Stars United is moving on up.

The 13-and-under boys soccer team from the Seneca Valley Soccer Association began play in the Pennsylvania West Classic Division earlier this month.

The league consists of 15 teams from all over Western Pennsylvania including Erie, Washington and State College.

"This is the highest level these kids can compete in at their age level," said Stars United coach Bob MacZura.

Stars United is made up primarily of players from Cranberry Township, though two players are from other areas.

Zach Mancini (Glenshaw) and Caleb Ritenour (Grove City) took advantage of the team's policy of accepting players from outside the Seneca Valley School District.

The team plays home games at North Boundary Park and has one game under its belt, a 6-3 loss to Washington's Victory Express. A rematch is scheduled for Saturday.

"As we improve, we're hoping to attract more players from throughout the area," MacZura said.

MacZura said the experience of competing at such a high level should have a positive effect on the players in the future.

"Hopefully, the kids can become better soccer players and strive to play in high school. Maybe they'll end up loving the game enough to play in college," he added.

While each player has to come up with his share financially, MacZura points out it is about 50 percent less than other Classic teams.

"(The SVSA) is a non-profit organization, so the kids are responsible for their uniforms, referee fees, stuff like that. Other teams charge a lot more," he said.

"There have been talks about having fund-raisers to help come up with the money. But as of right now, the kids are responsible."

The SVSA is hoping that Stars United won't be alone in the jump to Classic status.

"We're looking at some of the other teams from our association making the move in the future," said MacZura. "Next year, our 12-and-under boys and girls teams should be making the switch."

Certain teams competing in the SVSA are designated as Academy teams, which act as feeder programs to the Classic teams.

There are four Academy teams in the SVSA: 11-and-under boys and girls, 10-and-under boys and 9-and-under girls.

In all, the SVSA includes more 100 teams with players ranging in age from 4 to 15 years old. Between 950 and 980 kids are involved this season.

"Soccer is very popular in this area, and the teams have been supported very well," said MacZura, who is also president of the association.