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Healthy Schnur, Butler dominating Section 2-AAA
Butler (11-2-1) has won 10 consecutive games since a 1-0 loss to Class AA Sewickley Academy and recently beat section rivals Seneca Valley, 1-0, and Fox Chapel, 7-0.
Schnur, an all-regional Olympic Development Player, missed most of the regular season last season with a knee injury but returned in time to help lead the Golden Tornadoes to the PIAA title game.
"It's certainly a big difference. She's our second-leading goal scorer and she's our assist leader with 14," said Butler coach Maureen Peoples, who is in her third season.
Schnur's healthy knee has also allowed her to spend more time playing with fellow forward Annie Lowry, who leads the team with 16 goals.
"They play very well together," Peoples said.
Having Schnur, who has 13 goals, healthy instantly improves Butler, but this team would have been good even if she wasn't at full strength.
"It's basically the same team. We lost one starter," Peoples said. "We're healthier this year. We have less injuries, and the ones we do have are minor. We're healthy and strong and playing very well."
Butler has also benefited from the return of senior Shannon Hilderbrand, who missed all of her sophomore season and most of last season with knee injuries. Hilderbrand, a center midfielder, has had two knee surgeries but is healthy this season.
"She's playing well," Peoples said.
Another factor that could help this team in the postseason is the experience of reaching the state finals, a 7-0 loss to Downingtown.
"I think we are more prepared, if not physically, then mentally," Peoples said. "We never take anything for granted. They are a very good team and are playing very well. If they continue to play well and don't have a down night in the playoffs, I see potential for making states again."
No. 1 vs. No. 2
The best matchup of the girls soccer season to date isn't even a section game.
Although No. 1 Mt. Lebanon's non-section home game Saturday against No. 2 Upper St. Clair will have no bearing on the playoffs, it still means something.
If anything, it could be a preview of the WPIAL Class AAA championship game. Upper St. Clair is the defending WPIAL champion, and Mt. Lebanon reached the WPIAL and PIAA semifinals last season. The team's last met in the WPIAL semifinals last season, a 2-1 Upper St. Clair victory.
Upper St. Clair (12-1-2) has only lost to State College, one of Pennsylvania's best teams. Mt. Lebanon (13-0-1) has a tie against Aquinas Institute (N.Y.) in the Erie Family First Tournament as the only blemish on its record.
OWNING THE CITY
Is there any doubt that Schenley (11-1-1) will win its third consecutive City League title this season?
The Spartans are undefeated in league play and have outscored four opponents by a combined score of 28-0.
But more impressive than dominating City League opponents is the fact that Schenley is 7-1-1 against WPIAL opponents. The Spartans tied Plum (9-1-3) and beat North Allegheny, 2-1, Indiana, 6-0, and McKeesport, 5-0. The victory over Plum might be the most impressive because the Mustangs are in second place in Section 3-AAA.
More High School Soccer headlines
- Springdale boys seek first title since 1973
- Rivals will meet again
- Peters Township reaches AAA title game
- Springdale advances to WPIAL title game
- Mt. Lebanon bedevils Norwin again
- Roundup: Seneca Valley stops Canon-McMillan
- Norwin aiming for double titles in soccer
- Seton-La Salle's title defense halted by GCC
