Seneca Valley boys soccer pounces on rival Butler as Jacob Prex follows family’s tradition with goal, assist

September 22, 2025 Last Updated: September 22, 2025 10:26 PM Sports

Seneca Valley forward Jacob Prex (10) sends the ball up-field against Butler during a boys soccer game Monday, Sept. 22, 2025, at Butler High School's Art Bernardi Stadium. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle

Matthew Brown

BUTLER TWP — Jacob Prex comes from good soccer stock.

Great, actually.

The Seneca Valley junior midfielder demonstrated that ability during the Raiders’ 3-0 WPIAL Section 3-4A boys victory over Butler on Monday night at Art Bernardi Stadium.

Prex’s corner kick set up SV’s first goal, arching a ball that bounced free in the box before sophomore midfielder Connor Mackrell knocked it into the net in the 38th minute. The tally snapped a scoreless tie in a driving rainstorm.

“The rain definitely affected play,” SV coach George Williams said. “Butler adjusted to it better than we did. They were in a defensive posture and made it hard for us to score.”

Prex gave the Raiders a 2-0 lead in the 55th minute, hooking a shot from 22 yards out that deftly landed in the right corner of the Golden Tornado (4-6, 1-5) net. It was his fourth goal of the year.

Prex has two older brothers — Nathan and Tyler — playing collegiate soccer this season. Nathan broke the career goals and assists record at Lebanon Valley College, and Tyler plays for Mercyhurst.

“It’s been awesome growing up behind those guys,” Jacob said. “I learned so much from both of them. I’m still learning from them. I couldn’t wait until I was able go play soccer at Seneca Valley.”

The Prex soccer tradition did not start with the three brothers.

“Their father, Ethan, was the leading scorer at Pitt,” Williams said. “Their mother played soccer, too. Those guys grew up on the game, have been well-schooled, and it shows.”

Jacob watched Seneca Valley soccer for years before actually suiting up for the Raiders.

“I’ve followed this program for so long. I’ve watched them play in state finals, WPIAL finals,” he said. “There’s a legacy here I’m just happy to be a part of it.”

Prex and his teammates are looking to add to it.

Seneca Valley (10-1, 5-1) won its fourth straight game Monday night and recorded its sixth shutout. The Raiders have outscored their opposition 36-7 so far this season.

The Raiders enjoyed a 13-2 advantage in shots on net and an 8-1 advantage in corner kicks. At one point midway in the second half, SV took three corner kicks in the span of 30 seconds, heading two of them over the crossbar.

“We held them in check for a while,” Butler coach Troy Mohney said. “We didn’t defend the corner kicks real well, then they scored on a couple of set pieces late.”

Senior forward Michael Pokrzywinski wrapped up the scoring by breaking in free from the left and poking a shot past Butler goalkeeper Thaddeus Mago in the 74th minute.

Mago made 10 saves on the night, many from close range.

“That kid played a fantastic game,” Williams said. “He stopped a number of quality shots.”

Mohney agreed.

“Thad’s been good for us every night,” the Butler coach said. “He kept this a 1-0 game for the longest time.”

Butler’s best scoring chance came in the 66th minute when junior forward Jackson Stewart had possession of the ball in the box, directly in front of the goalie. SV keeper Chase Good kicked the shot away to preserve the shutout.

Senior midfielder Owen Eastgate, the Raiders’ leading scorer with 13 goals, was kept off the scoresheet. He slammed a shot off the crossbar in the 71st minute.

Seneca Valley does not return to action until Sept. 30, hosting Fox Chapel. The Foxes are the lone blemish on the Raiders’ record, scoring a 2-1 overtime win earlier this month.

Butler travels to Greater Latrobe on Tuesday night.

Butler midfielder Kyle Dittman (15) kicks the ball away from the touchline during a boys soccer game against Seneca Valley on Monday, Sept. 22, 2025, at Butler High School's Art Bernardi Stadium. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle

Matthew Brown

Butler midfielder Wyatt Loch (14) ties his shoe during a boys soccer game against Seneca Valley on Monday, Sept. 22, 2025, at Butler High School's Art Bernardi Stadium. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle

Matthew Brown

Seneca Valley forward Jacob Prex (10) sends the ball up-field against Butler during a boys soccer game Monday, Sept. 22, 2025, at Butler High School's Art Bernardi Stadium. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle

Matthew Brown

Seneca Valley defender Preston Fouche (8) moves the ball up-field against Butler during a boys soccer game Monday, Sept. 22, 2025, at Butler High School's Art Bernardi Stadium. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle

Matthew Brown