Orange Lutheran boys soccer is back on the pitch and ready to make another CIF run. After claiming the CIF-SS Division 4 title and Division 1 Runner-Up in consecutive seasons, the Lancers lost in the first round of the Division 1 playoffs last year. It was a learning curve for a mostly underclassmen squad, and with more experience across the roster this season, OLu is poised to return to the title hunt.

"We were able to have a relatively successful year, but by our standards we want to accomplish more," says OLu boys soccer head coach Mike Oseguera. "This year, with pretty much all of our team returning, plus some important pieces that have come in, they have more experience. We're super optimistic."

With 85 players across three teams, OLu's varsity squad will be led this season by senior captain Jaycob Garcia, joined by fellow seniors Maxwell Hernandez and Dylan Rodriguez.

Oseguera expects juniors Joaquin Chavez, Kyler Firoznaum and Isaac Ortiz to contribute meaningful minutes, while the goalkeeper duo of senior Ryder Smith, last season's JV MVP, and sophomore Jacob Aguilar will be a strong tandem for the Lancers in net.

OLu is once again headed to the SoCal College Showcase hosted at Chapman University beginning December 27 where the Lancers will face off against two top programs in Brophy College Prep from Arizona and Gulliver Prep from Florida.

Nonconference games this season include matches against San Clemente (December 9), Santa Ana (December 19) and San Pasqual in San Diego (December 23). Trinity League play begins January 2 when the Lancers travel to Mater Dei.

Now in his fifth year leading the program, Oseguera is looking forward to seeing the first senior class of his tenure compete, players who have helped build a consistently competitive program at OLu. And with CIF hosting the sport's first true state championship this season, the Lancers want to be playing on the last available game day. 

"Our goal is to be playing at the end of the season," says Oseguera. "Every team wants to be a part of that game, and that's our goal, to play as long as we can. In order to do that, you've got to buy into the process. You've got to buy into taking every game as important as the next."