JACKSON TWP — When Alyssa Peterson started playing hockey at the freshmen level in seventh grade, she saw the appeal of playing on the boys varsity hockey team.

Competition was intense and there was typically an audience.

“I wanted to play the night where all the students would go and be there watching,” Peterson said.

Peterson, who is a junior, will be the starting goalie when the Seneca Valley hockey team opens the PIHL season against Canon-McMillan Monday night at the RMU Island Sports Complex.

Peterson is one of many Butler County players who will have an opportunity to prove themselves this season.

Butler and Seneca Valley graduated 11 and 12 seniors, respectively, and will have plenty of battles for ice time.

Freeport lost its top scorer and hired a new head coach, while Mars will try and reload after losing its top two scorers.

In Peterson's case, she will be the first female goalie to open the season in the Raiders' history.

There have been several top female goalies in the PIHL's history.

Lindsay Holdcroft started for North Allegheny and went on to play for Division I Dartmouth. Taylor Cestra started for Plum during the 2012-13 season.

Peterson has also played on a girls club team, Penn Elite, for the past four years.

“I'm looking forward to showing everyone that I belong and that I should be there,” Peterson said. “I worked hard to be where I am.”

Peterson will replace Tanner Pfeffer, who was a Class AAA All-Star last season for a Raiders' team that went 11-9 and made the quarterfinals.

Seneca Valley head coach Anthony Racco is excited to see where Peterson can do.

“I coached her years back when I was the JV coach,” Seneca Valley head coach Anthony Racco said. “She plays solid. Losing Pfeffer is tough because he was a good goalie, but I'm excited to see her at varsity.”

Alex Crilley will step up and be the captain for the Raiders, while Shane Galis, Chris Lipnicky and Connor Williams will contribute at forward.

Defensively, Nic Raible and Zach Broskey will be counted on to lead what Racco thinks she be a balanced team.

“We have a really good group of guys,” Racco said. “I don't see this group relying on one line or the top two lines to get things done. We have a lot of depth up and down the bench.”

Everyone will be ready to prove themselves. Especially Peterson.

“At school people ask me if I play hockey and I say 'Yeah, I'm the starting goalie,'” Peterson said. “That's pretty cool to say.”

Here's a look at what the other Butler County teams will return:

First-year coach Patrick Hammonds is ready to keep up the gritty approach that led the Golden Tornado to its first section title in 21 years last season.“It's going to take our guys being committed to being every-dayers and playing a 200-foot hockey game,” Hammonds said. “I believe if guys can live up to those expectations we can be successful. With young guys, it's be tough.”Butler does bring back some experience on the back end.Senior captain CJ Campbell and junior Jonathan Fair return on defense. Junior Marcus McCall can play either forward or defense.Senior Clay Bachman will take over in net.

First-year coach Mel Reichenbaugh takes over a Yellowjackets' program that fell just short of a Penguins Cup appearance in Class A last season.“I was coach in the middle school system and ran the same system,” Reichenbaugh said. “We will be more aggressive on the forecheck.Forwards Michael Frazetta (nine goals, 25 assists), Stone Haberstroh (14, 10) and Hunter Kepple (four,17) will give Freeport some bite up front.Matthew Huston, who was 5-4-1 last season, will return in goal.Ethan Waddell and Cassandra Suran will play roles on defense.The Yellowjackets will only have three seniors.“We just need to get game experience, work hard and get the jitters out,” Reichenabugh said.

The Planets fell short of a Penguins Cup finals appearance for the first time since 2008 last season and lost its top two scorers (Nick Makozy and Craig Mazzotta) from last season.Mars still has plenty of firepower returning.Beau Heakins (31 points), Jonathan Kowalkoski (27), Kyle Thomas (27), Paul Maust (25) and Owen Vasbinder all contributed 20 points or more last season.Tyler Spreng will return in net for the Planets. He was 13-4 with a 2.97 goals against average and .868 saves percentage last season.Mars coach Steve Meyers couldn't be reached for comment.