Seneca Valley’s Cooper Hoehn (76) scored the first goal of Monday’s PIHL Penguins Cup Class AAA semifinal game against Pine-Richland. Butler Eagle file photo

The defending champs have a chance to repeat.

Seneca Valley hockey beat Pine-Richland 2-1 Monday at Robert Morris University in the Penguins Cup Class AAA semifinals. The Raiders, who are the defending PIHL and state champions, advance to the final March 17 at UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex

Cooper Hoehn opened the scoring a few minutes into the game, and barely three minutes later Jacob Gilbert added some insurance.

Chris Nichols stood tall in net with 18 saves. Only PR’s Colten Andrighetti got the puck by him in the second period to cut the deficit in half.

SV will face the winner of Peters Township vs. Thomas Jefferson, which began late Monday night. The championship game will begin at 6:15 p.m.