It will be a season of opportunities for the Wildcat boys’ varsity soccer team when they travel to Pacifica High School Nov. 24 for their season opener — an opportunity for another league championship, an opportunity to avenge their loss in the first round of CIF-Southern Section Division 1 playoffs, and an opportunity for a core group of returners to lead the team’s 14 newcomers.

Following one of their most successful seasons in program history – a 12-4 overall record, a 7-1 record and first place finish in the Freeway League, and a first-ever appearance in the CIF-SS Division 1 playoffs – the Wildcats spent the off-season focused on improving communication and player chemistry on the field. 

Repeating last season’s successes with an untested roster will be a challenge, but for head coach Johnpaul Wilson (’07), the expectations remain the same: win league, and win a section title.  

“New players will have to step up and be an integral part of the team,” Wilson said.

The Wildcats replace several key players from last year’s team, including forward Diego Reynoso (‘25), the team’s top scorer with nine goals and 22 points in 2024-2025; forward Michael Ingallinera (‘25) and his eight goals and 19 points; and three-year varsity player and First Team All-Freeway League selection Nikolaus Yamamoto (‘25). 

The departure of that trio, plus eight other seniors, left substantial gaps in leadership and on-field experience, which required a shift in how the team trained. 

“Preparing for the season was different this year because we focused a lot on building leadership and teaching the younger players about the team,” returning defender Aaron Gordon (‘27) said.

The Wildcats will rely on a core group of experienced upperclassmen: midfielders Jonas Pearson (‘26), Steven Donoso (‘26), Sean Putzeys (‘26), and Theron Lee (‘26); forwards Jeremy Flores (‘26) and Anthony Aguirre (‘26); Gordon; and goalkeeper Max Sanchez (‘26). 

“The experience from the returning players is high,” Wilson said. “Graduating so many was a worry, but as we started it was clear that the new seniors are ready.” 

Two of the 11 returning starters, Aguirre and Pearson, will anchor the Wildcats’ offense with their “natural chemistry,” according to Wilson. 

“We already know each other’s next move,” Pearson said. “We’ve played together since we were seven years old, so the chemistry is just there.” 

Pearson was one of the Freeway League’s top point leaders last season with six goals and nine assists, while Aguirre added seven goals and three assists as the team’s most consistent scoring threat.

The senior duo has already set the tone for the newcomers and the season ahead. In their final scrimmage of the pre-season, against Crean Lutheran High School in Irvine Nov. 19, Aguirre scored the game’s first goal in the 7th minute off a pass from Pearson. 

In the 21st minute, Jens Erxleben (’27) scored the second goal of the game after an interception at the top of the box. 

“It was a well-placed shot and he had the perfect amount of power with no chance for the keeper,” Pearson said of Erxleben’s goal. “[Jens] has been really good with one-on-one plays and just has skillful footwork.” 

Victory over the Saints was sealed at the 86th minute when Colin Garcia (’27)  whipped a pass into the 18-yard box where Ethier Vargas (’27) buried a header into the net for the Wildcats’ third, and final, goal of the night. 

In addition to the shutout by Sanchez, the Wildcats maintained a 60-40 possession advantage, and took 16 shots on the Saints’ goal.  

Wilson used the game to assess his roster of 27 players to find the starters for the upcoming season. 

“[The scrimmage] gave me a good basis for a lot of the players because I did get to see everyone play,” Wilson said.

After the season opener against Pacifica in Garden Grove tomorrow afternoon, the Wildcats continue their non-league December slate including local matchups against Troy, El Dorado, El Modena, Sonora, La Habra, La Serna, and La Mirada high schools, plus a trek to San Dimas Dec. 4. 

The non-league games will serve as tune-ups before the Wildcats compete for another league championship in the new Crestview League, which replaces the disbanded Freeway League. 

“We’ve put in a lot of work, and I feel like we’re ready,” Flores said. “If we aren’t ready now, we are never going to be ready.”