as Butler's Mya Siefker (29) lines up a kick in a girls soccer game Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, at Seneca Valley's NexTier Stadium. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
