JACKSON TWP — Letdown? What letdown?

The Seneca Valley girls soccer team sure isn't having one.

The Raiders are defending the first WPIAL girls soccer title in school history, and, so far, the team hasn't flinched.

Monday's 2-1 win over Pine-Richland improved SV's record to 13-0 overall and 10-0 in Section 2-AAA.

The Raiders graduated two defensive starters, Logan Gamelier and Becca Pecora, from the 2007 team that beat Upper St. Clair for the district crown.

The rest of the starters returned.

"I'm not surprised at all that we're off to the undefeated start," said junior forward/midfielder Kate Kelly. "I kind of expected it. Our whole lineup is filled with great players."

Kelly and Karisa Fernandez, another forward, lead the team in scoring, but goals have come from many players, including Shayna Elser, Aleisha Rees and Mandy Cerminara.

"Offensively, everything seems to be going well," said SV coach Dave Sylvester. "We're scoring four or five goals per game."

"On our team, we honestly don't care who scores the goal for us," said Fernandez. "That's why we work so well together."

The Raiders' defense and goaltending have been every bit as impressive as the goal-scoring.

Seniors Lauren Royal (stopper), Barbie Rohm (left outside back), Jenny Jergel (sweeper) and freshman right outside back Raegan Dobbins have led a strong defensive effort.

"We play different formations on defense, depending on what teams show us," said Sylvester.

And when opponents do get within striking distance, sophomore goalkeeper Keara Lydon has been turning them away.

Junior Ashley Wack has also seen time in net.

"We've only given up five goals the whole season, and one of those was on a penalty kick against Mars," said Sylvester.

The Raiders can match talent with any team. Combine that with a rigorous conditioning regimen, and that's how the team has outscored its opponents 43-5 through 13 contests.

Every year, SV's season begins long before the first game, even before the first official practice.

"In early August, about a week before the first practice date, we go to a camp near Slippery Rock," said Sylvester. "We stay up there for four days, go on a canoe trip, sit around a camp fire, do some different things."

"Different things" also entails running — and a lot of it.

"Each morning, we get up at 5 a.m. and are outside by 6," said Fernandez. "And then we run from 6 to 8."

And that's just the morning session. There's also afternoon and evening sessions.

It's the way Sylvester runs things, and his success speaks for itself. In his seven previous seasons as Raiders coach, the team has made the WPIAL playoffs every year.

An eighth consecutive trip to the postseason is a mere formality.

And the pre-season getaway is a big reason for the string of winning seasons.

"The freshmen can get comfortable with the other players," said Sylvester. "It's a bonding-type thing for the whole team."

Sylvester expects his players to keep up with a conditioning schedule before and after the camp. Once the season starts, he and his players see the benefits.

"In the second half of games, I'll ask the girls how the other team is doing out there," Sylvester said. "They'll say, 'They're sucking air, coach.'

"Over the years, we haven't had many bad injuries to our players," Sylvester added. "I've always told the girls that staying in shape helps you avoid injuries."

As for this year's seniors, another WPIAL title would be a great way to go out.

"That would be awesome, especially if we won WPIALs and then got further in states," said Jergel. "That's our goal.

"(Coach Sylvester) has remained positive with us," Jergel added. "And we respond well to that."