In a showdown that will look strikingly similar to last year’s Class 2A state championship match, the reigning boys’ soccer team will take on the Berkeley Preparatory Buccaneers on Saturday, the team the Wildcats beat in the state finals last year.

As the team prepares to play a familiar foe, Coach John Krehbiel has his squad anxious to prove itself again.

“It should  be really exciting and a fun game,” Krehbiel said. “We have 11 returning players that played against them last year, most of which are starters now. They graduated about nine seniors, all of whom were starters, so the dynamic of the game will be different but it will still be a good game.”

Last February’s showdown included an early goal from current junior Ryan Robidoux, a goal during the second half by current senior and captain Tyler Moscrip, and a stunning goal in double overtime by 2012 graduate and one of last year’s captains John Bocinsky. More than 300  fans traveled to the University of South Florida’s soccer field in Tampa to support the underdog Wildcats.

“I expect the game to be a lot like it was last year,” returning player and current senior Liam Wixted said. “Now we are trying to make sure that everyone knows winning wasn’t a fluke and that we really are the better team. I’m sure they are going to come out with a lot of determination to prove that it was a fluke. I expect a tough challenge and a tough game.”

The boys play the Buccaneers at 1 p.m following the girls’ game against Berkeley which is scheduled for an 11 a.m. start.