When the Seneca Valley girls lacrosse team takes the field Friday against Hampton, it will do so in honor of a former teammate.

Senior attacker Shannon Quail died in an automobile accident in January.

The Raiders' opening game of the 2009 season, scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at NexTier Stadium, will be dedicated to her memory.

"With what happened to Shannon, the team is really united," said second-year coach Dina Hughes.

The Raiders went 14-6 overall last season and lost to Mount Lebanon in the WPIAL semifinals.

Included in the field of players back from that team are attacker Nicole Roche, midfielder Megan Powell and defender Ashley Argyros.

All three are seniors, but Hughes believes she can count on leadership from many players.

"It's hard to tell what grades the girls are in because so many of them are vocal," she said.

Sophomore Lauren Moran moves up from junior varsity to play in goal.

Hughes and the Raiders have their sights set on another successful season.

"I want to see the girls enjoy the season as much as they can and have fun, considering the circumstances," she said. "We still have high goals, playing well in the section and making the playoffs."

The Raiders' Division I, Section 2 opponents include Fox Chapel, North Allegheny, Oakland Catholic, Pine-Richland and Sewickley Academy.

Butler

The Golden Tornado are eyeing a winning record in 2009, and the team has a group of seven returning starters to lead the team toward that goal.

"On offense, we have three returning starters and they're all junior midfielders," said third-year coach Annie Succop. "That includes Amanda Huey, Liz Manuel and Chelsey Rock, and Chelsey could very well be our leading scorer."

Senior Maggie Secunda and sophomores Allie Houk and Cam Horwat will lead the defense.

"That's a good core of returning starters," Succop said. "We will be strong defensively."

Goalkeeper duties will fall to senior Lydia Garcia.

"She improved a lot in the offseason and we are expecting a lot out of her," said Succop.

Butler's Division II, Section 2 opponents include Knoch, Erie McDowell, North Hills, Shady Side Academy, Vincentian, Ellis School, Hampton and Shaler.

"We hope to finish in the top three in our section," said Succop, which would get the Tornado to the playoffs.

Butler plays at Knoch Friday.

Knoch

This year marks the fourth season for girls lacrosse at Knoch and the Knights just might be ready to make their move.

Second-year coach Garett Butler has eight returning players who have been with the program from the beginning.

They include attackers Jamie Antoszyk, Krissy Harbison, Christa Moore; midfielders Paige Macadaeg, Casey Paul; defenders Diane Bundy, Carrine Glomb and goalkeeper Hannah Zibert.

"They've all had plenty of varsity playing time and we're excited because it's a strong core of girls," said Butler.

"Players with experience are huge for us because we don't have a middle school or junior high program," he added. "A lot of girls come to our program having never picked up a lacrosse stick.

"I believe we can make the playoffs and I told the players that from the beginning," Butler added."

Note: The WPIAL split girls lacrosse into two divisions with two sections each. Division I includes schools that have had the sport for an extended period of time and/or are elite programs. A champion will be crowned in each division.