SLIPPERY ROCK — The bus ride home fromSeneca Valley High School Saturday was a surreal one for Kelsey Drennen.

There was an almost eerie hush as the bus made its way back to Slippery Rock after Drennen and her Rockets teammates had beaten Seton-LaSalle to get to the PIAA Class AA girls soccer semifinals.

"After we beat South Park (in the first round of the state playoffs Nov. 7), our bus ride home was crazy," said Drennen, putting extra emphasis on the work crazy.

"But on Saturday, we were all composed. Our reaction was completely different," Drennen added. "I think we were amazed we were still in it."

Slippery Rock (21-2) will face Greenburg Central Catholic (21-2-1) at 6 p.m. today at Chartiers Valley High School for a chance to advance to the state championship match inHershey this weekend.

Just thinking about that gives Drennen, a senior forward, that surreal feeling again.

"We're going to go out (tonight) for the win — we're going to go out full force — but even if we don't win, even if it ends, this is some school history stuff we did this season," Drennen said.

Before the season started, Slippery Rock coach Blair Gantz figured her team was good enough to win Region 1 and advance to the District 10 playoffs.

Getting to the Western Final wasn't even in her thoughts in August.

"The girls said they wanted to get to states," Gantz said. "I wanted to support them no matter what."

Still, no one expected Slippery Rock to make the run it has.

And few give the Rockets much chance against Greensburg Central Catholic.

The lack of respect has been a rallying cry in Slippery Rock.

"There's always going to be people who want to pull you down," Drennen said. "We expect some of that, even in our own school. But it's made us want it even more."

Last year, the Rockets suffered a disheartening loss in the first round of the District 10 playoffs against Harbor Creek. Slippery Rock returned nine seniors from that team this season.

As the playoffs have progressed, the seniors have almost willed the team to wins, not wanting their careers together to end, Drennen said.

"That's exactly what it is," she said. "Before each game we get together and say, 'Girls, we don't want it to be over.'"

Slippery Rock is led by a trio of scorers.

Senior midfielder Jence Rhoads leads the team with 40 goals. Sophomore forward Elissa McCune has added 25 goals and Drennen has scored 16 times this season.

The Rockets have made their playoff run with a freshman goalkeeper.

Ali Doyle has filled in since the first District 10 playoff game for Kyra Foley, who suffered a concussion against Villa Maria and has not been cleared to play.

Doyle will face her toughest challenge against Greensburg Central Catholic.

The Centurions can score goals in bunches, especially now that they have their most dynamic player back from illness.

Junior Nicole Petrillo came back from mononucleosis and scored a goal in the 6-1 win over Fairview.

She has scored 33 goals this season despite missing nine matches with the illness.

Rachel Sebbens has scored 31 goals and Liz Robinson 26 for the Centurions. All three are Division I prospects.

Still, Greensburg coach Jim Hampton isn't considering the match against Slippery Rock a mere formality on the road back to Hershey.

"Slippery Rock scares the heck out of me," Hampton said. "They are a team that is playing with a whole lot of confidence right now."