Four years later, the Sewickley Academy girls' soccer team has nearly come full circle ... at least the Panthers hope so.

After winning consecutive WPIAL titles in 2003 and 2004, Sewickley Academy graduated nearly its entire starting lineup. It soon began rebuilding with freshmen and had its fair share of growing pains -- at least by the program's lofty standards -- winning only one playoff game the past two years. But the freshmen and sophomores who were starting a couple years ago have developed into some of the best players in Class AA and Sewickley Academy has developed into one of the best teams in Class AA.

The Panthers finish the regular season at 11-4-1 overall and 10-1-1 in Section 2-AA after defeating Vincentian Academy, 4-2, Tuesday. The victory clinched the section title. In 2003, former coach Ed Walters last season, he led the team to WPIAL and PIAA titles while compiling a 23-1-3 record.

The following season, seven-year assistant and current head coach Jessica Peluso guided Sewickley Academy back to the WPIAL title game where it once again came away with gold.

In 2005 when the current seniors were freshmen, Peluso had to replace eight graduating seniors yet the Panthers still reached the WPIAL and PIAA semifinals. Taylor Bungo played on that team. A four-year starter, she currently plays forward or center midfield and is one of seven seniors on the squad and one of nine returning starters.

"Since members of this senior class were freshmen, I have seen the potential of this year," Peluso said. "We have been rebuilding for the past three years and I sort of anticipated this would be the year we would do well."

Two other seniors, Becca McCarthy and Carly Tustin, came to the school as sophomores and have played the past three seasons. McCarthy plays the stopper position and Tustin plays midfield. Junior Chloe Zomnir is a three-year starter also playing midfield.

Senior forward Karissa Gardner leads the team in scoring. She came to the team last year and has scored 16 goals after 15 regular season games. Peluso had big plans for another senior, Anne Funk, but she is sidelined by her third ACL injury in as many years.

Other returning starters for Sewickley Academy are sophomore Aubrey Jaicks in net, sophomore Meghan Torrence at sweeper, juniorCasey Ross and Caitlin Bungo, Taylor's younger sister.

After her team allowed 32 goals by the 10th game of last season, Peluso moved Ross from forward to defense. Ross along with Caitlin Bungo have helped shore things up in the back.

"We play extremely well as a team. We don't always look for one particular player," Peluso said. "If we win, 4-0, we will probably have three different goal scorers. That is our biggest strength."

In the past few years when the current upperclassmen were thrown into the fire as starters, Peluso was not left with much depth on the bench. This year she points to a strong freshman class that has been adding depth as a big reason for the team's success. For the first time since she has been coaching, Peluso has more juniors and seniors on the field than freshmen and sophomores.

The other starters for the Panthers are Olivia Ahearn and junior Maddie Sproul, two outside midfielders. Peluso said sophomore Erin Keller can play almost anywhere on the field. Freshman Haylee Zaccarelli sees time at forward and Sara Cook, a freshman, plays in the midfield.

"Specifically, if we stick to our game plan and pass and move the ball well, we will generate goals," Peluso said. "That has been our game plan the whole season -- to play offense as a team and defense as a team and that's what has gotten us our wins.

"This group has progressed in maturity and confidence."