Seneca Valley senior defender Sam Patry, right, lunges for a ball during the PIAA Class AAA title game last season. Patry hopes to help the Raiders come home with gold this season.

JACKSON TWP — For some high school sports programs, there is one season, one group of players above all others that serves as a standard for future teams to strive to match.

Through hard work and determination, that is what the 2015 season became for Seneca Valley boys soccer.

The Raiders won a third straight section title last fall, but met with disappointment with a loss in the WPIAL Class AAA semifinals.

But a win over Kiski Area in the district consolation game earned for the Raiders their first-ever trip to the state playoffs.

Three wins later, SV found itself playing for a state championship in Hershey. Despite a 2-0 loss to Central Bucks East, the season is now the beacon for head coach George Williams' players.

“Hopefully, everybody's long-term goal is to win it all,” Williams said, “but there is a lot of soccer between now and then. We need to take it one step at a time.”

The Raiders have a strong core of six returning starters, all seniors. They include forward Matthew Happ, midfielders Cole Dengler, Thomas Washington and Zach McVicker and defenders Sam Patry and Matt Stopar.

Happ missed all but three games last year with an injury, but displayed his ability by scoring three goals and adding two assists.

“He's come back with a lot of enthusiasm,” said Williams. “He is very fast and likes to go to the goal. He played for a good club team in the offseason and is anxious to get started.”

One player the Raiders must replace is goalkeeper Luke Pecora, but Williams believes senior Dylan Good can live up to his name.

“He would have started for a lot of teams last year,” he said. “We're lucky to have him back.”

The Raiders will have the luxury of featuring a slew of players able to contribute in the midfield, including Zach Turley, Michael Zahorchak, Alex Laslavic, Caleb Cekella, Louis Newell and Noah Domencic.

Kurt Wagner and Drew Balla will get their chance to start on defense.

“This group has a bit of a different style than we had last year, when we had a lot of short possessions and made quick movements on the ball. This year, we are more direct. Hopefully, we can move forward with that.”

SV's Class 4-A, Section 1 opponents include Butler, North Allegheny, Pine-Richland, Shaler and North Hills.

Following are top players returning for Butler County-area boys soccer teams.ButlerCoach: Troy Mohney2015: 10-8, missed playoffsSeniors Jace Stutz (M) 4 goals, 1 assist and Joel Stutz (D) 5 goals; Juniors Andrew Chwalik (GK); Devin Goehring (F) 2 goals, 2 assists; Tyler Rankin (D); Justin Stewart (M) 4 goals, 2 assists; Sophomore Tate Mohney (M) 4 goals, 4 assistsSeneca ValleyCoach: George Williams2015: 18-3-1, placed third in WPIAL and reached PIAA title gameSeniors Matthew Happ (F), Cole Dengler (M), Thomas Washington (M), Zach McVicker (M), Sam Patry (D) and Matt Stopar (D)KnochCoach: Malcolm Cook2015: 7-7-2, missed WPIAL playoffsSenior Henry Palmer (M); Juniors Caleb Robb (F), Matt Gore (M), Coleman Brands (D), Jesse Fesel (D) and Jake Goldinger (D); Sophomore Mark Ciora (M)MarsCoach: Chris Knauff2015: 19-4-1, lost in WPIAL title game and reached PIAA quarterfinalsSeniors Spencer Hnath (M), Caleb Brake (M/D) and Lucas Mowery (D); Junior Cory Ferguson (M)FreeportCoach: Dave Teorsky2015: 12-8, lost in WPIAL first roundSeniors Robbie Reichenbaugh (M), Kevin Lynch (M) and Austin Uric (GK); Juniors Bryce Hanby (F), Adam Kvarta (D) and Andrew Nigra (D); Sophomore Stevie Teorsky (M)C.W. North CatholicCoach: Jordan Weigand2015: 7-9-1, missed playoffsSenior Josh Rivetti (M); Juniors Danny Lynch (D), Justin Koenig (D) and Nick Milas (D); Sophomores Anthony Rivetti (M), Owen Daugherty (M), Braiden Wills (D) and Nathan Paras (GK)Karns CityCoach: Jim Grenninger2015: 18-2, won District 9 title and lost in PIAA first roundSeniors Spenser Myers (M) 54 goals, Noah Pollock (F) school-record 25 assists, Jace Ebbitt (F), Marcus Lantz (M), Ian McElroy (M) and Noah Claypoole (D); Juniors Austin Rumbaugh (M/D) and Nolan Riley (D)Grove CityCoach: Matt Nichols2015: 15-4, reached District 10 semifinalsSeniors Ryan Fagan (F), Wyatt Grimm (M) and Jeff Biddle (D); Juniors Esmael Hazy (F), Aidan Reed (M) and Bereket Hoffman (D); Sophomore Armon Smith (F)Slippery RockCoach: Kyle Hopkins2015: 13-7, lost in District 10 quarterfinalsSeniors Chase Baxa (M) and Nick Stutz (D); Juniors Chase Wolinski (M) and Chase Gill (D); Sophomore Jimmy Gallagher (M)