Once again, the boy’s varsity soccer team pushed the competition aside on their path to win league for the fourth year in a row. Although the team lost a few key seniors from last year, returners and some new players of the varsity team have stepped up to make the squad stronger.

The varsity soccer team took on the Sage Creek Bobcats on Jan. 27 for the first time. This officially marked the birth of a rivalry in this sport.

“We went into the game with the mindset that we are playing a really good team,” senior Danny Wood said.

To start off the game Kyle Manwaring struck the ball from past the 18 yard box over the Bobcat keeper’s hands giving Carlsbad the lead after two minutes. After that, the Lancers maintained the majority of possession allowing another goal for senior forward Richard Harris to make it 2-0 going into the half.

“Future rivalries?,” Wood said. “I feel like it will be a while before they have a good team, but I feel like there will be something there eventually.”

The second half resumed the high possession of the Lancers letting Harris bag his second of the game with the assist from Kyle Lawrence making it 3-o with 34 minutes left. During a counter-attack by Angel Flores the Lancers advanced the score to 4-0 after out-pacing the last defender and putting the shot right of the keeper. With the lead over the Bobcats, Coach Riccitelli was able to play Seniors Danny Wood, Sam Sommers and Joseph O’neill for the first time in league title race.

“It was fun getting playing time, you know, going in with Sam and Joseph,” Wood said. “I almost gave Sam an assist and then the bench went crazy, so you know it was a good time with the three of us going in.”

Unfortunately Carlsbad was not able to secure the clean sheet after a goal by the Bobcats in the last 10 minutes making the final score 4-1 to the Lancers. With this win, the varsity team improves their record to 8-4-4 overall and 3-0-1 in league.

“For the future of the team, we look to win our fourth straight league title, and hopefully go on to CIF and win that again this year,” senior Jacob McMahon said.