A lot of variables have contributed to the Knoch girls soccer team’s march to the WPIAL playoffs.

One of them is a strong senior class, the effects of which reach far beyond the stat sheet.

“The seniors have done a fantastic job of taking the younger players under their wing,” said Knights’ coach Rich Kenzie. “I challenged the senior class to leave a legacy this season, something the girls coming back can look up to.”

Knoch (12-5-1) will look to extend its season when it travels to Hopewell (12-4) for a Class AA first-round playoff at 4 p.m. Saturday.

“I don’t know all that much about them,” said Kenzie of the Vikings. “They play in a tough section with Central Valley. It’s going to be a challenge for us.”

Central Valley is undefeated at 15-0, but Hopewell gave the Warriors a fight both times this season, losing 4-3 and 2-1.

Kenzie believes his team is entering the playoffs with confidence because it is not only healthy, but the Knights have been playing well of late, including senior goalkeeper Lexie Galbreath.

“She has been fantastic this year,” he said. “The biggest thing for her last season was being in the right place mentally.

“She worked hard in the offseason and her confidence is up.”

Offensively, the Knights are paced by senior forward Olivia Sharbaugh and her 16 goals and 14 assists.

Senior midfielder/defender Gabi Lassinger has added 12 goals and 13 assists and sophomore midfielder Kaelyn Oskin nine goals and 15 assists.

“Gabi is now back on defense,” said Kenzie. “With her and (senior) Abbey Gore back there, it makes us a very strong team up the middle.”

Kenzie likes the way his team has come together this season.

“We had some team-building activities,” he said. “One night, the whole team got together to watch a Pirate game. And for road games, every player had to ride back on the bus. The players responded well.”

Following are preview capsules for playoff games involving Butler County teams:

BoysClass AAAAllderdice (7-8-1) at Seneca Valley (14-2-1)8 p.m., MondayStanding: The Dragons finished third in Section 3 and the Raiders were crowned champions of Section 2.Streaks: Allderdice enters the playoffs having lost its last four games by a combined score of 12-3. ... SV’s first two games of the season yielded a loss to Baldwin and a tie against Norwin. The team then won 14 straight before dropping a 1-0 decision to Class AA power West Allegheny on Tuesday.Stats: Seneca has received solid offensive output from Jared Myers (nine goals, 12 assists), Brad Banks (seven goals, four assists), Matt Saluga (five goals, seven assists) and Joe DeAugustino (five goals, three assists). Colton Smith has nine shutouts in net.Speaking: “We’re spreading the goals around,” said SV coach George Williams. “That makes it tough for other teams to shut us down. And our defense has been playing very well. We’ve given up just nine goals all season.”

Butler (11-6) at Mt. Lebanon (10-6-2)8 p.m., MondayStanding: Butler placed third in Section 2 while the Blue Devils were runner-up in Section 4.Streaks: The Golden Tornado qualified for the WPIAL playoffs for the first time in five years. ... Butler opened the season with five straight wins, then lost five straight, but closed the regular season on a high note, winning six of its final seven games. ... Mt. Lebanon’s longest win streak of the season lasted three games.Stats: Butler features a double-digit goal scorer in Matt Huey (10 goals, three assists), along with Anthony Werth (seven goals, five assists) and Steven Benson (three goals, three assists). Minding the Tornado net is Adam Voelker, who has nine shutouts in 17 games this season.

Class AAMars (12-5) at South Fayette (14-2-2)8 p.m., MondayStanding: Mars was the third-place team in Section 2 while the Lions were runner-up in Section 5.Streaks: The Planets rebounded from a three-game section losing streak at mid-season by winning their final five contests by a combined margin of 21-3. ... South Fayette won nine straight games to start the season and has since gone 5-2-2.Notes: Mars clinched the program’s 12th straight playoff appearance with a 3-2 win over rival Knoch last Thursday. ... South Fayette played No. 1 seed West Allegheny twice this season and the Lions gave the Indians all they could handle, battling to a pair of stalemates (0-0 and 1-1). ... Updated Mars stats were not available.

GirlsClass AAAStanding: Seneca Valley (15-2-1) tied North Allegheny for the Section 2 title and received a bye into the quarterfinals. The Raiders will host the winner of Saturday’s first-round clash between Norwin (14-1-2) and Canon McMillan (12-3-3) on Wednesday.Stats: SV features six players with at least five goals — Caroline Miller, Kelsey O’Connor, Emily Wagner, Sarah Anderson, Megan Majeski and Myra Charles. Goalkeeper Jessica Neill has seven shutouts on the season.

Class AAStanding: Mars (15-1-2) won Section 2 and received a first-round bye. The Planets will face the survivor of Saturday’s game between Hopewell and Knoch on Wednesday.Stats: Mars’ top offensive players include Amber Fichter (34 goals, 13 assists), Sabrina Edwards (21 goals, 12 assists), Tori Kopchak (17 goals, 13 assists) and Dillon Wright (nine goals, 15 assists). Goalkeeper Sarah Dailey has earned 12 shutouts this season.

Freeport (10-7-1) at Central Valley (15-0)4 p.m., SaturdayStanding: Freeport placed third in Section 2 while the Warriors won Section 3.Streaks: Central Valley has yet to lose this season. In fact, only three of its games have been decided by just one goal (Upper St. Clair and Hopewell twice).Stats: Freeport is led by forwards Erica Jack (24 goals) and Megan Manke (21 goals).Speaking: “Our sophomore goalkeeper, Raine Carney, has been outstanding this season,” said Yellowjackets’ coach Maura Allen. “As a team, we’ve overcome a lot of adversity.”