Sophomore Ema Boateng led a second-half Cate explosion with a hat trick and an assist as the Rams opened their soccer season and Condor League campaign with a 5-0 win over Midland.
Cate, coming off a 10-day Thanksgiving vacation, had only one day of practice before playing the game.
“Unfortunately the brevity of our time together showed in the first half with some shaky moments in the middle and back thirds,” said Cate coach David Mochel.
But the Rams were able to put something together and got a goal. Senior Casey Barr sent a ball from the right side to the far post, where freshman Teddy Mauze finished it for his first goal in his first game as a Ram.
Boateng took over in the second half. He buried a ball fed to him by Junior Avery Schwartz and later returned the favor when Schwartz headed in his cross.
Boateng scored two unassisted goals — one carried in on a run from about 35 yards and one blasted from 15 yards out off a rebound.
Newcomers Joshua Yaro, Leighton Brillo-Sunnino, and Matthew Firestone all had strong debuts for the blue and white, said Mochel.
“Midland was a tough side who played with a ton of heart right to the whistle,” Mochel said. “It was a good first outing, but there is a lot for us to tighten up as well.”
