First Presbyterian Christian Academy kicked off its boys’ soccer season with a home scrimmage against First Presbyterian Day on Tuesday afternoon, but the Highlanders were shutout, 8-0.

Soccer coach Tom Sukaratana said he’s still pleased with his squad and thinks the season will be successful for the Highlanders.

"We have a lot of prospects this season," Sukaratana said. "This was the first scrimmage and I wanted to test everybody and give everybody a chance to play, including all my secondary and third string and I’m pleased with it."

First Presbyterian Day was ahead 4-0 with three minutes left in the first half when Sukaratana sent in the first-string players.

"The minute I placed my first team in there, they shut down the opponent’s ability to score," he said. "They showed me they can do the job."

The coach said he has depth this season with 25 players and several returning athletes from last season.

"We have Dario Brown, Christian Eby and AJ Ansley," he said. "My strikers, Mike Farrior and Steven Robertson, both were not here today. I was also missing two or three key defensive players, but overall, I have depth."

Sukaratana said his focus is preparing the squad for its first regular season game at home Aug. 18 against Georgia Christian.

The Highlanders will scrimmage this weekend at the Tattnall County Tournament, giving the coach ample time to get his team focused.

"We need to finish the game and score," Sukaratana said. "I have a good defense, there is no doubt in my mind, but in the transition from defense to offense, we have to finish the play. I think down the road it’s going to be a really fantastic season."