The defending conference champion DeKalb Middle School Saints kicked off their soccer season at the NMS Kickin’ Cancer Playday in Winchester.

The Saints performed well considering they lost many good players at the end of last season. The play day games consisted of thirty minute halfs, and the Saints played in four of the 12 games.

During the first game, a junior varsity competition, the Saints tied with Coffee County 0-0.

The second game, this one a varsity match, seemed to bring out the Saints’ players’ competitive sides. The game ended in a 3-0 victory, with Alan Munoz scoring one goal and Michael Elswick scoring the other two.

The third game, a varsity game against North Middle School, saw the saints win as well. Michael Elswick scored the only goal in the 1-0 game.

Tullahoma was the Saints’ opponent once again in the final game of the day.

Sadly the Saints lost this game 1-0, but this didn’t serve to dampen the team’s spirit. All the players and their coach Justin Nokes are super excited for the rest of the season, which kicks off officially at 5:30 p.m. on March 10 against Smith County at the field behind DCHS.