The Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union boys and girls soccer teams are both on the pitch for the first time this season when they take on the Mount Pleasant Panthers tonight.

The Wildcat boys are coming off of an 11-5 season with an appearance in the substate final where they were eliminated by Solon 1-0. Columbus will be looking to replace leading scorer Eric Cantarero and second leading scorer Ruben Paz offensively. They combined for 33 goals a year ago. The leading scorer returning for Columbus is sophomore Angel Hernandez who scored four times as a freshman. Brayan Camargo returns to lead the Wildcat defense in net, after making 59 saves his sophomore season.

The Panthers were 11-8 a season ago. They lost last year’s leading scorer Ryan Hutchinson to graduation but return their second leading scorer and team leader in assists Cade Warner from last year. The Panthers also return Nathan Rauenbuehler in net who made 110 saves a season ago.

The Columbus girls finished last year 3-7-1. The Wildcats return last year’s leading scorer Betsy Atanacio who finished with seven goals, Liana Sweezer will be back in net for the Wildcats after a season that saw her make 130 saves.

Mount Pleasant was 5-12 last year. The Panthers return leading scorer Mary West with 12 goals from last year. West also led the team with five assists. Ayden Ross is back in net for the Panthers after 113 saves last season.

Both matches will be played at East Lake Park in Mount Pleasant. Action begins with the girls at 4:15 this evening and the boys to follow.