JACKSON TWP — Seneca Valley girls soccer coach Dave Sylvester entered this past season believing he had a good goalkeeper.

He came out of it assured that he had a great one.

Junior Jess Neill tallied 12 shutouts and gave up just .62 goals per contest, helping the Raiders to a share of the WPIAL Section 2-AAA title, a district crown and the program's first-ever trip to the state semifinals.

The playoff run was spurred by Neill's 522 straight postseason minutes without surrendering a goal.

Her efforts earned for Neill the Butler Eagle's 2013 Girls Soccer Player of the Year honors, via selection of the Butler Eagle sports staff.

Also considered strongly for the award were Mars senior forward and 34-goal scorer Amber Fichter and Karns City forwards Emily LoPresti and Breann Wood. LoPresti scored 45 goals and 74 points, Wood 41 goals and 67 points.

But it was the uncanny and The zerro zoneconsistent ability to stop goals that netted Neill the honor.

“There were times this season when Jess would make a save and I would look at Becca (Pecora, assistant coach) and we'd just shake our heads,” said Sylvester. “She got to some balls that no other goalkeeper in our section would get to.”

Neill became SV's starting goalkeeper as a freshman in 2011. Since then, she has noticed upgrades in her own play.

“I've improved both physically and mentally,” she said. “My head is more in the game.”

Neill earned playoff shutouts over Canon-McMillan, Upper St. Clair and Peters Township in the WPIAL tournament and Bethel Park and Peters Township in the state playoffs. Her scoreless streak ended when, in the 104th minute of play against Spring-Ford in the PIAA semifinals, she allowed a goal after making 12 saves earlier in the game.

“The streak was on my mind,” admitted Neill, “but it wasn't my main priority. My main goal was to help us win games. The easiest way to do that was to not allow a goal. They go hand-in-hand.”

SV's defense also had a hand in the team giving up just 15 goals in 24 games.

The unit included MaryKate Zahorchak, Alexis Pucci, Lexus Lambert, Alicia Hart and Claire Kocur.

“There were games when I didn't need to make a lot of saves because of their play,” said Neill. “They did a good job and helped me out a lot.”

Neill played forward prior to taking over as SV's netminder.

“That experience allows me to know when opposing players are going to shoot and when and where they are going to pass.”

Neill has played club soccer since she was 11 years old. She is currently a goalkeeper for Stars United.

“When you play club, you are in constant training,” she said. “You don't get out of shape and that's big for me because I hope to play in college.”

Before she gets there, however, Neill will mind SV's net in 2014, much to the delight of Sylvester.

“She is so athletic,” he said. “She has great range and her hands are so good.”

Wednesday — Boys Soccer Player of the Year, Honor Roll

Friday — Volleyball Player of the Year, Honor Roll

Sunday — Football Sweet 16 selections, Butler Eagle Scoring Trophy winner