As the boys’ varsity soccer team awaits another highly anticipated season, it prepares for some very tough early tests, including a game against Division III Rio Americano on Friday, Sept. 8, at 4 p.m.

Coach Matt Vargo believes it is important to play strong teams early in the season.

“We have a very good team, and I don’t see our league being very strong,” Vargo said. “It’ll expose our weaknesses and allow us to work on things we need to work on.”

Both Vargo and the players are looking forward to the game against Rio, which has more than 10 times as many students as SCDS.

Senior Brad Antognini is excited to get back out on the field, and to play the Raiders.

“We’ll play pretty hard against them, and I think we’ll do all right,” Antognini said.

Senior Edek Sher is also excited to see what the team can do against a major public school, but admits the task is daunting.

“It will be fun to play against them, although I assume they will be far superior,” he said.

The Cavaliers have had success against large schools in the past, posting a 3-1 win over Div. II Sacramento High School in 2004. The team also played Div. I Ashland High School in Oregon during the 2005 season, falling 2-0.

Rio won’t be the only tough nonleague game for the Cavs. The team opens against Mesa Verde, a Div. VI public school, on Thursday, Aug. 28, and has a game scheduled against Div. VI powerhouse Forest Lake Christian.

The vast majority of the offense is back—83 of 88 goals last year were scored by returning players—but Vargo believes the team will have to find a toughness that last year’s seniors brought.

In addition to its offensive firepower, the team returns Austin Walter as goalkeeper.

Although Faith Christian lost a lot of their best players, the Cavs once again expect them to be the main competition in league, and will host the Lions for Homecoming on Friday, Sept. 26. Vargo also expects Excelsior and Buckingham Charter, newcomers to the Sacramento Metropolitan Athletic League this year, to be competitive, athletic teams.

Antognini is optimistic about the league season.

“I expect we’ll win league, and I think we have a very good chance at sections,” he said.

Last year, Big Valley Christian stunned the Cavaliers, beating them in a semifinal shootout before going on to win the section title.

Vargo, however, does not believe Big Valley will be nearly as strong this year.

“They lost 12 seniors, and they’re going to struggle to even have a team,” Vargo said. However, he still thinks there will be tough competition in the playoffs.

Despite Big Valley’s losses, Antognini is eager for revenge.

“I played the hardest I ever played against them, and I really want to beat them,” he said.