The Knoch boys soccer team is on the hunt for a sixth consecutive WPIAL playoff appearance and a goalkeeper.

The Knights found the latter and are starting work on the former.

Goalkeeper Cullen Hinderliter was set to be a returning starter as a senior, but he suffered a knee injury this summer.

"It's healing up, but the doctor doesn't feel he'll be ready to play soccer for another six weeks," Knoch coach Doug Wood said.

Freshman Andy Fritz will take Hinderliter's place

The Knights reached the WPIAL semifinals last year and were denied a title game appearance against Mars when Thomas Jefferson defeated them in an overtime shootout.

Leading scorer Adam Sharbaugh graduated and is playing at Gannon University. The Knights lost three other key players, two of whom will be playing in college.

"We're going to a four-defender set to give our goalie a little more support," Wood said. "But Andy's looked fine in our scrimmages and he's capable of doing the job."

Here is a look at Butler County area boys soccer this fall:

Butler

n

Coach: Troy Mohney, fourth yearn

Last year: 9-7-4n

Key returnees: Senior defender C.J. Burger, senior midfielder Nathan Shook, senior forward Matt Slamecka, senior midfielder Cory Werth, junior midfielder Sean Bernardi, junior midfielder Roberto DaSilva and junior goalkeeper Aaron Voelkern

Key graduation losses: Jake Gamble, Drew Donoghue, Blake McChesney and Adam Lorentn

Outstanding newcomers: Senior forward Alessandro Scarlatti (exchange student from Italy), senior forward Luke Klutinoty and senior midfielder Chris Robinsonn

Mohney says: "We lost 24 of our 29 goals scored last year (Gamble 20, Donoghue 4), but I think we'll be able to create some goals. Alessandro will play a big part in that."Freeportn

Coach: Chris McGrady, 15th yearn

Last year: 15-3-1n

Key returnees: Junior midfielder Tahlon Kirkland (17 goals, 11 assists), senior defender Mike DeFrancisis, senior goalkeeper Nick Gentile, junior defender Garrett Blake, sophomore midfielder David Hidinger and sophomore defender Josh Powelln

Key graduation losses: Adam Bombalski, Andrew Doerfler, Ryan Scheestel (Pitt-Greensburg), John Bercik (Westminster), Cameron Kirkland and John Reichenbaughn

Outstanding newcomers: Junior forward Tyler Singer, sophomore midfielder Mike Bercik and sophomore midfielder Jon Hoschiedn

McGrady says: "We're in a tough, tough section, competitive from top to bottom. We have a strong nucleus and quality younger players to fill in for some of the seniors we've lost."Grove Cityn

Coach: Brian Beil, eighth yearn

Last year: 17-3-1n

Key returnees: Senior forward Mark Jaskowak (10 goals), senior defender Andrew Senstermacher, senior midfielder Devin Kearns, senior defender Bob McKnight, senior midfielder Gabe Ritenour and senior defender Jeff Hershbergern

Key graduation losses: Bob Kowalski, Josiah Welker, Elias Whiten

Outstanding newcomers: Freshman forward Will Potter and freshman midfielder Alex Boartsn

Beil says: "We're pretty optimistic. We made it to the district finals and lost in the first round of the state playoffs last year. We're capable of repeating that success once we jell together."Karns Cityn

Coach: Roy Parker, 10th yearn

Last year: 12-5-1, District 9 championn

Key returnees: Senior sweeper Timmy Johnson, senior forward Eric McCue (26 goals), senior midfielder Nick Lopresti (15 goals), senior stopper Bryce Foreback, junior midfielder Ethan McGarvey, senior defender Mike Scott, sophomore midfielder Justin Ryan, senior goalkeeper Cameron Harp and junior forward Kristian Crosbyn

Key graduation losses: Aaron McGarvey (Grove City), Joe King and Josh Grenningern

Outstanding newcomers: Freshman midfielder Andrew Johnson and versatile freshman Evan McGarveyn

Parker says: "With the experience we have, anything less than a sixth straight District 9 title would be a disappointment."Knochn

Coach: Doug Wood, fourth yearn

Last year: 15-3n

Key returnees: Senior forward Kevin Wood (8 goals), sophomore midfielder Kory Wood, senior defender Chris Ludwiczak, junior midfielder Nick Pfeiffer and sophomore forward Klaus Ondrizekn

Key graduation losses: Adam Sharbaugh (Gannon), Travis Tasker (Allegheny), Jordan Kennedy (Wilson, Va.), Michael Hookn

Outstanding newcomers: Junior defender Erick Hienle and freshman goalkeeper Andy Fritzn

Wood says: "We lost a lot of good players, but we were able to fill those spots. During the course of the season, we'll get better and better as we gain more experience in some areas."Marsn

Coach: Chris Knauff, third yearn

Last year: Mars went 18-3-2 overall and won the WPIAL Class AA titlen

Key returnees: Seniors Ryan McKenzie (forward), Tim Vandall (midfielder), Dylan McNany (midfielder), Christopher Karns (midfielder), Tanner Panza (defender-midfielder), Mike Page (forward-midfielder), Jack Leslie (defender); junior midfielder Alex Perrin

Key graduation losses: Goalkeeper Joe Haefner, midfielders Andy Knauff and Scott Sowers, forward Tim Frigot and defender Zach Mielen

Outstanding newcomers: Junior midfielder Yulian Lutsiv, junior forward-midfielder Josh Brake, junior goalkeeper Robbie Sigurdson and sophomore defender Ryan Gralishn

Knauff says: "The leadership is in good hands. This (senior class) is the most talented grade to ever come through here."Seneca Valleyn

Coach: George Williams, 15th yearn

Last year: The Raiders won their section with an 8-2 record and advanced to the WPIAL Class AAA semifinalsn

Key returnees: Senior Justin McAtee (goalkeeper), senior midfielders Greg Rocco, Jon Baron, Drew Williams, D.J. Bucci and Richie Kocur; senior Tyler Izenas (defender-midfielder), senior defenders Will Hugo and Tyler Pecyna, senior forward Bryce Young; junior defender George DeAugustino, junior goalkeeper Ben McGiffin, junior forward Andrew Danylo and junior midfielder Jeff Hartn

Key graduation losses: Midfielders Conor Azevedo, Chas Elliott and Ryan Miller; defenders Tyler Lunevich and Alan Dum; forward Kevin Andreonen

Outstanding newcomers: Sophomores Stephen McConahy (defender) and Josh Allman (midfielder) and freshman Ryan Vilella (forward)n

Williams says: "On paper, we look pretty good. We'll have to see how that translates on the field."Slippery Rockn

Coach: Anthony Buzard, sixth yearn

Last year: 15-3-1n

Key returnees: Senior defender Devin Hribal, senior midfielder Dan Jeon, senior midfielder Ethan Bryan, sophomore midfielder Brock Sloan and senior defender Chris Dudekn

Key graduation losses: Mike Ramirez (Slippery Rock University), Brandon Zarichnak and Brant Sloann

Outstanding newcomers: Junior goalkeeper Tyler Little, senior Ryan Hyatt, junior Cody Wolinski and sophomore striker Braden Sloann

Buzard says: "This year will be a challenge for us because we've got some drastic lineup changes from last year. If we get the right chemistry in place, we can make a run for the district championship."Staff writer Derek Pyda contributed to this report

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