JACKSON TWP — Dave Sylvester was hoping for a playoff spot.

The Seneca Valley girls soccer coach received a whole lot more.

With their 2-1 victory at Butler Monday night, the Raiders turned in a perfect 14-0 Section 2 record and head into the upcoming WPIAL Class AAA playoffs with a 17-0-1 overall mark.

The only game that SV didn't win ended in a scoreless tie at Penn-Trafford Sept. 10.

The Raiders did it after losing seven starters from a squad that won the section title last year.

"I knew that Mars and North Allegheny were both bringing a lot back," said Sylvester. "I was just hoping to make the playoffs with that third spot in the section."

Mars and NA clinched playoff spots, but they finished a distant second and third, respectively, behind the Raiders.

"The older girls have been real good leaders," said Sylvester. "Team chemistry has been strong."

Another reason for SV's undefeated record is the emergence of Mandy Cerminara as the team's top goal scorer. She currently has 16 goals and three assists.

"We lost a lot from the (offense) from last season," said Cerminara, a senior forward who began starting last year. "I felt like I had to step up."

Kate Kelly, last year's top scorer, is having another strong campaign with nine goals and 12 assists, while Madison Kozlowski (7), Grace Emmerling (5) and Shayna Elser (5) have combined for 17 goals.

In August, the Raiders appeared to be vulnerable on defense, but sophomore Raegan Dobbins and freshmen Amy Kolor, Misha Demchuk and Melissa Lynskey have played well.

"We're very young back there, but they've done a tremendous job," said Sylvester.

Anyone who breaks through the Raiders' defense then must deal with junior goalkeeper Keara Lydon, a three-year starter who has given up only 12 goals this season. She was in net for SV when the team claimed the 2007 WPIAL title.

But Sylvester needs only to look to 2008 to be reminded of how a great start can turn sour.

The Raiders began 2008 with a 14-0 record before late-season road losses to Peters Township and North Allegheny hurt their playoff seeding.

Following a defeat of Chartiers Valley in the first round of the district playoffs, the Raiders lost for a second time to Peters Township, ending their season.

"We became a little arrogant because we hadn't lost a game and we had some letdowns," said Cerminara. "But we're playing every game as hard as we can."

"We're now to the point where you lose and you go home," said Sylvester. "I've had to make sure the younger girls stay focused. They weren't here for the WPIAL title in 2007.

"The older girls, they understand we have to take it one game at a time," he added.

For a team that is still undefeated this late in the season, the district playoffs might lead to something even bigger.

"Right now, we're focused on what's on our plate, which is the WPIAL," said Lydon.