Following a heartbreaking defeat in last year’s semi-finals, the men’s soccer team will be looking to prepare for the difficult season ahead.

The team will start the season with a new head coach: William Taylor, a history teacher who will be looking to continue the program’s success.

“We have been getting to know each other and playing as a unit while playing the new system we want to run this year,” said senior Taylor Reveles. “All of the returning players are hungry for a Section title by late November.”

The older players view their main goal as totally achievable and realistic. Last year, the team came within one penalty kick of making it to the Section championship game, but the younger players will have to quickly adapt to the winning atmosphere associated with the strong soccer program.

“I think we’ve got a strong squad,” said senior Tyler Reveles. “I believe we can win league and Sections if we stay disciplined and grind out good results. It is Rio’s year because all of the lads have talent and we have good experience and leadership from the seniors.”

Although it has only been a week, everyone is working to work on understanding and making decisions at game speed. The practices are designed to work the players at game speed so the players can start the season quickly and find their form as early as late-August.

“Being a first year varsity player I can look around and see that the team is gaining more chemistry every day,” said senior Andrew Terra. “Practices are relaxed and intense at the same time. I can see exponential progress every day.”

The team will be playing their first competitive match of the season against Granite Bay. The older players have experience with playing top teams in the area, but the new varsity players will have to adjust quickly to accommodate for the tough start to the season.

“I think that this season we have a lot more talent than last year and I can’t wait to see how the year progresses with these younger players,” said captain Richard Newens.