BUTLER TWP — The Seneca Valley girls soccer team came into its final Section 1-AAAA match of the season against Butler banged up.

Four starters were sidelined due to injury and coach Mark Perry was unsure of what he would see.

Turns out he had little to worry about.

His young replacements played well and the Raiders parlayed an early goal into a 1-0 road win Wednesday night.

The victory also secured at least a tie for second place in the section with North Allegheny.

“Finishing second,” Perry said, “you have a chance to get a home game in the playoffs.”

Seneca Valley (11-4, 7-3) controlled play for most of the match, but its lone goal came on a scramble in the box.

Jess Frank got just enough of a foot on the ball to slide it to Jenna Pollaci, who finished with a shot that trickled into the left side of the net for a goal just 12 minutes in.

That goal held up.

Perry was happy to leave Butler with a win.

“This is a tough place to play,” Perry said. “This is the only game we play on grass all year and I thought we handled it great.”

Perry was also happy his team handled the injury adversity so well.

The Raiders' two starting center-midfielders, Julia Redilla and Becca Bayne, were held out, but Perry got plenty of contributions from their backups.

Mia Zec came off the bench and played well and Breanna Valentovish also turned in a solid effort, Perry said.

“Going in we were a veteran team — we have eight seniors,” Perry said. “But because of injuries, some of the young players have gotten to play and have stepped up. That makes us better. It gives us more depth.”

Seneca Valley also has been without goalkeeper Jessica Pollaci for most of the season.

There hasn't been a drop off with Isabella Defabbo in net, Perry said.

Defabbo made four saves in the shutout Wednesday.

“She's a No. 1 goalie on any team,” Perry said. “She's going to Duquesne. She did a great job and I thought our backs did a great job against a tough offense.”

For Butler (9-6, 5-5), the loss was especially disappointing two days after a dramatic win against North Allegheny.

Trailing 1-0 against the Tigers, the Golden Tornado scored two goals in the final three minutes for the win.

Butler couldn't count on similar heroics Wednesday against Seneca Valley.

“I think we did,” said Butler coach Steve Perri. “I think that's what some of us expected. Monday we saw it and that's the team we are. (Wednesday) it was like, 'Don't worry. It will come.' And it never did.”

Butler's only sustained pressure did come late, but the Golden Tornado could not convert.

“Instead of making things happen,” Perri said, “we expected things to happen.”

Keeper Anna Voelker kept Butler in the game with 10 saves, most of them difficult.

“She did what a top-class keeper is supposed to do,” Perri said. “Keep you in the game and give your forwards an opportunity to finish it.”

Butler, like Seneca Valley, has a few games remaining as tune-ups before the WPIAL playoffs.

Each team is looking for something different out of those contests.

The Raiders, who play powerhouse Moon next week, want to see where they stand against some of the best teams in the WPIAL and the state.

Butler just wants to see if it can harness the glimpses of play it saw in the final three minutes against North Allegheny for an entire game.

“We have yet to put 80 minutes together,” Perri said. “It's concerning. It's frustrating. There's so many different words I can say.

“It's important because of what team we're going to be in the playoffs,” Perri said. “If the playoffs began after this one, I'd be very concerned.”