With the loss of 11 seniors from last year’s team, Catasauqua’s boys’ soccer team will be in a transition mode this season.

The Rough Riders have won four game apiece in each of their last two seasons, and this year’s team is marked by only four seniors and a horde of underclassmen.

So, when the Roughies opened the season with a 3-2 victory over Notre Dame of East Stroudsburg, there certainly was reason for optimism.

“We had a good summer,” said head coach Josh Inman. “We fought hard and tough and barely got past Notre Dame of East Stroudsburg. It was a great way to open the season for us.”

From there, Catty suffered a lopsided 12-1 defeat to Notre Dame of Green Pond, and they lost a tight, 2-1 decision to Lehighton.

Inman noted that the team already has battled through some injuries and soreness.

“Without a full roster of starters against Notre Dame of Green Pond, it was difficult,” he added. “They have a solid team, and we really needed everyone in our lineup to have a solid chance. It was a game in which we couldn’t afford to go into when we were not fully staffed.

“The game against Lehighton left a sour taste in our mouth. We took the lead at halftime, and we had most of the momentum. But they managed to score two goals in the second half, and it was really unfortunate for us.

“It was a really tough 2-1 defeat to a team that we really should have beat.”

Catty will look to senior Jonah Arancibia who will be expected to provide a strong presence and senior leadership to a maturing group. Returning starters junior Jonathan Cordon-Pinto and sophomore Jaeden Olivencia are expected to be impact players.

Freshman Liam McGinley should see the majority of work in the nets. Senior Eric Vasquez is a utility player for the Roughies. Inman also cited the play of Arancibia, sophomore Jayden Olivencia, and junior Lynkan Moore.

“Jonathan Cordon-Pinto has been very dependable for us so far,” said Inman. “Liam McGinley has made huge strides as our starting goaltender, and Eric Vasquez has been an awesome addition to our team, and he is playing everywhere we ask him. It is his first season playing soccer for us.”

Inman is optimistic his team can reverse its slow start.

“We need to reset, start from the basics and rebuild our confidence,” he said. “We have to keep the idea of everything we do to make the changes we need to turn this thing around.

“But I believe in the heart and desire of these boys and the coaching staff to make the adjustments and put the effort to make the most of we can out of this season.”