Two-time defending regional champ Spartans return hungry team

ST. JOSEPH, Ill. (WCIA) -- As the high school boys' soccer season kicks off, one team in Champaign County is eyeing a three-peat at the regional finals.

St. Joseph-Ogden has lost just five games in the last two seasons, winning-back-to-back regional titles but falling last season in the sectional finals to Williamsville.

The Spartans return two of their top three scorers from last season, who have spent the past years learning from talented upperclassmen.

"We have to step up as a team to fulfill the different roles that were taken out, and I think they're going to do really well with this year," sophomore Lucas Stevens said.

The work began before formal practice started according to head coach Chris Stevens.

"These guys did a lot of stuff on their own to prepare themselves for this year," Stevens said. "We're going to have a good year, get a lot of people back still again. So I think this can be a good year."

St. Joseph-Ogden's season kicks off on Monday, August 24 against Oakwood.