The Burrell boys soccer team plays its home games on natural grass, but Bucs' coach T.J. Trozzi welcomes a game on turf.

Mars (13-3-2 overall) and Burrell (12-2-2) will battle each other in a WPIAL Class AA first-round playoff at 6 p.m. Monday at Pine-Richland Stadium, a venue that has had turf for the better part of a decade.

“Usually, a team going from grass to turf would (benefit the opponent),” said Trozzi. “But for some reason, we've played better on turf this season.

“We're a quick team,” he added, “and we're at our best on turf.”

Senior forward Justin Hatbob leads the Bucs with 16 goals.

“After that, we've got a number of players with between five and seven goals,” said Trozzi. “Our scoring is pretty spread out.”

Junior goalkeeper Alex White is in his first year starting in net for the Bucs.

Burrell has won all nine of its games since a 2-1 non-section loss to Penn Hills Sept. 17. The Bucs won the Section 1 title with a 10-0-2 mark.

“We're really clicking right now,” said Trozzi. “We've come together as a team, on and off the field.”

“As a program, we haven't played Burrell in many years,” said Mars coach Chris Knauff. “But with them winning their section, we're expecting to play a strong team.”

Mars is led by junior midfielder Spencer Posey's 22 goals. Senior forward Ryan Gralish paces the team in assists.

Planets' senior goalkeeper Garrett Gabriel is a big reason why Mars has given up just four goals in its last seven games.

“In our biggest win this year (a 2-1 victory over defending WPIAL and PIAA champ Hampton Sept. 8), Garrett kept us in it,” said Knauff. “He definitely steals a few goals from opposing players.”

The Planets closed the regular season with a 1-1 tie with Knoch on Tuesday, placing second in Section 2 behind Hampton.

“I know the boys were disappointed with the tie,” said Knauff, “but I thought we played very well. With our passing and defensive play, it was one of our best performances all year. Hopefully, we can continue that.”

Following are preview capsules for the other four WPIAL soccer playoff games involving Butler County teams.

Girls Class AAKnoch (15-1-2) vs. Yough (11-7)1 p.m., Saturday at NorwinStanding: Knoch placed second in Section 2; Yough was third in Section 1.

Scoring: Yough has been shut out six times this year, while Knoch and goalkeeper Maranda Tano have shut out nine teams.

Top performers: Knoch — senior MF Danielle Sharbaugh (22 goals, 17 assists), sophomore F Olivia Sharbaugh (14 goals, 16 assists), sophomore MF Gabbi Lassinger (12 goals, four assists).

Notes: Knoch is responsible for the lone blemish on defending WPIAL champ Mars' schedule, a 2-2 tie Sept. 26.

Coach Speak: “I don't know much about Yough, but we're just going to focus on the things that we do well. That's what we've done all year.” — Knoch coach Steve Perri

Beaver (9-8) at Mars (17-0-1)3 p.m., SaturdayStanding: Beaver was the fourth and final team to make the playoffs out of Section 3; Mars won Section 2.

Scoring: Mars has tallied 13 shutouts this year with sophomore GK Sarah Dailey in net. The only game in which the Planets gave up more than one goal was a 2-2 tie against rival Knoch Sept. 26.

Top performers: Mars — senior MF/F Mani Brueckner (33 goals, 38 assists), sophomore F Karli Paracca (18 goals), senior F Kristen Check (16 goals), senior F Kristen McKenzie (16 goals).

Notes: This game is a rematch of last year's WPIAL Class AA title game, won by Mars 2-0.

Coach Speak: “Our defense of Jordyn White, Erica Schwab, Amber Fichter and Shae O'Connor, they're studs. None of them are seniors, but they've played great soccer.” — Mars coach Blair Gerlach

Class AAAHempfield (9-7) at Seneca Valley (15-1-2)5 p.m. SaturdayStanding: Hempfield finished third in Section 1; SV won the Section 2 title.Scoring: The Raiders have given up just three goals in their last 11 games.Notes: Seneca Valley's one loss this season came against Penn-Trafford, a section foe of Hempfield. The Spartans lost both battles with Penn-Trafford by a combined score of 12-2. ... Hempfield opened the season 1-4, but enters the playoffs having won four of its last five games.Boys Class AAAPlum (7-6-4) at Seneca Valley (12-6)8 p.m., MondayStanding: Plum grabbed the third and final playoff spot from Section 3; SV claimed the Section 2 crown, the program's third section title in four seasons.Scoring: Plum has outscored its opponents 28-22, though the Mustangs have been shut out five times in 2011.Top Performers: Seneca Valley — junior F Ryan Vilella (10 goals, six assists), senior F Rob Wright (five goals, five assists), senior MF Josh Allman (five goals, three assists), senior MF Mike Chowansky (five goals, three assists), junior MF Andreas Fatschel (four goals, three assists), senior MF Stephen McConahy (two goals, six assists).Notes: Plum will be making its first WPIAL playoff appearance in four seasons. ... Both teams faced Penn-Trafford, Shaler and North Allegheny during the regular season. Plum went 0-2-1 in those games while the Raiders went 5-0.Coach Speak: “Plum plays in a very good section and they've earned their spot in the playoffs.” — SV coach George Williams