JACKSON TWP — Karyn Brooks was itching to get back to coaching lacrosse.

And the Seneca Valley girls team was itching to become winners once again.

After taking off the 2005 season — one in which the Raiders missed the WPIAL playoffs with a 4-7 record — Brooks returned to lead the team in 2005.

She had previously coached the team from 2002-04 and built a winning tradition.

"The girls were excited when I returned as coach," said Brooks. "And that kind of set the tone for the year."

The Raiders needed a victory in each of their final three games to win their section outright. And wins over Pine-Richland and North Allegheny were followed by a 16-5 triumph over Butler in the regular season finale May 9 to give SV the crown with a 9-1 section mark.

Despite a 15-5 loss to Sewickley Academy last Tuesday in the first round of the WPIAL playoffs, the Raiders (10-5 overall) consider the 2006 season to be a success.

"It was a great season," said senior defender Emily Lambert. "Not only on the field, but also because of the strong friendships within the team."

Leading the squad's return to the playoffs was Erin Bernhard.

The senior attacker set team records for goals in a season with 58 and for goals in a career with 113.

The previous marks were held by Julie Quail (54 in a season) and Jen Eyerman (103 in a career).

"Jen was a senior when I was a freshman and I really looked up to her," said Bernhard. "I never really thought about breaking her record. I just hoped that I could be as good of a player as she was."

Ironically, Bernhard was thought of as a candidate for the goalie position back in March.

"At the time, we didn't have a goalie," said Bernhard. "Since I had played some goalie for the junior varsity team before, they were thinking about putting me there this year. But I really didn't want to play there. I wanted to be on offense because I really like to score."

It proved to be a wise choice to keep Bernhard close to the other team's net.

"Erin has great leadership and intensity," said Brooks. "She plays attack, but can play so many other positions. She's an all-around utility player."

As for the goalie problem, the Raiders found the answer for this year and for the near future.

Sophomore Brittany Fusco stepped into the void and turned in a superb season.

"This was her first year and she was really phenomenal," said Brooks. "She's a real go-getter because she doesn't want to let the team down."

"(Fusco) really came out of nowhere," said Lambert. "She's out there throwing herself in front of shots and that pumped the rest of the team up. She was amazing."

As for Seneca Valley's defenders, there was certainly no drop off on their side of the field.

While offensive players get their kicks out of scoring goals, defenders like Lambert seek other ways to leave their mark.

"When all of us defenders are out there working together and clicking, that's when we get satisfaction knowing we're doing our job," she said.

Other top defenders included Chelsea Fogle, Emily Carlo and Meredith Vicente.