Scoring Spree
BUTLER TWP — Early on, Butler stood toe-to-toe with a potent Seneca Valley team.
But like a ticking time bomb, the Raiders’ attack went off in the second half.
Scoring four times in less than 28 minutes, beginning with Will Bruno’s tally in the 47th minute, SV posted a 4-0 victory over host Butler Thursday night.
“We had some great scoring opportunities in the first half, but we didn’t finish,” said Raiders’ coach George Williams. “In the second half, we put more pressure on their backs and passing lanes opened up.”
Ten minutes after Bruno’s ice-breaker, Adam Conrad headed in a pass from Tom Drennan from the left of Butler goalkeeper Drew Knight for a 2-0 edge.
“We were sitting back, playing a counter attack-type of game,” said Butler coach Troy Mohney. “We were able to do it for 40 minutes, but they score that first goal and we can no longer wait to counter. At that point we’re chasing the game and had to spread things out (to try and score).”
The Raiders (4-0, 2-0) responded with goals from Max Marcotte and Gavin Loya in the 61st and 75th minute, respectively, to cap the scoring.
Joining Drennan with contributing an assist were Jeremiah Laslavic and Beaux Lizewski.
“The summer conditioning has really paid off,” said Conrad, a junior forward. “Working with each other and learning the speed we need to play at has been big for us.”
Butler forced SV goalie Ryan Krumenacker to make four stops. Knight had seven saves for Butler.
SV, two-time defending WPIAL Class 4A champion and runner-up in the state last year, has opened up the season in impressive fashion by outscoring its four opponents 19-1.
“It’s an extremely talented group, but I’m impressed with the way the guys have handled the pressure of having that target on their backs,” said Williams, who added: “There’s a long way to go.”
The Golden Tornado fell to 2-2 overall and 0-2 in Section 1-4A play.
“An 0-2 start is not a huge deal. There was one year when we started 1-6 and still made the playoffs,” Mohney said. “The Pine-Richland game (a 1-0 loss Tuesday) could’ve gone either way and tonight, we just ran into a tremendously talented Seneca Valley team.
“We’re going to keep working and getting better. These guys won’t quit.”
Both teams are off until Tuesday. Butler will travel to North Allegheny while Seneca will host Central Catholic.
