ADAMS TWP — The 2010 season brought a WPIAL championship to the Mars girls soccer program, along with an overall record of 24-1.

Unfortunately for the team’s opponents this year, the Planets are bringing back most of their key players from that historic run.

Veteran coach Blair Gerlach needs to replace three starters, including goalkeeper Meghan Kelly, midfielder Dana Wonderly and defender Alanna Haefner.

Senior midfielder Mani Brueckner returns as the team’s leader in goals (27) and assists (41) from a season ago when she won the Butler Eagle Girls Soccer Player of the Year award.

“This will be her fourth year as a starter,” said Gerlach. “At this point, a lot of her (scoring) opportunities come through her experience.”

Brueckner is one of four team captains. The others include senior midfielder Crysta Ganter and junior defenders Jordyn White and Beth Perri.

“I don’t think they need me to put any pressure on them,” said Gerlach of his players. “They understand what caliber of team they can be if they play well.”

Following are preview capsules for the eight Butler County area girls soccer teams.

Butler

Coach: Csaba Feher, second season

Last year: Butler went 1-16 overall

Top returning players: Seniors Taylor Troyan (GK) and Jennifer Barry (D); juniors Victoria Sawhney (MF) and Alexa Gray (F); sophomore Rachel Weyand (MF)

Outlook: “We are very young,” said Feher. “Seventeen of the 26 players on our roster are sophomores or freshmen. But these young players play a lot of soccer. We should continue to get better over the next few years.”Freeport

Coach: Chris Bowser, first season

Last year: Freeport went 9-7-2 and made the WPIAL Class AA playoffs

Top returning players: Seniors Natalie DeFrancisis (D), Alyson Moore (F), Lauren Reichenbaugh (D), Sarah Malarik (MF); junior Danielle Woitas (D); sophomores Haley Redmond (MF), Devin Malarik (MF), Dava Jack (D) and Erica Jack (MF)

Outlook: “I’d like for us to have a winning season,” said Bowser. “Beyond that, it would be great for us to make the playoffs.”Grove City

Coach: Matt Nichols, fifth season

Last year: The Eagles placed third in their region

Top returning players: Seniors Caroline Wilson (D) and Lauren Hernandez (MF); junior Mariah Trieber (F); sophomores Aubri McCoy (F), Kalie Davis (F), Katelyn Williams (MF) and Mekenzie Fagan (D)

Outlook: “We didn’t have any seniors last year, so we’re playing with pretty much the same team, with some good young players thrown in,” said Nichols.Karns City

Coach: Lisa Castiglione, sixth season

Last year: KC went 17-5 overall and won the District 9 Class A championship

Top returning players: Seniors Emily Olszak (F), Alyssa King (MF), Erin McCue (D), Carly Potchak (MF), Kylie Laughery (MF), Breann Wood (F) and Emily Schumacher (GK/D)

Outlook: “We’re a young team with 11 sophomores,” said Castiglione. “But I’m looking for us to be as competitive as we’ve been in the past.”Knoch

Coach: Steve Perri, second season

Last year: The Knights went 11-7-1 and made the WPIAL Class AA playoffs

Top returning players: Seniors Maranda Tano (GK), Sarah Scott (D), Leah Vaughan (D), Allie Oskin (D) and Danielle Sharbaugh (MF); juniors Melissa Spreng (MF) and Krista Burdett (F); sophomores Abbey Gore (D), Gabbi Lassinger (MF) and Olivia Sharbaugh (F)

Outlook: “We’re going to be battling with Mars again, which would be tough for any team,” said Perri. “The girls came in very dedicated this year.”Mars

Coach: Blair Gerlach, fifth season

Last year: The Planets went 24-1 overall, won the WPIAL Class AA title and reached the state semifinals

Top returning players: seniors Mani Brueckner (MF), Kristen Check (F) and Crysta Ganter (MF); juniors Beth Perri (D/MF), Jordyn White (D) and Erica Schwab (D); sophomores Karli Paracca (F) and Amber Fichter (D/MF)

Outlook: “I don’t think they need me to put any pressure on them,” said Gerlach. “They understand what caliber of team they can be if they play well.”Seneca Valley

Coach: Dave Sylvester, 11th season

Last year: The Raiders fell to 6-7-3 overall

Top returning players: Seniors Raegan Dobbins (D), Madison Kozlowski (F), Kailey Lucci (D), Katie Riley (MF), Sarah Stevens (MF); juniors Alex Bilka (F), Misha Demchuk (MF), Rachel Leake (MF), Morgan Williams (F)

Outlook: “We had a young team last year with not a lot of senior leadership,” Sylvester said. “I think we have what it takes to get back to the playoffs.”Slippery Rock

Coach: Les Smith, fifth season

Last year: The Rockets made the District 10 Class AA playoffs

Top returning players: Seniors Danielle Wissinger (F), Jordan Marks (GK), Rachel Caldwell (D); juniors Morgan Siebka (F), Harley Boyd (MF); sophomore Charlene Doerr (D)

Outlook: “We’re trying to get past that crazy second round (of the District 10 playoffs),” said Smith. “That is where we’ve been booted the last four years.”