JACKSON TWP — Its sustained run of success under veteran head coach Dave Sylvester has garnered the Seneca Valley girls soccer program much attention over the years within the WPIAL and even across the state.

But national attention is something new for the Raiders.

In its most recent poll, released last week, the National Soccer Coaches Association of America has Seneca (17-0) ranked No. 20 in the country.

As he prepares his team for the upcoming WPIAL Class AAA playoffs, Sylvester was surprised by the news.

“Our athletic director (Heather Lewis) emailed me about it on Friday,” he said. “I asked if I could wait until the season was over to tell the team and she said that it was good for the district and the girls need to know.”

Sylvester informed his team of the national ranking following a 4-0 victory over Fox Chapel at NexTier Stadium Saturday afternoon.

“It didn't seem to be that big of a deal for them,” he said. “I'm not sure if they quite understand what it means.”

Seventeen different states are represented in the current NSCAA rankings, which reach 25 deep. Seneca Valley is the only team from Pennsylvania included, though District 3's Cumberland Valley is one of three teams receiving votes.

This season, the Raiders have known nothing but winning. And they're doing it in dominating fashion, outscoring their opponents 82-5.

The lethal offensive attack is led by Sarah Anderson, Kelsey O'Connor and Emily Cekella.

Sylvester knew the defense would be in good hands even before the season started with returning starters Lexus Lambert, Alicia Hart and Claire Kocur.

When opposing teams do break through to challenge goalkeeper Jessica Neill, the senior has been sensational. The defending Butler Eagle Girls Soccer Player of the Year has totaled 13 shutouts.

The Raiders will close the regular season tonight at Hempfield. The WPIAL playoff brackets will be released on Wednesday.

Many of this season's players were part of last year's team that won the WPIAL title and reached the state semifinals for the first time in school history. SV's 2013 season came to a heart-breaking end with a 1-0 double-overtime loss to Spring-Ford Nov. 12 in Chambersburg. The Raiders' final record was 20-3-1.

“I asked myself, 'Why now?,'” Sylvester said of the national recognition. “There are (so many) high school soccer teams across the country. Maybe it's based on what we did last year and how we have picked things back up this season.”

While the ranking is a nice feather in the cap for all the players who have contributed to Seneca's undefeated run this season, Sylvester is concerning himself with how the team reacts once the postseason begins.

“I know the parents are excited about it (national attention),” he said, “but I don't think it will add any pressure to the girls. They'll be putting enough pressure on themselves in the playoffs.”