BUFFALO TWP — A 4-1 non-section loss to North Hills the first day of October dropped the Freeport boys soccer team’s record to 4-6.

That’s when the Yellowjackets hit their stride.

Freeport (11-7, 7-5) won seven of its remaining eight regular-season games, including a 4-1 mark in Section 2-AA to earn the program’s first WPIAL playoff berth since 2008.

“Overall, I think it’s our guys figuring out how to play together,” said third-year Freeport coach Dave Teorsky. “As long as we can continue to do that, we’ll be fun to watch.”

Freeport’s return to the postseason will commence with a play-in game at Mount Pleasant (10-5-2) at 6 p.m. Saturday.

It wasn’t long ago that the Yellowjackets were at the bottom of the section standings. They went a combined 3-28-3 in 2011-12.

Teorsky took the reins prior to the 2013 season and the team improved to six wins that year and 10 victories last season.

Several players have spearheaded Freeport’s revival, senior midfielder Patrick McNulty among them.

“He has owned the midfield in so many games,” said Teorsky. “He is tireless in running the length of the field and is the engine of our offense.”

Senior midfielder Mario Borino leads the team in goals and sophomore forward Bryce Hanby has come up with clutch scores time and time again.

“He has scored the game-winner against Deer Lakes twice, Karns City, Knoch and Burrell,” Teorsky said. “He can get the job done against the better teams.”

Throw in a defense led by star sophomore Adam Kvarta and solid play in net from junior Austin Uric and it’s clear the ‘Jackets are not your average third-place team.

Teorsky admitted he knows little about Mount Pleasant, but added, “We’re just really excited to have the opportunity to be playing playoff soccer, regardless of the opponent.”

Following are preview capsules for the other WPIAL soccer playoff games involving Butler County teams.

Note: Mars (15-2-1, 12-0) won the Section 2-AA championship and awaits the winner of Saturday’s play-in game between Trinity (10-6-2) and Quaker Valley (7-6-3). The Planets will host the first-round game at 8 p.m. Monday.

In the Class AAA boys tournament, Seneca Valley (13-1-1 overall) received a first-round bye after claiming the Section 2 title with a record of 10-1-1. The Raiders will play the survivor of Saturday’s game between Upper St. Clair (10-6-1) and Central Catholic (9-5-2) next Thursday.

Girls Class AAA

Oakland Catholic at Seneca Valley 4 p.m. Saturday

Standing: The Eagles are 11-7 overall and finished third in Section 5; SV is 14-3 and shared the Section 2 title with North Allegheny and Pine-Richland.

Stats: The Raiders’ offense is led by seniors Cassidy Testa, Megan Majeski, Caroline Miller and Sarah Anderson. No stats were available.

Streaks: The Raiders enter the playoffs on a four-game winning streak and have won seven of their last eight games. During that span, the team has surrendered just two goals.

Speaking: “We lost some key players from last year, so I’m happy with where we are at entering the playoffs,” said SV coach Dave Sylvester.

Class AA Freeport at South Fayette 4 p.m. Saturday

Standing: Freeport compiled a regular-season record of 10-7-1 and placed third in Section 2; South Fayette is 12-4-2 and tied South Park for the title in Section 5.

Stats: Freeport — Jr. MF Olivia Gaspersic (7 goals, 10 assists), Jr. F Cameron Lindsay (6 goals, 4 assists), Victoria Delk (5 goals, 3 assists).

Streaks: The Yellowjackets defeated section foes Knoch (twice) and Valley in a six-day span in late September, helping to propel them to a WPIAL playoff berth.

Speaking: “We’ve played two goalies this year, senior Raine Carney and junior Cassie Surnan,” said Freeport coach Brittni Grenninger. “They have both played well and we plan to start Raine on Saturday. We have been getting shots on net, but we have to finish.”

Note: Mars is 14-2 overall and won the Section 2 title with an undefeated record of 12-0. The Planets earned a first-round bye and will face the winner of Saturday’s clash between Waynesburg (11-3-1) and Yough (9-6-2) on Wednesday.

Class A

C.W. North Catholic vs. Charleroi at Canon-McMillan 2 p.m. Saturday

Standing: Charleroi is 14-1-2 and was crowned champion of Section 2; The Trojanettes are 7-9-1,fourth in Section 3.

Stats: CWNC — So. F Ella Beidler (11 goals), Sr. MF Shea Drew (6 goals, 4 assists), Sr. MF Maddie Ivory (7 assists), So. MF Emma Ivory (8 assists), Fr. G Gabby Lloyd (5 shutouts).

Streaks: It has been an up and down season for CWNC, which has not won consecutive games since Sept. 21-23.

Speaking: “Our goalkeeper, Gabby, and Maggie Bartony, a defender, have been catalysts in our playoff run,” said CWNC coach Jon Miller. “Charleroi is good, but they aren’t used to playing teams from the north. We play more of a possession game.”