SLIPPERY ROCK — Talent and experience.

Slippery Rock's boys soccer team returns both in 2017.

The Rockets bring back eight starters from last year's team, which won a region title, reached the District 10 Class AA semifinals and finished with an overall record of 16-4.

Head coach Kyle Hopkins was dealing with a different situation this time last year, when his roster was littered with inexperience.

“The guys showed a lot of composure in the playoffs,” said Hopkins. “Now that they know what it's like to get to the semis and lose, hopefully it will light a fire under them.”

One of the team's graduation losses was midfielder Chase Baxa, who paced the Rockets with 22 goals and added six assists as a senior.

But beginning with current sophomore Ryan Davey and senior Garret Daugherty, Hopkins believes his offense can be potent once again.

Davey was second on the team last year with 12 goals and will be a striker this season. Daugherty scored 10 goals a season ago at that position.

Other returning starters include goalkeeper Collin Griffith, defenders Chase Gill, Chase Wolinski and Ryan Sproat and midfielders Ian Balquist and James Gallagher.

Hopkins has guided Slippery Rock to four straight playoff seasons.

“These guys have experience now and they've played together a lot,” Hopkins said. “Hopefully, that puts us ahead of a few teams.”

Following are preview capsules for the nine high school boys soccer teams in the Butler County area. Any statistics provided are from the 2016 season.

Butler

Coach: Troy Mohney, 13th season

Last year: 8-6-4 overall, 1-6-3 in section play

Returning Starters: seniors Tyler Rankin (D), Andrew Chwalik (G, 6 shutouts), Justin Stewart (M/F, 3 goals, 3 assists), Alec Livermore (F, 2 goals, 3 assists); juniors Tate Mohney (M, 7 goals, 8 assists), Adam Blose (M, 2 goals); sophomores Remy Pardo (D), Luke Shook (M, 1 goal)

Strength: experience

Outlook: “We have a few players who are very dangerous attacking the net, a few guys who are very talented in the middle of the field, a few defenders who are very trustworthy in the back, and an excellent goalkeeper with a ton of experience,” said Mohney.

C.W. North Catholic

Coach: Aaron Kelly, first season

Last year: 19-4-1 overall, section champions, WPIAL Class A runner-up, reached state quarterfinals

Returning Starters: seniors Nick Milas (M), Danny Lynch (D), Luc Madonna (D), Mike Drambel (M); juniors Anthony Rivetti (D), Owen Daugherty (D), Braiden Wills (M); sophomores Joe Kearney (F, 30 goals), Bryce Kopchak (M), Ryan Augustine (F)

Strength: Defense

Outlook: “We have high expectations,” Kelly said. “We're looking to win the section and compete for a WPIAL (Class A) title.”

Freeport

Coach: Dave Teorsky, fifth season

Last year: 14-3-1 overall, section champions

Returning Starters: seniors Adam Kvarta (D), Drew Nigra (D), Kenny Trim (D), James Goldinger (D), Alec Parker (M), Bryce Hanby (F, 25 goals in 2016); junior Stevie Teorsky (M)

Strength: experience on defense and in goal scoring

Outlook: “We lost in the first round of the WPIAL playoffs last year (3-2 to Beaver),” Coach Teorsky said. “We didn't expect our season to end that soon and there's a sting that remains. It's been a motivator for us.”

Grove City

Coach: Matt Nichols, fourth season

Last year: 11-7-2 overall, region champions, reached District 10 Class AAA quarterfinals

Returning Starters: seniors Ethan Barrazza (M), Aidan Reed (D), Bereket Hoffman (D), Will Kemeny (D); juniors Armon Smith (F), Ian Pavelek (G); sophomore Zach Borts (M)

Strength: Defense

Outlook: “I pride myself in building a team from the back,” said Nichols. “For the last three years, we've been strong defensively and will be again this season.”

Karns City

Coach: Jim Grenninger, fifth season

Last year: 20-1 overall, league and District 9 Class AA champions, reached state quarterfinals

Returning Starters: seniors Austin Rumbaugh (M), Nolan Riley (D); juniors Ryan Truax (M), Jake Weckerly (G); sophomore Nathan Rondinelli (M)

Strength: Defense and goalkeeper

Outlook: “We graduated 135 of our 145 goals from last season,” said Grenninger. “It will be a struggle for a while for us, but our program's tradition is there to push the kids.”

Knoch

Coach: Malcolm Cook, seventh season

Last year: 8-9-2 overall, 7-3-2 in section play, reached WPIAL playoffs

Returning Starters: seniors Michael DiPasquale (D), Coleman Brands (D), Jesse Fesel (D), Jake Goldinger (D), Andy Pipes (G), Caleb Robb (F, 19 goals), Matt Gore (M); junior Mark Ciora (M).

Strength: Experience in all areas of the field

Outlook: “We got off to a slow start (0-5-1) last year,” Cook said, “but this year, it could be the exact opposite. We're all set.”

Mars

Coach: Chris Knauff, 11th season

Last year: 17-5-1 overall, section champions, WPIAL Class AAA runner-up, reached state quarterfinals

Returning Starters: seniors Dan Feathers (D), Cory Ferguson (M, 18 goals, 13 assists), Shane Lisman (M), Corey Heim (F); juniors D.J. Carter (D), Garrett Riddle (D)

Strength: chemistry

Outlook: “The boys have set a goal of doing better than we did last year,” said Knauff. “There's only one way to do that (win a WPIAL title).”

Seneca Valley

Coach: George Williams, 23rd season

Last year: 19-2-1 overall, section champions, WPIAL Class AAAA runner-up, reached state quarterfinals

Returning Starters: senior Drew Balla (M)

Strength: teamwork

Outlook: “We do have two other letter winners from last year — senior midfielders Caleb Cekella and Louis Newell,” said Williams. “There are a lot of unknowns for us. Most of our kids are untested at the high school level, but they are motivated. They want to do at least as well, if not better, than our teams from the recent past.”

Slippery Rock

Coach: Kyle Hopkins, seventh season

Last year: 16-4 overall, region champions, reached District 10 Class AA semifinals

Returning Starters: seniors Chase Gill (D), Chase Wolinski (D), Collin Griffith (G), Garret Daugherty (F); junior James Gallagher (M); sophomores Ryan Sproat (D), Ian Balquist (M), Ryan Davey (F, 12 goals, 7 assists)

Strength: playoff experience

Outlook: “We are young with a lot of sophomores,” Hopkins said, “but we're hoping that with the experience they got last year, we can compete for a region and district title.”