The 2017 season was a banner one for North Catholic's boys soccer team. The Trojans breezed to a section title, claimed the WPIAL Class A championship and advanced to the state championship game before falling to Camp Hill.

But coach Aaron Kelly knows the team is not about to rest on past accomplishments.

“We got bumped up to Class 2A, which is good,” he said. “We're still looking to compete for a section and WPIAL title.”

Leading the charge will be junior forward Joe Kearney, who won the Butler Eagle Boys Soccer Player of the Year honor last fall by scoring 55 goals.

But he has company when it comes to placing heat on the opposing net. Also returning are forward Ryan Augustine and midfielder Bryce Kopchak, both juniors who combined for 30 goals and 36 assists a year ago.

Senior midfielder Braiden Wills and senior defenders Anthony Rivetti and Owen Daugherty round out North Catholic's returning starters.

“They've taken on a leadership role,” Kelly said of his veteran players. “They are getting the underclassmen up to speed.

“We lost seniors who helped to establish our program, but we have a lot of talent to build around and still have high expectations.”

One major hole the Trojans must fill is in net, where the graduated Keaton Jennings earned 17 shutouts in 2017.

Junior Ryan Jackson gets the nod at goalkeeper this year.

“He is super-athletic,” said Kelly.

Following are preview capsules for Butler County's eight boys soccer teams.

Butler

Coach: Troy Mohney

2017 finish: The Golden Tornado were 14-6 and reached the district quarterfinals.

Starters returning: seniors Tate Mohney (MF/F, 18 goals/18 assists) and Adam Blose (D); juniors Luke Shook (MF), Josh Burlingham (MF), Emery Douthett (F/D), Remy Pardo (D) and Peyton Seibert (D/GK); sophomore Evan Fetter (MF/D).

Outlook: “We are looking forward to the season with eight returning starters and a lot of new faces who we are hoping will contribute greatly,” said Mohney.

Freeport

Coach: Dave Teorsky

2017 finish: Freeport went 12-6 and made the WPIAL playoffs.

Starters returning: seniors Stevie Teorsky (D), Brock Loevlie (D), Tanner Hoscheid (MF), Braden Change (MF) and Cole Bennick (MF/F); junior Hunter Hardin (MF).

In the mix: juniors Luke Heider (GK) and Dan Lynch (MF); sophomore Christian Waronsky (D); freshman Jonathan Merli (D).

Outlook: “The one thing I really like about this group is the camaraderie and team spirit they exhibit,” said Teorsky. “It's great to have some depth on our roster, which keeps everyone working hard and competing with one another while supporting one another.”

Karns City

Coach: Jim Grenninger

2017 finish: KC finished 12-8 and reached the district title game

Starters returning: seniors Jake Weckerly (GK) and Ryan Truax (D); junior Nate Rondinelli (MF, 19 goals); sophomores Kaden Scherer (MF), Brayden Christie (MF) and Dakota King (F, 17 goals).

In the mix: seniors Austin Fahlor (F) and Josh Wimer (D); sophomores Gage Cowoski (D) and Owen Collwell (MF).

Outlook: “Defensively, hopefully we can match last year,” Grenninger said. “We are a lot more athletic this year and should have a strong offense.”

Knoch

Coach: Malcolm Cook

2017 finish: The Knights tied for the Section 1 title and finished 13-5-2 overall while reaching the district quarterfinals.

Starters returning: seniors Eli Keller (MF), Nathaniel Webb (MF), Mark Ciora (MF) and Jeremiah Smith (F); junior Adam Walker (D)

Outlook: “We are pretty young and inexperienced,” said Cook, “but our goal remains the same: get to the playoffs and see what happens.”

Mars

Coach: Chris Knauff, 12th season

2017 finish: Mars tied for the Section 1 title, lost in the first round of the WPIAL playoffs and finished 10-6-2.

Starters returning: seniors Zane Mundy (MF), Caden Ferguson (MF), Shane Lisman (MF) and Garrett Riddle (D); juniors Seth Grady (D) and D.J. Carter (D); sophomore Dane Beller (F, 12 goals)

In the mix: seniors Matt Olsen (MF) and Nathan Paras (GK); juniors Steve Papik (MF) and Austin Rocke (F); sophomore Jake Garies (GK).

Outlook: “We were disappointed last year,” said Knauff. “We felt like we had a team that could make a run and we lost in the first round of the playoffs. It left a sour taste with the guys who are returning and they're really hungry.”

North Catholic

Coach: Aaron Kelly

2017 finish: The Trojans won a section and WPIAL title, lost in the state championship game and ended with a 23-2 record.

Starters returning: seniors Anthony Rivetti (D), Owen Daugherty (D) and Braiden Wills (MF); juniors Joe Kearney (F, 55 goals/6 assists), Ryan Augustine (F, 19 goals/22 assists) and Bryce Kopchak (MF, 11 goals/14 assists).

In the mix: junior Ryan Jackson (GK)

Outlook: “We got bumped up to Class 2A, which is good,” said Kelly. “We're still looking to compete for a section and WPIAL title.”

Seneca Valley

Coach: George Williams

2017 finish: SV was 11-4-2 and played in the district quarterfinals.

Starters returning: seniors Jackson Wotus (MF/F, 4 goals/5 assists), Austin Myers (MF/F, 1 goal, 2 assists), Keegan McVicker (D), Jake Smith (D), Marco DiBucci (D) and Will Gallagher (GK, 5 shutouts/104 saves).

In the mix: senior Seth Winters (MF/F, 2 goals); junior Luke Rupert (F, 2 goals/1 assist).

Outlook: “A lot of guys contributed to the offense last year and that should be the case again this season,” Williams said.

Slippery Rock

Coach: Kyle Hopkins

2017 finish: The Rockets were 14-7 and reached the District 10 semifinals.

Starters returning: senior James Gallagher (MF); juniors Nathaniel Willison (D), Zach Caldwell (D), Kurtis Baxa (D), Ian Balquist (MF), Ryan Sproat (MF), Ryan Davey (F) and Duncan McCoy (GK).

In the mix: juniors Jack Allen (MF) and Tyler Christy (F).

Outlook: “We've made the playoffs five straight years,” said Hopkins. “We are now a Class 3A team, but are hoping to get at least to the district semifinals.”