Boys soccer will face a crucial test of chemistry as they host the Conant Cougars tonight at Lazier.

“Even though they aren’t a big team this isn’t a game that should be taken lightly,” said senior captain Adam Masters, “It’s our first game of the season and we have to adjust ourselves to all the new players and Conant is the right team to do so against.”

Although Conant has never been a big challenge, with our last matchup with them being a 5-0 rout by the Kits, the boys are more concerned of seeing how they play on the pitch with each other.

“It should be a interesting game, not only because its the first one of the season but because it’s a whole new team,” said senior Adam Trujillo, “We have 14 new guys on the field with us this year and only seven returning players so we all want to see how it goes.”

The team will be made up of 10 seniors, three juniors and one sophomore, giving the Kits an experienced core with strong supporting players.

The seven returning players include goalie Masters, defenders Henry Honzel and Henry Young, midfielders Adam Trujillo and Christyan De La Cruz and Forwards Jesus Villasenor and Erick Balthazar, all seniors.

“These guys are going to be our main foundation and will be the backbone of the team,” said Coach Franz Calixte.

“Most of us have already played together on our traveling team and we’ve had great success there, hopefully we can do the same for this upcoming varsity season,” said senior Christyan De La Cruz.

After their matchup with the Cougars, the boys take on Libertyville on Thursday at Lazier.

“We should take it one game at a time, but we have a bit of a history with Libertyville, losing to them last year,” said De La Cruz. “But it’s a new year, a new team, and new possibilities.”

Overall expectations for the season are sky high as the Kits look to improve on their strong season last year.

The boys suffered a heartbreaking loss to school rivals New Trier last season in the sectional finals, falling 1-0.

“We were confident going into that game last year, so it was a tough loss,” said Trujillo. “However, we have to move on from that and focus on this season. This is a year for the books.”