Rio’s boys soccer team has, historically, been a very dominant sport for the school. Last year the team had a historic 24-2 run making the state championship. However, losing 14 seniors may lead to a very different season this year. Returning players keeping the same high expectations the team had last year is going to be the key for another dominant season. 

Rio will be facing new competition this year in the Capital Athletic League as well. Sac High will have a team this year, so now every school in the Capital Athletic League will have a team. 

“After our success last year we know that we have big expectations that we have to meet in order to be successful,” senior Jonah Ezekial-Thacker said. “We lost a lot of seniors last year so we really need to fill their shoes and make sure the level of our team doesn’t drop.”

To be prepared for the league, having a competitive preseason will be important. Jesuit will travel up American River Dr. on Dec. 8 for a highly anticipated rematch of the section finals game last year. 

“I am excited to play Jesuit again this year,” senior striker Josh Brown said. “It is always a fun match up especially when we come up with the win like we did twice last year.”