Cate’s boys soccer team started out on its defense of a CIF title on Wednesday, and began its season with a 3-0 victory over host Santa Maria.
Rams head coach Dave Mochel said it was a typical opener in that it “highlighted some strengths and identified some areas for improvement.”
Yet it was a strong result for Cate, as Santa Maria is ranked No. 7 in the preseason Division III polls.
The Rams return much of their team from last year’s side that won the Division VII Southern Section championship. Junior captain Ema Boateng, who was last year’s CIF-ss Division VII MVP, scored Cate’s second and third goals.
Cate’s first strike came on an own goal by the Saints that resulted from a strong cornerkick by Jeff Acheampong.
In total, the Rams outshot Santa Maria 17-2.
Sophomore captain Joshua Yaro, freshman Patrick Thomas, sophomore Leighton Brillo-Sonnino, and senior goalie Blake Wands defended well in the shutout.
“While there are many aspects of our game to work on, the workrate on the field today bodes very well for the rest of the season,” Mochel said.
Cate (1-0) hosts Pacifica in its next game on December 9.
