BUTLER TWP — All three are anticipating productive collegiate careers on the soccer pitch.

But Butler seniors Maci Lineman, Paige Miller and Gabby Boden have business to take care of at home first.

Lineman, a defender, has verbally committed to the University of Akron. Miller, a goalkeeper, is headed to West Virginia Wesleyan. Boden, a forward, is going to Gannon.

“We all got started together in the Butler County Soccer Association when we were around 5 years old,” Miller said. “We played travel ball together at Northern (Steel) ... we knew we'd have to go our separate ways eventually.”

The trio were honored recently on Senior Night — prior to the Golden Tornado's 4-1 win over North Hills at Art Bernardi Stadium — with fellow seniors Stephanie Adkisson, Alison Altman and Maura Denniston.

Adkisson plays outside back, Altman center back and Denniston midfield.

“Those three will have opportunities to play in college as well,” Butler coach Steve Perri said. “If they don't play, it will be by choice, not because nobody's interested in them.”

Butler is off to a 4-0 start this season — all section wins — while outscoring the opposition 15-4.

“I feel like this can be our breakout year,” Boden said. “Nobody's paying much attention to us, but we all know each other and have been playing together for so long.”

Boden scored 13 goals a year ago and made all-section as the Tornado finished 13-5-1. Butler reached the WPIAL quarterfinals in both of the past two years and has been to the playoffs in each of the past three.

Lineman scored eight goals from her defender position last year and made All-WPIAL.

“It's our last year together,” Lineman said. “The relationships we made will last forever. We want this last year to be our best.”

In the meantime, college beckons.

Lineman opted for Akron over Youngstown State, West Virginia Wesleyan, Kent State and Gannon. The Zips were 8-10-2 overall in 2019, finishing fourth in the Mid-American Conference with a 5-4-2 mark.

Akron is coached by former Slippery Rock University women's soccer coach Noreen Herlihy, who won three conference titles and guided SRU to eight Division II playoff appearances.

Lineman plans to major in exercise science.

“Akron's program is coming on right now,” Lineman said. “I just want to make a positive difference for them. I'm all about playing for my team.”

Miller, a goalkeeper since age 10, is joining a West Virginia Wesleyan program that finished 13-7 overall, 10-4 in the Mountain East Conference in 2019. Wesleyan has four goalkeepers — including a junior and two freshmen — on its roster right now.

Miller plans to major in nursing.

“My parents both went there,” Miller said. “I was scheduled to visit other schools, but I went down to Wesleyan first. It felt like home right away. I never bothered to look anywhere else.

“When I was 10, my team just threw me in there (at goalie). I loved the position. When I make a big save and the crowd cheers ... there's no other feeling like that.”

Boden will be joining a Gannon team that is coming off an 8-7-2 season, 7-7-2 in the PSAC. Colin Petersen is in his 19th year as the Golden Knights coach and has a school-record 158 wins there.

Boden plans to study to be a physician's assistant.

Numerous Butler County girls soccer standouts have gone on to successful playing careers at Gannon. Two of them — Karns City graduate Megan McCartney and Butler grad Hannah Hays — are seniors there now.

McCartney led the team with five goals and four assists last year.

“I do. I want to join that list,” Boden said of the county's success in Gannon wonen's soccer. “My mom went there. It's a high-level program and I'm excited to be going there.”

Perri said Lineman, Miller and Boden are outstanding students as well.

“I know all three of the soccer programs they're joining and they will fit in well at those schools,” he said.

“Maci plays both ends of the field so well. Gabby is a talented scorer. Paige is fearless in goal and just shakes off misakes, which is what a goalie has to do.

“All of our seniors are a big part of what I'm confident will be a big season,” Perri added.