Lexi Smith, Cassie Leonard shine in Seneca Valley girls soccer’s big win over Butler
Seneca Valley’s Cassie Leonard celebrates with fellow teammate Bella Gianfrancesco after scoring against Butler in a girls soccer game Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at Seneca Valley High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (09/09/24)
Butler’s Malina McElroy takes control of the ball from Seneca Valley in a girls soccer game Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at Seneca Valley High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (09/09/24)
Butler’s Ava Soley and Seneca Valley’s Addison Shank battle over possession of the ball in a girls soccer game Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at Seneca Valley High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (09/09/24)
Butler’s Cecelia Wolford collides with Seneca Valley’s Karly Majeski in a girls soccer game Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at Seneca Valley High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (09/09/24)
Seneca Valley defeated Butler 4-2 in a girls soccer game Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at Seneca Valley High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (09/09/24)
Seneca Valley defeated Butler 4-2 in a girls soccer game Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at Seneca Valley High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (09/09/24)
Seneca Valley defeated Butler 4-2 in a girls soccer game Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at Seneca Valley High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (09/09/24)
Seneca Valley defeated Butler 4-2 in a girls soccer game Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at Seneca Valley High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (09/09/24)
Seneca Valley defeated Butler 4-2 in a girls soccer game Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at Seneca Valley High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (09/09/24)
Seneca Valley defeated Butler 4-2 in a girls soccer game Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at Seneca Valley High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (09/09/24)
Seneca Valley defeated Butler 4-2 in a girls soccer game Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at Seneca Valley High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (09/09/24)
Seneca Valley defeated Butler 4-2 in a girls soccer game Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at Seneca Valley High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (09/09/24)
Seneca Valley defeated Butler 4-2 in a girls soccer game Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at Seneca Valley High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (09/09/24)
Seneca Valley defeated Butler 4-2 in a girls soccer game Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at Seneca Valley High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (09/09/24)
Seneca Valley defeated Butler 4-2 in a girls soccer game Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at Seneca Valley High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (09/09/24)
Seneca Valley defeated Butler 4-2 in a girls soccer game Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at Seneca Valley High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (09/09/24)
Seneca Valley defeated Butler 4-2 in a girls soccer game Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at Seneca Valley High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (09/09/24)
Seneca Valley defeated Butler 4-2 in a girls soccer game Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at Seneca Valley High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (09/09/24)
Seneca Valley defeated Butler 4-2 in a girls soccer game Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at Seneca Valley High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (09/09/24)
Seneca Valley defeated Butler 4-2 in a girls soccer game Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at Seneca Valley High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (09/09/24)
Seneca Valley defeated Butler 4-2 in a girls soccer game Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at Seneca Valley High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (09/09/24)
Seneca Valley defeated Butler 4-2 in a girls soccer game Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at Seneca Valley High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (09/09/24)
Seneca Valley defeated Butler 4-2 in a girls soccer game Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at Seneca Valley High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (09/09/24)
Seneca Valley defeated Butler 4-2 in a girls soccer game Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at Seneca Valley High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (09/09/24)
Seneca Valley defeated Butler 4-2 in a girls soccer game Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at Seneca Valley High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (09/09/24)
Seneca Valley defeated Butler 4-2 in a girls soccer game Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at Seneca Valley High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (09/09/24)
Seneca Valley defeated Butler 4-2 in a girls soccer game Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at Seneca Valley High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (09/09/24)
Seneca Valley defeated Butler 4-2 in a girls soccer game Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at Seneca Valley High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (09/09/24)
Seneca Valley defeated Butler 4-2 in a girls soccer game Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at Seneca Valley High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (09/09/24)
Seneca Valley defeated Butler 4-2 in a girls soccer game Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at Seneca Valley High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (09/09/24)
Seneca Valley defeated Butler 4-2 in a girls soccer game Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at Seneca Valley High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (09/09/24)
Seneca Valley defeated Butler 4-2 in a girls soccer game Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at Seneca Valley High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (09/09/24)
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Seneca Valley’s Cassie Leonard celebrates with fellow teammate Bella Gianfrancesco after scoring against Butler in a girls soccer game Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at Seneca Valley High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (09/09/24)
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Butler’s Malina McElroy takes control of the ball from Seneca Valley in a girls soccer game Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at Seneca Valley High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (09/09/24)
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Butler’s Ava Soley and Seneca Valley’s Addison Shank battle over possession of the ball in a girls soccer game Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at Seneca Valley High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (09/09/24)
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Butler’s Cecelia Wolford collides with Seneca Valley’s Karly Majeski in a girls soccer game Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at Seneca Valley High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (09/09/24)
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Seneca Valley defeated Butler 4-2 in a girls soccer game Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at Seneca Valley High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (09/09/24)
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Seneca Valley defeated Butler 4-2 in a girls soccer game Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at Seneca Valley High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (09/09/24)
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Seneca Valley defeated Butler 4-2 in a girls soccer game Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at Seneca Valley High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (09/09/24)
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Seneca Valley defeated Butler 4-2 in a girls soccer game Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at Seneca Valley High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (09/09/24)
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Seneca Valley defeated Butler 4-2 in a girls soccer game Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at Seneca Valley High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (09/09/24)
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Seneca Valley defeated Butler 4-2 in a girls soccer game Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at Seneca Valley High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (09/09/24)
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Seneca Valley defeated Butler 4-2 in a girls soccer game Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at Seneca Valley High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (09/09/24)
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Seneca Valley defeated Butler 4-2 in a girls soccer game Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at Seneca Valley High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (09/09/24)
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Seneca Valley defeated Butler 4-2 in a girls soccer game Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at Seneca Valley High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (09/09/24)
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Seneca Valley defeated Butler 4-2 in a girls soccer game Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at Seneca Valley High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (09/09/24)
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Seneca Valley defeated Butler 4-2 in a girls soccer game Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at Seneca Valley High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (09/09/24)
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Seneca Valley defeated Butler 4-2 in a girls soccer game Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at Seneca Valley High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (09/09/24)
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Seneca Valley defeated Butler 4-2 in a girls soccer game Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at Seneca Valley High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (09/09/24)
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Seneca Valley defeated Butler 4-2 in a girls soccer game Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at Seneca Valley High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (09/09/24)
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Seneca Valley defeated Butler 4-2 in a girls soccer game Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at Seneca Valley High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (09/09/24)
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Seneca Valley defeated Butler 4-2 in a girls soccer game Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at Seneca Valley High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (09/09/24)
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Seneca Valley defeated Butler 4-2 in a girls soccer game Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at Seneca Valley High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (09/09/24)
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Seneca Valley defeated Butler 4-2 in a girls soccer game Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at Seneca Valley High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (09/09/24)
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Seneca Valley defeated Butler 4-2 in a girls soccer game Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at Seneca Valley High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (09/09/24)
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Seneca Valley defeated Butler 4-2 in a girls soccer game Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at Seneca Valley High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (09/09/24)
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Seneca Valley defeated Butler 4-2 in a girls soccer game Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at Seneca Valley High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (09/09/24)
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Seneca Valley defeated Butler 4-2 in a girls soccer game Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at Seneca Valley High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (09/09/24)
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Seneca Valley defeated Butler 4-2 in a girls soccer game Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at Seneca Valley High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (09/09/24)
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Seneca Valley defeated Butler 4-2 in a girls soccer game Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at Seneca Valley High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (09/09/24)
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Seneca Valley defeated Butler 4-2 in a girls soccer game Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at Seneca Valley High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (09/09/24)
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Seneca Valley defeated Butler 4-2 in a girls soccer game Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at Seneca Valley High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (09/09/24)
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Seneca Valley defeated Butler 4-2 in a girls soccer game Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at Seneca Valley High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (09/09/24)
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Seneca Valley defeated Butler 4-2 in a girls soccer game Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at Seneca Valley High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle (09/09/24)
JACKSON TWP — With its leading returning scorer injured, the Seneca Valley girls soccer team needs all hands on deck in the scoring department.
The Raiders did a great job without junior forward Ashlee Libby on Monday night as three different players scored in a 4-2 victory over Butler at NexTier Stadium.
Lexi Smith and Cassie Leonard both scored in the first half before Cassidy Stopchick beat Butler goalie Kaylen Yaracs on a penalty kick in the 72nd minute.
“Ashlee Libby scored 18 goals last year, and we’re hoping to get her back at some point this season,” SV coach Mark Perry said. “We are using a committee approach to putting the ball in the net.”
SV’s third score, which came following a corner kick a little more than two minutes earlier, was an own goal by the Golden Tornado.
Seneca Valley’s Cassie Leonard (left) celebrates with fellow teammate Bella Gianfrancesco (right) after scoring against Butler in a girls soccer game Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at Seneca Valley High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Despite the win, Perry knows the Raiders (4-2, 2-0) have to clean up their play as they get into the heart of their section schedule.
“Butler was organized tonight, and they played very well,” he said. “We are fortunate to come out of this with a win.”
The Tornado (2-4, 0-2) gained initial momentum with a goal from Cecelia Wolford in the 27th minute. The shot beat SV goalie Sydney Postler to her right.
But before the first half was completed, Addison Shank fed Smith for SV’s first score and Leonard gave the Raiders a lead they would not surrender in the 38th minute.
“Last year, we came down here and were dominated (in a 4-0 loss),” Butler coach Dan Buzzard said. “Seneca Valley is a great team, and our girls know that. We played much better tonight than the final score indicated. Those first two goals were perfect shots (by the Raiders).
“We can build on this effort.”
SV earned six corner kicks in the second half. Butler’s own goal, followed by Stopchick’s penalty kick, pushed the Raiders’ lead to 4-1.
Butler’s Cecelia Wolford collides with Seneca Valley’s Karly Majeski in a girls soccer game Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at Seneca Valley High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler’s Kaitlyn McGuire capped the scoring by depositing a penalty kick past Postler in the 77th minute.
Yaracs made 12 saves while Postler, who was third string on varsity last year, made three saves.
“She’s done very well for us,” Perry said. “Neither goal she allowed tonight was her fault.”
Both teams play another section game Wednesday — Butler hosts North Hills and the Raiders visit Pine-Richland.
“We are still trying to find our identity as a team,” Perry said. “Our two losses came against good teams (Cumberland Valley and Peters Township). We have some tough games coming up and will find out where we are.”
