KARNS CITY — The Karns City girls soccer team is back for more.

The Gremlins enter the 2013 season as defending District 9 Class A champions after going 21-1 overall last year. The team’s lone setback was to eventual state champion Greensburg Central Catholic in the PIAA playoffs.

“We know we have to improve in some areas,” said KC coach Lisa Castiglione. “Hopefully, we can have another successful season.”

At forward, the Gremlins return two starters in Breann Wood (2012 Butler Eagle Girls Soccer Player of the Year) and Emily Lopresti, who combined for 86 goals and 62 assists last year.

A trio of seniors will patrol the midfield — Emily Schumacher, Chelsea McCartney and Caterina Lopresti.

Seniors Emily Jones and Morgan Deal are expected to be solid on defense and in goal, respectively. As a junior, Deal earned 15 shutouts and allowed just 13 goals in 22 games.

“It was a shame our season came to an end against the eventual state champs,” said Castiglione. “We may run into them again this year.”

Castiglione is hoping her team’s out-of-district games help prepare it for another long playoff run. This season’s schedule includes games against District 10’s Wilmington, Slippery Rock, Mercer and Hickory.

“We played Hickory last year and won 1-0 in a hard-fought game,” she said. “They should be good again this year.”

Following are preview capsules for the eight Butler County area high school girls soccer teams.

*Denotes returning starter

Butler

Coach: Steve Perri, second year

2012 Finish: The Golden Tornado were 8-8-1 overall and 3-8-1 in section play.

On the attack: *Macy Stalnaker (Sr.), Sydney Barr (So.) and Zoee Gillan (So.)

In the midfield: *Carolyn Stirling (Jr.) and *Samantha Dickey (Jr.)

Back on defense: *Chloe Bowser (So.) and *Rachael Weyand (Sr.)

Defending the net: *Mackenzie Troyan (Jr.) and Hannah Miller (So.)

Perri says: “Last year, we wanted to turn the program around. I believe we did that to an extent. We have the talent to make the playoffs, it’s just a matter of going out and making it happen.”

Freeport

Coach: Maura Allen, first year

2012 Finish: The Yellowjackets went 6-11-1 overall and 5-8-1 in their section.

On the attack: *Megan Manke (Jr.)

In the midfield: Olivia Gaspersic (Fr.)

Back on defense: *Dava Jack (Sr.) and Lauren Arnold (Jr.)

Defending the net: Mayson Kiser (Jr.) and Raine Carney (So.)

Allen says: “The program has struggled recently. I’d like to see us make the playoffs and hold our own.”

Grove City

Coach: Les Smith, first year

2012 Finish: The Eagles placed third in their region.

On the attack: *Kayli Davis (Sr.) and Anna Williams (Fr.)

In the midfield: *Aubri McCoy (Sr.)

Back on defense: *Rachel Schmitz (Jr.) and *Jessee Treiber (Jr.)

Defending the net: *Olivia Andrews (Sr.)

Smith says: “We have players on our bench who we can sub in and not miss a beat. We have high hopes this season.”

Karns City

Coach: Lisa Castiglione, eighth year

2012 Finish: KC went 21-1 overall, won the District 9 Class A title and suffered its only defeat in the state playoffs.

On the attack: *Breann Wood (Sr.) and *Emily Lopresti (Jr.)

In the midfield: *Emily Schumacher (Sr.), *Chelsea McCartney (Sr.) and *Caterina Lopresti (Sr.)

Back on defense: *Brittany Coyle (Jr.), *Ashley Coon (So.) and *Emily Jones (Sr.)

Defending the net: *Morgan Deal (Sr.)

Castiglione says: “We know we have to improve in some areas. Hopefully, we can have another successful season.”

Knoch

Coach: Rich Kenzie, second year

2012 Finish: The Knights finished 11-8 overall and earned a WPIAL playoff berth.

On the attack: *Olivia Sharbaugh (Sr.) and *Gabi Lassinger (Sr.)

In the midfield: *Saige Robertson (Jr.) and *Kaelyn Oskin (So.)

Back on defense: *Abbey Gore (Sr.) and Allie Gore (Fr.)

Defending the net: *Lexie Galbreath (Sr.)

Kenzie says: “We have a lot of starters back, but we also have some really good young players. I’m hoping to go deeper in the playoffs.”

Mars

Coach: Blair Gerlach, seventh year

2012 Finish: Mars went 20-2-1, won its third straight WPIAL title and advanced to the state quarterfinals.

On the attack: *Lydia Dennis (Sr.), *Amber Fichter (Sr.) and *Sabrina Edwards (Jr.)

In the midfield: *Dillon Wright (So.) and Casey Merritt (Jr.)

Back on defense: *Shaelyn O’Connor (Sr.), Megan Stetz (Sr.), Emily Ferraro (Sr.) and Shannon Doyle (So.)

Defending the net: *Sarah Dailey (Sr.)

Gerlach says: “We are a different team this year, but still have the talent to make a nice run.”

Seneca Valley

Coach: Dave Sylvester, 13th year

2012 Finish: The Raiders were 20-3 overall, won their section, placed second in the WPIAL and made it to the state quarterfinals.

On the attack: Kelsey O’Connor (Jr.), Myra Charles (Sr.) and Kalyn Serman (Jr.)

In the midfield: *Mary Kate Zahorchak (Sr.), *Kayli Kumanchik (Sr.) and Sarah Anderson (So.)

Back on defense: *Lexus Lambert (So.) and *Claire Kocur (Jr.)

Defending the net: *Jessica Neill (Jr.)

Sylvester says: “We have a lot of depth and I’m excited about this season.”

Slippery Rock

Coach: Melanie Roczko, first year

2012 Finish: The Rockets reached the District 10 Class AA semifinals.

On the attack: *Jenny Dudek (Jr.) and *Marissa Siebka (So.)

In the midfield: *Molly Joyce (Jr.), *Abby Magliocca (Jr.) and Jenna Whitmer (Fr.)

Back on defense: *Charlene Doerr (Sr.), Sarah Kadlubek (Sr.) and Aster Chmielewski (Sr.)

Defending the net: Hannah Willison (Fr.)

Roczko says: “This group is goal-hungry and I’m hoping to carry that throughout the season. We have 13 freshmen in the program and I want to develop them.”