After losing to the Faith Christian Lions 1-2 on Sept. 25, the boys’ varsity soccer team redeemed itself in its Homecoming game on Oct. 12, defeating the Lions 1-0.
Senior captain Morgan Bennett-Smith scored the team’s single goal on a penalty kick near the end of the game.
“Something about that team just frustrates the hell out of us,” Bennett-Smith said.
“We are superior in every sense—tactically, athletically, technically—but they’re scrappy and they find a way to keep it close. In games like that, anything can happen.”
But the Cavs’ persistence paid off in the low-scoring game, coach Matt Vargo said.
“The guys never got discouraged and kept fighting through the game, coming out with a victory.”
The defense was strong throughout the entire game and was effective in holding off the Lions, senior Donald Hutchinson said.
With a season record of 12-2 and a league record of 3-1, the team hopes to secure a spot in the playoffs.
“We have a lot of talent, and once we find our rhythm I think we will be really competitive,” Gerardo Vergara, senior captain and goalie, said.
Bennett-Smith leads the team and the league with 20 goals throughout the season.
And Vergara has had five shutouts and 43 saves in the season.
Although the team has been successful, their success has not come without difficulties.
“We have had some injuries that have taken a toll on our team, but people have stepped up and we no longer have many weak links,” Hutchinson said.
Sophomore Skovran Cunningham and senior Brandon Pefferle were out for most of the season due to a broken collarbone and a broken arm, respectively.
The boys are scheduled to play the Lutheran Panthers on Thursday in Elk Grove.
